Car Detailing - What products are your go to?

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I once used all of these to deal with those bloody wheels..........

image

No chemical alone can get them clean, you really have to put the effort into those wheels. They looked pretty amazing when freshly cleaned though.

image

With wheels you just keep going through brushs as well.
Got enough as well - in saying that, just like my black Sprint wheels, within a few weeks having it home its was bye bye into storage.
Those Pony wheels in black just kill me as well, off into storage quicker than switching off a light.
The wonderful feeling cleaning rims in half the time is a massive win and pleasure.

Yer DFB, look forward to your Darkside comments and lasting time
I'll be onto it or not after your aff blog lol......

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Yer DFB, look forward to your Darkside comments and lasting time
I'll be onto it or not after your aff blog lol......

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

+ 1 for Darkside. Up to 3 Months would be insane.

Carpro launched a long-term tyre product a couple of years ago called Blackout.

https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...arpro-blackout

As such, I'm confused where Darkside sits alongside Blackout. Most reports I see about Blackout are that it's very disappointing.

I want to try Darkside, but I don't think it will suit me. I strip and apply a new dressing after each wash, longevity is not a concern. So, a product that will last 3 months will be lost on me.

Waxit have indicated these new Carpro products will be hitting stores by the end of the year. Having said that, last year we didn't see new products from Sema arrive until the new year.

[DFB FGXR6]

Still talking Carpro, I'm a little puzzled with the new Release.

Release is said to be for protecting a new ceramic coating during the curing period.

But that what Reload is for as well. So what is the point of Release.

I will definitely be trying Release, but is this the point in history where Carpro are now launching products to launch products. Like Meguiar's and Chemical Guys do.

[CyberWasp]

+ 1 for Darkside. Up to 3 Months would be insane.

[In Focus]

I've recently tried Gyeon Ceramic Detailer over Gyeon Q2 wax as a drying aid on both cars, and it made a noticeable boost in gloss, on both the ruby red and the frozen white. Really impressive, actually.

[DFB FGXR6]

Waxit have updated their specials today -

https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...OZgU%3D.MeSg3g

Some good savings on Carpro ReTyre, MultiX and InnerQD, likewise NV Jet and Lustre.

Happy Shopping!

[DFB FGXR6]

I have found these bulk Economax towels to be super useful over the last couple of years.

https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...penser-50-pack



These are not super plush, high-quality towels and the specs are unremarkable, 200 gsm and 30x30cm in size. But they are very convenient to use for a couple of reasons -

-Coming in a dispenser pack of 50, think of them like a box of tissues.

-At $21.50 for a pack of 50, that works out at 43 cents each.

-Because of that cheapness, they can be used, abused and then thrown in the trash or rag pile.

-Because these are not really going to be used on paint, the low gsm and small size is not an issue.

I use these for jobs that will taint or destroy a good towel, basically a sacrificial towel.

Think polishing exhaust tips or chrome trims -





Prepping tyres -



Even graffiti removal -



They are ideal for cleaning exterior rubber trims, a job that will destroy a towel in short order. I have also been using them for small machinery maintenance and oil checks.

Repco sell the exact same towel pack for $26, in a different box, for a per towel price of 52 cents.

https://www.repco.com.au/en/car-care...rch=microfibre

I actually got my first taste of these towels as a freebie from Waxit. At first, I didn't see the point. But I have discovered they are just so useful to have around.

[DFB FGXR6]

Another great video from Sandro.

I had a bottle of ScratchX in my cabinet for years, from a time when I was still pretty green when it came to detailing knowledge.



These products are intended for isolated scratches only and generally aimed at a very general consumer. I remember failing to convey that fact to a forum member a few years ago, as in he wanted to polish a whole car with ScratchX.

Taking ScratchX as an example, at full retail this product cost about $28. For similar money and similar size bottles, there are countless better options, better even the horrible Meguiar's Ultimate Compound that Sandro uses as a comparison later in the video -

Heavier Correction -

Scholl S20 Black (One-Step) for $25.95 -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...-step-compound

Carpro Clearcut for $33.50 -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...arpro-clearcut

Rupes DA Course for $32.45 -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32113755324505

Finishing -

Carpro Reflect for $28.50 -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...-reflect-250ml

Rupes DA Fine for $30.00 -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32113755455577

Scholl S30+ for $25.95 -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...nd-250ml-1l-5l

Those products are going to be much nicer to use, while producing better results too. They are also going to be more economical to use, be that on isolated scratches or a full vehicle.

[Late braker]

That yellow F6 is such a beautiful looking car.

[DFB FGXR6]

Trying products is so much fun! It's the thrill of the chase, the surprise and delight of finding a brilliant product. I'm at the point now where I can almost tell if I like a product on first use. If I do, then it goes into my rotation and will more than likely be reordered. If don't like it, then it tends to get put at the back of the cabinet and forgotten about.

So, with that, this is my latest product purge!!



Most of these are not bad products, but they are not great either.

I bought a few different Chemical Guys products a while ago, mainly out of curiosity. With the exception of VRP, none of them were any good. Barebones is one of those. This product is designed for rejuvenation of wheel arch plastics, its oily consistency was a pain to work with and messy in the process. I used this once, and once only. Sure, it looked good, but the user experience let it down. For this role, I like Meguiar's Hyper Dressing or 303 Protectant.







Bowden's Afterglow did not wow me, I just didn't like using it and has sat at the back of the cabinet for far too long now, taking up space that could house something better. I could write down countless other options for a drying aid, but that would take me weeks to type out.

Meguiar's Gold Class Trim Detailer certainly does what it is supposed to, but again, I feel there are better products out there. 303 Protectant or Koch Chemie Plast Star are much easier to work with compared to the cream like consistency of GC Trim Detailer.







Finally, Meguiar's horrible Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner. I hate this stuff, and I really don't know why it's still in my cabinet. The scent is a pathetic chemically simulated leather aroma, it's cream like consistency is messy and will plug up perforated leathers. It offers little to no cleaning ability, rather it just coats the leather with a shiny film to disguise the dirt. I also hate that slippery, glossy appearance this product leaves behind. For over-the-counter combination leather treatments, Bowden's Leather love is by far a better choice, otherwise NV Cleanse and Nourish from Waxit offer more abilities at the same or even less money than GC Rich Leather.

[DFB FGXR6]

Months in the making, I have been sitting on this news for a while now..........

https://detailingshed.com.au/



I have posted the story in my own thread, but I'm so pleased with the outcome of this. Happy to answer any questions regarding to these products, I have used them all extensively.

https://www.fordforums.com.au/showpo...postcount=1965

[bangm001]

Hi DFB, what are the better products you would recommend to use for under wheel arches on the falcons, as well as for use on the the occasional plastic trim pieces? I have used the autoglym vinyl and rubber care product which looks great for when sitting in the garage, but after the first drive all of the mud/road grime etc i feel sticks to it more than when it wasnt done prior.

Thanks again! G

PS here's a nice clean GT pic after a bit of work again. Original paint except for front bar.

dell laptop spacebar problem

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by bangm001

Hi DFB, what are the better products you would recommend to use for under wheel arches on the falcons, as well as for use on the the occasional plastic trim pieces? I have used the autoglym vinyl and rubber care product which looks great for when sitting in the garage, but after the first drive all of the mud/road grime etc i feel sticks to it more than when it wasnt done prior.

Thanks again! G

PS here's a nice clean GT pic after a bit of work again. Original paint except for front bar.

imagedell laptop spacebar problem

That GT!!

Treating wheel arches is a tricky task, you have three basic options -

-Use an oil-based dressing that will be more resistant to rain and washing. The drawback with these products is that they attract and trap dirt and are messier to apply. I hate to recommend it, mainly because I hated using it, but Chemical Guys Bare Bones would be an example. You could also use a tyre dressing like Gyeon Q2 Tire for similar results.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Chemical-G.../dp/B001TJWO4Q
https://detailingshed.com.au/product...-q2-tire-400ml





-Use a ceramic coating designed for plastics. This will last the longest and won't attract dust and dirt. The drawback here is that it's a much more involved task, needed extensive cleaning and appropriate prep before application. Carpro DLUX or Gtechniq C4 for example.

https://www.waxit.com.au/products/ca...4cbe5ec3&_ss=r
https://detailingshed.com.au/product...-trim-restorer

-Use a trim restorer like Solution Finish. These are semi-permanent products designed to revive black plastics, curing and then protecting treated surfaces. Again, treated areas need to be cleaned and prepared prior to application.

https://www.waxit.com.au/products/so...t&_ss=e&_v=1.0

-Use a water-based dressing. These are by far the easiest apply, but also offer the least durability. For this job, you can't go past Meguiar's Hyper Dressing, perhaps even P&S Shape Up or 303 Protectant. What I like about Hyper Dressing is you can just spray it on and walk away, it levels down as it dries.







Out of all of those, I just use Hyper Dressing with the knowledge that I will need to reapply often. Otherwise, I think Solution Finish would be right up your alley.

[DFB FGXR6]

IT BEGINS!!

The Detail Store are the first to make their Black Friday sale live -

https://www.detailstore.com.au/

The sale is 10% off storewide until November 28th.

[DFB FGXR6]

Waxit have made their new website design live -

https://www.waxit.com.au/

The previous website was decent, I knew my way around that store with my eyes closed. Having said that, the old design had a number of bugs that Waxit knew about but couldn't remedy. For example, a number of products were ghosts in the system, products that did not appear unless the buyer searched for it specifically by exact name. Apparently, the new design fixes those issues.

It's also nice for stock inventory numbers to listed above the Add to Cart tab.

[DFB FGXR6]

I added a stubby nozzle to my EGO blower today, making it more ergonomic to use as a car dryer.









My dedicated Big Boi blower is more thorough, but convenience of using a cordless blower is handy when I'm pressed for time.............or lazy. The stubby nozzle improves the user experience by being easier and safer to manage when moving around the car.

The Stubby Nozzle Company make a variety of versions to suit a range of blowers, not just EGO. They also sell the BlowerBand silicone protectors.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/StubbyNozzleCo
https://www.amazon.com/Stubby-Nozzle.../dp/B0B9VJYBHX
https://www.ebay.com/itm/363700325388

[FTE217]

yer got my waxit email by midday.
Think I'll get the OB drying aid, got a couple more bottles of Bead Makers but good to try it out.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by FTE217

yer got my waxit email by midday.
Think I'll get the OB drying aid, got a couple more bottles of Bead Makers but good to try it out.

I may or may not be making up a Waxit order at this very moment.

I also note they have launched ScanGrip in the store, which I'm looking at the wheeled stand for mounting inspection lights.

Glad to hear you taking a look at OG Drying Aid. I have been gushing over it for more than a year now, with some hesitation because it was not a cheap exercise to have it delivered from the USA. Now, it's much easier to buy and therefore recommend.

Compared to Bead Maker, you can use less product per panel when using OG Drying Aid. So, while it costs more, you use less of it.

[DFB FGXR6]

Detailing Shed are offering 10% off for their Black Friday sale.

Code - BF2022

https://detailingshed.com.au/

[DFB FGXR6]

Obsessed Garage OG Spec Mosmatic Swiveling Sprayer

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...veling-sprayer
https://www.obsessedgarage.com/colle...veling-sprayer



The process leading to this item is probably the most important of Matt's contributions to the detailing world. Prior to the "stubby" gun, hobbyist detailers would simply accept the poor ergonomics of the OE spec pressure washer guns.

There are many quality MTM and Mosmatic short guns that are far superior to the OE guns that come with all pressure washers. What makes this gun unique to OG is the time and money Matt put into eliminating bulk and in the process making it easier to connect and then use.

The original Mosmatic gun is much like the MTM SGS 28, both featuring inlet swivels to limit hose bind. That swivel on these guns protrudes on the outside of the gun body -

Original Mosmatic -



MTM SGS 28 -



The OG Spec gun has the swivel integrated into the body of the gun, reducing bulk and improving functionality -











When also teamed with the OG Spec wand and Mosmatic rubber tipped nozzles, you have THE best pressure washer spraying solution in the world! And because of the quick connects, you are able to swap from stubby gun to long gun to foam cannon with supreme ease.

OG Spec Wand (top) and MTM Wand (bottom) -

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...335c6893&_ss=r



The Mosmatic wand is lighter and less bulky, and the nozzles offer more protection than the exposed MTM nozzles.

OG Spec Mosmatic Nozzles -

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...ully-assembled









Having used both the SGS 28 and OG Spec Mosmatic, both are high quality sprayers that are only separated by fine details. The trigger action on the MTM is more progressive, while the Mosmatic is more switch like. The Mosmatic quick connects are much higher quality, offering a lovely "snick" when engaged/disengaged. However, it's the reduction in bulk that seals the deal for the Mosmatic.



Notes and Usage Tips -

-Always start the sprayer pointing away from the car, just in case something hasn't seated properly and avoiding potential damage

-Connect the foam cannon to the stubby gun and NOT the wand, this offers far better control and reduces stress on the connections and your body

-Use the short gun for cleaning wheels

-Attach the wand for easier rinsing or washing engine bays

-The swiveling part of this gun helps eliminate annoying hose bind

-The quick connects on these guns feature rubber O-rings to prevent leaking. The O-rings are considered consumables, so have some in stock as replacements

-These guns can be adapted to almost all pressure washers via the correct fittings and adaptors

-These guns will transform the way you use your pressure washer, making it easier to use for car cleaning, be that an entry level machine right up to a high end Kranzle









I once hated using my pressure washer (Karcher K2) as it was just so cumbersome to use, especially when cleaning wheels. Transitioning to a more tailored setup, the MTM and later Mosmatic guns were the biggest improvement. The Mosmatic gun is an absolute pleasure to use.

Note - I'm in the process of writing an article on choosing pressure washers and pressure washer accessories in relation to car washing. That will go into more detail in terms of upgrading key components with aftermarket parts and accessories. Stay tuned!

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Obsessed Garage OG Spec Mosmatic Swiveling Sprayer

Is that $380 USD?

[Top_Ghia]

I have found using spray foam and pressure washer helps limit swirl marks.
I foam your the car and make sure I pressure wash the entire surface off before I move on to a wash. Make sure you hit every part.
I use three buckets and work top to bottom. Make sure all your gear is new and clean. Use light pressure when washing and drying. Use a drying aid.



But a duel action polisher.

[CyberWasp]

When is your You Tube Channel Starting?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

When is your You Tube Channel Starting?

I'm too shy to be in front of a camera. Not to mention the work required to do it properly, I'm time limited as it is without trying to make videos. I also don't want to be making janky videos and be yet another like-and-subscribe Youtuber who is just doing it find fame and fortune.

Not ruling it out completely, but there would have to be some life changes to allow it to happen.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I'm too shy to be in front of a camera. Not to mention the work required to do it properly, I'm time limited as it is without trying to make videos. I also don't want to be making janky videos and be yet another like-and-subscribe Youtuber who is just doing it find fame and fortune.

Not ruling it out completely, but there would have to be some life changes to allow it to happen.

A lot of them seem to forget that.............

[DFB FGXR6]

Black Friday Sale Delivery Three - Repco!



I have heard conflicting stories about Meguiar's Hyper Dressing, some say it's been discontinued, others say its just in short supply at the moment. I love this stuff so much that I'm hedging my bets and stocking up on it.

https://www.repco.com.au/en/car-care...hyper+dressing

This is the pre-diluted version of Hyper Dressing, gallon bottles sell for $140 - $170 each and are virtually unobtainable at the moment. These two bottles, along with the remainder of my 1lt bottle of concentrate should last me quite a while.

I also took an opportunity to stock up on Gyeon Glass and Gyeon Bathe while they were on sale. Both are excellent products.

https://www.repco.com.au/en/car-care...kwSearch=gyeon
https://www.repco.com.au/en/car-care...kwSearch=gyeon

[prydey]

After the last wash of the Escape I have it a coating of NV Boost v2.

Washed out again this morning.

First pic is after snow foam with NV Snow, and rinse off. Hydrophobic properties were epic which is why I stopped to take a pic.



Strangely, this pic is after rinsing off, after hand washing with Carpro Reset. Substantially less hydrophobic. Does Reset remove this spray on coating?


I know I've used 2 different soaps and that's because NV Snow is more effective (I find) as a foam and I prefer the way Reset feels as a hand wash.

I also went from full strength carpro perl on the tyres to diluted 1:1. Much easier to work with, then knocked it back with a cloth. A lot happier with the results.

[DFB FGXR6]

For those interested, I have started this thread on pressure washers and pressure washer upgrades -

https://www.fordforums.com.au/showth...97#post6765997

[fordomatic]

Corrected and coated the Territory on the weekend.

Used Nova Evo and today it's raining and had to use the car. I'm now paranoid it'll get water spotting as the coating only had 15 hours before it saw rain. Guess time will tell when i can wash it in 14 days. Website says 12 hours before it can see rain, but we'll see i guess.

I'll be pretty frustrated if it gets water spotting as it'd need to be corrected all over again.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

Corrected and coated the Territory on the weekend.

Used Nova Evo and today it's raining and had to use the car. I'm now paranoid it'll get water spotting as the coating only had 15 hours before it saw rain. Guess time will tell when i can wash it in 14 days. Website says 12 hours before it can see rain, but we'll see i guess.

I'll be pretty frustrated if it gets water spotting as it'd need to be corrected all over again.

I think you will be fine considering you met the minimum cure time.