Car Detailing - What products are your go to?

fiestaz · 06-09-2020, 09:02 AM

I’m a bit of keen car detailer. I like my cars clean. For years I used Autoglym products when it came to polishing and protecting.

Recently I’ve discovered Bowdens Own products which I have found to be significantly easier in use with same or better results than the autoglym. So I’ve started changing all my products over the Bowdens Own as I have found they are so much quicker and easier than autoglym which is allowing me to enjoy the process more.

What is everyone’s go to here?

T3rminator · 06-09-2020, 09:07 AM

Carpro Perl for interior, tyres and engine bay. Autoglym for washing. Turtle Ice Seal n Shine for after wash.

I see Bowden products are on sale at Repco at the moment. Tempted to give them a go. Whats their wash n wax products like?

fiestaz · 06-09-2020, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Carpro Perl for interior, tyres and engine bay. Autoglym for washing. Turtle Ice Seal n Shine for after wash.

I see Bowden products are on sale at Repco at the moment. Tempted to give them a go. Whats their wash n wax products like?

I have not tried their wash n wax. But have used their “nanolicous” wash which is quite good. I have done both of my cars with that, followed by using their big green sucker (a big micro fibre towel to dry the car, brilliant product will never use a chamois again) with boss gloss (spray onto big green sucker gets rid of any water marks from drying leaving a nice shine) followed by lazy wax and Fully slick (sealant). Hugely impressed with the results, came up better than an autoglym
Polish.

Pokitren · 11-05-2022, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiestaz

I have not tried their wash n wax. But have used their “nanolicous” wash which is quite good. I have done both of my cars with that, followed by using their big green sucker (a big micro fibre towel to dry the car, brilliant product will never use a chamois again) with boss gloss (spray onto big green sucker gets rid of any water marks from drying leaving a nice shine) followed by lazy wax and Fully slick (sealant). Hugely impressed with the results, came up better than an autoglym
Polish.

It's a really good thing, I also did my car as well. The result - very much like not only me but also my wife

Cashie · 06-09-2020, 09:28 AM

I’ve also changed over to Bowden Own. Good quality and Aussie company.

fiestaz · 06-09-2020, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashie

I’ve also changed over to Bowden Own. Good quality and Aussie company.

Yes I forgot to mention that. Aussie company and made in Australia.

T3rminator · 06-09-2020, 10:51 AM

Damn you....you just made me go out and get their big green sucker towel. Repco 30% off. Its massive! Too bad i just washed the car yesterday.

fiestaz · 06-09-2020, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Damn you....you just made me go out and get their big green sucker towel. Repco 30% off. Its massive! Too bad i just washed the car yesterday.

You won’t regret it! I’ll never go back to a chamois. Just make sure you follow the care instructions for it. They are expensive, you’ll want to look after it. Let us know how you go with it.

**El Venom** · 06-09-2020, 01:33 PM

I use autoglym and Maguires for consumables and bowdens for stuff like drying towels

fiestaz · 06-09-2020, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Venom

I use autoglym and Maguires for consumables and bowdens for stuff like drying towels

That’s one thing a lot of companies don’t focus too much on and that is the towels/cloths. They have them but they never seem to be much chop compared to bowdens stuff.

**gregaust** · 06-09-2020, 05:42 PM

Yes all Bowdens . If you need help also get on their FB page they are quick to help.
They also have a good step by step guide to which products to use in which order . Lots vids on their site also with handy tips

**DFB FGXR6** · 06-09-2020, 06:48 PM

It would probably be quicker to list what products AREN'T my go to products!

CarPro and NV (also Australian) are my go to products. That's said, I also use a smattering of Meguiars, Gyeon, Autoglym and Bowden's products.

Like the OP, I have transitioned from Autoglym to Bowden's. I like the fact that I can grab them when I need them from Repco/Supercheap instead of Online ordering and paying for shipping. Bowden's also have fun with their product naming.

Latest haul after a Repco sale -

fiestaz · 06-09-2020, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

It would probably be quicker to list what products AREN'T my go to products!

image

image

CarPro and NV (also Australian) are my go to products. That's said, I also use a smattering of Meguiars, Gyeon, Autoglym and Bowden's products.

Like the OP, I have transitioned from Autoglym to Bowden's. I like the fact that I can grab them when I need them from Repco/Supercheap instead of Online ordering and paying for shipping. Bowden's also have fun with their product naming.

Latest haul after a Repco sale -

image

Loving the organisation and specific cabinets.

Never heard of Carpro before.

**DFB FGXR6** · 06-09-2020, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiestaz

Loving the organisation and specific cabinets.

Never heard of Carpro before.

Thanks! Those cabinets are a source of my happiness. I'm only slightly deranged.

Hiding inside is a Bowdens Big Green Sucker.

fiestaz · 06-09-2020, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Thanks! Those cabinets are a source of my happiness. I'm only slightly deranged.

image

Hiding inside is a Bowdens Big Green Sucker.

image

That is goals.

Do the same with the big green sucker

CyberWasp · 06-09-2020, 07:03 PM

As shown above Hydro2 from CarPro......just use it....

T3rminator · 06-09-2020, 08:17 PM

Wow. How does Hydro2 work?

Just saw a couple of clips on youtube. They just spray on, hose off....and MAGIC?

Does it actually last 6 months just doing that?!

Does it distort lights through the windscreen making it harder to see at night?

**DFB FGXR6** · 06-09-2020, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Wow. How does Hydro2 work?

Just saw a couple of clips on youtube. They just spray on, hose off....and MAGIC?

Does it actually last 6 months just doing that?!

Does it distort lights through the windscreen making it harder to see at night?

Hydr02 is applied by lightly misting and immediately hosing off. Apply after washing and start with the roof and glass and work your way down.

Longevity? If the car is parked outdoors, from experience, I highly doubt the 6 month claim. It's application is so easy that applying it ever couple of months is no problem. Hydr02 comes in a concentrate and can be varied in its dilution ratio.

I use it to easily coat my wheels to protect and aid the cleaning/drying process. I have also applied it to cars I want to get something onto the paint in a short amount of time, such as my sisters Mazda 3.

Bowden's actually make a similar product called "Wet Dreams".
https://www.bowdensown.com.au/wet-dreams

fiestaz · 06-09-2020, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Hydr02 is applied by lightly misting and immediately hosing off. Apply after washing and start with the roof and glass and work your way down.

Longevity? If the car is parked outdoors, from experience, I highly doubt the 6 month claim. It's application is so easy that applying it ever couple of months is no problem. Hydr02 comes in a concentrate and can be varied in its dilution ratio.

I use it to easily coat my wheels to protect and aid the cleaning/drying process. I have also applied it to cars I want to get something onto the paint in a short amount of time, such as my sisters Mazda 3.

image

image

image

Bowden's actually make a similar product called "Wet Dreams".
https://www.bowdensown.com.au/wet-dreams

Have used the wet dreams on wheels on my two cars. Was hugely impressed with the reaction of the water once applied. I’ll be using wet dreams on the paint too every couple of washes once I get that far for the “bead porn” and protection.

Using the autoglym sealant (extra gloss protection) was seriously hard work with the buffing off step of the process. So many hours spent doing it when using bowdens it’s a 20minute wipe on wipe off process.

**DFB FGXR6** · 06-09-2020, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiestaz

Have used the wet dreams on wheels on my two cars. Was hugely impressed with the reaction of the water once applied. I’ll be using wet dreams on the paint too every couple of washes once I get that far for the “bead porn” and protection.

Using the autoglym sealant (extra gloss protection) was seriously hard work with the buffing off step of the process. So many hours spent doing it when using bowdens it’s a 20minute wipe on wipe off process.

I used Extra Gloss Protection when I bought my FG in 2008. Still have it in the cabinet. Now that you mention it, that stuff was tricky to use. Waxes/Sealants/Coatings have come a long way since then.

T3rminator · 06-09-2020, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I use it to easily coat my wheels to protect and aid the cleaning/drying process. I have also applied it to cars I want to get something onto the paint in a short amount of time, such as my sisters Mazda 3.

So no problems with getting over spray on rotors then?

Can you still apply touch up paint afterwards?

**DFB FGXR6** · 06-09-2020, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

So no problems with getting over spray on rotors then?

Can you still apply touch up paint afterwards?

I haven't had any issues on the rotors.

If you were going to do a paint touch up, you would need to use an alcohol (isopropyl/IPA) based product to remove the product beforehand.

Keeping with the theme, Bowdens is called Flash Prep, I use CarPro Eraser.

https://www.bowdensown.com.au/flash-prep

**FTE217** · 07-09-2020, 10:13 AM

Hey DFB, a new dedicated Detailing thread.....
Well done fiestaz.
I'll have to take pics of my products for the thread.
Don't forget we all have our opinions.
Long long ago I started off having alot of Megs product.
Like all brands they have some really good ones/types and not.
My pref was their car wash, the older pink nice smelling one was very soapy and perfect tbh followed by the yellow one.
Quik Detailer exactely as quoted great at the time.
I never really rated their polishs/maybe I expected more from a general priced product too much for once you start using better product you see why.
Autoglynn, I bought quite a bit, I just can't get the satisfaction others have, I just don't rate it.
Bowdens I jumped on board long ago, some really good product and will keep buying but like DFB I'm a huge fan of NV product and started using more Carpro.
Oh I got right into Zaino product as well, some very good polishs.
I'll get some pics up in the coming days.

**DFB FGXR6** · 07-09-2020, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTE217

Hey DFB, a new dedicated Detailing thread.....
Well done fiestaz.
I'll have to take pics of my products for the thread.
Don't forget we all have our opinions.
Long long ago I started off having alot of Megs product.
Like all brands they have some really good ones/types and not.
My pref was their car wash, the older pink nice smelling one was very soapy and perfect tbh followed by the yellow one.
Quik Detailer exactely as quoted great at the time.
I never really rated their polishs/maybe I expected more from a general priced product too much for once you start using better product you see why.
Autoglynn, I bought quite a bit, I just can't get the satisfaction others have, I just don't rate it.
Bowdens I jumped on board long ago, some really good product and will keep buying but like DFB I'm a huge fan of NV product and started using more Carpro.
Oh I got right into Zaino product as well, some very good polishs.
I'll get some pics up in the coming days.

I guess it was pretty predictable that I would chime in on this thread!

I'm guessing that soap was Soft Wash Gel. Good stuff and loved the smell too.

https://www.meguiars.com.au/product/...sh-gel-473-ml/

And yes, I'm loving the ease of use that comes with the NV brand. Onyx Tyre Dressing is probably my favorite product from NV. Smells great too!

For those interested, Waxit and Detailing Shed both stock NV.

https://www.waxit.com.au/collections/nv-car-care
https://detailingshed.com.au/collections/concours

fiestaz · 07-09-2020, 11:54 AM

Pictures, that’s a great idea. I’ll get some too, with some results as well.

Years ago I used to use Meguires polish. That was hard work, seemed to come up OK. Then moved to autoglym which was easier with better result, then as you said onto Bowdens which I am not only liking but actually enjoying. Not that much of a chore to get cars done.

Vesper Martini · 07-09-2020, 12:20 PM

What do you guys use on the interior to help keep the "new car smell"

Vesper Martini · 08-09-2020, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

What do you guys use on the interior to help keep the "new car smell"

Anybody?

fiestaz · 08-09-2020, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Anybody?

Not a lot really. Keep the interior clean and avoid picking up takeaway food. My i30 smelt new for roughly a year. Don’t use any air fresheners.
Not a lot else can done really. Which is a shame. New is the best air freshener of all

roKWiz · 08-09-2020, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

What do you guys use on the interior to help keep the "new car smell"

I got the hose out the other day. Seems to work great both inside and out. Can't understand why the gauges are all suddenly fogged up.

**DFB FGXR6** · 08-09-2020, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

What do you guys use on the interior to help keep the "new car smell"

My XR6 and XR8 still smell like new.

How? I NEVER wind the windows down and rarely drive them. Easy!

I have also very rarely use highly scented products inside the cabin. A damp microfibre to wipe dust away is about it.