Confused by Detailing Supplies

As a former shop owner, I completely understand how confusing detailing supplies can be. From the basics like car soap and dressings to high-end products such as ceramic coatings, deciding what product to use and where to buy it can be overwhelming.

Purchase Options

Big box stores are often the first place a new detailer will go. Unfortunately, this usually means either low-quality products or small quantities in an overpriced package. You might spend $10 for a 16 oz glass cleaner when you could buy a gallon for under $15.

Websites

Websites can be a good option if you know what you need. Some even offer professional pricing. However, websites often feature overhyped brands, higher prices, and longer lead times. If you are going to purchase from a website, try to use a local distributor who also sells online — ideally at professional pricing.

Local Detail Supply Company

Often, the best option for detailing supplies is your local detail supplier, who may operate a small retail store or a truck route that comes directly to you. In many — if not most — cases, these companies, such as ImageFX, offer professional pricing to detailers, dealerships, and other industry customers.

Sometimes finding these locations or truck routes can be difficult. We suggest visiting major manufacturers such as Car Brite, 3D, P&S, Nasiol, and PRO Products and using their distributor finder tools. Then make sure you are set up as a professional customer rather than a retail customer who pays full price.

Let’s Talk About MAP

Let’s talk about MAP pricing and why it matters to you. Most companies have an MSRP, which is the suggested retail price. They also have a MAP price, which stands for Minimum Advertised Price. Why should you care?

When you buy online, in most cases the best deal you are going to see is the MAP price. That price could be 10, 20, or even 30 percent higher than the unadvertised price you might get from your local detail supply truck.

Dealership vs. Detailer Brands

There are generally three types of brands in the market. Dealership brands focus on high-strength products that can often be diluted. They are not obsessed with packaging or flashy branding. Instead, they offer very high-quality products at professional prices that can be astonishing if you are used to shopping online or buying boutique brands.

Detailer brands tend to focus more on image. They emphasize fragrance, appearance, and packaging that is fun and easy to use. Some brands, such as 3D, have positioned themselves in a way that fits into either category — essentially improving their image while maintaining professional performance.

There is one other category to consider: boutique brands with cult-like followings and strong opinions online. I am not going to mention them by name, but in general I stay away from them. In some cases, they may have a unique product or two that I cannot live without, but overall I prefer brands that I can purchase at a reasonable price in large quantities.

My Favorite Brands for Basic Detailing

Just to be clear I am talking about soaps, dressings, interior cleaners. More later on other areas.

3D
P&S
PRO
Car Brite

Ceramic Coatings

The truth is there are a lot of great brands out there. Many of them come from the same place with a different label attached. Having come from the “brand of brands” in the ceramic coating world, I am very, very picky.

You will find great products with no real warranty. You will find brands with excellent warranties but products that, frankly, are not very good. Some brands require thousands of dollars in upfront investment just to pay retail pricing, while others will sell to anyone.

There are two primary brands and one secondary brand of coatings that I personally use or recommend. Nasiol is by far my favorite. I have it on my own vehicle, and it outperforms the major brand I used to promote. They offer third-party-backed warranties that actually pay, and their professional pricing is second to none.

P&S Stout is another high-end option with a strong warranty for certified applicators. 3D is a brand I often suggest to those just starting out — especially if they are working outdoors and want something quick and easy to use.

Paint Correction

I am going to keep this simple.

Polishers: Flex is my high-end choice. BarJack is my everyday choice. Liquid Elements is coming on strong and is a force to be reckoned with.

Pads: I typically use Buff and Shine or Lake Country.

Compounds and Polishes: If I am doing a one-step correction, I will usually reach for P&S Rehab or 3D ONE. P&S also offers Intervention and Therapy for higher-end correction projects.

If I am working at a body shop, or performing a concours-level correction and chasing perfection, I will use the 3D engineered compounds.

Keep in mind that exactly what I use depends on what the paint tells me. Yes, I talk to the paint — or more accurately, it talks to me.