I'd like to see what other people use on there ride's

I'm a fan of groits garage......but I'm due for a re-stocking, And I'd like to try something new.

Pictures of your beautiful finish in this Thread would be a plus

I will put one of mine on here once the damn rain stops....(May in MN, what can ya do)

This is a subjective area of detailing. I prefer certain products and the results they produce but another may dislike my choice in products and use something totally different. Personally I think you are being ripped off for your choice in products but again that is your choice.

Anthony

This is another reason i'm looking to switch products, Groits is getting out of hand with there price's

Hey John,

Looking to save some money and get better results? Well I may sound like a broken record lately on some forums but you have just got to try out Optimum products.

Go to www.topoftheline.com.......or I know Autogeek also carries the line ( I think)....and order the Spray Wax, the Polish, Protectant Plus and the Tire Shine.

You should not need another polish or glaze nor another wax. Let me know if I can be of any help in answering any questions you may have regarding the products.

Anthony

Im with Anthony. I have been using the Optimum line for several weeks now and am really impressed by its user friendliness, and overall results. The polish can be worked for quite some time, and doesnt tend to haze up, which can dust, and make removal more difficlut. Yet at the same time, it doesnt leave any substantial oils behind, altering sealant durabilty or application issues.
As for sealing, does it get any easier than spray and wipe? And it really leaves a slick surface.

Hi all,

Kinda a similar question...I'm wondering what products people prefer, obviously from a cost/benefit standpoint. I've been looking at the Wolfgang car kits on Autogeek (wash/sealer/instant detail/clay/towels) for 75-100 bucks. Now, I'm all about supporting AudiForum sponsors...but is Wolfgang considered a "premium" brand that may have a higher overhead? Am I better off going with Meigeirs, Mothers, Optimum to get the same "bang" for a smaller buck?

I've got some F---ing scratches on front and rear bumper, so I'm looking to put some protection on my baby ASAP. I have no detail products or supplies (applicators, towels, etc.) Think $100 is a reasonable price for all that?

Let the sales-pitches begin :-)

I agree, Looking to do more than a semiannual wax and want some opinions. Mechanic also recommended Groits. Those other posts sound like Optimum reps or salespersons...hey if others also recommend, cool but seems like there should be some other good products???

The best buy far is Klasse Twins for protecetion and a damn clean paint.
I use Sonus Clay, Sonus Paint Cleaner, Autoglym Polishes, Klasse AIO, Klasse Sealent Glaze, P21S Carnuba wax for dark paints or Pinnacle Carnuba for light paint colors.
There's no wax that's semiannual. A sealent yes. Make sure you clean the paint properly so it gets correct bonding so it will last and protect. I suggest Klasse SG is you want protection for 6 months. If you don't have time I suggest Clay, Klasse AIO, Klasse SG. IF you want throw on some carnuba. BUT you must clean your paint! IF not it will just scratch and eat up your paint.

Best wax or Sealant:
There is no one product that can produce all of the properties for an optically perfect shine, however; for high surface gloss and surface reflectance-a polymer sealant, which also provides durability. Detailing enthusiasts consider shine as only one attribute of a protective wax or sealant. They are equally concerned with ease of application, resistance to abrasion, atmospheric contamination and weathering.

a) For depth of shine and clarity-a Carnauba wax (also provides a sacrificial and easily renewable barrier against airborne contaminants.
b) For an optically perfect shine- for long term durability and protection apply a polymer sealant to a carefully prepared level, clean paint surface and add a Carnauba wax as a (LSP) last step product (See also Optically perfect shine).
c) The aesthetics of a vehicle appearance is very subjective to say the least, the only best wax or sealant that really matters is what looks 'best' to you. (See also Product Choices)

It really is all dependants upon; 85% preparation, 5% product, 7% application method and the balance is in the ‘guy’ of the beholder. Ultimately the best wax will prove to be the one that best meets its user's objectives.

Suggestions:
Very subjective as its a question of personal taste
a)(Carnauba) Souveran or Zymol
b)(Polymer) Zaino, Menzerna or Klasse

JonM

I used to use Griot's Garage polishes and Best of Show Wax allof the time. However, the wax was always tough to get off and the polishes stain trim very bad. I switched to Poorboy's World Products after seeing them on all of the detailing sites and fell in love. We started our business with Poorboy's and it has been a great product line for us.

I have been using F21 wax for a while now and it has worked good, even with water spots. From a cost benefit standpoint right now they are having a deal buy 3 get 1 free. I jumped on it sinse its what I use and recommend.

Hi i live pretty close to Griots.. and damn i love there products never had a problem with them staining or anything.. definately love the SpeedShine too!!!

This is for all the Griots Garage fans out there....I posted this some time ago on a Vette forum in reply to someone asking the same question, let me know where I am wrong.

Here I am again being the one negative voice

What did you get for the $200?

Griots sells a gal. of their "Speed Shine" for $30. I am sure it's a very nice product but just how different is it from other quick detailers out there?

Hi-Temp offers the same type product for $18 a gallon so is Griots worth the extra $12? They both do the same thing, carnauba based, used to wipe off light dust, finger prints and smudges on glass and paint!

1 gallon of Griots car wash is $40 while 1 gallon of Optimums car shampoo is $16, Top of the Lines "Bubble Bath" for 1 gallon is $13.95!

I can tell you that in my 16 years as a professional detailer there is no difference in soap chemistry to justify paying $25 extra for a gallon of car wash.

1 gallon of Griots window cleaner cost $17. I am sure it works great....but did you all know that liquid window cleaners are 99% water and 1% surfacant?? So you are paying $17 for water with a drop of detergent, that's ridiculous. I have not bought window cleaner now for a very long time because I now mix up my own. Some distillled water, some alcohol and a drop of soap and you have a great window cleaner.

Griots sells 1 gallon of their Vinyl/Rubber Dressing for $95 FREAKIN bucks!! Just how different is it from Optimums UV absorbing dressing which sells for $20 a gallon??

Now here is where it gets really ridiculous....Paint Polish

Griots sells 3 grades of paint polish, we have a mild, medium and a fine. This is a standard setup within most systems of car care products and again I am sure they produce great results BUT you need to buy all "3" products to get your paint in shape because you have no idea if your paints needs a medium grit polish or a mild polish or perhaps just a fine polish, right? So why not just have one polish that can fill the needs of all 3?

Lets again do some price comparison. If I were to buy all 3 grades of the Griots polishes it would cost me $35 and that would give me 48ounces of product, not bad huh? And that's also a savings of $6!

Well I can also buy 32oz of Optimum Polish for $15.95 and it will out perform anything Griots has to offer. It will do the job of ALL 3 of the Griot polishes. I know this because I can remove 1500 grit sanding marks with it and a wool pad and then finish it off to a swirl free finish and then wax it. Griots couldn't do that with one polish or all 3. So you spend an extra $30 bucks for what? The name?

Now we come to the ever increasing and popular "Spray waxes". Griots sells their "spray wax" for $35 a gallon. It doesn't contain any polymers, no UV absorbers and it isn't even a true sealer or final wax, indicated by their own description of the product. So basically it's a glorified version of their "speed shine".

Once again I'll use Optimum as a comparison. Optimum Spray Wax has no cleaners, no solvents, gives you up to 3 months protection (at least this has been my results on daily drivers, some claim less, some more but the average is 2.5 months from a single application) contains the same UV absorbers that are in your clear coat, can be used on chrome, plastic, reduces UV through your glass by 35% and won't turn your trim white with residue, takes 15 minutes to wax your entire car and it sells for $30 a gallon.

So with the prices close on these two items which one gives you more bang for the buck?


Anthony