What's In DFB's Cabinet?

[Evolvd]

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.

I’m guessing drying aid?

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[kilobravo]

Looks like Amplify green in one, D.

 

[skinnyb]

Sounds like a rinseless wash to me. I know ONR is kinda bluish green.

 

[DFB5.0]

I’m guessing drying aid?

Not quite.

Looks like Amplify green in one, D.

Nope.

Sounds like a rinseless wash to me. I know ONR is kinda bluish green.

So, they are all rinse-less wash products, just not being used for that role. And it started with 8 different products until I remembered two others I have at the back of the cabinet.

 

[larr12]

Rinse-less for glass cleaning!

 

[DFB5.0]

Finally got back into some detailing today. I've been focused elsewhere recently, and had a very busy mowing run this week, so it was nice to roll out the buckets and pressure washer hose today.

With the erratic spring weather of late, I've had to delay attending to the Wildtrak several times, so it was very much in need of a decent wash. Today was a Koch Chemie day. Starting with Active Foam for the pre-wash, which easily dealt with the baked-on road film and bugs prior to the contact wash. Active Foam has been my go-to for this task for a while now, I love how it performs and love the fragrance. I followed with Carpro Reset for the contact wash.

Inspired by a recent TRC video, I decided to have a little fun with Koch Chemie Ceramic Effect Shampoo (CES).

Koch Chemie Ceramic Effect Shampoo | SiO₂ Car Wash Shampoo & Wax – Waxit Car Care
Koch-Chemie - Ceramic Effect Shampoo (Ces) | The Rag Company



Using CES is not how I typically contact wash. Firstly, you need to rely on the bucket solution to administer the soap as it doesn't foam. Secondly, CES probably doesn't have the greatest cleaning power, hence washing with Reset first. It doesn't really suds up either. Having said that, it's extremely slick, amazingly free rinsing and the "berry-almond" scent is delightful.

On this car, after rinsing off the Reset, I then went back over the now clean paint with CES.

1. Mix 50-ml of CES into 10-litres of water and add a fresh wash mitt or pad.

2. Working in manageable sections, glide the mitt across the surface, then rinse.

3. Continue working around the car, making sure to rinse adjoining panels. I wouldn't let this dry on the paint either, hence working in sections.

4. Finish off with a final rinse to remove any remaining residue.

That might sound like a lot of added work, and I guess it is if you need to wash the car with a stronger soap first. And it's also not how I prefer to bucket wash. But the pain is worth the gain, your reward being a hydrophobic and highly slick feel to the paint. Followed with a little Quick & Shine as a drying aid, these two produce a very satisfying look and feel.

CES is said to last up to about 3-months, so it's great if you want to add some protection without much effort, or as a coating topper as I did here.

Continuing the Koch Chemie theme, lately I've been sampling a bunch of rinse-less wash products as glass cleaners, RRW included. In fact, Rapid Rinse-less Wash was a clear standout among the 10 I tested. Mixed at 128:1, this stuff seems to perform better than a typical IPA-based glass cleaner. A full comparison test will follow, but RRW could very well be my new glass cleaner benchmark.......................and one that only costs $0.70c per 500ml.

Finally, I decided to replace the windscreen wiper blades. Despite these Motorcraft items being the "genuine" Ford part, I don't like how bulky they are and the less precise fit than what the car came with from the factory. Because these are a multi-fit part with different adaptors, they will never have that clean/flush look and fit of a dedicated item, which is annoying as you would think that's the key reason to buy OEM. Not happy, but at least they were cheap.

Genuine Ford Windscreen Wiper Blade Left + RH Everest Ranger

 

[DFB5.0]

In January 2022, I bought these Nike Pegasus Trail 3 Gore-Tex runners in a quest for something more comfortable in summer than the Bogs thermal rubber boots I had been using. While not totally waterproof, the Trail 3 proved vastly more comfortable and actually gripped better on Swisstrax due to their trail/hiking focus.

Those Trail 3's have been the hardest wearing pair of runners I've ever owned, so while they cost me a lot, they have certainly been worth the outlay over the long run. After nearly four years and many, many miles, it was time for a new set of detailing shoes. I didn't consider any other brand, I wanted another set of Nike's, again with the semi-waterproof Gore-Tex material.

This time I went with Pegasus Trail 5 in Fir-Clay Green, which had 20% off from Nike direct. Green is probably not for everyone, but I quite like it as a point of difference. And yes, a lot of money for a pair of shoes, but as I said, the last pair have outlasted the price-point junk sold in discount stores and the usual clothing outlets.

The old pair are very much still wearable, I just wanted a fresh set for detailing. I tend to demote runners to wear through spring and summer at work. I know, I should be wearing boots, but I've never liked leather boots, especially the steel cap variety. With the amount of walking up and down I do when mowing, foot comfort is highly valued. So, these will promptly be ruined by grass clippings, dirt and dust.

The Gore-Tex element of these trail shoes has proven to be the best balance for me. The rubber boots being thermally insulated become extremely uncomfortable in summer, like you are roasting your feet in an oven. I also hate having wet feet, so washing cars bare foot or with thongs doesn't appeal. Here's hoping these new ones last as long.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

My wheel order arrived and have a tag saying do not use acid or alkaline wheel cleaners. Personally, I don't believe they use some kind of extra delicate powder coating, but assuming I wanted to follow that rule and knowing that ANY cleaner is going to be at least slightly acid or alkaline even if just from manufacturing tolerances, what are the 2-3 best neutral wheel cleaners sold in USA?

I have also asked BC: Really?

Since they manufacturer wheels with polished, or anodized, or etc. aluminum finishes, I'm hoping the warning is meant for those.

Also ordered thew sealant below because among highly rated options, it was soonest I could get. Want my wheels on the car NOW. But will order and wait for something else if this was a bad choice.

Gtechniq Wheel Sealant Long Term C5 Wheel Armour

 

[MrMike]

I used C5 wheel armour. I got about 2 years from a tracked but garage kept car.

Applying small bottle coating like C5 or ADS wheel and then using PH neutral soap like Reset to clean them is an acceptable plan.

Once my wheels were coated, I never had to use anything beyond Reset.

 

[MAGS1]

My wheel order arrived and have a tag saying do not use acid or alkaline wheel cleaners. Personally, I don't believe they use some kind of extra delicate powder coating, but assuming I wanted to follow that rule and knowing that ANY cleaner is going to be at least slightly acid or alkaline even if just from manufacturing tolerances, what are the 2-3 best neutral wheel cleaners sold in USA?

I have also asked BC: Really?

Since they manufacturer wheels with polished, or anodized, or etc. aluminum finishes, I'm hoping the warning is meant for those.

Also ordered thew sealant below because among highly rated options, it was soonest I could get. Want my wheels on the car NOW. But will order and wait for something else if this was a bad choice.

Gtechniq Wheel Sealant Long Term C5 Wheel Armour

This is what I use when my wheels need a good cleaning. My wheels are coated so for most of the season standard car shampoo (Armour Detail Supply Shampoo+) and a good microfiber wheel brush is more than sufficient. Ethos does tout their wheel cleaner as pH neutral and it does have iron removing properties to it as well. My wheels are gloss black and it has not done any harm whatsoever to the finish.

https://ethoscarcare.com/products/r...0L6ZiWuElEWKgcFD0Yap77eIBdxxb2UgaAr8LEALw_wcB

 

[HoosierDaddy]

This is what I use when my wheels need a good cleaning. My wheels are coated so for most of the season standard car shampoo (Armour Detail Supply Shampoo+) and a good microfiber wheel brush is more than sufficient. Ethos does tout their wheel cleaner as pH neutral and it does have iron removing properties to it as well. My wheels are gloss black and it has not done any harm whatsoever to the finish.

https://ethoscarcare.com/products/r...0L6ZiWuElEWKgcFD0Yap77eIBdxxb2UgaAr8LEALw_wcB

Thanks! That wheel cleaner is on the way (from Amazon, on sale for ~$10 cheaper plus tomorrow delivery)

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I used C5 wheel armour. I got about 2 years from a tracked but garage kept car.

Applying small bottle coating like C5 or ADS wheel and then using PH neutral soap like Reset to clean them is an acceptable plan.

Once my wheels were coated, I never had to use anything beyond Reset.

Thanks. Good to know I have some good stuff on the way.

 

[DFB5.0]

I had planned to wash the Jaaaaag last Saturday but ended up having to work, better late than never I guess.

The stars of the show today....................................

Tyres - Shine Supply Wise Guy, NV Onyx
Wheels - P&S Brake Buster, Carpro Hydr02, Bead Maker
Rotors - Bilt Hamber Atom Mac

Paint - Koch Chemie GSF + TRC Cyclone Pad
Topper - ADS Ceramic Spray Sealant
Glass - Opti-Coat Clean & Protect (exterior) + Koch Chemie RRW (interior)
Interior Clean - ADS Pilot

 

[lo-fi]

With the all recommendations for ADS, and the fact that I used up all my existing products, I ordered Pilot, Hero, and Amplify. See how it goes. I'm curious as to how it compares to what I've been using in terms of "ease".

 

[MrMike]

I've used Hero as both a clay lube and a quick detailer. Seems to have tons of lubricity and will last a long time for those purposes. I bet it works great for rinseless with how slick it is also.

I am curious how ADS Ceramic compares to CarPro Reload 2.0 if used as a drying aid. Last wash on the Bronco I hit it with the leaf blower, then went over panel by panel with Reload and buffed off.

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