Car Detailing - What products are your go to?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Few top ups. And a couple of other products to try on the missus car, before i try em on mine
image

Excellent, I can see a few of my suggestions.

Make sure to dilute Wise Guy with demineralized water for stability.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Excellent, I can see a few of my suggestions.

Make sure to dilute Wise Guy with demineralized water for stability.

Yeah mate, i had to fill up the cart to get free post. Then paid for express

Thanks for the tips and the tip on demineralized water, i had no idea.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Yeah mate, i had to fill up the cart to get free post. Then paid for express

Thanks for the tips and the tip on demineralized water, i had no idea.

Generally, if its a product that is going to sit in a bottle for an extended period, you want to use demineralized water. This would be for products like tyre dressings (Perl), APC's, glass cleaner and so on.

If it's a product you will blow through within one session, like a rinse-less wash, then I just go with tap water.

[DFB FGXR6]

A Sandro video is always a treat, but this one especially.



A lot of favorites of mine as well, with a few talking points -

- With Waxit connections, it's obvious why most of the products in Sandro's video are sold by Waxit. That's not a bad thing, but somewhat influences what he uses and recommends.

- Scholl Rim 7 is something I'm keen to try. Interestingly, he is using Carpro TriX (a combined tar and iron remover) as a wheel cleaner for heavy duty cleaning.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...iant=917200697
https://www.waxit.com.au/products/ca...iant=702361585

- Seeing Shine Supply Shift appearing on his favorite soaps confirms my believe this is a very underrated soap. The coconut scent is very nice too.
https://www.waxit.com.au/products/sh...30220385943641

- Poorboy's Strip Down sounds like an interesting proposition.
https://www.waxit.com.au/products/po...13232325165145

- His mention of NV Clarity being equal to Carpro Eraser is not one I agree with. I find Clarity too grabby and lacking the lubrication of Eraser..........and the terrific scent.

- More love for P21S Polishing Soap.
https://www.waxit.com.au/products/p2...32016154591321

[stannoplan]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

A Sandro video is always a treat, but this one especially.



A lot of favorites of mine as well, with a few talking points -

- With Waxit connections, it's obvious why most of the products in Sandro's video are sold by Waxit. That's not a bad thing, but somewhat influences what he uses and recommends.

Coincidentally , ;) , most of these products are currently on sale at Waxit.

Might have to make another order. CQuartz UK 3.0 for $78, Perl, Eraser, Reset 25% off

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

- His mention of NV Clarity being equal to Carpro Eraser is not one I agree with. I find Clarity too grabby and lacking the lubrication of Eraser..........and the terrific scent.

This.

I totally agree, ive also had clarity streak and haze on me a few times when there is a bit of product build up to remove. I've found eraser doesn't do that, ever.

I got a couple bottles of clarity as freebies and I actually bought more eraser after trying clarity twice after a correction.

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by stannoplan

Coincidentally , ;) , most of these products are currently on sale at Waxit.

Might have to make another order. CQuartz UK 3.0 for $78, Perl, Eraser, Reset 25% off

Do yourself a favour and try Nova Evo instead. Much easier to work with and i've found its durability to be way better than CQ UK.

[stannoplan]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

Do yourself a favour and try Nova Evo instead. Much easier to work with and i've found its durability to be way better than CQ UK.

I found CK very easy and heard great things about NV. Maybe when my other coatings wear out. Thanks for the tip.

But $78 is cheap compared to Turtle Wax Graphene Max Spray Wax at nearly $60.

[prydey]

I thought there was a dedicated forum for waterless /Rinseless washes in the car care section but couldn't find it.

Anyway, just thought I'd mention I just tried the rinseless method on my caravan using Carpro Ech20. They suggest a dilution of 200:1 which is 50ml of product in 10L of water. I didn't measure but would have been close to that ratio.

I did have some bugs and dirt spray (mild) so did have to scrub in some areas but I was pretty impressed with the finish. Obviously designed for only lightly soiled vehicles but it leaves quite a slick finish when dried.

I did it section by section. Front and rear in halves, and sides in about 4 goes, just so the solution didn't dry on the surface. It dries like the towel I was using had drying aid applied, but it didn't. Dried very well and left feeling quite resistance free.

I need to polish some sections otherwise I would have used a drying aid as well.

Not sure I'm ready to use that method on my car, but it suits caravans really well. They have a lot of hatches and vents that don't need water being squirted at them.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

This.

I totally agree, ive also had clarity streak and haze on me a few times when there is a bit of product build up to remove. I've found eraser doesn't do that, ever.

I got a couple bottles of clarity as freebies and I actually bought more eraser after trying clarity twice after a correction.

You know, I'm so glad you have said that, because I was wondering if it was just me.

I have had a lot of people say to me these products are just IPA and water, so why waste your money on something like Eraser. Clearly those people haven't actually used Eraser, or seen the price of IPA these days post-pandemic.

I guess you can just use up the Clarity as a glass cleaner, on cars or around the home.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by prydey

I thought there was a dedicated forum for waterless /Rinseless washes in the car care section but couldn't find it.

Anyway, just thought I'd mention I just tried the rinseless method on my caravan using Carpro Ech20. They suggest a dilution of 200:1 which is 50ml of product in 10L of water. I didn't measure but would have been close to that ratio.

I did have some bugs and dirt spray (mild) so did have to scrub in some areas but I was pretty impressed with the finish. Obviously designed for only lightly soiled vehicles but it leaves quite a slick finish when dried.

I did it section by section. Front and rear in halves, and sides in about 4 goes, just so the solution didn't dry on the surface. It dries like the towel I was using had drying aid applied, but it didn't. Dried very well and left feeling quite resistance free.

I need to polish some sections otherwise I would have used a drying aid as well.

Not sure I'm ready to use that method on my car, but it suits caravans really well. They have a lot of hatches and vents that don't need water being squirted at them.

I think this will be my next topic to write about, as I believe most Australian's don't know about or trust rinse-less washing. A lot of this has to do with our winters not confining people to their garages to wash cars like those in the USA, where rinse-less is widely accepted.

I have always said that for me, there is a clear line between using rinse-less and using soap. But if someone as fastidious as me can learn to trust rinse-less, then so can others.

ECH20 was originally designed as a "water-less" wash and quick detailer, that's why it will have felt like using a drying aid, but it has become accepted as a rinse-less as well.

If you want something with a little more cleaning ability as a rinse-less, look into the surfactant-based McKee's N-914 or Bowden's Dry Spell. I'm also using N-914 as a windscreen washer fluid!

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...a12f8919&_ss=r

There's also a new version of ONR on the way, with incremental improvements in slickness and drying ability.

https://optimumcarcare.com/product/o...se-wash-shine1

[prydey]

I used Ech20 simply because I already had some. I just needed to give the van a quick clean before I started polishing it. Going to Uluru in 3 weeks time and I want to get some sort of coating on there before I go, plus it needed doing.

If Dryspell is ok, I might grab some of that for the future.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by prydey

I used Ech20 simply because I already had some. I just needed to give the van a quick clean before I started polishing it. Going to Uluru in 3 weeks time and I want to get some sort of coating on there before I go, plus it needed doing.

If Dryspell is ok, I might grab some of that for the future.

Dry Spell is a great product, but I would choose P&S Absolute before in preference. It smells nicer and feels nicer being a polymer type product rather than surfactant.

https://autobuff.com.au/products/p-s...l&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Rinse-less products are so versatile that having at least one on hand is quite useful. In addition to exterior washing, they make for a very safe interior cleaner or duster. Clay lubricant is a popular use as well. And apparently they can also be used for glass, but I don't. I'm also using them to wipe over the door jambs, engine bay, cleaning the worktops.....................I even use ONR for cleaning around the house.

[FPV0002]

Recommendations on an all purpose cleaner anyone? Something for under wheel arches, engine bays, undercarriage etc that can be used to pre soak before foaming/pressure washer?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by FPV0002

Recommendations on an all purpose cleaner anyone? Something for under wheel arches, engine bays, undercarriage etc that can be used to pre soak before foaming/pressure washer?

That's an easy one!

Koch Chemie Green Star all day long! Adjustable to cleaning requirements depending on dilution, excellent cleaning ability and relatively economical.

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...184f7baa&_ss=r
https://autobuff.com.au/products/koc...r&_ss=e&_v=1.0
https://carcareco.com.au/product/koc...se-cleaner-1l/



Carpro Multi-X is apparently extremely good too -

https://www.waxit.com.au/products/ca...39568686809177
https://store.primefinish.com.au/col...39499833049190

[FPV0002]

Thanks DFB! I knew you would have some solid recommendations! I’ll get onto it now!

[CyberWasp]

I know it has been covered many times in this thread but car window cleaning still is my biggest pet peeve, esp the inside dashboard glass.

It is a simple enough thing but I am never happy with my results. Esp a day or two later.

This video randomly appeared on my feed the other night so I watched it to see his spin on things.

Sometimes the simplest methods might be the best. I bet all of us have an old synthetic chamois laying around to try this method. I stopped using mine years ago when I discovered drying towels.

I will give it a try and see what happens.

[DFB FGXR6]

My latest Detailing Shed order..................



This order was prompted by the arrival of P&S Mango Fresh and Coconut Lime interior fragrances. While CarCareCo had both for a couple of weeks before Detailing Shed, I've had a couple of instances where CarCareCo have dropped the ball with customer service, so DS gets my money.

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...-essence-473ml
https://detailingshed.com.au/product...-essence-473ml

Mango Fresh will be familiar to anyone who has used Bead Maker before, the scent has been concentrated and delivered in an air freshener format. The same goes for Coconut Lime, taking the scent from Absolute rinse-less wash. Both are easily two of my favorite detailing scents, in fact the majority of the P&S line has scents nailed in my opinion, in particular Express, Dream Maker, Paint Gloss and Swift.

In both instances, those 473ml bottles are diluted up to 15:1 with demineralized water.

Another new product recently released is the Detail Factory Interior Brush. This particular brush shares the "ProGrip" handle with the tyre version but has a softer bristle design for use on interior surfaces. There has also been some suggestion that this brush could be good for maintenance cleaning of tyres, where ultimate cleaning grunt is not needed. Either way, I have loved using the tyre brush and I expect this softer version to be no different.

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...interior-brush

I have also decided to give Gyeon Tire Cleaner another try, which I had mixed results from in the past. After reading of others finding it to be a good performer, I decided to give it another shot.

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...83d45c67&_ss=r

Finally, another two Pressol sprayers, which I'm gradually teaming up with Obsessed Garage bottle labels.

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...2c0b4449&_ss=r
https://detailingshed.com.au/product...6cb18227&_ss=r

[stannoplan]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

My latest Detailing Shed order..................

image


I have also decided to give Gyeon Tire Cleaner another try, which I had mixed results from in the past. After reading of others finding it to be a good performer, I decided to give it another shot.

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...83d45c67&_ss=r

I wonder if you saw this video like me and thought to give it a go.

Evolved Details



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYWyXDLrNlo&t=2s

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by stannoplan

I wonder if you saw this video like me and thought to give it a go.

Evolved Details



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYWyXDLrNlo&t=2s

Yes, watched that when it was published, most of which I agree with.

For Gyeon Q2M Tire Cleaner, this was the first dedicated tyre cleaner I bought, and I was left underwhelmed. It just didn't feel like it was actually doing anything. When you watch his video, you will note that it doesn't suds up very well when agitated. Now, I know that doesn't necessarily mean it's not cleaning, but I prefer to see a visual effect when I'm scrubbing like mad.



That's why I grab Brake Buster the most. While I don't always foam it, I like that it lathers up when agitated.









Of course, Carpro ReTyre achieves that as well, as shown in the video, but at a decent price premium.

I think it will be interesting to go right back to the beginning and try Gyeon Q2M Tire Cleaner again, mainly to see if the formula has changed and prove me wrong, or to confirm my original verdict.

[stannoplan]

Has anybody complied a list of decent Aussie detailing youtubers?

Evolved Details
Its in the Detail
Focus on Detailing
The Sandro
?

I do love me a good product review.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by stannoplan

Has anybody complied a list of decent Aussie detailing youtubers?

Evolved Details
Its in the Detail
Focus on Detailing
The Sandro
?

I do love me a good product review.

Although I do consume selected content from all of those, Sandro is in a league of its own and the only one I watch every single video posted.

I made this list a while back, but not focused on local content creators -

https://www.fordforums.com.au/showpo...postcount=1184

[DFB FGXR6]

Stumbled across this channel today..................

https://www.youtube.com/@straitlined...rpr9715/videos

[stannoplan]

In case anyone needs some more product....

Mirch have 25% EOFY sale.

I bought their sample pack last year (no longer available I think) and whilst some missed the mark a little, there were some standouts.

Bead King: I run this on my black hatch. A yearly maintenance polish of Carpro Essence and a coat of Scholl W6 Black and 2 coats of Bead King. Literally lasts the full year with big, transparent, consistent beads. Carpro Reset or Gyeon Restart every now and then refreshes it and the Mirch QD once a quarter.

Neo Lite: I had never used a glass coating before. Wow, 18 months later and I swear my windscreen still beads like the first day. All the family, neighbours and friends cars have been coated and it makes cleaning the bugs off so easy.

Towels: their range of KMF is really good, the orange buffing towel is my favourite.

Obsidian: Currently my go to SI02 tyre dressing, nice consistency, satin finish, no sling, last more than most others.

Erase, Tar and Decon are solid as well.

Cheers

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by stannoplan

In case anyone needs some more product....

Mirch have 25% EOFY sale.

I bought their sample pack last year (no longer available I think) and whilst some missed the mark a little, there were some standouts.

Bead King: I run this on my black hatch. A yearly maintenance polish of Carpro Essence and a coat of Scholl W6 Black and 2 coats of Bead King. Literally lasts the full year with big, transparent, consistent beads. Carpro Reset or Gyeon Restart every now and then refreshes it and the Mirch QD once a quarter.

Neo Lite: I had never used a glass coating before. Wow, 18 months later and I swear my windscreen still beads like the first day. All the family, neighbours and friends cars have been coated and it makes cleaning the bugs off so easy.

Towels: their range of KMF is really good, the orange buffing towel is my favourite.

Obsidian: Currently my go to SI02 tyre dressing, nice consistency, satin finish, no sling, last more than most others.

Erase, Tar and Decon are solid as well.

Cheers

Mirch have really ramped up their branding since I last looked at the brand, very Gyeon like.

I need another tyre dressing like a hole in the head, but I'm thinking I need to try some Obsidian!

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Mirch have really ramped up their branding since I last looked at the brand, very Gyeon like.

I need another tyre dressing like a hole in the head, but I'm thinking I need to try some Obsidian!

Looking through the Merch offerings, I see some close similarities to the NV brand, which has me wondering if they share the same chemical blender.

[stannoplan]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Mirch have really ramped up their branding since I last looked at the brand, very Gyeon like.

I need another tyre dressing like a hole in the head, but I'm thinking I need to try some Obsidian!

Evolved Details is doing a comparison as we speak.

[DFB FGXR6]

The next video in Sandro's updated favorites list, this time focusing on paint correction -



A couple of take aways -

- Surprised to see Autoglym Super Resin Polish here. I used it for a long time but it super dusty, has a heavy wipe off and is more of a filler than a corrector.

- Again, seeing Meguiar's Ultimate Compound make an appearance is not one I would agree with owing to the terrible user experience.

- Scholl S20 Black, Sonax Cutmax and Sonax Perfect finish have my approval. S20 and Perfect Finish are similar in concept, with S20 being a dustier and Perfect Finish having an oily feel to the wipe off. I've favored Perfect Finish lately due to the lower dusting.

- I would really love to try out the NV compounds at some point, as well The Last Cut.

- The Shine Mate foam pads are indeed very durable while being extremely affordable, up to half the price of an equivalent Rupes.

- I too have also noticed a faster degradation / wear with the Rupes foam pads. The wool pads are known to delaminate without careful heat management.

- The battery powered Shine Mate machines are great value for money. Its rather strange that Rupes have been sleeping at the wheel when it comes to making 5- or 6-inch battery powered machines, although I know this will change soon, at a premium price. While corded machines still have their place, in professional use especially, for the enthusiast market, battery power is absolutely the way to go now.

- That new mini Shine Mate machine looks to be a winner.

- Use good tape, nothing worse than having it come loose mid way through the job. A +1 for the Carpro tape.

[prydey]

I'm the first to admit that I'm not really in the 'enthusiast' category when it comes to car detailing. I don't have the patience or the funds to be able to take it to that level. I just like to keep my cars looking nice.

So, when it comes to prep work etc, I'm very lazy and no doubt some products would work better if better techniques were followed...

With that in mind, I must say, what a fantastic product NV Jet is. I washed my car late yesterday arvo and by the time it came to drying the weather was very cold and even though it was only around 4pm,it felt like there was already moisture in the air. Gave it a quick wipe down and then called it a day.

Went out today and decided to give the car another coat of Jet.

This stuff is so easy to use and the results are super impressive. I have NV boost v2 that I've used on the wife's Escape but I think Jet is better, although I am comparing 2 different paint colours.

For a spray on, wipe dry coating this stuff is great. Highly recommend!

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by prydey

I'm the first to admit that I'm not really in the 'enthusiast' category when it comes to car detailing. I don't have the patience or the funds to be able to take it to that level. I just like to keep my cars looking nice.

So, when it comes to prep work etc, I'm very lazy and no doubt some products would work better if better techniques were followed...

With that in mind, I must say, what a fantastic product NV Jet is. I washed my car late yesterday arvo and by the time it came to drying the weather was very cold and even though it was only around 4pm,it felt like there was already moisture in the air. Gave it a quick wipe down and then called it a day.

Went out today and decided to give the car another coat of Jet.

This stuff is so easy to use and the results are super impressive. I have NV boost v2 that I've used on the wife's Escape but I think Jet is better, although I am comparing 2 different paint colours.

For a spray on, wipe dry coating this stuff is great. Highly recommend!

I would easily consider that as being an enthusiast.

As for Jet, it's the closest you can get to a full ceramic coating in my opinion when it comes to hydrophobic qualities. Boost v2 is very good, but it's really a supercharged quick detailer.