Car Detailing - What products are your go to?

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

image

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

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.

I have noticed that sort of thing occasionally, and not just with Reset. I'm not sure what is happening, other than the water is sheeting rather than beading. If it was removing protection, there would be water lying flat across the panels, rather than the dry sections with some larger water deposits in your pics.

This is the official blurb from Waxit/Carpro -

"CarPro Reset is especially known for its ability to rejuvenate and deeply cleanse silica-based coatings such as CarPro CQuartz SiC, CQuartz UK Edition, Reload, Hydro and any other silica-based paint coating. It also helps the coatings release contamination from the coated surface.

I have heard of Reset being more aggressive on waxes and traditional sealants, but NV Boost and Reset should be fine together.

[prydey]

Another 'issue'...

My daughter took it for a drive a few hours after I'd finished and still ended up with quite a bit of slinging out of the sidewall letters etc


I assume I just need to try use less product, even though I wiped them down with a cloth after.

I have an applicator sponge from NV. Maybe it puts too much on?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by prydey

Another 'issue'...

My daughter took it for a drive a few hours after I'd finished and still ended up with quite a bit of slinging out of the sidewall letters etc
image

I assume I just need to try use less product, even though I wiped them down with a cloth after.

I have an applicator sponge from NV. Maybe it puts too much on?

I would say that the excess that accumulated in the groves of the letters is what hadn't been wiped/leveled down, the result was some sling. I think it just needed more time to dry/cure.

I prefer more gel or cream like tyre products compared to runnier liquids for this reason. That's highly subjective though.

Was Perl still too glossy at full strength with a buff down?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Was Perl still too glossy at full strength with a buff down?

No, it was ok. I diluted it down to 1:1 more so I could spray it on and spread it with the sponge. At full strength it was too thick to spray. It would just squirt. Applying it to the sponge rather than the tyre was taking too long. I like the fact the NV applicator has a plastic back to hold on to but the sponge part isn't the best.

There was no obvious difference between undiluted and 1:1 even after wiping down. I much preferred it to the high gloss look, esp on suv tyres.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by prydey

No, it was ok. I diluted it down to 1:1 more so I could spray it on and spread it with the sponge. At full strength it was too thick to spray. It would just squirt. Applying it to the sponge rather than the tyre was taking too long. I like the fact the NV applicator has a plastic back to hold on to but the sponge part isn't the best.

There was no obvious difference between undiluted and 1:1 even after wiping down. I much preferred it to the high gloss look, esp on suv tyres.

I'm a little perplexed as to why Carpro send a sprayer head with Perl when in undiluted form can't actually be sprayed. Why they don't send it with a pop-top lid is beyond me, would be cheaper on their end as well.

I have my bottle fitted with an old Adam's pop-top; I then just squeeze out what I need onto the applicator. No overspray or drips compared to spraying directly on the tyre.





This is Perl at full strength and given a light buff -

[prydey]

I guess with higher profile tyres and large gaps between tyre and guard there isn't as much risk of overspray getting on the body of the car.

It would be helpful to have a pop top though.

What's that applicator you use? I'm sure you've mentioned it before but here's another excuse to show off your products.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by prydey

I guess with higher profile tyres and large gaps between tyre and guard there isn't as much risk of overspray getting on the body of the car.

It would be helpful to have a pop top though.

What's that applicator you use? I'm sure you've mentioned it before but here's another excuse to show off your products.

My absolute favorite tyre dressing applicator is the Maxshine / Bowden's one. Great for large profile tyres, but also surprisingly good on low profiles too. Because these are square in dimension, they hold shape much better than the slim ones below.

https://www.bowdensown.com.au/all-sorts
https://detailingshed.com.au/product...ter-applicator









Tyre applicators are a consumable and tend to get replaced when they get a bit too grotty. Because I shuffle through so many dressings, it's good to have them on hand to dedicate to each product. I therefore tend to just get the cheap/basic yellow or red ones -

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...ng-applicators
https://carcareco.com.au/product/foa...ng-applicator/



I also tried out a hex grip applicator recently and really liked it -

https://autobuff.com.au/collections/...ing-applicator



One other that I will throw at you, and it's not a cheap option, but considering you only deal with large profile tires, it will work very well with diluted Perl -

https://autobuff.com.au/collections/...etailing-brush

I know I know, a $70 brush, but it will last a very long time, is very ergonomic and very well suited to liquid dressings.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by prydey

I guess with higher profile tyres and large gaps between tyre and guard there isn't as much risk of overspray getting on the body of the car.

It would be helpful to have a pop top though.

What's that applicator you use? I'm sure you've mentioned it before but here's another excuse to show off your products.

You could probably repurpose one of those lids off a juice or sauce bottle. Or buy 25 of the things from a commercial operation like someone else did...................

[DFB FGXR6]

Black Friday Sale Delivery Four - Waxit Second Order!

Ok, I know, I didn't especially need this, but these have intrigued me for a while now.

https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...=8956691644505



This is a Rupes LHR75 Pneumatic Dual Action polisher with a 3-inch backing plate. Rupes are generally never on sale, but with Waxit offering 20% off store wide, it made this tool $108 cheaper!

What really impresses me with this unit is how light it is, especially compared to my battery powered Shine Mate 3-inch polisher. It also sits just so nicely in my hand, the rubber hand grip a nice touch.









The paddle style trigger is variable in speed, the red knob adjusting the rev limit. I can see this unit being great for polishing glass and more intricate areas without the associated bulk of the Shine Mate EB351-3/12.

This calling this my early birthday present to myself. I just need something to polish, any takers?

[DFB FGXR6]

Ok, so I'm all for more products, but I think this just might be a little bit too far, even for me.

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...concentrate-1l



Basically, this is a blue colouring for Koch Chemie soaps, including GSF. Now, I love a good snow job, but I don't know that I am up for this, especially at $110 a bottle.



Cue: Two weeks later, I'll probably be posting a pic of this in my collection. (Maybe)

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Ok, so I'm all for more products, but I think this just might be a little bit too far, even for me.

https://detailingshed.com.au/product...concentrate-1l

image

Basically, this is a blue colouring for Koch Chemie soaps, including GSF. Now, I love a good snow job, but I don't know that I am up for this, especially at $110 a bottle.



Cue: Two weeks later, I'll probably be posting a pic of this in my collection. (Maybe)

Wouldn't food colouring do the same thing............but with a bigger ranger of colours

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Wouldn't food colouring do the same thing............but with a bigger ranger of colours

My first thought too.

I guess in this application, there would have to be no colour residue that would stain or damage trim or lighter paints.

The interesting thing with Koch Chemie is that they produce products for a large range of industries, including commercial/drive through car wash facilities. A product like this would have had it's start in a car wash application. Products like AS Auto Shampoo, Mdc HighTec Conserving Dryer and AF Active Foam would be in similar use cases.

When Koch Chemie started to get noticed by the specialist detailing community, certain products go bottled down into smaller, more manageable size bottles. All the while still supplying the commercial side of the business.

[prydey]

Walked my daughter down the aisle yesterday...



Not your typical wedding cars but they scrubbed up well. Thanks for the many tips over the last couple of years.

The Escape just needed a wash. The Focus is my son in laws. I gave it a wash and a coating of NV Lustre. I was going to top it with Jet but ran out of time. Looked mint.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by prydey

Walked my daughter down the aisle yesterday...

image

Not your typical wedding cars but they scrubbed up well. Thanks for the many tips over the last couple of years.

The Escape just needed a wash. The Focus is my son in laws. I gave it a wash and a coating of NV Lustre. I was going to top it with Jet but ran out of time. Looked mint.

Brilliant!

They look the part parked together, well done!

[DFB FGXR6]

Sandro's review of the new Carpro Reload 2.0 -



In summary, the new formulation is incrementally improved over it's predecessor. To my eyes, Reload 2.0 showed a slightly darker finish when viewed side by side with the old version. It also seemed to hold up to aggressive chemicals longer.

My initial uses of Reload impressed me with the slickness and gloss. I have been using traditional waxes in recent times, but I'm looking forward to reacquainting myself with Reload in 2.0 form.

Reload 2.0 I'm told is expected to land in the country this coming January.

[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.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by prydey

Walked my daughter down the aisle yesterday...

image

Not your typical wedding cars but they scrubbed up well. Thanks for the many tips over the last couple of years.

The Escape just needed a wash. The Focus is my son in laws. I gave it a wash and a coating of NV Lustre. I was going to top it with Jet but ran out of time. Looked mint.

Congrats to the family prydey and proud Ford family it is !

[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.

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

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

Fingers crossed, I got the wife to blast down the highway once the rain stopped to blow all the water off. Then when she did school pickup it rained again, so she used the blower to get the water off a second time. I was going to top with boost this morning but that needs 3 hours to cure and MRS needed the car before that time.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

Fingers crossed, I got the wife to blast down the highway once the rain stopped to blow all the water off. Then when she did school pickup it rained again, so she used the blower to get the water off a second time. I was going to top with boost this morning but that needs 3 hours to cure and MRS needed the car before that time.

Well, I guess we found the use case for Carpro's new Release.

[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

[prydey]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Congrats to the family prydey and proud Ford family it is !

Thanks mate. The son in law had a Subaru imprezza, just garden variety, which had some issues and so he needed a newer car... My daughter talked him in to the focus! I raised her well

He loves it now.

Sorry for the tangent... Back to detailing.

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

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

All good, no water marks. I only spent 14 hours on it all up but I wasn't keen to do it again if it had water marks

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

All good, no water marks. I only spent 14 hours on it all up but I wasn't keen to do it again if it had water marks

Excellent!

[DFB FGXR6]

Sandro's review of the new Carpro Darkside.



My notes - I have not used this product yet, but it seems to be very similar to Gyeon Q2 Tire, in chemical consistency and overall concept. This is another good review of Darkside by a fellow Autogeek member......







I initially loved Q2 Tire, I liked the look and liked the longevity. But then I started to put two and two together and realized it was slinging all over my paint. The final straw was brushing against a tyre accidentally one day in a very expensive pair jeans........was not a happy moment to say the least. Q2 went to the back of the cabinet after that, and I made the switch to water-based dressings. Turned out for the best because I love dressing tires, and because water-based dressings don't last as long, it meant I could reapply more often. Win win!

[DFB FGXR6]

The last time I used a Turtle Wax product would be about 18 years ago on my Grandfathers Ford Laser. So, this purchase is somewhat out of character for me.......

https://www.repco.com.au/en/car-care...h=turtle%20wax
https://www.repco.com.au/en/car-care...h=turtle%20wax



Both of these products get great reviews from respected Autogeek members. It says a lot about these products when they are being recommended over and above key options from higher end brands. I'm super excited to try these, especially the Graphene Acrylic dressing.

[DFB FGXR6]

This was that product, good old Turtle Wax Super Hard Shell Paste Wax........

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/...8g/214313.html





Thinking back, it was actually pretty decent to use. I can sort of still remember what it smelled like.