Car Products

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Got hit with the question by the GF on behalf of the inlaws etc, "is there anything particular you'd like from santa?"

 

As i've never wore/used/spent the gift voucher on anything received with (ahum) thanks from last year (apart from socks), and the year before, and probably the year before that, when i've always said "oh whatever", this year i thought...feck it, i think i'll stock up on stuff i'll actually get use out of.

 

Anyway, that's by the by.

 

I know it's not everyones bag and I'm no detailer but after messin about with my car and researching products, a few products i've bought and used have really stood out. I thought i'd share them in the hope some of you guys have came across other really good value for money/do what they say/reasonably priced products, that i can add to the santa wish list.

 

General cleaning/degreasing

• 3M Cable Cleaning Wipes - Fortunately i get these free from work as they are fairly expensive depending on what size of bucket you buy. However, they take tar (but probably also wax, sealants etc so beware) off the sides of cars with a simple wipe/rub. Ideal for finishing off something that has been really greasy/oily, that you've took the worse off already. (On really bad stuff i've had, i've cleaned with rags drenched in parafin, and finished off with these.) (they also dry your fingernails out if you use them a lot, but i believe as they citrus based you can eat them if you get hungry.) Also beware if you have them anywhere near a naked flame, they are extremely flamable

Probably best to get another product on after you've used these depending what type of material you've used them on.

 

For plastics/internal trims

• Auto Finesse - Revive - (My Rating 10/10) Seen it mentioned on here numerous times and have to agree/say it's an absolute gem of a product. I've done a full interior and also scuttle panel, and still have some left from my first bottle. Cheap and goes a long long way. The effect seems to have lasted too. Clean thouroughly and wipe on/buff.

 

Waxes- I've used McQuiars and Natty boys, both ok, but not tried enough others to comment/recommend.

 

 

Sealants - Really a must after a waxing, or the wax effect will be short lived.

• Autoglym Extra Gloss Protector- (My Rating 8/10) Simple to use, but you need to know what your doing. You should get nearly two cars out a bottle. Has to be applied very very light handed or you strip the wax off, and left until it turns to almost powder. I usually leave for about an hour to be safe. It can be then wiped off with little effort as it's sort of like talcum powder when it's cured. You'll know you've had a coat of it as it leaves a very nice shine and you'll notice how easy it is to keep the car clean for about 5 or 6 weeks if not more depending on weather/usage etc. Throw a micro fibre cloth on to the bonnet after a coat of it and the cloth slides off!

(My garaged CJ is currently sitting as shinny as it was 5 months ago after a coat of this stuff)

 

• Gtechniq C2- (My Rating 8.5/10) Very cheap product (if you don't need to pay for delivery), and also has the benefit that it can be used on all external parts of the car. I've done the full car, glass, plastic, lights, etc. Very similar end result to the Autoglym stuff, but maybe a slight bit better. It's a tiny bottle but goes a really long way. Spray on and wipe off. It's supposed to be a dirt repellant; I would say it's not, but again your car is much easier to wipe or wash clean. It's supposed to last 8 months but if you get 6 weeks out of it you've done well. An ever so slightly deeper looking shine than the Autoglym stuff, but with the benefit you can do everything with it.

Tyres

• 3M Tyre Restorer - (My Rating 8/10)Wipe on/off, lasts a few weeks. Fairly cheap product. Lasts longer on my back tyres. I done my door rubbers/window seals etc with this and they came up and have lasted well.

Glass

• Auto Finesse - Crystal Glass - (My Rating 10/10) I can't put my finger on exactly what this product is, it smells familiar, like meths or something else i've smelled before. It is absolutely great at cleaning glass, inside and out, and the bottle lasts a fair bit too. Can be used on headlights etc.

 

 

Feel free to add to the list.

Edited November 28, 2014 by dobboy

[Andy_C 50]

Gtechniq T1 for tyres and trim. Best and most durable dressing around.

 

Their C1 is a pig to apply but it's kept my daily looking sharp for almost 30k.

 

And C4 for a permanent trim coating. Lasts pretty much forever.

 

Zaino Z8 spray sealant - best on the market.

 

Most glass cleaners are high percentage IPA with some colourings. Buy neat IPA and mix with water and you've got the same thing for pennies.

 

Microfibre Madness wash mitts are the bomb - I have a couple.

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Thanks Andy, i've had a read up on them, they all look very good.

 

Would you use C2 and Z8 together? What would go on first?

 

Also, with the IPA, what sort of mixture would you use?

 

Thanks

[Andy_C 50]

Nope. C2 and Z8 do pretty much the same thing and in my experience are equally as durable.

 

I tend to use IPA neat for general cleaning and wiping down post polishing although for the latter I've moved to panel wipe as it works way better.

 

For glass I mixed 50/50 IPA and Meguiars glass cleaner concentrate (which was already diluted - can't remember ratio).

Edited November 29, 2014 by Andy_C

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Andy, i've got the Z8 stuff now (from Santa), will leave it until spring is in sight before i use it i think.

 

Got the IPA a few weeks ago, and done my house windows with it (neat!; and only to earn a few brownie points btw). Had a few cloudy parts on the glass that i don't think you would get with the Autom Finesse stuff, but it worked well, and cheap as chips as you said.... even better! Think it could get used for a lot of other non car related stuff too around the house.

[Andy_C 50]

Just finished my Z8 on the Skoda today. It's fine any time other than damp/cold conditions where buffing off is a bugger.

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Great, i got my nephew a bottle of it too for his xmas, he'll probably get around to using it before me as mines will be going up on all fours shortly for a fair bit of work.

 

I had a chuckle at the write up on the back of the bottle, it reminded me of my local indian restaurant who's add in the local rag would have people traveling from all over the world to try their buffet night.... If you believed them (and hadn't tried their food!)

 

Do u have any before and after pics of yours?

[Rock Lobster 28]

Just taken delivery of some soft 99 fusso coat which is a synthetic sealant I believe and has very good reviews. It's about £20 a tin too so very good value. I'll get some on the cars soon and let you know how it performs.

 

I have also used autofinesse desire just before the winter which is fantastic stuff and really helps to keep the dailys clean, but at over £100 a tub it's just far too expensive for me! I had a free sample pot

 

I also really rate carchem revolt which is a fantastic wheel cleaner and contaminate remover, not something you need for every wash but really is worth the money. Car chem do some great products including a shampoo that dilutes 1900.1 making is superb value.

Edited December 27, 2014 by Rock Lobster

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Gave the car a coat of the Z8 today. It's a fairly quick and easy operation, similar to C2.

 

It is good, but i'm not convinced it's any better than C2.

 

Having said that, i never waxed it prior to putting it on, which i did when i tried out the C2.

 

Good result though, and really shows up the flaws in the painters work!