What's In DFB's Cabinet?

[DFB5.0]

Exactly, I am a big fan of using the least agressive to get the job done, normally for me Brake Buster or even whatever soap I am using works just fine as I wash weekly as a rule. But once in a while, the Big Guns are necessary especially if I am washing a car for a friend that hasn't seen a wash mit in months .

That's the main reason I buy some of the sledgehammer products, they come in handy when dealing with tougher jobs.

Sponsored

 

[GT 550]

And yes, it had the 135,000km service with only 7,208km on the clock.

Mate it's your money but you work your butt off for it, and for what they take from you across 4 cars it means the dealer is probably driving

 

[DFB5.0]

Mate it's your money but you work your butt off for it, and for what they take from you across 4 cars it means the dealer is probably driving

Ha ha, probably, they are also the local Jaguar dealer too.

I guess I could make the same analogy with my customers, paying me to mow their lawn every week when it would end up being cheaper to concrete it all in and paint it green.

 

[DFB5.0]

TriX is a combined tar and iron remover, in this case you would stick with TarX. But...................

Be ultra careful with TarX on PPF, especially around the edges. In essence, TarX is an adhesive remover, so apply to a towel, blot the area with the towel to soak the contamination, then wipe. Rinse with water afterwards.

 

[MAGS1]

Today seemed to be Falcon Day!

While the XR8 was being serviced, I did a rinse-less wash on the XR6. In this case, the freshly coated wheels needed nothing more than a rinse down............



I'm extremely pleased with this coating so far, the look, feel and water behavior are exactly what I was going for.

Rinse-less of choice on the blue car was yellow ONR teamed with NV Boost v2.

At the moment, I trying to find a small drying towel I like. In that I mean a square, 40x40cm towel that suits my style of drying. The FTW is ok, but grabby. The Creature, again ok but seems to lack softness over time. The Eagle 500 doesn't really suit drying. So, I ordered 3 different towels, two of which I already use elsewhere................

Firstly, the purple Minx Royale, which on first acquaintance is butter smooth, but felt grabby on the paint. Scratch!

Second towel, the 30x30cm Gauntlet (grey towel above). I've used this towel for wheels for a while now, on paint this is more what I'm going for. I've loved Gauntlets from the very beginning, offering a smoothness that most traditional twist-loop towels lack. In the small size, this suits me more than the medium sized version. Hmmm, maybe. I just have to figure out how to denote these from my wheel towels.

Thirdly, the Platinum Pluffle (white towel), which has been my rinse-less towel. Out of curiosity, last week I grabbed one and tried it for drying and was pleasantly surprised. This towel has the softness I want, an even pile on each side (unlike the Creature), is butter smooth across the paint and perfectly sized. I think I have my winner.

With the XR8 now back, it was next in line. I washed the wheels with NV Snow, rinsed the rest of the car and then did an Absolute/Bead Maker rinse-less wash. In this case, I continued using the Platinum Pluffles to dry.

Two clean Falcon's...................

Gauntlet is all I use for drying towels for the paint. They’re fantastic. I use Chemical Guys wooly mammoth for wheels. I used to use it for the paint but then tried Gauntlet and was hooked.

 

[GT 550]

Ha ha, probably, they are also the local Jaguar dealer too.

I guess I could make the same analogy with my customers, paying me to mow their lawn every week when it would end up being cheaper to concrete it all in and paint it green.

Tell 'em you're prepared to trade the Mustang on a lightly used F Type and they might surprise you. Costs nothing to ask...

 

[amkr]

For anyone Downunder, Waxit has a good black friday sale going at the moment.

I've just spent a small fortune upgrading my pressure washer hose and gun, along with a few other goodies.

This weekend I got to try using Boost V2 as a drying aid.

Maybe I'm just hopeless at using drying aids, I tend to have the car nearly 95% dry by the time I get to applying them, which wasn't an issue with Bead Maker - It went on slick, wasn't fussy about being buffed off and was really easy to apply.

Boost V2 was harder to apply, needed a second microfiber to buff and seemed to need a lot more work to get the job done. That said, 12 hours later I sprayed the car with a hose and it was beading and sheeting off water far better than Bead Maker was.

I love using bead maker but I found it to be a bit of a dust-magnet, so I wanted to try something else. I guess over the next few weeks I'll see if the extra effort was worth it, or if I'll go back to Bead Maker.

 

[DFB5.0]

For anyone Downunder, Waxit has a good black friday sale going at the moment.

I've just spent a small fortune upgrading my pressure washer hose and gun, along with a few other goodies.

This weekend I got to try using Boost V2 as a drying aid.

Maybe I'm just hopeless at using drying aids, I tend to have the car nearly 95% dry by the time I get to applying them, which wasn't an issue with Bead Maker - It went on slick, wasn't fussy about being buffed off and was really easy to apply.

Boost V2 was harder to apply, needed a second microfiber to buff and seemed to need a lot more work to get the job done. That said, 12 hours later I sprayed the car with a hose and it was beading and sheeting off water far better than Bead Maker was.

I love using bead maker but I found it to be a bit of a dust-magnet, so I wanted to try something else. I guess over the next few weeks I'll see if the extra effort was worth it, or if I'll go back to Bead Maker.

Ha ha, I'm currently running riot through the Waxit store!

As for Boost v2, try using less product. Bead Maker requires a more liberal application, but Boost is more concentrated, so you may be pushing too much product around. Also, Bead Maker kills towels! Try soaking them in your microfiber detergent overnight and see if that makes a difference.

I really like Bead Maker, but if you have a darker colored car, it does show the dust a bit quicker. They screwed up the name of that product too because, as you note, the beading is not its hallmark. If you like that slick feeling brought by a polymer sealant such as Bead Maker, rather than the Si02 Boost, then have a look at OG Drying Aid/Ethos Pro-Shine/Adam's Slick & Slide, all being the same polymer sealant base formula -

Obsessed Garage Drying Aid (detailingshed.com.au)
Ethos Pro Shine Ceramic Detail Spray | Detailing Shed
Adam's Slick & Slide 16 oz/473 mL (adamspolishes.com.au)

 

[DFB5.0]

Seven days in a row working. I staggered out of bed this morning but really had no motivation to do anything. But, I pressed on.

I had a last-minute request for the Wildtrak to be detailed, so I used that to try a couple of products I have been sitting on for a few weeks now.

First, Gtechniq Citrus Foam -

https://detailingshed.com.au/products/gtechniq-w4-citrus-foam?_pos=1&_sid=3fd386ce4&_ss=r

This pre-wash soap is designed to strip away contaminants prior to a contact wash. Unlike a lot of these pre-wash foams, this product is pH neutral, meaning its gentle on waxes and sealants. From what I can gather, rather than using a high pH, the natural degreasing nature of the citrus element helps to strip away the grime. Despite excellent foaming, it didn't really wow me with its touchless cleaning ability.

The next product was Gtechniq Tri-Clean -

https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...ean-antibacterial?_pos=1&_sid=1322b5a81&_ss=r

Despite the weird eucalyptus scent, I actually quite liked this. Compared to other interior cleaners, Tri-Clean has the ability to kill bacteria and neutralize odors. It's also pH neutral, making it multi-surface safe, and leaves a matte finish. My personal interiors won't require this product, but I can see this being a great option for professionals wanting to clean, sanitize and neutralize odors in one simple step.

I'll be completely honest here, I have not been wowed by Gtechniq in the past, a theme that seems to follow most, if not all, of the UK-based brands I have tried, including WoWo's, Autoglym, Auto Finesse and Stjarnagloss. Of the selection of Gtechniq products I have sampled, only Tri-Clean impressed, everything else has been meh. I have no idea why this trend plays out with the UK brands, it's not from a lack of investment or effort, so perhaps it's a philosophy difference between Aussie/US type detailing and what happens in the UK?

In any case, I think I'm now at a point where I have a collection of brands and products that I know work for me from a performance and user experience point of view. Have I reached peak detail?

 

[MAGS1]

Seven days in a row working. I staggered out of bed this morning but really had no motivation to do anything. But, I pressed on.

I had a last-minute request for the Wildtrak to be detailed, so I used that to try a couple of products I have been sitting on for a few weeks now.

First, Gtechniq Citrus Foam -

https://detailingshed.com.au/products/gtechniq-w4-citrus-foam?_pos=1&_sid=3fd386ce4&_ss=r

This pre-wash soap is designed to strip away contaminants prior to a contact wash. Unlike a lot of these pre-wash foams, this product is pH neutral, meaning its gentle on waxes and sealants. From what I can gather, rather than using a high pH, the natural degreasing nature of the citrus element helps to strip away the grime. Despite excellent foaming, it didn't really wow me with its touchless cleaning ability.

The next product was Gtechniq Tri-Clean -

https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...ean-antibacterial?_pos=1&_sid=1322b5a81&_ss=r

Despite the weird eucalyptus scent, I actually quite liked this. Compared to other interior cleaners, Tri-Clean has the ability to kill bacteria and neutralize odors. It's also pH neutral, making it multi-surface safe, and leaves a matte finish. My personal interiors won't require this product, but I can see this being a great option for professionals wanting to clean, sanitize and neutralize odors in one simple step.

I'll be completely honest here, I have not been wowed by Gtechniq in the past, a theme that seems to follow most, if not all, of the UK-based brands I have tried, including WoWo's, Autoglym, Auto Finesse and Stjarnagloss. Of the selection of Gtechniq products I have sampled, only Tri-Clean impressed, everything else has been meh. I have no idea why this trend plays out with the UK brands, it's not from a lack of investment or effort, so perhaps it's a philosophy difference between Aussie/US type detailing and what happens in the UK?

In any case, I think I'm now at a point where I have a collection of brands and products that I know work for me from a performance and user experience point of view. Have I reached peak detail?

I had good luck with GTechniq C5 Wheel Armor (wheel ceramic coating). I think I’m going to try a different product though, something that should last longer. Blue Collar 6 from Apex Detail, a local detailer here in the US (Pennsylvania).

As far as reaching “peak detail”, I think at some point we all find what we like and then start to lose the need to try different things. We just get into our comfort zones is all.

https://apexsurfaceprotection.store/

 

[DFB5.0]

After posting the musical sounds of the XR8 last week, I wanted to document how a different exhaust setup changes an otherwise similar engine architecture.

My 2017 Mustang was fitted with a Borla Touring cat-back within months of my ownership. I had never modified an exhaust to that point, but the thing was too dam quiet, even the grandpa burgundy XR8 was louder. For an American muscle car, it wasn't living up to its reputation of a loud and proud pony car.

I ended up looking at both Roush and Borla systems, mainly because they had an OE looking tip design. I wanted extra volume but didn't want to be "that guy" with the noisy car. I settled on the Borla Touring in EU spec, which includes a resonated H-Pipe to eliminate rasp and drone.

Even with the resonator, this exhaust is not exactly legal in terms of noise emissions. However, below 3000rpm, the car is quite stealthy, just a natural V8 burble. However, clear 3000rpm and all hell breaks loose!

I still have the original exhaust taking up space in storage. That thing had very little time on the car, but look how manky it looks covered in the hideous black paint they spray export cars with.

Anyway, the reason for this post.

Cold Start (I love cold starts, so much noisier than a hot start) -



Hot Start & Revs -



The Borla Touring produces a much deeper and more traditional V8 tone. In hindsight, I think I would have preferred a little bit more snap-crackle-pop in the same vein of the XR8. In which case, I should have chosen the Borla S-Type with the X-Pipe.

But I do love how subtle the Touring can be when needed, while still being obvious unlike the OE exhaust. On the other hand, it properly howls when given a boot full, without drowning out the delicious induction note. Surely this is the best combination, allowing the engine itself to bark back through the firewall, while providing just the right amount of exhaust noise to permeate through the cabin.

I hear a lot of Mustang exhausts and while they are loud, they are just that, loud. In that I mean they lack any tonal tuning, so you get ALL of the noise, be that the good or bad noises. I think this is where choosing a brand like Corsa, Borla or Roush comes into the equation. I remember when I was asking the local shop about exhausts, they wanted to sell me some off the shelf mufflers and tips. To me, that would have been potluck and I didn't want to be messing around with different combinations at my expense. At least with choosing a system like this, there are plenty of online sound clips to gauge what it will sound like. Not to mention the simple, straightforward install.

As it stands, I'm not sure what I will do with the S650 when it arrives. Ford nailed the brief with the Active Exhaust on the later S550 and new S650. However, it looks like the S650 has been toned down to meet ADR laws. In which case, I may just swap out the resonator for an X or H pipe and leave the rest.

 

[DFB5.0]

I had good luck with GTechniq C5 Wheel Armor (wheel ceramic coating). I think I’m going to try a different product though, something that should last longer. Blue Collar 6 from Apex Detail, a local detailer here in the US (Pennsylvania).

As far as reaching “peak detail”, I think at some point we all find what we like and then start to lose the need to try different things. We just get into our comfort zones is all.

https://apexsurfaceprotection.store/

Don't rule out Armor Detail Supply Wheel Coating -

Armour Wheel Coating – Armour Detail Supply

 

[GT 550]

In any case, I think I'm now at a point where I have a collection of brands and products that I know work for me from a performance and user experience point of view. Have I reached peak wheelie bin detail?

Fixed

 

[skinnyb]

Seven days in a row working. I staggered out of bed this morning but really had no motivation to do anything. But, I pressed on.

I had a last-minute request for the Wildtrak to be detailed, so I used that to try a couple of products I have been sitting on for a few weeks now.

First, Gtechniq Citrus Foam -

https://detailingshed.com.au/products/gtechniq-w4-citrus-foam?_pos=1&_sid=3fd386ce4&_ss=r

This pre-wash soap is designed to strip away contaminants prior to a contact wash. Unlike a lot of these pre-wash foams, this product is pH neutral, meaning its gentle on waxes and sealants. From what I can gather, rather than using a high pH, the natural degreasing nature of the citrus element helps to strip away the grime. Despite excellent foaming, it didn't really wow me with its touchless cleaning ability.

The next product was Gtechniq Tri-Clean -

https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...ean-antibacterial?_pos=1&_sid=1322b5a81&_ss=r

Despite the weird eucalyptus scent, I actually quite liked this. Compared to other interior cleaners, Tri-Clean has the ability to kill bacteria and neutralize odors. It's also pH neutral, making it multi-surface safe, and leaves a matte finish. My personal interiors won't require this product, but I can see this being a great option for professionals wanting to clean, sanitize and neutralize odors in one simple step.

I'll be completely honest here, I have not been wowed by Gtechniq in the past, a theme that seems to follow most, if not all, of the UK-based brands I have tried, including WoWo's, Autoglym, Auto Finesse and Stjarnagloss. Of the selection of Gtechniq products I have sampled, only Tri-Clean impressed, everything else has been meh. I have no idea why this trend plays out with the UK brands, it's not from a lack of investment or effort, so perhaps it's a philosophy difference between Aussie/US type detailing and what happens in the UK?

In any case, I think I'm now at a point where I have a collection of brands and products that I know work for me from a performance and user experience point of view. Have I reached peak detail?

Well I am glad to hear this in a way. Gtechniq has kinda been on my radar. I definitely regretted buying Stjarnagloss stuff, although their Forst is a bright spot so far, I did order a second bottle of that but I have relegated the Sno and Matta soaps to my wheel bucket only . The Silke is decent for quick touch ups, and the Hjul wheel cleaner I used to douse my Mazda before foaming down with Lift a couple weekends ago for a decon wash I now have NV on my radar more and more, I used Snow to wash both of mine this past weekend and it is great stuff, as well as Purge to clean my nasty wheels.

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