What's In DFB's Cabinet?

[DFB5.0]

Made a return to DIY Detail for the Ranger's wash this week. In particular, the v1 Rinse-less Wash, Ceramic Gloss and Interior Clean & Protect.

The DIY brand is a tale of two halves for me. Of the products I've tried, most of them were really good. In particular, the Rinse-less and Ceramic Gloss combination works so well together, Incredible Suds has insanely good foaming and free rinsing properties, and the interior product finishes out beautifully. But then the public faces of the brand and their inclusion within the THOR group are off putting. The thing is, the products are good, but not so good that I can overlook the silly cult-like behavior of the wider THOR family. And there are plenty of great brands that don't play that game.

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[Evolvd]

Made a return to DIY Detail for the Ranger's wash this week. In particular, the v1 Rinse-less Wash, Ceramic Gloss and Interior Clean & Protect.

The DIY brand is a tale of two halves for me. Of the products I've tried, most of them were really good. In particular, the Rinse-less and Ceramic Gloss combination works so well together, Incredible Suds has insanely good foaming and free rinsing properties, and the interior product finishes out beautifully. But then the public faces of the brand and their inclusion within the THOR group are off putting. The thing is, the products are good, but not so good that I can overlook the silly cult-like behavior of the wider THOR family. And there are plenty of great brands that don't play that game.

Yvan has an air of arrogance that is off putting to me. And I agree with you about THOR, that whole conglomerate just gives me the ick vibe.

 

[DFB5.0]

Yvan has an air of arrogance that is off putting to me. And I agree with you about THOR, that whole conglomerate just gives me the ick vibe.

He's no doubt very knowledgeable, and I've learnt quite a bit from him. But then he makes ludicrous claims that make no sense and come across as controversial for the sake of creating attention. According to him, the force of a pressure washer used to pre-rinse a car will cause scratches, which completely ignores the fact water is a lubricant. Or his insistence that using a flag tipped brush to wash a black car won't cause scratches.

For me, the full ick vibe comes from YUM Cars. Don't get me started on him. And that brand has just landed in Australia at my favourite supplier, so I have to be careful what I say.

 

[DFB5.0]

I took this image to accompany an article I wrote the other day. Every different towel here serves a separate role. As the old Castrol GTX ad said, "oil's aint oils", well, microfiber aint microfiber...............

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

Good Day DFB , I looking for an above average interior Leather conditioner non Silicone , this is what the manufacturer alea Leather recommends. Thanks .

 

[DFB5.0]

Good Day DFB , I looking for an above average interior Leather conditioner non Silicone , this is what the manufacturer alea Leather recommends. Thanks .

You want ColourLock Mild Leather Cleaner, their specific brush, and Leather Protector. These products are made by a company that ONLY makes products for leather repair and maintenance. While there are a few exceptions, most of the leather products sold in automotive stores are complete junk and should not be used on any form of automotive leather. Above all else, remember than shiny leather is dirty leather.

You pay more for ColourLock, but you get a much better product.

Smooth Leather Care Kit Mild Cleaner and Protector – Koch-Chemie USA
Leather and Textile Cleaning Brush (Brown 120x39mm) – Koch-Chemie USA

The alternative to these would be NV Cleanse and NV Nourish.

Cleanse | Hydrating Leather Cleanser – Nv Car Care USA
Nourish | Leather Quick Detailer – Nv Car Care USA

 

[skinnyb]

The DIY brand is a tale of two halves for me. Of the products I've tried, most of them were really good. In particular, the Rinse-less and Ceramic Gloss combination works so well together, Incredible Suds has insanely good foaming and free rinsing properties, and the interior product finishes out beautifully. But then the public faces of the brand and their inclusion within the THOR group are off putting. The thing is, the products are good, but not so good that I can overlook the silly cult-like behavior of the wider THOR family. And there are plenty of great brands that don't play that game.

Agreed... While the DIY products are solid, and I have learned quite a bit from Yvan, the whole THOR brand is something I CANNOT accept. WAY before the YUM inclusion, I haven't been able to support anything those guys do. ADS is my go to by far now for almost everything, their products are really good across the board, and the fact they develop and blend everything in house is appealing to me.

 

[DFB5.0]

Agreed... While the DIY products are solid, and I have learned quite a bit from Yvan, the whole THOR brand is something I CANNOT accept. WAY before the YUM inclusion, I haven't been able to support anything those guys do. ADS is my go to by far now for almost everything, their products are really good across the board, and the fact they develop and blend everything in house is appealing to me.

I'm just glad ADS removed themselves away from THOR.

 

[skinnyb]

I'm just glad ADS removed themselves away from THOR.

Amen. Those guys are such boobs. All of them.

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

You want ColourLock Mild Leather Cleaner, their specific brush, and Leather Protector. These products are made by a company that ONLY makes products for leather repair and maintenance. While there are a few exceptions, most of the leather products sold in automotive stores are complete junk and should not be used on any form of automotive leather. Above all else, remember than shiny leather is dirty leather.

You pay more for ColourLock, but you get a much better product.

Smooth Leather Care Kit Mild Cleaner and Protector – Koch-Chemie USA
Leather and Textile Cleaning Brush (Brown 120x39mm) – Koch-Chemie USA

The alternative to these would be NV Cleanse and NV Nourish.

Cleanse | Hydrating Leather Cleanser – Nv Car Care USA
Nourish | Leather Quick Detailer – Nv Car Care USA

Thank you DFB for your response, the Colourlock is sold out. I can wait , you also gave an alternative ?
Also I or we don't sit directly on the leather, a terry towel modified to fit over the head rest is used so would I still need to foam clean or is mild soap and water acceptable as noted by Manufacturer? Thanks again.

 

[DFB5.0]

Thank you DFB for your response, the Colourlock is sold out.

I had a feeling you'd run into stock issues. Since Koch Chemie took over ColourLock distribution, they've really dropped the ball. Really annoyed at this because they were the go-to for leather. Apparently there will be improvements later in the year.

Also I or we don't sit directly on the leather, a terry towel modified to fit over the head rest is used so would I still need to foam clean or is mild soap and water acceptable as noted by Manufacturer? Thanks again.

Considering your towel situation, your main issue will be abrasion and dye transfer. Ideally I'd point you toward ColourLock Leather Shield as it's an abrasion and dye transfer blocker, but its sold out too. So instead, check out a company called Geist. They were founded by a former ColourLock employee and likewise concentrate solely on leather and textiles. Worth mentioning Geist are all about safeness for the material and the human using the product.

I would still clean the leather, primarily so the protection product bonds properly. Once you have a "state of cleanliness", your future cleaning can be less intensive. You want the specific brush as well. Once fully dry, you can apply the Dye & Friction Blocker.

Leather Cleaner -
Geist. Rapid Leather & Vinyl Cleaner 500 ml / 16.75 fl.oz | www.leathercare.com

Brush -
Geist. Leather & Textile Cleaning Brush | www.leathercare.com

Dye & Friction Blocker -
Geist. Dye & Friction Blocker for Leather & Vinyl | 500 ml / 16.75 fl.oz | www.leathercare.com

Depending on how much you use the car, you'd reapply ever 3 to 12 months.

Something to note, make sure you select USD when landing on those pages as the site is geofenced to specific regions.

 

[Evolvd]

I had a feeling you'd run into stock issues. Since Koch Chemie took over ColourLock distribution, they've really dropped the ball. Really annoyed at this because they were the go-to for leather. Apparently there will be improvements later in the year.



Considering your towel situation, your main issue will be abrasion and dye transfer. Ideally I'd point you toward ColourLock Leather Shield as it's an abrasion and dye transfer blocker, but its sold out too. So instead, check out a company called Geist. They were founded by a former ColourLock employee and likewise concentrate solely on leather and textiles. Worth mentioning Geist are all about safeness for the material and the human using the product.

I would still clean the leather, primarily so the protection product bonds properly. Once you have a "state of cleanliness", your future cleaning can be less intensive. You want the specific brush as well. Once fully dry, you can apply the Dye & Friction Blocker.

Leather Cleaner -
Geist. Rapid Leather & Vinyl Cleaner 500 ml / 16.75 fl.oz | www.leathercare.com

Brush -
Geist. Leather & Textile Cleaning Brush | www.leathercare.com

Dye & Friction Blocker -
Geist. Dye & Friction Blocker for Leather & Vinyl | 500 ml / 16.75 fl.oz | www.leathercare.com

Depending on how much you use the car, you'd reapply ever 3 to 12 months.

Something to note, make sure you select USD when landing on those pages as the site is geofenced to specific regions.

Deyon, are you planning to try (if you can get it) the Ledermax system? That stuff is expensive here so I’m sure it’s even worse for Aussie stores.

 

[DFB5.0]

Deyon, are you planning to try (if you can get it) the Ledermax system? That stuff is expensive here so I’m sure it’s even worse for Aussie stores.

I'd like to try it, but it's not at all available here at any price.

 

[MAGS1]

Have heard good things about Geist but haven’t tried it. I use Adams Leather Cleaner and Leather Conditioner. It’s pretty good, likely not quite as good as Colourlock and Geist. I use the Geist leather brushes, they are really good.

 

[larr12]

@DFB5.0 what is your opinion between DIY Detail Interior Clean vs ADS Pilot?

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