What's In DFB's Cabinet?

[vinny89gt]

It’s formulated to work specifically with microfiber to help keep them soft. I do use it with cotton rags as well, and it works well with those also. Fun fact about microfiber, it’s actually made with plastics. That’s why they say not to dry them in high heat, it will compromise the structure of the microfiber (melt the fibers) and will actually make the towels/rags become abrasive if it’s dried in high heat repeatedly.

Well fuck sounds like I need some new microfiber.

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[MAGS1]

Well fuck sounds like I need some new microfiber.

Did you dry them on high heat? Nothing wrong with regular detergents, it’s really heat that messes up microfibers the most (when washing them anyway)

 

[Evolvd]

As long as you use dye and perfume free detergent you’re fine. Never use fabric softener or dryer sheets and dry on the lowest heat setting or air dry. Microfiber is actually a plastic, not a natural fiber so high heat will melt them.

 

[vinny89gt]

Ive always just thrown them in the dryer on the automatic setting which is the second to highest heat setting.

Do you guys wash all your towels/rags in the same load? Meaning like towels you used on paint/jambs/engine/wheels etc?

 

[skinnyb]

Ive always just thrown them in the dryer on the automatic setting which is the second to highest heat setting.

Do you guys wash all your towels/rags in the same load? Meaning like towels you used on paint/jambs/engine/wheels etc?

I do all paint together, dirty stuff together (I usually toss really dirty ones, use the Rip N Rags that can be tossed), and I definitely do glass towels separate. I always soak towels that have used ceramic detail sprays too, especially if its gonna be several hours before washing to keep the ceramic from making the microfiber permanently hydrophobic.

And yes, heat kills microfiber. Always use very cool water, dye free detergent, and low, VERY low heat, I usually just hang mine up

 

[MAGS1]

Ive always just thrown them in the dryer on the automatic setting which is the second to highest heat setting.

Do you guys wash all your towels/rags in the same load? Meaning like towels you used on paint/jambs/engine/wheels etc?

Yeah I wash all my microfibers together. If they’ve melted, you’ll be able to tell, they’ll have a matted down look to them. Kinda like Alcantara that hasn’t been cleaned in a long time. They’ll feel a bit rough too.

I hang dry all my microfibers. Air drying is best IMO, you can also do the air dry (no heat) in the dryer too.

 

[vinny89gt]

Yeah I wash all my microfibers together. If they’ve melted, you’ll be able to tell, they’ll have a matted down look to them. Kinda like Alcantara that hasn’t been cleaned in a long time. They’ll feel a bit rough too.

I hang dry all my microfibers. Air drying is best IMO, you can also do the air dry (no heat) in the dryer too.

Good to know. Thanks boys.

 

[DFB5.0]

The concept with Rags to Riches is that it can deal with detailing chemicals, as in sealants and Si02 products. I've been using it for several years and found it rejuvenated towels that I was ready to throw away, so I kept using it.

There are four rules with microfiber washing -

- NEVER use powdered detergent
- NEVER use bleach
- NEVER use fabric softeners
- NEVER overheat them

I never bother separating towels, but I'm very specific in what I will consider washable. Anything that's been used to remove tar, grit, grease, tyre residue.................is never washed and considered single use. Apart from that, I put them all in the wash together with R2R, on low heat. I recently changed from air drying to running them through the dryer on low heat, it makes them softer.

If you want to go in depth and be more specific, then this recent video is worth watching -

 

[WD Pro]

There used to be a great article on Autopia outlining the history / development / manufacturing / uses / care etc etc of microfibre, I think the same article was available on CD and in the original Autopia detailing guides ?

It was an 'older style' article i.e. written without bias / sponsorship / drama / fancy edits / click & subscribe etc etc.

I cant find a link now which is really disappointing, but if I do come across it again I will post it up.

I think it was written by David Byron, so that might explain why its either gone or difficult to find - maybe even purposeful when the forum changed hands ?

Whilst the products we use may have evolved over the years, I suspect the information in that article is still very useful and very relevant, and the single article would have answered 99.99% + of the questions I read on here relating to MF

Does anyone else remember it ?

WD

 

[DFB5.0]

Washed the XR6 ready to be rotated back under cover this afternoon, XR6 in, Mustang out.

Something that's impressed me over the last week has been this Optimum Power Wheel and Tire Cleaner. Now, I was probably a little harsh on this product when I first tried it, but it seems to have redeemed itself.

https://detailingshed.com.au/collec...wheel-and-tire-cleaner?variant=48098206449879

Below is after one single pass with the product, then blown dry. Regular readers will know that I struggle getting these tyres properly stripped, which tenaciously hold onto a dressing and require nuclear grade artillery to fully strip (Tarminator, Eulex). The result here is the best I've seen from an alkaline tyre cleaner. Some slight residue remained, but not to the point where a follow up pass with a solvent would be warranted. Also, because I clean tyres at every wash, I never really get much or any browning. Well, this OPT product turned a greyish brown under agitation, impressive! I just wish it lathered a little better, it would be perfect otherwise.

So once I had the tyres clean, what did I do? Yep, went and made them greasy again with a fresh layer of OG Tire Dressing. In this case, I brushed it on and allowed to sit for about 10-minutes, then buffed the excess to knock it down to this deep, dark finish. Perfection!

I also went and booked the old girl for a comprehensive service next month. Above the usual oil and filter, its getting coolant, brake fluid, diff fluid, rear bump stops and hopefully sorting out the front caliper rattle its developed.

I've also decided it's time to remove the Falcon's away from dealer servicing, something I should have done a long time ago, but I just liked the idea of it being attended to by a Ford dealer. The thing is, a Falcon passing through a Ford dealership service department these days would be extremely rare. Every time I'd go in there, the workshop and carpark were full of Ranger's and Everest's, maybe a lone Mustang or Transit. If these guys aren't working on Falcon's, then they are hardly the "experts" anymore. And a petrol powered Falcon is a world away from a Ranger or Everest with tractor engines. So, the shop that fitted my brakes will be working on it in a few weeks, the mechanics are both Ford guys. I'll supply the OEM parts and fluids and let them handle it for me.

:rant

And one other comment I want to make, I'm losing patience with the internet. Wow, so what you say. I put a lot of effort into what I do online, be that on forums, Facebook and Instagram. I do it for my own mental health, it gets me out of my own head. In the process, I learn new things, and by association, others might as well. I make no money doing this, it's purely a labour of love and sanity. In doing so, I try to make sure I cover all the bases, hopefully to provide a balanced review or opinion, addressing both pro's and cons.

And so, when you have people cutting you down over trivial matters over and over again by passive aggressive ar.eholes, it gets old. Especially when its clear the person did not even bother to read what I had written, if they had the comment they made would not have been needed. And it's this can't be bothered, short attention span, TLDR society we live in is incredibly toxic. And my fatal flaw is that I'm very thin skinned, a fault I've always had and probably always will. So, when you've just spent hours writing something and all you get is an argument, I'm left with the why bother question.

For example, I've just finished writing an extremely comprehensive, near 8000-word article covering the Miami V8. From the very beginnings, to the development programme, the production, the numbers, the specs.............the complete story. Why? Because as it stands, there simply isn't anywhere on the internet that covers the entire start to finish account on this engine in one place. I know this because I went looking for it myself and found I had to bounce around several websites, reviews, magazine articles, Facebook posts, Youtube videos and countless images to get the full picture. And in collating that article, I had so much fun tracking it all down, learning new things about an engine I've owned for 11+ years. And I can't be the only one who would want to read about such a thing. So, I created it myself. But.....................

Do I even bother posting it? I mean, I can see what will happen. People will read the title, scroll through the photos without even reading the text, then make an uneducated scathing comment at the bottom, then argue to the death about something they have no idea what they are talking about. So rather than perhaps learning something and being a gentleman, they leave a nasty personal insult instead. So, even though I have something I believe others will want to read, I just don't know if its worth the hassle, the arguments and trolling.

What pis.es me off the most? That "people" let this blatant trolling behavior continue, but then step in on ME when I quite rightly arc up or play that trolling right back. It has to be consistent. So, do I continue to bother?

 

[skinnyb]

Washed the XR6 ready to be rotated back under cover this afternoon, XR6 in, Mustang out.

Something that's impressed me over the last week has been this Optimum Power Wheel and Tire Cleaner. Now, I was probably a little harsh on this product when I first tried it, but it seems to have redeemed itself.

https://detailingshed.com.au/collec...wheel-and-tire-cleaner?variant=48098206449879

Below is after one single pass with the product, then blown dry. Regular readers will know that I struggle getting these tyres properly stripped, which tenaciously hold onto a dressing and require nuclear grade artillery to fully strip (Tarminator, Eulex). The result here is the best I've seen from an alkaline tyre cleaner. Some slight residue remained, but not to the point where a follow up pass with a solvent would be warranted. Also, because I clean tyres at every wash, I never really get much or any browning. Well, this OPT product turned a greyish brown under agitation, impressive! I just wish it lathered a little better, it would be perfect otherwise.

So once I had the tyres clean, what did I do? Yep, went and made them greasy again with a fresh layer of OG Tire Dressing. In this case, I brushed it on and allowed to sit for about 10-minutes, then buffed the excess to knock it down to this deep, dark finish. Perfection!

I also went and booked the old girl for a comprehensive service next month. Above the usual oil and filter, its getting coolant, brake fluid, diff fluid, rear bump stops and hopefully sorting out the front caliper rattle its developed.

I've also decided it's time to remove the Falcon's away from dealer servicing, something I should have done a long time ago, but I just liked the idea of it being attended to by a Ford dealer. The thing is, a Falcon passing through a Ford dealership service department these days would be extremely rare. Every time I'd go in there, the workshop and carpark were full of Ranger's and Everest's, maybe a lone Mustang or Transit. If these guys aren't working on Falcon's, then they are hardly the "experts" anymore. And a petrol powered Falcon is a world away from a Ranger or Everest with tractor engines. So, the shop that fitted my brakes will be working on it in a few weeks, the mechanics are both Ford guys. I'll supply the OEM parts and fluids and let them handle it for me.

:rant

And one other comment I want to make, I'm losing patience with the internet. Wow, so what you say. I put a lot of effort into what I do online, be that on forums, Facebook and Instagram. I do it for my own mental health, it gets me out of my own head. In the process, I learn new things, and by association, others might as well. I make no money doing this, it's purely a labour of love and sanity. In doing so, I try to make sure I cover all the bases, hopefully to provide a balanced review or opinion, addressing both pro's and cons.

And so, when you have people cutting you down over trivial matters over and over again by passive aggressive ar.eholes, it gets old. Especially when its clear the person did not even bother to read what I had written, if they had the comment they made would not have been needed. And it's this can't be bothered, short attention span, TLDR society we live in is incredibly toxic. And my fatal flaw is that I'm very thin skinned, a fault I've always had and probably always will. So, when you've just spent hours writing something and all you get is an argument, I'm left with the why bother question.

For example, I've just finished writing an extremely comprehensive, near 8000-word article covering the Miami V8. From the very beginnings, to the development programme, the production, the numbers, the specs.............the complete story. Why? Because as it stands, there simply isn't anywhere on the internet that covers the entire start to finish account on this engine in one place. I know this because I went looking for it myself and found I had to bounce around several websites, reviews, magazine articles, Facebook posts, Youtube videos and countless images to get the full picture. And in collating that article, I had so much fun tracking it all down, learning new things about an engine I've owned for 11+ years. And I can't be the only one who would want to read about such a thing. So, I created it myself. But.....................

Do I even bother posting it? I mean, I can see what will happen. People will read the title, scroll through the photos without even reading the text, then make an uneducated scathing comment at the bottom, then argue to the death about something they have no idea what they are talking about. So rather than perhaps learning something and being a gentleman, they leave a nasty personal insult instead. So, even though I have something I believe others will want to read, I just don't know if its worth the hassle, the arguments and trolling.

What pis.es me off the most? That "people" let this blatant trolling behavior continue, but then step in on ME when I quite rightly arc up or play that trolling right back. It has to be consistent. So, do I continue to bother?

Man I feel that one, about the internet that is. I say why bother a LOT when all the keyboard Nancy's get all up in arms over simple comments sometimes.

I will say though here I myself anyway, I am sure many many others, truly appreciate your insight, even admire the depth you put into testing and dedication to the craft of detailing and all it entails

 

[skinnyb]

Had a little care package arrive yesterday. Had some more garage wall art arrive. Gotta rep my "brand" I am little more than an "extreme hobbyist" but hope to evolve more in the future...

 

[WD Pro]

@DFB5.0 - post that article !

I've managed to write 2300 words about an old plastic toy (you probably have an idea what), because I couldn't find that info on the net, and because what I have written would have been really useful to another 'me' out there, if I had found it before I started to refurbish the old plastic toy.

I will post it on the correct forum, and it might get appreciated by a select few - but the whole process has made me happy, and I don't care what anyone else thinks or says in response to what I will post

I even wrote and posted 4700 words just on refurbishing the axles and wheels for the above mentioned toys ... !

WD

 

[kilobravo]

..it gets me out of my own head.

Depending on "the head," amigo, this can be an unhealthy practice and one with which I am all too familiar. Obviously, you are equally well-acquainted with it. When you're feeling as you were when you wrote the post above, fight the tendency and move on to "thinking matter" that is not so corrosive. Your mini project on the Miami engine is an excellent bypass to the above condition (and I for one would like to read it, if that helps.)

And my fatal flaw is that I'm very thin skinned

My dear friend, I know you know this is a character trait that leaves you wide open for morons as you described. The Web and "thin skinned" are two things that do not go together well and IMHO, if you can't slip on a temporary suit of armour when you hop on the Internet Train, it is my belief that you should avoid the hurtful Web BS until you can suit up appropriately.

That isn't to say that I think you should "depart the pattern, Ghost Rider" for good, (a bit of "Top Gun" script there,) but rather, go somewhere or do something that is enjoyable to your head. On the occasions where it continues to bother you, find another place on the Web that doesn't cause you discomfort. I'm a big fan of voting with my wallet and/or my feet. I mostly ignore the asshats and move on.

So, do I continue to bother?

In the strongest terms, my vote is a resounding "YES" BUT..only if you can do so without taking on unneccessary grief.

As Tob mentioned, this space is hangin' by a thread and yet your contributions and those of a few others whom I consider good friends, "keep the lights on" here and I look forward to reading your posts and theirs every morning when I sign on.

But as I said above, if the Internet asswipes' posts continue to make you question your involvement, vote with your feet. You WILL be missed but that pales in comparison to the grief and damage that being in one's uber negative head and questioning your self worth can bring.

 

[DFB5.0]

Earlier this week, we had a tradesman doing some work around the house. Well, I may have had a melt down over the state he left the worksite in.

First of all, he made an absolute mess in the driveway cutting concrete to install a fence post. So, there was concrete dust and debris everywhere, and concrete slurry splattered all over the fence and bins.................and my very expensive garden hose. Then the millions of little metal shavings left after cutting fencing slats to size. Naturally, mess is always a part of construction, I'm not totally ignorant of that. But to LEAVE the worksite like that after "finishing" the job is frustrating and just sloppy workmanship.

Then I discovered said fence posts had been dumped under my pressure washer, scraping the paint off the wall. And that became the catalyst to my melt down.

Unless the client specifically insists otherwise, I would never leave a jobsite in a worse state than when I had arrived. Afterall, they are paying me for a service. You can't show up, make a giant mess, jack up the owner's property, then pi.s off. I know I'm a fussy pri.k, but I'm not unrealistic. I shouldn't have to clean up and rectify the mess and damage caused by the tradie at my own time and expense.

So, I had to do some painting this morning......................

At least the fresh paint looks good.

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