What's In DFB's Cabinet?

[DFB5.0]

Its amazing how wonderful they can be. I had mine for 14 years, he was my best friend, I lost him about a year ago, I miss him terribly...

I'm so sorry to read that. Mine has entered his later years and had many near misses over the years, I'm dreading the day I have to say goodby.

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[DFB5.0]

On boxing day 2021, I installed Swisstrax in my garage. Prior to this, I absolutely hated how the floor was ALWAYS dirty, often within minutes of cleaning it. And because of my detailing focus, I was frequently standing in puddles of water as I worked. And peeling paint never looks good. :doh

I looked at several flooring options, but for me, Swisstrax rose to the top of the list the more and more I learnt about it. The key factor that won me over was that I could simply cover everything up with minimal prep work or having to completely evacuate my garage for several days. Also, installing it myself meant keeping control of the job.

There are now several similar floor tiles on the market, but Swisstrax is the original and best. The tiles themselves are thicker, which reduces that click-clack noise under foot. Dealing with Flexico (the Australian distributor) was brilliant, they knew what this meant to me and had a design layout and exact number of tiles required sent to me in no time.

Flexico | Garage Flooring & Garage Storage Suppliers

Swisstrax | Premium Interlocking Garage Floor Tiles

The install took me about 6-7 hours. While the bulk of the floor went down quickly, a lot of time was spent moving stuff out of the way and making the cuts. I had some help with the moving, and in setting down tiles ahead of me as I worked on my knees clicking each in place. As for the cutting, yeah, I screwed up a few, but then I had ordered extra tiles just in case. To save time on the day, I unpacked the boxes and boxes of tiles into the tray of the Ranger, this helped speed things up.

Instead of completely gutting the garage, we simply moved larger items onto the already completed sections to gain access, then slid them back into place.

As mentioned, the cuts took a long time to complete. Each tile needed to be measured, marked, taken out to the saw, cut, then returned and fitted. Over and over again.

The transformation ended up being multifaceted. First, it solved several practical issues in one step. Secondly, it transformed how I felt about the space, it going from a workable situation to something I became proud of. Thirdly, despite my legs and knees taking a week to recover, the actual install was very enjoyable! I think that I had watched so many install videos prior to my own that the actual process was very orderly. Seeing the floor go down tile by tile, row by row, well it was almost surreal that this was actually my garage.

The single most common question I get when asked about Swisstrax is "what happens with all the dirt". Which is a valid question, because it has to go somewhere, and was something which made me initially dismiss Swisstrax. And the answer to that is, well it falls through the gaps and sits on the floor underneath.

There is a few reasons why this is the beauty of Swisstrax, and Swisstrax Ribtrax in particular. Firstly, the curved slats in the tile helps trap debris that blows in within the first few rows rather than blowing from one end to the other. Any dirt, dust or liquid will then pass through the gaps in the tile, in turn keeping your standing surface clean and dry. And because each tile is 18mm deep, it keeps that dirt/dust/liquid suppressed.

In terms of cleaning, those slots that allow debris to filter through also means you can remove it too by simply vacuuming the floor like any other surface. I've also used my pressure washer to blast them clean on occasion, the channels molded into the underside of each tile allows water to drain away.

So, after having had the floor down for nearly 3-years now, I decided it would be a good time to go a little deeper. For the most part, it's the door end of my two-car deep garage that collects most of the debris and occasionally has cars washed on it. With that in mind, I didn't bother with the far end.

The great thing about Swisstrax is that you can remove large sections of tiles in one go. So, I divided the area into four sections, which I tore up and dragged into the driveway. Then, I foamed the tiles with Bilt Hamber Touch-less, allowed to dwell, then rinsed clean.

While the tiles soaked, I vacuumed and then rinsed down the concrete with the pressure washer. What lay beneath the tiles wasn't too bad, but still worth doing.

The hardest part of the job was re-installing, lining up and then snapping each section back into place took some patience. Still, it was surprising how much grime the Touch-less removed from the top surface of the tiles, almost like brand new again.

 

[DFB5.0]

After the cleaning session, I brought the Jaguar back in for a rinse-less wash. Today, I wanted to indulge in the addictive mango scent of Opti-Coat No-Rinse......................

Optimum Opti-Coat No Rinse Wash (473ml) - Detailing Shed
Opti-Coat - No Rinse | The Rag Company

Compared to the blue ONR, the yellow version has Si02 in it for superior gloss and slickness. With the influx of new "ceramic" rinse-less wash products over the last 12-months, it's easy to forget Optimum/Opti-coat already had a player in this space. Yes, it's expensive, but it's also really nice to work with.

Following the wash, I towel dried with ADS Amplify as the drying aid. Considering the Si02 already in play via the ONR, you could probably skip drying aid, but why deprive myself the chance to use the delightful Amplify.

Next, I dried the door jambs using ECH20, wiped the glass over with KCx Speed Glass and vacuumed the drivers side floor mat. Apart from a pressure rinse, the wheels and tyres were not cleaned but I did give the tyres a swipe with some Carpro Perl at 1:1.

It was then time to make my way back to the storage shed, the Jaguar swapping place with the XR6. After getting the Jag all tucked in and locked up, I gave the Falcon a little run, stopping for some fresh 98-ron premium on the way home.

My Blue Rocket home at last, its battery hooked up for some nourishment.

Believe me when I say that I have been waiting for this moment for a while. I now have all of my Ford's under the one roof, ready to meet their new stablemate next week.

 

[radar]

Radar’s not very scientific tyre dressing comparison

Seven days ago I detailed my red coupe.
CarPro Reset
Beadmaker and
Tyres

I used Beadmaker as drying aid and second coat. The gloss level is high.

I applied CarPro PERL 1:1 to right front wheel and left rear.
Other two wheels got Meguairs Endurance

In the past week I have visited my sister in Gippsland, my son, my brother in Canberra ACT (Australian Capital Territory) and 2 days of daily city trips on return.

My car is 6 years old. In 5 days I have put on 5% of its total kms. About 1900 kms this week.

Busy schedule cos next week I place both cars in storage. I then return to spend 2 months with my Prinsesa in Luzon, Philippines, and back to Melbourne for Christmas.

 

[radar]

Left rear PERL below

Right front PERL below

Left front Meguairs below

Right rear Meguairs below

 

[radar]

After 1900 kms in one week, with torrential rain on one day - when I did drive about 40 suburban kms - I checked the wheels today.
The car and wheels/tyres also had a maintenance wash on return, primarily to remove insects.
What I’ve decided to post is the 4 wheel pics with a comparison against a reapplication of the respective product

Right front PERL below

Right rear Meguairs below

Left front Meguairs below

Right rear PERL below

In each pic I’m hoping you can see the second new coat extends from 10 o’clock to 3 oclock

Summary
I’ve walked around the car again.
Hard to tell any difference between either product over a full workout.
Meguairs is very messy, I don’t mind the sheen.
PERL so easy to apply and the semi satin finish looks good and understated. I far prefer to use PERL 1:1

 

[DFB5.0]

After 1900 kms in one week, with torrential rain on one day - when I did drive about 40 suburban kms - I checked the wheels today.
The car and wheels/tyres also had a maintenance wash on return, primarily to remove insects.
What I’ve decided to post is the 4 wheel pics with a comparison against a reapplication of the respective product

Right front PERL below

Right rear Meguairs below

Left front Meguairs below

Right rear PERL below

In each pic I’m hoping you can see the second new coat extends from 10 o’clock to 3 oclock

Summary
I’ve walked around the car again.
Hard to tell any difference between either product over a full workout.
Meguairs is very messy, I don’t mind the sheen.
PERL so easy to apply and the semi satin finish looks good and understated. I far prefer to use PERL 1:1

So, how much of the Endurance was peppered over the lower sills and doors? Not only is Endurance messy to apply, it never dries and therefore hold onto dirt, bugs, grass............anything. Then, it gums up your tire brush when attempting to remove it. Can you tell I don't like Endurance?

If you want some extra gloss from Perl, you can apply it undiluted.

 

[skinnyb]

So, how much of the Endurance was peppered over the lower sills and doors? Not only is Endurance messy to apply, it never dries and therefore hold onto dirt, bugs, grass............anything. Then, it gums up your tire brush when attempting to remove it. Can you tell I don't like Endurance?

If you want some extra gloss from Perl, you can apply it undiluted.

I agree, the Endurance sprays really bad and overall makes a HUGE mess.. Perl is good as long as you give it a while to dry properly. I have used GTechniq T2 the last couple times. Looks and feels just like Perl 1:1, works just as well... HMM, wonder if there was a bit of reverse engineering going on there...

 

[kilobravo]

Loved the pup photos, D and here's my best friend and shadow, Buddy.

​

And one with my friend's Dachshund.

 

[MAGS1]

I use Perl undiluted. Usually takes about an hour to dry. Which doesn’t usually bother me because I typically wash my car early in the morning before breakfast or later in the day when I don’t have plans to go anywhere afterwards

 

[DFB5.0]

This is the best I have seen expressed over the Pan thing..........................

 

[skinnyb]

This is the best I have seen expressed over the Pan thing..........................

Great video, and summed up the whole debacle well. That said, while his products may be good, his approach was horrendous.. I think many would agree, ADS has just as good or better products, and they are marketed and presented MUCH better. My money is going to ADS for the majority of my product needs going forward, with the exeption of those unique niche products...

 

[DFB5.0]

Great video, and summed up the whole debacle well. That said, while his products may be good, his approach was horrendous.. I think many would agree, ADS has just as good or better products, and they are marketed and presented MUCH better. My money is going to ADS for the majority of my product needs going forward, with the exception of those unique niche products...

And what a contrast between Pan and the co-owners of Armour Detail Supply!

Armour Detail Supply have grown remarkably well, driven by positive word of mouth and exposure by key some influencers. They engage with their customers in a positive, supportive manner, which backs up their exceptional product line. Every interaction I've had with Bradley and DJ has been positive, they share my social media posts, they are active in the comments to assist and educate. The products speak for themselves! Considering the age of the company, they have nailed it.

Clean by Pan on the other hand couldn't be any different. I don't think there is any question regarding the quality of the products, he was right to seek out the best of the best to deliver products that met his (and others) standards. The presentation is fantastic. He had a huge audience to draw from. So, to be so bold to tell the world his products are the best bar none was somewhat arrogant. Then to go on and award all of his products 1st place in the silly yearly awards video, well that was plain stupid, and stupid was the word used by someone I know in the industry. But to then go on and debate, argue and ridicule his "loyal" audience, deleting comments, deleting videos............................well that is not how to build a business.

And the sad thing is, the products might be good, but now he has undermined that excellence by being a jackass.

 

[larr12]

Carpro and ADS for me (or whatever that DFB recommends)

Like you guys said, his products might be great but his approach was bad.

 

[rcald]

Great video, and summed up the whole debacle well. That said, while his products may be good, his approach was horrendous.. I think many would agree, ADS has just as good or better products, and they are marketed and presented MUCH better. My money is going to ADS for the majority of my product needs going forward, with the exeption of those unique niche products...

Ditto skinnyb, I've communicated with both DJ and Bradley recently, plan to meet up with them at SEMA in two weeks and started using their products including the Quartz Pro Ceramic. Their interaction with customers, the way they prepare/pack/ship and the nice touches of adding a mint and air freshener to their packages leave a very positive impression. And, by the way..........the Panel Prep, Quartz Pro and Amplify are amazing.

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