What's In DFB's Cabinet?

[Free Spirit]

Reload 2.0 would be the one you want for trim. Brake Buster is tried and true and works great. If you run it straight it’s a sledgehammer and if you just need some weekly maintenance you can dilute it 3:1 or 5:1 for mild cleaning. You shouldn’t strip your tires often as that browning is actually the anti-ozone protecting that keeps the rubber from breaking down and drying out in the sun.

The Wolfpack towels are good for final wipe downs or buffing after you’ve added a drying aid. Honestly I’d get a box of the TRC ultra Rip n Rags. They are perfect for just about every job and you can either wash and reuse them or throw them out if they get too soiled. While I’m thinking about it, also get yourself a bottle of Rags To Riches microfiber wash. It’s great for cleaning your towels and won’t ruin the fibers like regular detergent will.

My final wipe was going to be with the gauntlet and just buff the drying aid with it. Refering back to Project farms video u plan to go with the griots unless there is a MUCH better alternative for similar or maybe a bit more expensive price point. Def adding the Wolfpack for general interior cleaning. I do have one of those boxes of green towels from harbor freight but I cut open the boxes and just stack them in a toolbox draw. They suck though.

Also, I grabbed the 32 oz bottle of rags to riches since I only wash a few things at a time so 1 oz per washing load should last awhile and it looks like the 1 gallon doesn't have the pre measured full thing at the top so smaller bottle it is, but my biggest question is how often is to often to strip the tires? I was going to use undiluted buster each time I washed the car and just lightly mist the rims and tires. Should I dilute it instead? Or would the ads be better at not damaging the tire ozone/turning it brown?. The tire + should help somewhat I think protect it but I don't want to overdo it with cleaning. Hell I'm about to drop probably 300+ on detailing stuff but that saves me 20 touchless car trips. And after that it's all savings besides my time. But my car will actually be clean for once lol.

Sorry for all the edits, I did some more research and apparently buster isn't that popular online for various reasons, but Adams is, still leaning towards ads. For Adams the talk I see is about the tire and rubber cleaner (no iron remover though?) but they also have tire and wheel cleaner, and wheel cleaner (only one with iron remover). So which of the Adams is a good one or just stick with the ADS and dilute it down to 4:1? Pretty sure 4:1 is plenty strong to remove the brown and clean stuff deeply. Im running power stop z26 pads so low dust anyways. And for the price it'll last me awhile when diluted. And when diluting, is tap water fine or should I use distilled if it will sit outside in a garage with no climate control?

https://theragcompany.com/products/tire-cleaner?variant=51627555783027

Sponsored

 

[Evolvd]

My final wipe was going to be with the gauntlet and just buff the drying aid with it. Refering back to Project farms video u plan to go with the griots unless there is a MUCH better alternative for similar or maybe a bit more expensive price point. Def adding the Wolfpack for general interior cleaning. I do have one of those boxes of green towels from harbor freight but I cut open the boxes and just stack them in a toolbox draw. They suck though.

Also, I grabbed the 32 oz bottle of rags to riches since I only wash a few things at a time so 1 oz per washing load should last awhile and it looks like the 1 gallon doesn't have the pre measured full thing at the top so smaller bottle it is, but my biggest question is how often is to often to strip the tires? I was going to use undiluted buster each time I washed the car and just lightly mist the rims and tires. Should I dilute it instead? Or would the ads be better at not damaging the tire ozone/turning it brown?. The tire + should help somewhat I think protect it but I don't want to overdo it with cleaning. Hell I'm about to drop probably 300+ on detailing stuff but that saves me 20 touchless car trips. And after that it's all savings besides my time. But my car will actually be clean for once lol.

Sorry for all the edits, I did some more research and apparently buster isn't that popular online for various reasons, but Adams is, still leaning towards ads. For Adams the talk I see is about the tire and rubber cleaner (no iron remover though?) but they also have tire and wheel cleaner, and wheel cleaner (only one with iron remover). So which of the Adams is a good one or just stick with the ADS and dilute it down to 4:1? Pretty sure 4:1 is plenty strong to remove the brown and clean stuff deeply. Im running power stop z26 pads so low dust anyways. And for the price it'll last me awhile when diluted. And when diluting, is tap water fine or should I use distilled if it will sit outside in a garage with no climate control?

https://theragcompany.com/products/tire-cleaner?variant=51627555783027

If you chase the review rabbit hole for any chemical you’ll find its naysayers. I have a mix of cleaners. If my wheels need a deep decon I use ADS Wheel which has iron remover built in. This is my sledgehammer for seriously filthy wheels or for full decon. My weekly wash mix is Brake Buster mixed 3:1 and it’s perfectly fine. If a chemical recommends dilution, follow the directions.

ADS Ghost is a tire sealant which is why it lasts so long. I have gone three months on my daily driver before I needed to clean and reapply it. You can also put Tire+ on top of it for a quick refresh.

The Gauntlet is good for a drying towel, I wouldn’t use it as a buffing towel but that doesn’t mean you can’t….there’s just better weave towels for that purpose. The Wolfpack is too plush for wet wiping in my opinion. For interior you’re better off with a low pile towel like the Edgeless 300.

 

[DFB5.0]

Which tire cleaner works best for tires and wheels. I prices are all similar for 1 gallon so should I do brake buster, Adams or ads?.

The Adams and ADS are pure tyre cleaners and not ideal for wheels. So, go with Brake Buster as it can do both nicely.

Also carpro reload or reload 2.0?

Reload 2.0 is the current and should be the only version available now.

 

[Free Spirit]

The Adams and ADS are pure tyre cleaners and not ideal for wheels. So, go with Brake Buster as it can do both nicely.




Reload 2.0 is the current and should be the only version available now.

What dilution to use for the brake buster? I don't see any recommendation online for the rag company but they offer it for other cleaners. All I bring up on Google says 1:1 for already clean wheels/tires or just undiluted so wouldn't ads be more cost effective if it's as effective diluted 4:1? I was also thinking the ads stuff would be better for iron remover but idk if that actually makes much difference.

 

[Free Spirit]

If you chase the review rabbit hole for any chemical you’ll find its naysayers. I have a mix of cleaners. If my wheels need a deep decon I use ADS Wheel which has iron remover built in. This is my sledgehammer for seriously filthy wheels or for full decon. My weekly wash mix is Brake Buster mixed 3:1 and it’s perfectly fine. If a chemical recommends dilution, follow the directions.

ADS Ghost is a tire sealant which is why it lasts so long. I have gone three months on my daily driver before I needed to clean and reapply it. You can also put Tire+ on top of it for a quick refresh.

The Gauntlet is good for a drying towel, I wouldn’t use it as a buffing towel but that doesn’t mean you can’t….there’s just better weave towels for that purpose. The Wolfpack is too plush for wet wiping in my opinion. For interior you’re better off with a low pile towel like the Edgeless 300.

Rag company has ghost for an okay price, 20 or so vs 14 for tire + so I swapped it out to the ghost. And added Wolfpack for final buffing

 

[skinnyb]

What dilution to use for the brake buster? I don't see any recommendation online for the rag company but they offer it for other cleaners. All I bring up on Google says 1:1 for already clean wheels/tires or just undiluted so wouldn't ads be more cost effective if it's as effective diluted 4:1? I was also thinking the ads stuff would be better for iron remover but idk if that actually makes much difference.

You have 2 different ADS products. Tire and wheel. Tire is a pure tire product that I personally use at 1:1. It is basically a strong all purpose cleaner. That said "wheel" is a dedicated wheel cleaner used full strength. It has iron remover whereas tire does not. Brake buster I use 1:1 and use for both tires and wheels. It has no iron remover. Adam's wheel and tire I have used in the past. I used it full strength and I has no iron remover either. I just did a Dark horse today. Ads wheel (iron remover). And tire 1:1 on the tires. My go to combination.

 

[Free Spirit]

You have 2 different ADS products. Tire and wheel. Tire is a pure tire product that I personally use at 1:1. It is basically a strong all purpose cleaner. That said "wheel" is a dedicated wheel cleaner used full strength. It has iron remover whereas tire does not. Brake buster I use 1:1 and use for both tires and wheels. It has no iron remover. Adam's wheel and tire I have used in the past. I used it full strength and I has no iron remover either. I just did a Dark horse today. Ads wheel (iron remover). And tire 1:1 on the tires. My go to combination.

Is the armor detail supply wheel cleaner 1:1? Rag company says to use 4:1.

 

[Free Spirit]

The Adams and ADS are pure tyre cleaners and not ideal for wheels. So, go with Brake Buster as it can do both nicely.




Reload 2.0 is the current and should be the only version available now.

Unrelated to tire cleaners but I'm looking more into prices and stuff, ads amplify is actually cheaper atleast now with 20% off than the griots 3-1. Would it be better to use the ads amplify and completely forget the griots. Can the amplify be a standalone for gloss/shine while working as a drying aid and will it last awhile between washes?

 

[Evolvd]

Unrelated to tire cleaners but I'm looking more into prices and stuff, ads amplify is actually cheaper atleast now with 20% off than the griots 3-1. Would it be better to use the ads amplify and completely forget the griots. Can the amplify be a standalone for gloss/shine while working as a drying aid and will it last awhile between washes?

Amplify has no protection built in. It’s simply a drying aid/quick detailer. It leaves a very nice, slick surface but it doesn’t have much longevity. It’s one of those items you’d use on every wash to maintain slickness and prevent next week’s dirt and grime from clinging to the paint. If you want longer durability you’ll want a ceramic sealant spray.

I don’t particularly find 3 in 1 type products to be much use. They may be good at one of those things but not all three. My recommendation is to get a ceramic sealant which will last a couple months and then use drying aid after every wash to help maintain it longer.

 

[skinnyb]

Is the armor detail supply wheel cleaner 1:1? Rag company says to use 4:1.

ADS "WHEEL" is an iron removing product, you use full strength on the WHEELS, as in the metal parts. ADS "TIRE" is what you dilute, the small bottle is pre diluted 4:1 and you use it on the TIRES, as in the rubber parts.... 2 different products...

 

[Free Spirit]

Amplify has no protection built in. It’s simply a drying aid/quick detailer. It leaves a very nice, slick surface but it doesn’t have much longevity. It’s one of those items you’d use on every wash to maintain slickness and prevent next week’s dirt and grime from clinging to the paint. If you want longer durability you’ll want a ceramic sealant spray.

I don’t particularly find 3 in 1 type products to be much use. They may be good at one of those things but not all three. My recommendation is to get a ceramic sealant which will last a couple months and then use drying aid after every wash to help maintain it longer.

Any recommendations? I got into the griots from the project farm video comparing different ceramic coatings but if there's a better product lmk. Or should I just stick with my original plan? 1500 to get the car paint corrected + 5 year ceramic coating at a local shop? + Whatever it's going to cost to repaint my passenger door to fix the chipping paint that's spreading. Or just get it paint corrected and find some spray on ceramic to use myself and top off with amplify?

 

[skinnyb]

My first Dark Horse encounter today. Had a client drop off their car last night after dark in the pouring rain. Got up this morning early and started. Was a gloomy cloudy day all day, which was fine with me. Made the washing easier.... Beautiful Handling pack car

Full decon wash (Carpro IronX, Lift, then Descale) bucket wash with Descale, hit the wheels and tires with ADS Wheel and then ADS tire on the rubber, brake buster in the foam canon for the wheel arches. Also foamed brake buster for the engine bay, scrubbed and rinsed, then finished with KCx Motorplast. Hydro2 Foam as the finishing sealant step, blow dry and wipe down with Amplify. Treated the tires with Ghost. Vacuumed thoroughly, then wIped interior with Pilot, glass cleaned with P&S Tru Vue, and good to go.

 

[Free Spirit]

Amplify has no protection built in. It’s simply a drying aid/quick detailer. It leaves a very nice, slick surface but it doesn’t have much longevity. It’s one of those items you’d use on every wash to maintain slickness and prevent next week’s dirt and grime from clinging to the paint. If you want longer durability you’ll want a ceramic sealant spray.

I don’t particularly find 3 in 1 type products to be much use. They may be good at one of those things but not all three. My recommendation is to get a ceramic sealant which will last a couple months and then use drying aid after every wash to help maintain it longer.

I'm about to place my order now but what should I grab for ceramic coating instead of the 3-1 and when applying it should I towel dry with no drying aid then apply the ceramic and then every wash after use the drying aid? Going to be using amplify as my drying aid. Or can the ceramic be applied over the drying aid?

My thoughts now are looking at black book either this ads sealant 6 months isn't a bad timeframe for reapplication. Or maybe gyeon can coat evo for 1 year applications? Which ones better visually and cost effectively? Or spend the extra money on the ads quartz coating?

https://theragcompany.com/products/ceramic-spray-sealant?_pos=2&_sid=054672eb7&_ss=r

 

[Evolvd]

I'm about to place my order now but what should I grab for ceramic coating instead of the 3-1 and when applying it should I towel dry with no drying aid then apply the ceramic and then every wash after use the drying aid? Going to be using amplify as my drying aid. Or can the ceramic be applied over the drying aid?

My thoughts now are looking at black book either this ads sealant 6 months isn't a bad timeframe for reapplication. Or maybe gyeon can coat evo for 1 year applications? Which ones better visually and cost effectively? Or spend the extra money on the ads quartz coating?

https://theragcompany.com/products/ceramic-spray-sealant?_pos=2&_sid=054672eb7&_ss=r

If you have never used a ceramic coating you need to decide if you’re willing to learn. It’s not something you can just slap on in your driveway. You may be better off having a professional detailer paint correct your car and then add their preferred coating. Then all you need to do is maintenance washes and the occasional decon.

We also need to differentiate between ceramic coatings and ceramic sealants. Coatings are semi permanent that bonds with your clearcoat. Sealants are similar to a wax in that they cure on the surface but will be easily removed with acidic soaps like a decon wash. These things aren’t the same.

So, either way, you only apply a drying aide after a ceramic coating or sealant has cured. Or you can add it on bare paint for some temporary protection.

My thoughts are get the sealant and a topper like ADS Ceramic Sealant and Amplify drying aid. These will save you the money of a full detail with ceramic coatings from a pro.

In the end it all comes down to how you take care of your car. A coating won’t last a year if you don’t wash it properly and often. The claims of “lasts 3-5 years” is best case scenario for garage kept and properly maintained cars.

@DFB5.0 has plenty of “how to” posts and there’s a ton of them on YouTube as well. Pan the Organizer, ImJoshV, Fine Detailing, DIY Detail and many others have great how-to videos that will walk you step by step in the correct processes.

 

[Free Spirit]

If you have never used a ceramic coating you need to decide if you’re willing to learn. It’s not something you can just slap on in your driveway. You may be better off having a professional detailer paint correct your car and then add their preferred coating. Then all you need to do is maintenance washes and the occasional decon.

We also need to differentiate between ceramic coatings and ceramic sealants. Coatings are semi permanent that bonds with your clearcoat. Sealants are similar to a wax in that they cure on the surface but will be easily removed with acidic soaps like a decon wash. These things aren’t the same.

So, either way, you only apply a drying aide after a ceramic coating or sealant has cured. Or you can add it on bare paint for some temporary protection.

My thoughts are get the sealant and a topper like ADS Ceramic Sealant and Amplify drying aid. These will save you the money of a full detail with ceramic coatings from a pro.

In the end it all comes down to how you take care of your car. A coating won’t last a year if you don’t wash it properly and often. The claims of “lasts 3-5 years” is best case scenario for garage kept and properly maintained cars.

@DFB5.0 has plenty of “how to” posts and there’s a ton of them on YouTube as well. Pan the Organizer, ImJoshV, Fine Detailing, DIY Detail and many others have great how-to videos that will walk you step by step in the correct processes.

My car sits in the street and under a tree It almost looks like it's been through a hailstorm from the dents of branches and animals. Bird poop, sap etc it gets filthy really quick. I think for now I'll do that ads spray ceramic sealant with amplify as the drying aid and I'll revisit the ceramic option later unless I should get it done if I'm paying for paint correction. Should I skip the spray sealant for now and just pay the 1500 for the 5 year coating+ amplify as drying aid for maintenance washes along with everything else I'll buy. Or is the 5 year a gimmick? They offer a 2 year for 1000 including paint correction.

Sponsored