Car Detailing - What products are your go to?

[raised by monkeys]

No I didn't because the sun stayed out.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

I think if you looked at the WD 5 or 6 Series and added the Car Kit you could probably suck the interior out of the car and have an even greater set up. They look pretty heavy duty.

Shop Vac type vacuums are handy for other things around the garage / house as they can suck up water and stuff also.

There was no particular reason I went with that one in the first place. I was standing in Bunnings going Karcher, Ryobi, Ozito, Gernie. Changed my mind several times and ended up with what I got.
Karcher is over priced but always seem to have extra accessories for each product, which are also over priced. But what do you do.
In this case the accessory kit really makes a nice difference.

Talking about accessories I haven't even mentioned the Karcher Steam Cleaner yet and all the bits for that....another rabbit hole for another post.

I am not necessarily a pro Karcher Fanboi however, as I went Gernie over Karcher when I got a Pressure Washer a few years back. All things have pros and cons.

This probably a stupid question, are these Karcher's bag-less?

I'm taking my time researching this purchase, mainly because there are so many to choose from and it's not something I have really looked into before.

Currently leaning towards the Karcher WD6 with your recommendation to include the car cleaning kit.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/karcher-...g-kit_p0259177

For some reason, I can't seem to find the car kit on Karcher's website, they mention it plenty of times but does not exist on their website. Looks like I'm locked into getting it from Bunning's.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/karcher-...g-kit_p0259177

[anobserver]

The kind folks at Waxit miss me already, sending a 15% off offer. Maybe its timely since im almost out of nova jet.... Thinking about trying some carpro reload as a finishing hydrophobic coating. Been using bowdens fully slick too, its reasonable.

Open to other suggestions to stock up the new detailing cupboard. Still thinking about new floor mats, the originals are a bit tired.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by anobserver

The kind folks at Waxit miss me already, sending a 15% off offer. Maybe its timely since im almost out of nova jet.... Thinking about trying some carpro reload as a finishing hydrophobic coating. Been using bowdens fully slick too, its reasonable.

Open to other suggestions to stock up the new detailing cupboard. Still thinking about new floor mats, the originals are a bit tired.

Reload is a good option, and like Jet can be applied to the entire vehicle, glass and rubber trim included.

Keep in mind Nova Jet and Reload should last between 4 - 6 months before another application needed.

For more regular use, such as after each wash, NV Boost or CarPro EliXir are both designed to work with Jet or Reload, I often use either as drying aids. Both offer excellent gloss and slickness.

https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...-boost-nova-qd
https://www.waxit.com.au/products/ca...i&_ss=e&_v=1.0

[DFB FGXR6]

Digging into the far reaches of my chemical cabinet reveals a few items that have not been used for over 10 years now.



I have kept them because I thought I might need them one day, isn't that always the excuse for hanging onto stuff.

The Megs stuff I never really liked, the polish and "paint cleaner" were useless and the wax was ordinary. However, the Mothers wax was excellent.

I have decided I need the room more than I need these products so they are destined for the trash.

[anobserver]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Reload is a good option, and like Jet can be applied to the entire vehicle, glass and rubber trim included.

Keep in mind Nova Jet and Reload should last between 4 - 6 months before another application needed.

For more regular use, such as after each wash, NV Boost or CarPro EliXir are both designed to work with Jet or Reload, I often use either as drying aids.

The car barely goes 4 weeks without washing, and i routinely reapply the coating afterward. Multiple such coats has given the paint a smooth, glossy finish.

Reload is such a cheap fix for the cleaning bug ... surely regular coats wouldnt hurt?

Putting another coat of jet or bowdens fully slick (which seems slightly easier to apppy without streaks) is so easy, even easier than the meguires wet look i was doing regularly.

Im torn now on which products. Given i spend most of our car budget on mechanical repairs, i really value the dollars spent on cosmetic items and am thinking reload looks good value. Given i still have a bottle of fully slick to use up.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by anobserver

The car barely goes 4 weeks without washing, and i routinely reapply the coating afterward. Multiple such coats has given the paint a smooth, glossy finish.

Reload is such a cheap fix for the cleaning bug ... surely regular coats wouldnt hurt?

Putting another coat of jet or bowdens fully slick (which seems slightly easier to apppy without streaks) is so easy, even easier than the meguires wet look i was doing regularly.

Im torn now on which products. Given i spend most of our car budget on mechanical repairs, i really value the dollars spent on cosmetic items and am thinking reload looks good value.

You will love Reload, its a great product that is very easy to apply. Lasting up to 6 months, reapplication at every wash would be wasteful in my opinion.

This Rag Company video explains how using too much of a product can lead to issues, mainly streaking. This video focuses on Bead Maker but the concept is similar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jchfx1s19Es

You also need to be mindful of topping products with other products. Have a look at these Rag Company videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zre-l6FOi7I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQXCtoJS7Us

As mentioned in the first video, you can use a quick detailer or perhaps the products I linked above to maintain the gloss and slickness without over-doing the protection. Use these as a "drying aid" and your can will always look as if it has been waxed.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Digging into the far reaches of my chemical cabinet reveals a few items that have not been used for over 10 years now.

image

I have kept them because I thought I might need them one day, isn't that always the excuse for hanging onto stuff.

The Megs stuff I never really liked, the polish and "paint cleaner" were useless and the wax was ordinary. However, the Mothers wax was excellent.

I have decided I need the room more than I need these products so they are destined for the trash.

Happy for you to send your trash to me! I'll pay delivery etc! PM me if serious.

I need to build my collection as lost all on house so can't afford new top stuff atm

[CyberWasp]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

This probably a stupid question, are these Karcher's bag-less?

The answer is yes and no.
In dry mode I use the bag because.....because....it is just cleaner.
You don't have to use it, but in my crazy mind it helps stops dust and stuff.
I have 4 cars that it is used on and I am still on the 1st bag, so it is a non issue as that is like 2 years or so.
The drum is stainless so you can hose it out anyways.

I would not recommend the WD6 as I would get extremely jealous.
Being the top of the line you would not be left wondering if you should have got the next one up like I do sometimes.
Reviews say it is a beast so I don't think you will be disappointed.
It is also available from other stores but I can't see it for a better price.

Here is where I got the Car Kit from to transform it.

https://www.discounttrader.com.au/pr...t-2-863-304-0/

One last thing to balance things out for other brands.
A Hose extension is probably possible on other brands but I can see no kits.
You can easily buy vacuum hose and many types of accessory nozzles cheap, but what hose do you get, what connectors does it need ect ect.

[CyberWasp]

Here is my budget weekend hack for a cheap Detailing Seat.

Find, (notice how I didn't say steal) a milk crate. You can find people giving them away in Facebook Market for example.

Turn it upside down and find a cheap cushion.

I got this one from Ikea, of all places for $10.00 as it is the right size.
Milk Crates are around 35cm2 and this one is 35x38cm.

https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/malinda...lack-40326582/

I am happy to kick it around the Car as my drive is on a bit of a slope, but if you wanted it would not be hard to make a base with some board castor wheels, for another $10-$20

[bangm001]

Hi all, anyone used the autoglym ceramic coating kit. Comes with surface prep and ceramic coating? Repco have it on sake for 95.00 at the moment not sure if it's worth it??

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

The answer is yes and no.
In dry mode I use the bag because.....because....it is just cleaner.
You don't have to use it, but in my crazy mind it helps stops dust and stuff.
I have 4 cars that it is used on and I am still on the 1st bag, so it is a non issue as that is like 2 years or so.
The drum is stainless so you can hose it out anyways.

I would not recommend the WD6 as I would get extremely jealous.
Being the top of the line you would not be left wondering if you should have got the next one up like I do sometimes.
Reviews say it is a beast so I don't think you will be disappointed.
It is also available from other stores but I can't see it for a better price.

Here is where I got the Car Kit from to transform it.

https://www.discounttrader.com.au/pr...t-2-863-304-0/

One last thing to balance things out for other brands.
A Hose extension is probably possible on other brands but I can see no kits.
You can easily buy vacuum hose and many types of accessory nozzles cheap, but what hose do you get, what connectors does it need ect ect.

My heart sank for moment reading that!

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Here is my budget weekend hack for a cheap Detailing Seat.

Find, (notice how I didn't say steal) a milk crate. You can find people giving them away in Facebook Market for example.

Turn it upside down and find a cheap cushion.

I got this one from Ikea, of all places for $10.00 as it is the right size.
Milk Crates are around 35cm2 and this one is 35x38cm.

https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/malinda...lack-40326582/

I am happy to kick it around the Car as my drive is on a bit of a slope, but if you wanted it would not be hard to make a base with some board castor wheels, for another $10-$20

The milk crate makes me smile...

A fella in my street sits on one, usually wearing boardies and a flano, whilst cleaning the wheels on his late model Lamborghini.

Always grins and waves at my old Fords driving past too. Legend

[JasonACT]

Originally Posted by BA-XT

Car detailing product at are like Engine Oil choices. But with more choices!

I bought one Bowden's Own product (Fully Slick) and things just escalated. The thing I like is that they just work. Every product I bought just works!

image

I've found a YouTube channel that tests Fully Slick and also Happy Ending against some high end competitors. The below is Fully Slick.



And this is Happy Ending



I just purchased this. Just waiting on my Snow.Cannon so I can test it out! Went over my partners car with Fully Slick yesterday. I had already detailed it and decontaminated the paint with two layers of Collonite wax. Now it feels slippier than a Politicians promise.

Also got a small free sample of Nanolicious Wash. Smells great, and 30ml is more than enough for 10L of water. Also rinses out of my wash mitt very easily.

Wheely Clean is great. Even their foam "All Sorts" tryre applicator pads are great..Snow Job is a great product and love the 3 way decontamination spray.

I haven't tried Bead Machine sealant yet, and it would take a lot for me to drop off Collonite #845. They don't make a polishing compound yet so Meguiar's Ultimate Compound / Polish are still my go to.for doing work by hand.

I've applied bowden's products twice now... Properly, the way they suggest, which does take some time. That was about 4 months ago now and I can say, when I high pressure hose my car off after parking in the bird ridden car park at work, each weekend - the car looks great. I'm sold too now. The AutoGlym Super-Resin-Polish did rescue a nasty door scratch for me, which I thought was permanent. When I did the whole car with AutoGlym, it just didn't last as long as this stuff has now.

[anobserver]

Deep the rabbit hole is....

Thanks for the feedback, dfb. Have bought the reload, the carpro elixir and a couple more towels. The reload will go in back of the cupboard in favour of using the detailer for now.

Im thinking that maybe the streaking im getting with jet may be an indicator of product overload on the paint surface.

After watching some vids, also realised my towel cleaning regime needs to include soaking.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k3r1nOTJs9Y

This should be enough to keep me amused for a while. Thanks again,

[DFB FGXR6]

Deep rabbit holes? I have no idea what you are talking about..................



And yes, I do have a problem.

[CyberWasp]

How do you keep track of what is in all of the spray bottles?

Also I am running low on Aerospace 303. I can see you have CarPro Perl.

Should I try Perl or stick with Aerospace? I just use it on the Interior and Leather Seats mostly.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

How do you keep track of what is in all of the spray bottles?

Also I am running low on Aerospace 303. I can see you have CarPro Perl.

Should I try Perl or stick with Aerospace? I just use it on the Interior and Leather Seats mostly.

I have the bottles labeled.





CarPro Perl is very versatile, smells great and can be tailored to suit either matte or shiny finish. I use it on tires and heavily diluted for dressing up wheel arch's.

For what you have in mind, I would stay with 303 for sure. I just like it better for interior dressing, it's application much easier to get an even coat.

[BA-XT]

Originally Posted by JasonACT

I've applied bowden's products twice now... Properly, the way they suggest, which does take some time. That was about 4 months ago now and I can say, when I high pressure hose my car off after parking in the bird ridden car park at work, each weekend - the car looks great. I'm sold too now. The AutoGlym Super-Resin-Polish did rescue a nasty door scratch for me, which I thought was permanent. When I did the whole car with AutoGlym, it just didn't last as long as this stuff has now.

Don't get me started on how good "Happy Ending" is.... I'll talk about it all day!! I have bugs galore at the moment (on a road trip) but i know when I cwt home, a spray of CT-18 with a wipe off and it'll be as good as new!

Seriously making waxing my car redundand.

[T3rminator]

After a few uses of the Bowden Big Green Sucker it doesn't seem to be as absorbent any longer. It still holds plenty of water, basically can still do the whole car hardly requiring a rinse, but I have to go through the same spot 2-3 times before its dry.

Could it be because I used the "wax as your dry" type products?

I always give it a good rinse with water only after every dry.

Whats the best way to wash the Big Green Sucker to get it back to "new" again?

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

After a few uses of the Bowden Big Green Sucker it doesn't seem to be as absorbent any longer. It still holds plenty of water, basically can still do the whole car hardly requiring a rinse, but I have to go through the same spot 2-3 times before its dry.

Could it be because I used the "wax as your dry" type products?

I always give it a good rinse with water only after every dry.

Whats the best way to wash the Big Green Sucker to get it back to "new" again?

Rinsing it is no good, it Atleast needs to go through the washing machine.
I use to use just washing powder, but started using Bowdens micro fibre wash which seems to be better again.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

After a few uses of the Bowden Big Green Sucker it doesn't seem to be as absorbent any longer. It still holds plenty of water, basically can still do the whole car hardly requiring a rinse, but I have to go through the same spot 2-3 times before its dry.

Could it be because I used the "wax as your dry" type products?

I always give it a good rinse with water only after every dry.

Whats the best way to wash the Big Green Sucker to get it back to "new" again?

You will most likely have an accumulation of whatever you are using as a drying aid. I would be using a dedicated Microfibre detergent such as Bowdens Microfibre wash.

https://www.bowdensown.com.au/produc...icrofibre-wash





A few quotes from Bowdens explaining why it's best to use a dedicated product for this -

"Restores and keeps the softness, plushness and absorbency to your microfibre."

"Our chemists created this to focus on removing remnants of the detailing chemicals that normal washing detergents cannot remove."

"No damaging fabric softeners or bleach."

"Rinses clean, leaves no residues in the fibre like a traditional clothes washes does."

This product can also be used for cleaning out polishing and waxing pads.

I would also be looking at Rags to Riches from The Rag Company -
https://detailingshed.com.au/collect...owel-detergent

[T3rminator]

Thanks guys, I sensed something wasn't right. Looks like Bowden has suckered me into their eco system .

[BA-XT]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

After a few uses of the Bowden Big Green Sucker it doesn't seem to be as absorbent any longer. It still holds plenty of water, basically can still do the whole car hardly requiring a rinse, but I have to go through the same spot 2-3 times before its dry.

Could it be because I used the "wax as your dry" type products?

I always give it a good rinse with water only after every dry.

Whats the best way to wash the Big Green Sucker to get it back to "new" again?

I don't use any "drying aids" any more. With Happy Ending applied water just sheets off! Last few times I've actually driven the car for 5 minutes then sprayed Boss Gloss onto the Big Green Sucker and dried it that way.

I've always used Bowdens Microfibre wash, and it still works like new.

[CyberWasp]

Luckily I had just added an East Wing to my Garage to keep up with the demands of Dirty Microfibre Cloths.



Seriously though, who is going to be the 1st manufacturer to make a dedicated washing machine for the garage to clean the cloths?

[DFB FGXR6]

With thanks to CyberWasp for the advice, I picked up this today -



More here -
https://www.fordforums.com.au/showth...22#post6554422

[CyberWasp]

Dude that sucks......and blows...

[CyberWasp]

What type of Pressure Washer do you have?

I might have found something for the Electric Pressure Washers also.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Dude that sucks......and blows...

Ha ha, sure does!

I had a bit of a play with it today and it's certainly a powerful beast. I vac the garage to keep the dust down and it excelled.

Had to order the Car Cleaning Kit separately from Discount Trader, looking forward to having the hose extension and brush attachment.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

What type of Pressure Washer do you have?

I might have found something for the Electric Pressure Washers also.

In May last year I replaced my very well used Karcher K2 with a Kranzle 1152 TST.





The Karcher did very well keeping up with me but was starting to get a bit weak in the end.

Kranzle are expensive but they are built like a tank. They even have an oil supply. I feel like I will have this thing for a very long time.



I ordered mine with a MTM kit which replaces the heavy and cumbersome Kranzle gun and wand and includes a foam cannon.





Strangely, these machines are ran laying down.



This by far my favorite detailing tool and it makes car washing far easier and more enjoyable.

As I mentioned, these are big money and I suspect better value could be found elsewhere. I justified the expense on the basis that will last me for many many years and is able to be repaired if needed. Since I bought mine, I notice there are more budget friendly Kranzle options now.

https://detailingshed.com.au/collect...ressure-washer

https://detailingshed.com.au/collect...ressure-washer