What's In DFB's Cabinet?

[MAGS1]

Apex colors come and go for any model. They buy a batch and if a color sells too slow, they don't order again when gone. But may again sometime in the future.

Re the VS-5. Nice but I think they would be better still with a softer bend between rim and hub. Apex doesn't use as stark a bend as others which is good but even softer would look better. That's the only nit I can pick about them.

Yeah I’ve noticed that with their color selection. Bronze seems to be one on certain wheel styles that doesn’t do well for them. Same with the silver.

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[MrMike]

Ok, so I guess I’m turning into a bit of an ADS fanboy. Did a quick wash at lunch today (car wasn’t overly dirty, just dusty). The ADS coating is great so far, it was shedding the soap from the foam cannon and the water just rolls off the panels on rinse and blow dry. It’s only been on the car a handful of months, but for now consider me sold on it.

Also applied Beads to the wheels to get me through the last month or so before I change them out for winter. Super easy and the water beads up as you rinse it off. Same for the grilles since they were a bit of a pain in the arse to coat.

Side note, the design of the grilles on my Mach-style bumper are so much easier to clean than the standard GT honeycombs. Wash mitt and Curveball did the job pretty easily.

Which ADS coating? They actually have a few now lol

 

[MAGS1]

Which ADS coating? They actually have a few now lol

Sorry, ADS Quartz. Figures, I ordered and applied Quartz and then they released Quartz V2.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Yeah I’ve noticed that with their color selection. Bronze seems to be one on certain wheel styles that doesn’t do well for them. Same with the silver.

And since a batch is just one size, color, bolt pattern, etc. Buyers of particular model car like a special color, you can always find the wheel type e.g sm10 in a color you want but not other specs. For example, always can order silver in BMW specs. #/$%*

 

[MrMike]

Sorry, ADS Quartz. Figures, I ordered and applied Quartz and then they released Quartz V2.

If it lasts at least as long as advertised, you got your money's worth. That's what matters IMO.

 

[skinnyb]

If it lasts at least as long as advertised, you got your money's worth. That's what matters IMO.

I have applied the Quartz V1 to at least 2 cars and have been VERY satisfied. Can't wait to try a bottle of V2, even the new Pro coating.

 

[DFB5.0]

Look who's back in the house!

The Jaaaag hadn't been driven since I had to panic polish the whole thing after a product reacted badly. I mean, it at least looked good after I polished it...................

If you are into the detailing scene, you'll be seeing a lot of noise about Labocosmetica at the moment. I had sat back and watched for a while, for some reason I didn't feel the need to jump in on this brand. And yet, the call became deafening and I caved in and bought a small sample to try. Everything about this brand screams class, the textured bottles are beautiful, the scents are simply to die for. They also have every single product category covered, often multiple different times.

To date, the first and only product from Labocosmetica I have used is their rinse-less wash, Idrosave. I used this product like any other rinse-less wash, pretreating the whole vehicle, then working around the car using the multiple towel method. When I went to dry, the car was covered in thousands of polymer spots that would not wipe off. I tried using more product and wiping again. No. I tried a drying aid. No. I tried Eraser (IPA). No. I think I even tried Green Star APC. I ended up having to polish these spots off the vehicle. What was supposed to be a quick rinse-less wash turned into an ordeal.

Now, it was on me for not reading the directions of use outside of the dilution ratio. But I used this product like any other rinse-less, none of which react like this one did, be that one with or without Si02 in the formula. I've since learned that my bottle was a very early batch that was known to be a little touchy. But the damage was done, I simply do not trust the brand now. I was told that this was a childish reaction, but as far as I'm concerned, it's a natural human trait to show caution after being bitten. So, those three products sit in my cabinet as a reminder of what can happen if you aren't on your game.

Another comment regarding Labocosmetica, the product range is just waaaay too overcomplicated. And I say that as a guy who likes to complicate the detailing process by having every conceivable product or tool on hand. But why would anyone need a 3-pH rinse-less wash system, which consists of acidic and alkaline pre-treatment products? At which point, just get out a bloody hose or pressure washer! Or what about the 2-pH acid/alkaline fabric cleaning system. Why? Or the two different water-spot removers, three different APC's, nine different soaps. Just too much.

Anyway, the Jaguar's battery is NOT happy. I did start it and let the engine run up to temperature in early August, but even after a decent drive this morning, the battery was still giving me a low-battery message. It's also taking quite a while to accept a charge. Because this vehicle has stop-start, take note that I have it on the AGM setting (same applies to the new Mustang).

That chunky strut tower is cast aluminum by the way (same as the Cadilac CT-6). The only steel panels on this vehicle are the doors and boot lid. I'd assume the steel doors would be for crash strength. The boot lid is an interesting one as it could have easily been alloy like the hood, front fenders and rear quarter panels. All I can think of is it's for weight distribution (or cost control).

Also, on this example with the sliding glass roof, the painted sections of the roof are composite. I personally don't like sunroof's as they just add weight and reduce body rigidity, so I'd never have wasted money ordering it on this vehicle. However, we bought this car off the lot for a significant price adjustment. I suspect the colour had a lot to do with that. I originally wanted the brighter Firenze Red, but this example had the Light Oyster Interior that I was non-negotiable about, as well as the 19-inch wheels and several other high-price options. In the end, the Odyssey Red colour set against that interior makes the car for me. The sunroof is consequential, I think it's been opened something like two or three times in the 9-years we've owned it.

 

[larr12]

I agreed with you @DFB5.0 Pretty sure the product is good but kinda over complicated.

 

[MrMike]

I still had some ADS Wheel leftover after two coats on the Mustang wheels, so I decided to do a single coat on the Bronco's wheels. I did not remove the wheels so the prep was not as thorough. I only did the wheel face. Now I didn't waste any!

Before:

FL

Spare

After:

FL

Spare

 

[DFB5.0]

I still had some ADS Wheel leftover after two coats on the Mustang wheels, so I decided to do a single coat on the Bronco's wheels. I did not remove the wheels so the prep was not as thorough. I only did the wheel face. Now I didn't waste any!

Before:

FL

Spare

After:

FL

Spare

I have one last job for you to do, de-nib those tyres.............................

 

[DFB5.0]

Much better..........................

 

[MrMike]

Trim+ is also legit. Y’all were right.

Before and after for each of the 3 spots.

 

[skinnyb]

Trim+ is also legit. Y’all were right.

Before and after for each of the 3 spots.

I LOVE it. I have used it a few times, never on my Mustang yet, but I did restore the wiper cowl and rear windshield wiper on my Mazda. And I put on a fuel door pocket and door handles on a 15 year old Jeep. It helped immensely.

 

[skinnyb]

Much better..........................

I used the "restore" feature a while back on my AGM mower battery that is 5 years old and it helped a LOT. Tried on my mazda though, 3 years old and it wouldn't recover :( I drive it every day, over 100 miles every day. I guess it was just time on it. I am waiting on my Mach 1 battery to give up, but i keep on a Noco Genius all the time unless I am driving it.

 

[DFB5.0]

Eight different products, all mixed up to do the same job. Any guesses?

And yes, the mismatch of bottles messed with my compulsive need for order.

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