Expensive vs inexpensive products

zilla said:
But that's exactly the point. Where do you draw the line? How do you know that the more expensive one is justified? Example... Poorboys Nattys carnuba. It's like $20. Compare that to say... an offering from Pinnacle, Wolfgang, or Zymol. Worth the difference? Hell, go one step further and get a cheapie carnuba from Turtle Wax or whoever. Are you going to get a shine and level of protection that is 5 to 10 times better by buying a $100+ carnuba? Not likely.

Believe me, I don't advocate going out and buying the cheapest products out there. But I don't overpay for certain types of products. But that's just my own personal philosophy regarding detailing... and other things as well. Point is again, where do you draw the line? It's a question we all have to answer for ourselves I guess. :)

:buffing:
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I agree 100%. you need a good name product but like I said poorboys for exmaple. once you reach a good enough product there is not much improvement. on this site if I had to only use one product it would be poorboys. I wouldnt even touch any other product. however DP is also good. so when it comes to that.........

I think buying poorboys, DP (heard there stuff is great and autogeek does more for the detailing community then anyone) and cobra microfiber for paint towels.
 
I have always used mothers and meguiars instant detailer to use for lube on my clay bars...However this last weekend I tried Chemical Guys Luber and their clay for the first time...I have to say I could definitely feel the difference in the clay and lube...Maybe it was all in my head but its enough for me to continue to use it myself...
 
I've used Meguiar's Clay kit (Gray), Mother's Clay kit (double yellow), Clay Magic kit (my 1st clay kit with the blue bars), Zaino Z18 (red bar), Ordered up Pinnacle Poly (light blue).

And out of all of them they all act the same (I have not used the Pinnacle Poly yet). The only issue I had was with the Z18 leaving behind red residue with ONR as clay lube. It just kept on grabbing no matter how much lube I sprayed on the car/clay and it made my heart sink. seeing red blending in with the paint itself and ONR not being slick enough.

So I've went out and purchased the Mugiar's kit (two grey clays, instant detailer and yellow MF towel) at WallyWord and when AG had a sale I also purchased DoDo born slippy.

But what does this post have to do with this thread? Nothing really but in my honest experience that I've found almost all clays to be the same. And why shouldn't they be seeing how there is only what, two clay manufactures?
 
Clay lube - ONR. Since I detail family and friends' cars as a hobby I don't see the point in buying a special clay lube. I use ONR mainly as a car wash and it saves me money to grab ONR on those rare instances when I need to do a claying.

OPC - $20 for a wheel cleaner like Sonax Full Effect or $40 for a gallon of OPC for cleaning wheels, tires, plastic, vinyl, leather and on the paint for stripping LSPs? I'll take the OPC, especially since it's dilutable.
 
I use what works best for the job at hand regardless of price.
 
One of the main differences I see in expensive vs. inexpensive is with microfiber, I used to use cheaper towels, but when I finally used a quality towel like Sonus there is a huge difference. Now I will still use cheaper towels but only on my wheels.
 
Menz abrasive products are expensive, but they are the best in terms of finishing and that is something that deserves a few extra bucks.
 
Emm said:
One of the main differences I see in expensive vs. inexpensive is with microfiber, I used to use cheaper towels, but when I finally used a quality towel like Sonus there is a huge difference. Now I will still use cheaper towels but only on my wheels.
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I agree with this...Such a big difference...
 
silverfox said:
1) ONR...can replace many products on your shelf. I seriously think it may be a product that can be truly called revolutionary in car care.

2) Anything Duragloss...they have a great line up of quality products that are also some of the most inexpensive and easy to find.

3) Megs - Meguiar's really is a company who's bang/buck ratio is outstanding. Its hard to beat.

I think I'm most satisfied when I get outstanding results inexpensively, although I've spent a lot of money the hard way finding that out.
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I concur completely with what John is saying here. I'll add Zep products to the list:
Zep Citrus as an APC for cleaning wheels, wells, and for tar removal on paint while diluted 1:4. Available at Home Depot by the gallon for about $11. Zep Purple is a stronger APC that is great for engines and tires, also diluted at 1:4. Ignore what the bottle says about not using on paint. Just use your head and don't spray it on a black car that's been in the sun all day and let it dry on there. The Citrus is great for bug removal too. Spray it on, let it dwell about 2 minutes and power wash off.
Being inexpensive is not synonymous with ineffective.
 
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