Is there a major difference between expensive products like zaino vs the products for example in autozone in shine and how clean the car is?

 

For me some of the expensive stuff I've used simply did not seem worth the money. I use a mix of products from both Detailers Paradise & Griots that have worked well for myself & others. If you do a bit of digging around on this forum you will find the ones most folks like.

 

^^^ +1

 

IMO you find what works and the cost is not a factor...I also use Griot's, DP, and AutoGeek, I used to use ONLY Mequire's.

 

The answer to your question is yes, there is a major difference... in waxes and polishes.
I buy stuff like Mothers Back to Black and Shiny tire stuff at autozone.

I buy my microfiber online usually. (cept for that snazzy Armor All orange MF towel thats ugly, but fantastic at drying)

Most good stuff that will truly bring out your paint color, and put a fantastic shine on it costs more, and can't be found locally. Is it better than the stuff at Autozone? IMHO yes. Because the more expensive stuff takes more time to apply and the results show a better color and shine.

Sure there's gonna be some fella that swears to you that NuFinish is da bomb and it's better than sliced bread, but take the time to look at his entire car... probably isn't show material.

 

I was just ordering some more Zaino stuff and spent about $85. Our 4 yr old cooper s still turns heads even living in Mass and never seeing a garage. This is only the second time I ever placed an order with Zaino. 4 yrs, $85...seems cheap to me.

 

On my first MINI, I used Turtle Wax ICE products. And I used the Maguire's QD with carnauba. Thought they were pretty good until I got PRIMA Epic and Banana Gloss. Wow! Good stuff. Pic below is my second MINI and the pic was taken before I had the Prima stuff. Now, you can read a newspaper in the shine and it looks as deep as an ocean.

 

When I purchase Microfibers from my supplier, I can also purchase the "cheap stuff" that's intended for the Autozone's and Pep Boys. The cheap stuff is much lower quality.

Here's an example. There was a time that the yellow Costco microfiber towels were wonderful. They were manufactured by a US company here in California, and the towels were thick and soft and consistent from bag to bag. Then a few months later, I noticed that the towels were thinner, and shed a lot of microfibers each time I used them. Then I noticed the labels no longer had the US companies name on them, and instead were made in China. Why the change??? $$ of course.

The question isn't really...inexpensive vs expensive, it's mass produced vs quality. Of course there are extreme ends to this as well. I don't agree that a $1,500 or $10,000 wax is significantly better than a $30 wax. But I do think that a $30 wax from a reputable company is going to be better than a $6 wax, but price isn't everything. A synthetic wax will normally cost more than a "natural" wax but it gives back increased durability. Course there are "natural" waxes that cost thousands of dollars because they use rare ingredients and fancy packaging.

Richard

 

+1

 

I'll have to go check my Costco Towels, I've had them for quite a few years. BTW I don't use them on Molly!!