Favorite inexpensive (OTC) products

[FJF]

When shopping for detailing products, finding a high quality boutique wax, sealant, QD, etc isn't very difficult. Just lay down the cash and take your pick. But what about OTC products that often sell for a lot less than boutique brands?

This thread is meant to showcase OTC products that can be found in a local non-specialty store, and that can be compared to boutique brands. Not everyone can afford to purchase high-end products, or is willing to right off the bat, and this discussion is meant to help those who want to get started in detailing without a big budget. Please only post if you've personally compared the items you list to a more exotic product(s) of similar quality.



These are some of my favorites:

Mothers FX Synwax - sealant similar to Zaino in its look, but not as durable; very easy to work with and inexpensive. It usually sells for ~$7.

Long Haul Truck Gloss QD - typically found in Big Lots for $3 for a 22oz bottle; wet look, lots of depth. The biggest bargain that I can think of.

Turtle Wax Platinum wax and QD - a beauty treatment with fair durability.

Stoner's Invisible Glass - a superb glass cleaner for less than $4 at Walmart.

Vroom (grey) MF towels from Target - a good utility MF.

[lexat20]

When I first read the thread title I thought you were talking about pharmaceuticals lol.

To answer your question I have been using Mothers Carnuba paste for years. It comes in a red tin and smells awesome. It holds up great for about 4 months. My other fave is Meguires 26. It smells like bananas and comes in paste or liquid.

[FJF]

Originally Posted by lexat20

When I first read the thread title I thought you were talking about pharmaceuticals lol.

Ironically, it isn't far from reality.

To answer your question I have been using Mothers Carnuba paste for years. It comes in a red tin and smells awesome. It holds up great for about 4 months. My other fave is Meguires 26. It smells like bananas and comes in paste or liquid.

Thanks for contributing. As long as we're listing products found in auto stores, like the Meguires Mirror Glaze line, I'll include some as well:

Meguires #34 - As much as I try not to use/buy Meguires products (Google Meguires boycott), I can't get away from this QD.

BTW, for those who don't know, this is a great place for everything Meguires:

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.com/index.htm

Duragloss - found in CarQuest, Napa, etc:

Aquawax - a spray sealant that can be spayed on the paint while drying the car. Works well over almost anything, including waxes. Fantastic product for ~$8.

105 Total Performance Polish - not a polish in a true sense of the word, but a highly durable sealant. Great look and easy to work with.

Tire and Matt Dressing - a semi-gloss product with good durability and very little slinging, if any.

Car Wash Concentrate - next to Aquawax, a product I could not live without.


More info in Duragloss can be found here:

http://www.duragloss.com/default.asp

The products can also be ordered direct and the shipping is very inexpensive.

[BBS]

Dg is awesome OTC stuff. Just plan ahead and pick up supplies online. Spend a little more and you get much better products.

[el brusco]

zymol royal they have a great discount at autozone

[el brusco]

I got some nice MF from autozone for interior/engine/wheels
also I get mother metal polish for cleaning exhaust, polished engine parts etc...
finally meg's nxt (or ntx) car wash, I like the way it looks for a quick wash.
I baught there blue and black wheel brush (I used to do an engine) and it is horrible don't buy it guys, it was loosing all of its hair in the engine bay and was a pain to clean the mess up

[FJF]

Big Lots often serves as a haven for very inexpensive, heavily discounted detailing products. I try to stop there once a week. I recently bought some Black Magic Titanium products for all of $3 a pop - Tire Wet Gel and Wheel Cleaner. I tried the tire gel and it was way too shiny for my taste, but I did think that the product worked as advertised. With that in mind, I decided to try their Titanium Matte Tire Finish. I found a bottle at Walmart for ~$6. I can't comment on its durability, yet, but the product looks very good - no shine or fake gloss, just black rubber. Check out the video:

http://www.blackmagicshine.com/scien...te-tire-finish

[el brusco]

I ll check it out

[FJF]

El Brusco, it isn't an OTC product, but I think that you'd really like this tire cleaner:

http://www.topoftheline.com/32oztirclean.html

It can be sprayed on never-cleaned tires, agitated with a brush and it literally pulls the dirt out in front of your eyes. It's an amazing thing to see. The dirt just leaches out of the tires. PM me your shipping info and I'll send you a sample.

[otter]

Stoner's invisible glass is all I use for glass cleaner (both home and car). I use the aerosol, though.

For waxes/polishes, mostly Meguiar's. (Nothing comes up when I google Meguiar's boycott). 3 step once per year, clay/NXT to maintain.

303 protectant for all the vinyl/rubber/plastic stuff.

Mother's mag/metal polish for the exhaust tip

3M plastic polish

[FJF]

Originally Posted by otter

(Nothing comes up when I google Meguiar's boycott).

Sorry about that; I should have tried the search, myself, before posting. Googling "Meguiar's court religion" works a lot better.

I'm glad someone mentioned 303 - great stuff.

[otter]

Damn it (read the article.) I hate it when companies do stuff like that, makes me hate them.

Looks like I use Mother's or TW now. ;P

[tripperfx3]

I'm not really a Megs fan at all, but their Ultimate Quik Detailer is great (sort of like Aquawax I'd imagine). Really helps to maintain shine and beads water like crazy.

I'm also a huge fan of Stoners IG.

[FJF]

Originally Posted by otter

Damn it (read the article.) I hate it when companies do stuff like that, makes me hate them.

I hear that!

Looks like I use Mother's or TW now. ;P

I can't say that I've had good luck with TW, other than the Platinum wax and QD, but Mothers has a great OTC line. Their Synwax is a very bright, highly reflective sealant. The spray version looks great for a quickie, but as has very little durability, as it seems to disappear after the first wash. I've also used Reflections Top Coat as a LSP and it adds depth to sealants that have virtually none of their own. Mothers Showtime is an excellent QD. I'm excited to try the Reflections Wax, which I've had sitting on a shelf for a few weeks. I spent the last two weekends doing other people's cars, so maybe I can do mine next.

[el brusco]

I almost forgot some of the otc i use the most:
Prepall and 3m adhesive remover