Off-the-shelf Products at Concours Show. The Reality.

Concours events, such as Monterey, California's annual Pebble Beach Concours d 'Elegance, are the pinnacle of car shows. Concours are a significant step up from your typical greet-and-meet car show in your local downtown or Cars and Coffee. These shows highlight the best of the best, and the judges mean business. It's the Kentucky Derby of car shows, where everyone brings their absolute best. The corral of cars is in the millions.

You'd be correct in assuming that million-dollar cars are pampered with boutique, exotic detailing products.

The surprising reality is that many owners (and even some detailers) use products from Costco, Walmart, or their local auto parts store.

The Myth of Exclusivity

As a car enthusiast, it's easy to assume that the crème de la crème of cars are maintained and detailed with ultra-premium products. It makes sense; if the car is rare and exotic, surely the products used to care for it must be too.

Social media reinforces this idea. The most-followed detailers often post exotic or luxury cars paired with boutique brands. Very few highlight products they picked up at the local parts store or grocery aisle.

Like it or not, social media plays to our desires. Pair affordable-luxury car care products with a car most of us will never own, and it's easy to assume the two naturally go together.

The Reality Check

Talk with real detailers, even those posting exotics on their feed, and you'll hear them mention how much they like a new ceramic coating they grabbed off the shelf. Talk with concours owners and you'll discover Costco towels in their garage (as I discussed last week). From Armor All to Turtle Wax, these brands show up at the finest events in the country.

Clearly, these products can deliver results. After all, the folks using them at concours events have the trophies to prove it.

And since concours judges focus on overall presentation, cleanliness, and originality (not which product you used), it's no surprise that a $500 wax from the jungles of Brazil didn't compare to the 1934 Bugatti.

Why Off-the-shelf Works

Contrary to popular belief, many concours owners are more like us than we think. They may have wealth, but when it comes to their cars, they look for the same things we do: accessible products with proven formulas that have worked for decades.

And there's a key lesson here: consistency matters more than price tag. Regular upkeep always trumps exotic chemistry.

Where the Gaps Show

Now, before you ditch your premium car detailing product or close the browser tab on that nextzett USA website, there are some shortcomings of off-the-shelf products worth noting:

• Diluted formulas result in weaker cleaning or shorter-lasting protection, particularly with polishes and sealants. Interior cleaners often have less cleaning ability or are too aggressive.

• Heavy fragrances or fillers can mask real results.

• Lower-grade towels (like Costco's) risk scratching softer paints (see last week's article for a breakdown).

• Product lines often carry redundant options, including multiple waxes, dressings, and cleaners, which can be more confusing than helpful.

For these reasons, many enthusiasts eventually graduate to more focused, effective product lines.

The Lesson for Enthusiasts

You don't need to spend a fortune to achieve concours-worthy results. However, with quality products come easier application, safer results for your car, and, in some cases, safer results for you, thanks to higher-quality ingredients.

And you don't have to go all in at once. Upgrade the products you use most and compare long-term results. Think of it like shoes: $20 sneakers may work, but they wear out fast. $100 shoes cost more upfront, but they last longer and perform better. You're not replacing your whole wardrobe, just upgrading a piece at a time. Same with detailing products.

For more guidance, check out my article on the core products every enthusiast should start with.

When you use quality products and detail consistently, you have a winning combination.

Takeaway

Behind the gloss of concours, the products used are often more relatable than you'd think. Don't be dazzled by social posts, hype, or price tags. Concours-level results come from technique, consistency, and attention to detail.

Stick with me here at The Dispatch, and I'll help you cut through the noise so your car can look showroom-ready—no matter how new or old it is.