Switching To Meguiar's

[wash_me]

I am switching from Prowax products to Meguiar’s and I need a little info.

These are the products I am thinking about trying. I am a mobile detailer I would like to know how these products work in the sun and how the product works.

W-Dressing
Wheel Brightener
Wire Wheel Cleaner
Glass Cleaner Concentrate
Carwash Soap
All Purpose Plus (I already use this one)
Engine Kote
Leather Cleaner&Conditioner
Final Inspection (I already use this one)
Vinyl & Rubber #40
Tire & Trim Dessing Gel

If there is any other meguiar’s products I should try please let me know.


Thanks

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Switching To Meguiar's

Originally posted by wash_me
I am switching from Prowax products to Meguiar’s and I need a little info.

These are the products I am thinking about trying. I am a mobile detailer I would like to know how these products work in the sun and how the product works.

W-Dressing
Wheel Brightener
Wire Wheel Cleaner
Glass Cleaner Concentrate
Carwash Soap
All Purpose Plus (I already use this one)
Engine Kote
Leather Cleaner & Conditioner
Final Inspection (I already use this one)
Vinyl & Rubber #40
Tire & Trim Dressing Gel

If there is any other Meguiar’s products I should try please let me know.

Thanks

Hi Wash Me,

I read your post this morning but was unable to get to my computer till late this evening. The questions you have asked are good ones, but it will take me some time to write the answer and post them. I will endeavor to post the answers tomorrow.

How's that?

Oh yeah.... Welcome to Meguiar's Online and thanks for choosing Meguiar's!

Mike

[wash_me]

Sure thats fine.

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Wash_Me,

I wrote the below some time ago and thought it would fit in here, I'll also answer some of your other questions point by point.

From the AOPP website,

If I were to start a detailing business today, here is what I would do, and here are the products and tools I would start out with.

First of all, I would find out from your Meguiar’s distributor if they have access to Meguiar’s ”Detailer Program”.

This program includes Signage Program, that advertises to your customer that you use Meguiar’s product exclusively. If your interested in the Meguiar's signage program, let me know where your located and I'll put you in touch with the Meguiar's Rep in your area.

Here is what this will do for you, remember… this is just my opinion, feel free to disagree…

People around the world in the car hobby recognize the name “Meguiar’s” and it instills the ideals of high quality and trust. Compare that to putting up a sign in front of your shop that says, “We only use, “Billy Bob’s Wax”.

See the difference, there are plenty of competitors offering detailing supplies and chemicals, but your customer base doesn’t recognize most of the brand names that cater to the detailing industry. I saw this in Oregon, detailer’s with banners on their shop walls for Brand X or Brand Y detailing supplies, but unless the customer was in the detailing business… they don’t recognize the name… it means nothing to them.

By using Meguiar’s and doing quality work, you can usually elevate yourself above the competition and successfully command a premium price over your competition.

If I were getting into detailing full-time today, I would aim for the top of the heap, i.e. building my reputation for doing high quality work, versus competing with the majority of detailers who compete on price only. Competing on price will always subjects you to getting blown away by the next Johnny Come Lately who is just starting out and under bids, or under prices you to jump start his business.

You can still do dealership details, but position yourself from the start as the HIGHEST quality detail shop around. (Of course, you have to prove yourself by the quality of your work).

Remember, good news travels fast! and … bad news travels faster!

IF you’re lucky, and you work hard,… your reputation will precede you. Here is what I would have on hand to start and run full-time detailing business,

Rotary Buffer - Makita Variable Speed – Part number… 9207 SPC

I would choose this one over the Makita 9227C because it has the simple, original style handle that pokes out the side, instead of the really neat looking handle that curves around the entire buffer.

Why?

Because the rotary buffer with the handle that pokes out the side gives you the most leverage over the buffer. This in-turn gives you the best control over the buffer. (important when buffing on other peoples cars, especially if they are expensive.

The model with the loop style handle in my opinion will tax the muscle the runs down the top of your forearm, and reduce your leverage over the buffer. Just my experience, your mileage may vary.

Other buffers, DeWalt, Milwaukee, etc. are all good too but the Makita is the lightest, (I think), which counts for something, and also has the smallest head. This comes in handy when trying to buff into tight areas, like between the front fenders of a 1934 Chevrolet and the hood cowl, or the area between the wing and the deck lids on a tuner car, etc.

My buffer also has a rubber rest block on the top of it, which I really like. Most of the other buffers either have nothing, or worse… a metal rest block.

Dual Action Polisher
Porter Cable seems to have this market cornered, but I’m sure there are competitors. Meguiar’s sells the Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher and it comes with a lifetime warranty. This is an excellent value especially if you’re going to use this tool often.


Foam Pads
It’s pretty had to bead Meguiar's Foam buffing pads. Meguiar’s came out with these in 1965, way before any of the companies copying Meguiar’s were either in business, or ever thought about using foam to machine buff on paint with. Some knock-offs I have seen use the exact same foam used inside of camera cases, (you know the egg-crate style). Others knock-offs are concave, or have serrated edges, or channels carved into them. Use what you like, but I have been able to accomplish all of my detailing using the normal, flat surface foam pads. Meguiar’s foam pads have undergone many formula changes over the years, the ones they have out now are pretty well dialed in for their intended purposes. Get one each to start with of both the large and the small sizes.

* Meguiar's maroon colored foam cutting pads, part numbers W-7000 and W-7006

* Meguiar's yellow colored foam polishing pads, W-8000 and W-8006

* Meguiar's tan colored foam finishing pads, W-9000 and W-9006

(Leave the wool pads to body shop guys working on fresh paint)

Chemicals

Here are the minimum chemicals I would need to detail cars. Mind you, I have only concentrated on the high-end, but I know what it takes to do the low end.

Note: For the most part, I have always used and advertised that I only use Meguiar’s. So feel free to substitute other company’s products where you feel it will best suit your needs.

Washes

Meguiar’s offers two washes in the Detailer Line, Car Wash Soap, (D-21), which is a high sudsing cleaning soap. Wash ‘N Wax, (D-22), which is a medium sudsing soap that provides a polymer protectant to the finish.

Of these two, I like the D-21, Car Wash Soap for cleaning cars I haven’t previously detailed to really get them clean without drying out the paint, (Like Dawn dish washing soap), and I like D—22, Wash ‘N Wax for washing cars I have already detailed, or to recommend and sell to my customers after I have detailed their cars.

I used the D-22 Wash ‘N Wax exclusively on my 1966 Chevrolet Milk Truck because it’s a lot of work to clean and polish a big truck like my old Milk Truck. I like the way the Wash ‘N Wax left the finish beading water and the knowledge that it wasn’t stripping off any of the wax I had previously applied, (#20 Polymer Sealant).

The benefit to purchasing car wash products in the Detailer Line is that you can get them in 5-gallon containers and generally speaking, with Meguiar’s, (or any competitor), you save money when you buy in bulk.

Of course, Meguiar’s Gold Class and the new NXT Car Wash, while not targeted at professional detailers, are both excellent car washes and can be purchased practically anywhere.

Cleaners and Degreasers

Here you can get by with just two to start with,

D-1401 Citri-Gel Cleaner
D-1201 All Purpose Cleaner Plus

Between these two products, you can clean just about anything. I really like the Citri-Gel Cleaner because it’s,

* Safe
* Powerful
* Offers a long dwell time

It’s safe, meaning you can use it on engines and wheels without worrying about staining or harming anything. Because it’s a thick gel, it clings to vertical surfaces without dripping off, enabling the product to work longer without you having to re-apply more or stopping what your doing to remove it before it dries, which results in you having to apply more product, ($$$) and repeating the procedure.

Citri-Gel is safe on everything and will dissolve and loosen just about anything. For extremely grimy or heavily built-up dirt, agitate with a brush, then rinse with water.

All Purpose Cleaner Plus

I like this because it works so well. It’s true. Our chemist really hit a home run with this formula. Just read some of the posts over the years at Autopia. Lot’s of people like it, which is a strong testimonial for the product. It was a staple in my detailing business and it’s a staple in our HOME. We use it every day. You can purchase a GALLON for approximately $12.00 and also get the OSHA compliant silk screened spray bottle, mix it yourself and never buy a grocery, off the shelf type all purpose cleaning product ever again.

It will clean and brighten fabrics, clean carpets, vinyl, paint, rubber, fender wells, trunks, just about anything, and do it fast, effectively and safely.

Two Thumbs Up!

Later, if you want, you can check out Meguiar’s Super Degreaser, D-10 and All Purpose Cleaner, D-11

Both of these products have their strengths and should be viewed as tools in your tool chest. There is always a best Tool for the job. A crescent wrench may remove a 9/16 nut, but a 9/16 closed-end wrench might be the best tool for the job. That’s how detailing chemicals should be viewed.


Wheel Cleaners

You can easily get by starting out using the above Citri-Gel cleaner and the APC+ for cleaning wheels and tires. Make sure you always mix them at the correct dilution level and do not use the APC+ on anodized surfaces.

Later, you an add D-31 Wheel Brightener for clear coated, painted and chrome wheels, and/or D-32 Wire Wheel Cleaner. D-32 is acid based and intended to be used on chrome wheels only. It does work very well.

Exterior Paint

Chemicals

Before the BSP, Body Shop Professional” series came out, I used a lot of #2 Fine Cut Cleaner and #9 Swirl Remover for cleaning and polishing the paint before waxing. Now I tend to stay inside he BSP line, especially when working on modern clear coats.

For chemicals, I would start with quarts of the following products, once you feel comfortable with a product you can always order it in the gallon container for more cost savings.

* M-8432 Compound Power Cleaner (for heavy cutting)
* M-8332 Dual-Action Cleaner Polish (for when you don’t need and don’t want to use a heavy cutter like #84)
* M-8232 Swirl Free Polish (For everything if your lucky)
* M-0916 Swirl Remover 2.0 (It’s a little bit less aggressive than #82 Swirl free polish. Try this first before you substitute the #82 Swirl Free Polish)
* NXT Tech Wax for a last step product

A lot of people are playing with and testing different waxes over the top of NXT Tech Wax as a topper, but in my eye’s, NXT Tech Wax doesn’t need a topper, only a second coat of itself after the first one has been removed.

I still like #2 Fine-Cut cleaner for use on older, non-clear coat finishes, pre-1980’s. I like its thin consistency and the way it penetrates into older, neglected single-stage paints. It works really well with Meguiar’s W-8000 and W-8006 yellow colored polishing pads.


Trim Dressing
Meguiar’s makes some killer rubber and black plastic trim dressings. You can get Tire & Trim Dressing Gel, (part number M-3832), in the Professional Line, or in their Consumer line, a little 8oz bottle of the Gold Class Trim Detailer, (part number G-10810). Both of these products work excellent for conditioning and protecting black and gray pebble textured plastic trim. These products turn the plastic dark with a rich sheen and they last a long time. Plus, a little goes a long way. With the amount of plastic trim being used on today’s cars, you will find these types of products invaluable. Another benefit to these products is they contain a patented antiozonant ingredient that helps to prevent tires and rubber components from fading and turning brown.

Tires
This is a hard one because your customers preferences will vary greatly. To keep it simple, I would start out with Meguiar’s #40 Rubber & Vinyl Cleaner/Conditioner. You can purchase this product by the gallon and pour it off to a spray bottle. This product cleans, conditions, and protects in one step. It produces excellent results on a wide variety of surfaces both inside and outside making it very versatile. It looks good on tires and you can always recommend it in the 16oz size for your customers to maintain your hard work, or better yet, set up a retail section in your detail shop and sell your customers the key products they will need to maintain your hard work. The above #38 Tire & Trim Dressing Gel is also and excellent all-purpose, long lasting tire gel that leaves a deep, dark black matte finish.

Glass Cleaner

In my opinion and experience, it’s really hard to beat Meguiar’s Glass Cleaner Concentrate, see this thread for more information, Class Cleaner thread


Removing Odors

If you run into this problem, Meguiar’s makes a great odor eliminator. Unlike commercial products, Meguiar’s odor eliminator encapsulates the offending odor molecules permanently. Competing products re-open when exposed to heat or moisture, allowing the odor to escape. You can purchase this in the gallon also, called simply, Odor Eliminator, (part number M-2301)

Metal Polishing
Gold Class All Metal Restorer, (part number G-9110) works great on all kinds of metals. This product contains special engineered, uniform microscopic diminishing abrasives for removing oxidation, tarnishing, staining and other contaminants. It also leaves behind a synthetic polymer coating to help protect the surface.

Miscellaneous Items
Lots of brushes, SM Arnold Fuzzy Wash Mitts, Buckets, Masking Tape, Tin Foil, Plastic Sheeting, Old soft, Flannel Bed Sheets, Newspaper, Canvas Wheel Covers, painters tape, (the blue stuff for taping trim and other items off), Paint Brushes, Tooth Brushes, Wax applicator Pads, Microfiber polishing cloths, etc.

I'm sure there is more but this is pretty good check off sheet to get your started.

Heck, a young man with approximately $20.00 can actually start detailing cars with a minimum of a,
* A premium car wash
* A Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax, such as ColorX
* #40 Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner

The above items with a couple of towels, and some foam wax applicators will enable just about any young guy to go into the detailing business part time after school and on the weekends.

After hand washing and hand waxing a couple of cars and turn his profit over, re-supply and start over, adding new and better products as he goes.

Probably the best advise I can offer for owning a successful detailing shop is to set your customers up on a "Maintenance Program”. A maintenance program is where they either bring you their car once a week for hand washing and an Express Wax/Detail, (or bi-weekly), or you go to them. Going to them, at either their place of business or residence offers your detailing business exposure to their co-workers or neighbors which will hopefully gain you new and repeat customers.

By setting up a maintenance program, and charging your customers a monthly charge you insure at the beginning of each month you have a steady stream of incoming cash flow to pay the monthly bills.

Hope this helps…


Mike

[wash_me]

Thanks Mike that helps alot.

Its going to kinded of a pain to switch over but if I just add a few Meguiar's products at a time it should not be to bad.

You have any more info on the Signage Program?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Switching To Meguiar's

Originally posted by wash_me
I am switching from Prowax products to Meguiar’s and I need a little info.

These are the products I am thinking about trying. I am a mobile detailer I would like to know how these products work in the sun and how the product works.

W-Dressing
Wheel Brightener
Wire Wheel Cleaner
Glass Cleaner Concentrate
Carwash Soap
All Purpose Plus (I already use this one)
Engine Kote
Leather Cleaner & Conditioner
Final Inspection (I already use this one)
Vinyl & Rubber #40
Tire & Trim Dressing Gel

If there is any other Meguiar’s products I should try please let me know.

Thanks

Hi wash_me,

Let me take a stab at these…


W-Dressing
Water-Based dressing. Can be used on vinyl, leather and rubber surfaces. Can be used straight for a high-gloss finish on exterior surfaces, or diluted 1:1 for interiors for a low-gloss finish.

Wheel Brightener
This is a general purpose wheel cleaner, it is safe for clear coated, painted, and chrome wheels. This is a non-phosphoric and non-hydrofluoric formula. It can be diluted up to 4:1 for extra safe cleaning, or used 1:1 for a stronger solution.

Wire Wheel Cleaner
This is a powerful cleaner strictly for chrome surfaces. Can be diluted up to 4:1 Works really well for cleaning chrome. Spray on, agitate, the rinse off.

Glass Cleaner Concentrate
Non-ammonia, non butyl, non-streaking and biodegradable. Dilutes at 10:1 Safe for tinted windows.

Carwash Soap
High sudsing, free rinsing biodegradable car wash soap. Excellent cleaning ability without stripping wax protection or dulling and drying out paint as well as other exterior components.


All Purpose Plus (I already use this one)
All purpose cleaner concentrate. Contains fabric softeners, and brighteners. Can be diluted

64:1 - Exterior dewaxing
20:1 - Cloth upholstery
12:1 – Carpet cleaning
9:1 – Vinyl cleaning
4:1 – Whitewall tires
4:1 – Engine degreasing


Engine Kote
This is a water-based, engine dressing that dries to a hard, dust resistant, semi-gloss finish. Non-sticky after it dries. Safe for all engine compartment surfaces. Typically sprayed on after engine cleaning and allowed to dry while you detail the rest of the car.


Leather Cleaner & Conditioner
This is about half cleaner and half conditioner for cleaning and conditioning dirty, dry neglected leather in one step. Leaves a medium gloss finish depending on the surface.

Final Inspection (I already use this one)
This is a wax and silicone free quick detailer. Adds gloss and slickness while remove light dust and finger smudges. Body shop safe.


Vinyl & Rubber #40
This is a vinyl cleaner and conditioner. It does and excellent job on both interior and exterior surfaces. It cleans really well, restores suppleness, and leaves a protective coating on the surface. Works great on tires.

Tire & Trim Dressing Gel
Super products. It’s a lot like the Gold Class Trim Detailer, (Which is also an awesome product), except it’s a little longer lasting and best of all, it comes in a 32 ounce bottle. I can’t recommend this product enough for exterior plastic trim, like the plastic cladding on a lot of new cars, and tires also. Turns rubber, a deep dark black satin finish.

***********************************

Some products you didn’t’ mention that I really like are,

Citri-Gel Multi Cleaner
This is a citrus based cleaner with a thick consistency. This thick consistency gives this product a lot of dwell, or hang time. It is non-caustic, non-butyl, non-solvent. Safe on aluminum, paint, rubber and plastic, can be used to clean engines, door jambs, fender wells and whitewalls. Removes bugs and tar. Can be used as a pre-spotter on carpet. Use straight, or dilute 1:1 with water.

Final Detail
Final Detail leaves a very slick, high gloss surface. Many people that like Meguiar’s Quik Detailer and Final Inspection after trying Final Detail really like it. Smells great too!

Cleaner/Wax
This is a versatile, one-step cleaner/wax that works great on neglected surfaces. Can be used by hand, PC, or rotary buffer. I know detailers that absolutely love this product when they just want to do a one-step to the paint.

***********************************

I would also recommend some products from the Professional Line also,

#84 Compound Power Cleaner for serious defects. Use with the W-7000/W-7006 cutting pads on the rotary buffer

#83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish – Use with the W-8000/W-8006 polishing pad for a wide variety of defects and surface conditions. Works well with both the rotary and the PC.

#82 Swirl Free Polish – Use as an extra step with the W-8000/W-8006 polishing pad for taking your finish to it’s maximum gloss and depth by macine.

#80 Speed Glaze – Rich, high gloss polish with a light diminishing abrasive for a little cutting action that quickly breaks down and polishes the surface to a deep, wet look fast.

#23 Odor Eliminator
Exclusive formula permanently eliminates foul odors by encapsulating them with a heat and moisture resistant ingredients. Doesn’t just mask or cover odors, eliminates them. Cool product.

And of course, NXT Tech Wax.

Hope this helps...

Mike

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by wash_me
Thanks Mike that helps alot.

Its going to kinded of a pain to switch over but if I just add a few Meguiar's products at a time it should not be to bad.

You have any more info on the Signage Program?

PM me where you live and I will send you the e-mail name for your area Rep.

Mike

[rusty bumper]

Great Thread!...I printed this one for reference.

[Mike Phillips]

bump

[RedSoxRacer]

I have recently been shopping for a new Rotary, and I cant seem to find the Makita 9207, only the 9227. It looks like the 9227 comes with both handles, so is there another difference between the 2 other than the bail handle vs. the straight / side handle?

Thanks.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by RedSoxRacer
I have recently been shopping for a new Rotary, and I cant seem to find the Makita 9207, only the 9227. It looks like the 9227 comes with both handles, so is there another difference between the 2 other than the bail handle vs. the straight / side handle?

Thanks.

Not that I'm aware of, you can check out the Makita website and get specifics. On a personal note, I like the stick handle out the side over the bail handle.

[RedSoxRacer]

I dont see a difference in the 2, im going to buy a new one for my brother, so ill ask him which handle he prefers.
Apparently the Marine base where he had all his detailing supplies, among other things, has " misplaced " all of his stuff while he was over in Iraq, so I think he will be making a pretty big order of Meguiars stuff within the next couple of weeks! You would think they would take better care of their soldiers personal items while they were serving!!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Switching To Meguiar's

***Bump***

[ZoranC]

Re: Switching To Meguiar's

Apparently the Marine base where he had all his detailing supplies, among other things, has " misplaced " all of his stuff while he was over in Iraq ... You would think they would take better care of their soldiers personal items while they were serving!!

That disgusts me but, sadly, doesn't surprise me.