Quote:
Originally Posted by RiCharlie
I was in chemical sales for a while and I know that product X can be sold under different names for supposedly different applications and that if you buy some specially product you will pay a lot more for the same thing.
With that in mind I am wondering about these high priced swirl removers and polishes and asking if they are really any better than the Turtle wax brand which is a lot cheaper. and for all I know may be the same exact thing.
I was thinking of cleaning up my car but adding all the polishing compounds they want you to buy and the stuff they sell you to spray on as you clay and so on .. the price begins to add up..and, for example, this clay lubricant may be no better than ordinary soap and water but they want something like $15 for a small bottle.
So my question is this.. I want quality but not a rip off and was wondering what the group thinks of Turtle wax products. I am sure they get a big discount on the chemicals they use in formulating their products and so they may be just as good for a lot less..or are they?
Thoughts? Anyone
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Ok where to start....
Most clay lubricant is basically quick detailer. You technically could use soap and water, but QD is relatively cheap, easy to obtain and doesn't leave as much residue behind (where as most soap and water combos will leave a film of sorts).
Please keep one thing in mind when looking at OTC (over the counter, purchased at auto stores and whatnot) products. They are designed for the ever day consumer and
for the most part do not contain abrasives needed to remove any heavy swirling or marring. It's mostly for the manufacturer to cover their asses and to keep novices from ruining their paint. Most of these products contain fillers and oils that will fill in the swirls and make the paint appear to have been fixed (meaning you can get OK results by hand). However, once they go away, swirls come back. There are exceptions to this (one being Meguiars ultimate compound, even then it does not provide the same cut as M105 from their professional line up).
Also, most OTC waxes you buy contain cleaning agents. This means it can not be layered as it will strip the layer of wax/glaze below off.
On the other hand you have professional / enthusiasts type of products. These are generally geared towards, well professionals and enthusiasts. They can contain less fillers (I mean, most polishes by nature contain oils that can fill these scratches) and provide more "cut" to remove paint imperfections. The waxes/sealants do not contain cleaning agents and generally will last longer and provide better protection.
Being you mentioned the chemical sales, you are aware how a lot of products can be rebottled and sold. That is no different in the detailing world. A LOT of products that claim to be different are just rebranded versions of another. However, they do change color and scents based on what the manufacturer wants (research a company called four star, they provide quite a bit of polishes and waxes to be resold under another name).
The reason for this is obvious, most smaller companies can not afford to have their own chemists formulating products for them. Bigger companies (such as Meguiars) have the money to have chemists develop products specifically for them. That's why a lot of their pro line is used by most pro detailers.
Turtle wax falls into the OTC category and in general does not provide a product that you will ever see a detailer using.
It all boils down to what you like using. If you use turtle wax and don't have a problem with the results (as long as it looks good to you) then it's worth a shot. I personally have not looked at their products since I started detailing.
and with that, I will end my book.