So I got to thinking about Prima and how popular is is here on NAM. Talking with my Dad last night, he asked if I knew of any show wins using Prima... Now I am sure there is, but I had a hard time finding a single one.

Any of the detailers here know of any reputable car show, not just concours, wins that Prima has under it's belt? My Mom and Dad show a 2000 Mercedes 300E Espresso edition around the SE coast, and they talk to a lot of owners of some fantastic looking cars, but my Dad can't remember ever hearing of one using Prima.

Not knocking Prima, but I am starting to think it's something detailers use, and maybe it's too new to have many competitive wins under its belt.

Thanks, in advance.

 

Although the Prima brand is only a few years old and thus hasn't had as much time to build as long of a list of concours wins as some product lines that have been around for 50+ years, it has still already had some impressive wins.

Rather than repeating the details, here is a link to a previous thread here on NAM where Nick describes how concours detailer (and go-to detailer for the Simone Foundation Museum in Philly) Tim McNair uses Prima and with it has achieved some nice concours wins.

Prima and the Big Boys (click title for link)

Tim has also had wins using Prima at Pebble Beach. (the baby had me up alot last night so I'm too tired to look up the details for those wins right now but I will this weekend or on Monday for you)

Additionally, the magazine Classic Motorsports ran an article in May of this year on Tim's detailing process, while highlighting his use of Prima to prep his concours cars.

I hope that helps! We only have a few under our belt but they are impressive, IMO, and I think you will see more to come.

-Heather

 

All I know is it keeps my cars looking great with minimal effort!! Oh and I do have a show car trophy or two in the past, not concours but still show car..

 

http://www.cavallino.com/cavallino_2...rsoResults.pdf

Best in class win? Nothing wrong with 2nd place, but I am interesting in seeing how Prima stacks up against the rest of the world. I hate to say this, but I think its poor business practice for you to post "Best in Class" wins for a product you sell, when, in fact, they didn't win Best in Class.

This is, I am sure, going to make a ton of people mad at me, so I apologize ahead of time. Just interested to figure out how Prima really stacks up.

 

You havent seen bad business practice until you have seen the way some of the vendors act in the 1st gen drive train section...

At the risk of putting my reputation on the line (as if it ever existed ) I will agree with Hmmm. However it is not my job to dictate a companies business practices and the results I have gotten from the Prima lineup have left me more than satisfied.

 

Putting aside Concourse wins...let's talk about what gets judged at most car shows. It certainly isn't the quality of the paint finish. Even at reputable auctions like Barrett Jackson...swirled out paint is still seen at these high end events. It's the car, the build, the accuracy of paint, the condition, whether it's a running car or garage/trailer queen, etc... Of course, a perfectly finished paint that gleams will win points, but that's only one part of the equation.

Prima is and has been a consumer/enthusiast brand. It's not marketed to professionals, although many retailers like myself, do use it in a professional manner and sell it to other professionals.

How many of us professionals are competing? I know for a fact that my work is as good as any of the guys doing Concourse details. Just cause I don't have any wins under my belt, doesn't mean that I'm not any good, nor does it mean that Prima must not be good enough to compete either.

Chances are if your Dad hasn't heard of Prima, he HAS heard about Meguiar's (note the spelling since most people have a hard time spelling it), Griots, Mothers, and maybe even Zaino. Why? It's not just that they've been out longer (1901 for Meguiar's) and thus have a larger base of customers, but we're comparing HUGE companies with advertising budgets and multiple locations around the country to a much smaller operation. Size has nothing to do with the quality or performance of a product.

If you're wondering how Prima stacks up, maybe you should give it a try and see for yourself? You're not going to find many professional detailers here on NAM.

Richard

 

OG- I thought you were just letting the normal folks win so you don't sweep away all the trophies.

 

Octaneguy, totally agree with your post. Plus, after watching your videos and reading your posts (and a constant recommendation from Ken) I purchased some Hydro to try it out. I gotta say, I hate it, but that's because I haven't mastered the application yet, but I love the idea of what it will provide down the line, so I will stick with it.

Here's the weird thing. The guy who actually got best in class at that concours created Long John Silvers. I don't mean a franchisee, I mean... he started it! My Dad got to meet him a few years back at Amelia Island, and asked him what the secret combo was to his winning cars...

He wouldn't say...

Then again, most winners won't.

Still diggin the debate, as I believe it's healthy. Especially when this forum is "sponsored" by Prima, lol. No wonder everyone got on my case when I cried bias!

 

What's your favorite stuff to use?

 

Zaino hands down. Easiest to apply and the best looking finish. Lasts longer also.

 

I keep re-reading your post and the attachment over and over again in case I'm missing something but I can't figure it out.

Your attachment lists the '36 (we incorrectly stated it is a '38) Delahaye as Best of Show on the bottom (People's Choice). I don't see anywhere that it is listed as 2nd place like you're saying.

Granted, we posted based on facts the detailer emailed us, so at first I wondered if we were told incorrect information. However, upon reviewing your document I can't find any discrepancy at all.

I don't know who wronged you in the past to make you so negative towards my company and me personally but I assure you that we are an ethical and honest business. I definitely do appreciate your desire to learn more and investigate various merits (or lack therof) of our brand and any other brand as well. Don't get me wrong- I fully support one's thorough research on such things. I too like to research what I'm working with.

So, please clarify what you mean about Best in Class vs. 2nd Place... I really can't see what you mean and would like have us all on the same page of understanding.

-Heather

 

I too think debates are essential to understanding... for any topic!

I do need to make sure forum sponsorship's are understood too... As a forum sponsor, we pay a little extra to support NAM per month (like other vendors here, in order to prevent the members from having to pay for NAM). That's it. We do not get any special privileges, marketing related or otherwise, as a forum sponsor. We just pay more than if we weren't a forum sponsor. It is our way of supporting NAM.

Just thought it would be helpful for you to know what forum sponsorship entails (I don't think it states it anywhere on the site!).

-Heather

 

I believe that is the source of the confusion. There are two cars here, a '36 and a '38. The NAM post listed it as a '38 and still does by the way. The '36 was the one that took the Best of Show. Hmmm was confused about which car that was being referred to.

Best in Class
1936 Delahaye 135 Comp Coupe – s/n 46576 – James A. Patterson
Excellence in Class
1938 Delahaye 135 MS Comp Cabriolet – s/n 49197 – Robert Owens

 

Lying about the age of a car is totally unethical.

 

Hi folks, Nick here. Tim emailed me the information personally. I cut and pasted the content of the email into my post. Tim is a reputable guy and I had no reason to doubt what he said. And quite honestly, he doesn't need to make things up. Neither do we.

Do you think the thread would have been less effective if it had indicated "Excellence in Class?" Do you think anyone would have cared that it wasn't "Best in Class?" What was my (his) motivation for making things up if the end result would have been the same? Besides, that post was really just a way for me to share some really cool cars with people I like, yet keep it kind of on topic.

Your link shows that Tim called the ’55 Jag a ’57 and misunderstood its class ranking too. Generally results are relayed to him via the owners. Are the owners lairs? No, a more logical explanation is miscommunication.

I’m not sure what you are driving at with your post. It no longer seems to be about identifying Prima’s concours wins; rather, it is an attempt to pick a fight just for the sake of arguing. It seems pretty damn petty to me.

If there was a mistake, it was clerical. There is no need to get worked up. Tim’s job is to prep cars for major car events, not count trophies. If there was a mistake in the reporting, I take responsibility. Get over it. You are really making a mountain out of a molehill.

I don't follow your point concerning sponsorship. We didn't buy loyalty, we earned it. People stand up for us because we respect them and treat them like family. We enjoy being part of this community and appreciate every bit of support we get from here.

-Nick

 

Yeah Chuck, and I turn 25 again next month!

-Nick

 

my pops claims he's 65 for several years now... im not sure what's going on with that.

Hydro rules and that's the bottom line.

Motoron- you said i can wish for a thread to be locked and it would come true.. i want this thread to be locked. thanks.

 

Why waste money on Hydro you have to put on after every wash when you can go for months w/o having to maintain a Zaino finish. I have used Prima, Griots, and Megiurs and the look and durability of the Zaino products is still best. Wish I had never wasted my time and money on the others.

 

Actually, you do not have to apply Hydro after every wash at all. Prima Hydro is a spray wax which lasts for 1-3 months, depending on environmental exposure and application technique (wet app vs. dry app). So, you only have to use Hydro every 1-3 months.

Many people like using it after every wash because it's so easy (just spray and wipe) and adds an extra dose of gloss... not because they need to. (and maybe also because Hydro users are just crazy! )

If you want a long-term protective wax from the Prima line, you can use Prima Epic instead. It applies similarly to other liquid synthetic waxes in that you wipe it on, wait a short bit, and wipe it off. It takes more time to do than the spray convenience of Hydro but Epic lasts 4-6 months (and you only have to apply one layer for this durability, along with a rich, glossy look ).

Again, it's just nice to have choices because everyone is different.

-Heather

 

This is actually a perfect example of Zaino ignorance and why their products are so popular among users. You are comparing a wax as you dry product to a sealent. If you want to atleast make a fair comparison, compare Zaino to Epic..and Epic blows Zaino away as far as looks are concerned.


Richard

 

+1. well said, OG. zaino is nothing but plasticy supershine. and not all of us like super shiny plastic looking cars.

 

yah, i am still impressed with the durability of Hydro. to the point i have to say even for my expensive wheels i prefer hydro over your own wheel protection product. just for the ease of use.

there is no product out there that has the durability of a normal polymer sealant (heck mine went over 4wks 24/7 outdoors with ample rain and still had water sheeting off) in such a easy to use spray. and the finish is more inline with carnauba than any polymer out there.

after using my usual Griot's paint sealant i always use Hydro to calm down the super shinyness my sealant brings. it's the same plastic shine zaino brings. its like a mirror finish where a black car almost turns invisible.

with Hydro i can tame that down to a nicer deeper gloss and rid some of that surface shine so that the paint color comes through with more depth.

also Hydro aids me while drying my car in the sun. yes, mid summer hot day i am washing my car in the sun. typical folks would be like but with technology and little bit of skill i can wash the car mid day with no stains. heck i would like to wash my cars when it's cloudy or when the cars are in the shade...but my life does not have such luxury so i wash them when i can. usually mid-day.

 

Folks are talking about "waxes". I have used both and Zaino looks a heck of a lot better than the Epic I wasted my money on.

 

"It's gotta be true newsroom"

Poco, a 03 MC with over 100k miles won the WHOLE BALL OF WAX award at the Shady Tree car show. Besides 1st place, Poco also came in 2nd, 3rd, and took all honorable mentions.

All products used are from the Prima line, available from Detailers Paradise.






Now returning you to your regular scheduled whine

Mark

 

actually we're talking about polymer sealants....
zaino/epic/hydro are not waxes...


lotsie- car looks great!