I'm curious about why some members are afraid to branch out to try new products available only online. This is not a derogatory post, just a discussion. Let's hear what you like to use and why you use it. From wax, tire dressing, etc.

I'll start.

I consider myself decently knowledgeable (entering that OCD stage that others have long been in ), but still learning how to get better with my D.A.

I like a wide range of products and I've learned that I get a better deal from buying products other than over the counter. i.e. Walmart, Target, Advance etc.

Dressing for tires/rubber/plastic - so far Meg's Hyper Dressing has proven to be great bang for the buck. I have a 3:1 dilution for plastics in and out and a 1:1 for tires.

Tire cleaner - I used Westley's but recently bought some Optimum Power Clean as I read it seems to be effective and less corrosive. Plus it appears to be better for the environment.

Wheel cleaner - I use Sonax All wheel cleaner and good old soap and water.

My wash Soap - I'll be honest, the Meg's Shampoo and Conditioner was a go to for me for a few years. I recently switched Meg's Shampoo Plus and I like the way it get really sudsy. I am looking to get a small foam gun to gake the dilution more consistent.

Wax - I LOVE Collinite 476S for the winter. Great Protection. I have a few various from the Mirror Glaze line that I've tried. NXT 2.0 topped with Meg's 26 is a nice simple combo that pops.

Correction - I've gotten ok results with my G110 V2 with 105 and UC but I am still trying to get better with it and get better correction. I am going to get the new Micro fiber correction system which some of the Elite detailers that roam here have praised. It is supposed to work perfectly with the DA's as they typically have less correction ability with the forced random rotation. Not as concentrated as a rotary.

Tips - Borla Exhaust Polish works pretty darn good. Going to give Heavy Duty Metal polish a try later this fall.


So let's hear it. Again, I don't care if you use walmart products. Let's get a discussion going

 

As a relative newbie to detailing, I have quickly turned OCD when Itouch my paint. once I realized that what I thought was a detail is really just the correct way to wash it, the mind-set changed for me.
As a newbie I started out with Megs products and have not branched out to the higher end stuff.

For washing it is Megs Gold class
Waxing is NXT topped with M26
Paint correction for me is a DA and Megs 105/205
Tires I use Optimum power clean and it is the best thing I have tried so far
For chrome, I swear by Never Dull wadding polish. Been using that since my Air Force days as I could get huge cans cheap off the base.
I have some small quantities of Colonite and a couple others higher end waxes a friend hooked me up with but have yet to try them.

 

I'm not afraid to try new stuff. I'm just to cheap.

I plan on getting some PB's stuff next spring. Been wanting to try it for a couple of years now and finally running out of my current stock.

I really need to find some good wheel sealant before the colder weather gets here.

 

That's how I am... amazing to realize how much work is involved. The amount of time to go through a vehicles blows my mind. Glad to hear the Pwer Clean is good... I'm excited to try it out!

I think that's how a lot of people are But when you think about how much you save it's cheaper is a lot of cases. I gallon of HD is like 44 bucks. You have to dillute it, I'm still rocking the same jug for 1.5 years. I just keep mixing it. Screw paying for crappy tire shine that's nearly 10 bucks a pop.

I'd like to try some Adam's products as well as PB as I progress

 

I use HD on the tires as well. I've had that gallon jug for 2 or 3 years now, it's almost empty now. I like that it comes off so easy when cleaning, unlike the gels and whatnot. Don't like that it slings so easy.

Someday I'll get some Adam's stuff. Maybe my next order for spring, who knows.

I'd like to get a Flex as well to help speed up my process.

 

Yeah I agree Ian and you can adjust the shine and no gummyness due to the water based formula. It's great! I too would like to get more skill with my DA then make the jump to a Flex and ultimately a rotatory, but I still have some more learning to do.

Oh and Spike, Never dull is great, but I find that Borla polish is amazing with Bronze wool. That's my top choice at this point for tips with a Mother power cone

 

I have always used over the counter waxes and have had great luck with them. These are the ones that i can remember that i have used

1. Mothers Synwax (my favorite but getting hard to find)
2.Megs NXT 2.0
3.Zaino
4.Collinite
5. Surf City Products (my second favorite)

As far as Tire Cleaner i use Westleys. Tire dressing i love my megs HD. A gallon lasts me about a year and a half. I dont use any wheel cleaner just good ol megs soap and water and then spray some HD on the wheels and they are good to go.

As far as correction i have my xp7424 with lake county pads. I use megs 105 and 205.

I use poorboys sealant and have great luck with it.

As far as my leather seats i have gotten to really like poorboys leather stuff. It makes the leather very soft and has a great leather smell.

Here are a few pics of the outcome of the products that i have mentioned here





and here is the best detail to date with the wifes 04 black taurus...

 

I've always kept a clean vehicle but I've only done two machine polish corrections so take this for what it's worth.

Megs Ultimate Compound & SwirlX w/Lake Country pads were what I used. Really like the Megs stuff. Next time I think I'll try the microfiber pads.

Regarding other products, I really like some of the Duragloss stuff. DG 105 topped w/Aquawax for protection. Also, DG 301 (Vinyl & Convertible Top Dressing) works great on my soft tonneau cover. It does not run in the rain, looks good, not too shiney, and easy to apply. I use DG 203 to clean interior dash, etc. Strong smell and from the posts I've read most hate but I don't mind it.The smell goes away in a day or two anyway.

Optimum No Rinse is good for me for washing vehicles. Use two bucket method.

For wheels I use Eagle One AtoZ Tire and Wheel cleaner about once a month. Ths stuff does a good job and you can get it on sale. Other than that I wait until the end of the wash and use what left of my ONR. I do use Whestley's sometimes just on the white letters on my tires to brighten them up. NoTouch for the tires. It's cheap and looks decent. If I spray it on too heavily I wipe it down after it's set for awhile. It does sling but dependent on how much you spray on there...

Most importantly, to the OP, I was actually considering not washing my truck today until I read your post. Now the shame is too great. What was I thinking

 

Looks great Coy! The DA really improves basic product capabilities.

mWags... sorry bro I have had bad luck with the Meg's 3" & 4"backing plate. I keep wrecking them The UC is a nice mix between 105 and 205 so it is very powerful for an OC product

 

From what I understand, you should only use the products that are made for those pads.

 

I've read several posts on other sites where folks have used Megs 105 w/the microfiber pads. 105 and D300 are both SMAT products so I wouldn't be afraid to try m105 or Megs UC.

 

So far, I have used the Meg's soft buff pads, but I need to get a better feel for when to use each color

 

I'll have to try that Borla stuff...

 

I got it through Amazon for about 20 bucks and it's a liquid you apply on the wool. I also would like to try Heavy Duty Metal polish as well