Ok guys and girls... and vendors,

I am a mid experienced over the counter detailer. I am going to be making the switch to great supplies now that i want to keep my Laurel edition in tip top shape. I have been surfing around and can not decide on what product line to stick with. I have always used Meguiars products but am liking the reviews on the prima line.

First and for most, no offense but i dont want to hear about Hydro Lazy people!
I know its awesome but i want products that will take me time applying.
That being said, its still pretty awesome as a good friend of mine uses it.

Does any one have recommendations for kits or bundles? Microfibers and such im pretty covered but any input is welcome.


EVEN HYDRO INPUTTTT!

 

Richard sells a starter kit on showcarsupplies.com: http://showcarsupplies.com/shopdispl...New+Car+Basics

That's the only bundle with Prima products that I know of. It should get you through the basics such as washing, claying, and waxing.

If you have a RO I'd pick up some Swirl and Amigo as well.

 

thats the one im leaning towards but i was thinking around 100$ i might just bite the bullet.


Does anyone know from experience the pros and cons between epic and bannana other than one is synthetic vs caranuba? will synthetic last longer?

 

Epic is a high durability synthetic which lasts about 6mo. It comes in the package that I recommended and should be all you need.

Banana Gloss is a medium durability carnauba which should last about 2mo. Personally, I wouldn't use it on PW just because it can add a slight yellow glow to the paint.

 

touche...

i use gold class as of now and thats a yellow caranuba but it does not add any yellow when buffed properly.

I think i will be going with that kit but i want some other suggestions like on griots and swiss vax etc etc

 

Try this site for high-end stuff. I really recomend Blackfire products. Takes a lot of time applying but stunning results.
http://www.topoftheline.com/

Also, try Autoglym. Walmart has their stuff on sale for something like $35 for the polish/resin (aka sealant) group or $35 for the HD Wax. I've heard good things, but haven't used this one though.

 

I've been using Adams products lately, as well as DuraGloss. I've considered others, but so far these 2 lines have served me well - and one (DuraGloss) can be locally purchased

 

Adams? linkkkkk meeee!

 

smart wax anyone?

 

just take your time applying Hydro with a 1" applicator. still same great results.

 

best place to buy prima products from?

 

Show Car Detailing, link above in the second post. Just look around.
I am a Megs to Prima convert.
Amigo & Epic then Hydro with each wash.
The only problem, if it is such, is that I can't really tell if I need to redo the Epic because Hydro does such a good job.

 

Will purchase next week probably

 

Don't forget the Zaino line of products.....
http://www.zainostore.com/

 

The yellow that was being referred to is in the inherent nature of carnauba waxes. Why do people typically choose a carnauba over a synthetic wax? They usually site the "warm glow" or richness of the carnauba. That's a characteristic of carnauba waxes, and won't be influenced by the application process.
If your budget is only $100, I can put together a bundle for you. The Fresh Start kit began as a NAM member asking me for a bundle with a budget of $200 which is just about right when it comes to revamping your products. At the $100 level, you restrict the choices, but I can work with that and suggest some options.
Carnauba's will give you anywhere from a few weeks to 2 months of protection, depending on the product. Synthetics will typically give you 4 to 6 months of protection under normal conditions. Don't expose it to the elements and your protection will last much longer. I had one customer who covered his car in his garage after I finished, and didn't uncover it until a year later, and it looked and felt the same as the day I worked on it.

Synthetics typically offer more shine than richness of color. Zaino is an example of this. It's super reflective but the color lacks depth and richness. Course the Laurel edition is Pepper White, and you don't have depth and richness anyways, so a product like Zaino could be ok too. Btw, as for the previous comment about not using a carnauba on your paint...since Pepper White isn't a pure white, it's more of a cream color...I don't really see anything wrong with a carnauba. If it were a pure white like Aspen White, then that would be different. Oh and just in case you didn't know...take a piece of glass, put a piece of tape down the middle. Put your favorite carnauba on one side, let it dry, then wipe it off. Examine this glass the next day...you will see a noticeable yellow tint on the waxed side. This is how carnauba waxes get that glow/richness in the paint. It literally tints your paint.

I used to be a die hard Meguiar's user as well. But I saw the light, and adopted Prima for all of my finishing work. I still use some Meguiar's compounds and solvents, but not for finish polishing.

In the Prima line, there are 3 primary waxes. They are unique and special in their own ways. Hydro is the simplest to use and offers the least durability. Banana Gloss requires a bit more work but rewards you with better durability. Epic requires the most work compared to the other two, but gives you the most durability. I love all 3 waxes for different reasons. Hydro is wonderful for waxing things like wheels and door jambs. And it's great when you just want to get that just waxed look and even take advantage of it's filling/concealing properties without expending the effort to polish and wax the paint. For me Banana Gloss gives sufficient durability, it's super easy to use and very forgiving, and gives that warm carnauba look without a lot of effort.

 

Zaino clay and then Zaino All-In-One.

Hey ... I also use Prima products but Zaino is so much easier and long lasting.

Bob

 

I know this is reviving an old post but don't forget about Slick as a QD. I use Hydro the most for quick detailing but if I have a little more time to dry then apply I will use slick. It seems to give the paint a slight more depth and lasts a few days longer.

Don't get me wrong either is great though.

My next step is moving to a PC for true detailing.

Hey Richard, is Amigo even worth putting on pepper white? If not i'll just use it on my roof and my wife's car. Now if I use Swirl can I go straight to Epic if Amigo is not needed or should I use Finish in-between.

Yes, I just finished nearly 4 hours of searching the internet and Richard's own forums and could not find anything conclusive.

 

I really like Slick! I use it while polishing to help lubricate the pad, as well as a general gloss enhancer for the paint!

One of my students felt that "Prima Slick was one of the most under rated QD's"

re: Amigo on PW
I don't think you will gain any benefit on PW with Amigo. Epic will give you the same benefits.

re: Finish In Between?
When you polish, you should understand your paint. If the paint looks swirly, then you should polish. If after polishing with Swirl and the paint has micromarring, then Finish is a great choice to finish before going to wax. If the paint looks great after using Swirl, then just go to wax!

Richard

 

Richard,

Sorry to ask a few more questions. I am about to pull the trigger on these and that's why I have a few and virtually none before.

Could you elaborate a little more on lubricating the pad? Your video didn't mention it and since I have seen it mentioned several times on these, and your forums, felt it may be worthwhile. Also, what is the best way to clean used pads? Have read several different methods, some using soap, and some not.

Thanks for the advise using Amigo on PW. That's what I thought. I did hte light test and have some extremely fine spider webbing going on but you have to really look hard to see it. The scratches are that small. Still going to do the right thing and give at least a run of Swirl with a white pad. I may do a first step on the roof (black) with an orange then do a second with white. I will add a step with Amigo up there to enhance the black a little more.

The questions about finish and such are really for my wife's car. That is going to be the true test of using the full system. The roof is slightly oxidized and I know it will be Swirl (2 steps), and maybe Finish (more than likely will have to), and then Amigo.

Of course on both cars I will be using Epic afterwards and may put Banana Gloss on afterwards. I liked the look it gave when I have used it.

Probably maintain with Hydro when I wash, and if I cannot use Slick. Use Banana Gloss every month or so to keep up the overall shine.

If I am going overboard here, please let me know. I think I have it down.

One last thing.... Any reason to not use the Meguires pads over the LC ones? The ones in the video seemed like a good, quality pad.