DFB's Detailing Garage

[DevilDog]

You never cease to amaze me. Love how the labels on all of your cleaning products are perfectly straight. I do the same thing. I even do it with all the stuff in our refrigerator. My wife thinks I'm nuts, which I probably am.

Sponsored

 

[DFB5.0]

Old Blue's turn today...................

Carpro Reset teamed with the Carpro DabDab.

IMG_4689 by D B, on Flickr

After blow drying, I decided to apply ADS Ceramic Sealant. This stuff couldn't be easier to apply, no streaking, no excessive buffing, no hokey pokey application method...................just spray, wipe, done. You then end up with lovely gloss and slickness. I'd say something like Carpro Reload has more slickness, but the easy application counts for A LOT.

ARMOUR Detail Supply Ceramic Spray Sealant 6 months Durability - Detailing Shed
Armour Detail - Ceramic Spray Sealant | The Rag Company

IMG_4696 by D B, on Flickr

For some reason, I had a hankering for some AMMO Mud today, which smells delightful, is easy to apply and looks fantastic.

AMMO Mud Tire Gel – AMMONYC AU

IMG_4699 by D B, on Flickr

IMG_4703 by D B, on Flickr

Somewhere in my travels over the last week, I managed to lose a valve cap.................

IMG_4701 by D B, on Flickr

Now, this is a perfect example to describe the thought process that goes through an OCD mind. A seemingly insignificant, tiny little detail that in no way will stop the world from spinning................and yet it will eat away at me until I have the problem sorted. Yep, a valve cap can cause that sort of thought process. It's both a blessing and curse.

Anyway, I replaced all four with some black anodized items from Repco, of which I bought two different sets because I couldn't decided which to buy. :doh

IMG_4706 by D B, on Flickr

Halfway through the detail, I had to stop and wonder how long I have been washing this car....................17 years this June. That also means 17-years washing F-series Falcon sedans. I don't know if this applies to others, but I tend to end up with a specific routine with each vehicle. As in, you know where the water collection points are, what areas trap soap and need to be flushed out during the final rinse, drying door jambs a certain way, which exterior surfaces that collect grime, needing a specific brush for the wheels, and so on and so on. Well, on I have washing these cars down to a fine art. If someone was watching me move around an F-series sedan, you'd witnesses something close to auto-pilot.

 

[DFB5.0]

Despite having the saw set up out in the driveway yesterday, the Falcon got showered with a layer of sawdust. In hindsight, I probably should have moved it out of the garage, but then I wouldn't have had something to do today!

Soap of choice today was NV Snow.

Snow | pH-Neutral Foaming Shampoo – Nv Car Care USA
Nv Snow | Foaming Car Shampoo – Parks Car Care

Nv SNOW | pH Neutral Wash | Waxit – Waxit Car Care

If I had to name my absolute favorite soap, the response would be a very quick Carpro Reset. But you certainly pay for Reset's top drawer user experience. However, when you throw purchase price into the equation, the balance shifts towards NV Snow for the following reasons......................

- The consistency of the soap is thin, so it's easy to pour, just like Reset.

- A unique but subtle fragrance..............also like Reset. Both differ from the usual berry or bubblegum scents used in most soaps.

- The foaming ability is seriously impressive, producing slightly thicker foam compared to Reset.

- Slickness is exceptional, not quite Reset slick, but not far off. If Reset was 10/10, Snow would be 9.5/10.

- Free rinsing, like Reset.

- Excellent cleaning ability, if not more so than Reset.

- Snow is significantly more cost effective in the 4-litre size.

AUD
SIZE	NV Snow	Carpro Reset
500ml	$21.95	$24.95
1-litre	$33.95	$39.95
4-litre	$78.50	$129.95

USD
SIZE	NV Snow	Carpro Reset
500ml	$15.99	$15.99
1-litre	$22.99	$26.99
4-litre	$64.99	$89.99

After the wash, ADS Amplify was used for drying aid duties (paint, engine bay, door jambs and wheels), OG Tire Dressing on the rubber, ADS Pilot for the interior. On this occasion, I also had to get after the interior glass. For this, I went with Carpro Eraser to hopefully deal with the light film that had built up. After the detail, the XR6 swapped place with the Mustang and then covered up.

I've been using the Falcon as my daily over the last two weeks, which after a short acclimatization, has been so nice due to the comfortable seats, decent ride quality and that smooth, torque rich engine. Despite the 8-year age difference, jumping back in the Ranger is such a downgrade in drivability. Just the other week, I nearly got t-boned due to the horrendous turbo/throttle lag in the Ranger, how Ford signed off on the 2.2's calibration beggars belief! Apparently the 6-speed automatic is even worse.

And it's not due to a lack torque as both produce similar numbers, 385 Nm for the Ranger and 391 Nm (420 Nm on 98-ron) for the Falcon. Where the Barra builds torque very naturally off idle, absolutely nothing happens till 1800 rpm in the Ranger, then it falls on it's face at 2200 rpm. Now, 1800 rpm might sound reasonable for peak torque to arrive, but the problem is how long the engine takes to reach that number due to the turbo lag and the throttle being absolutely dead. And with such a narrow 400 rpm power/torque window, it means you are constantly shifting gears to keep it productive.

Speaking of the Ranger, due to it doubling as a sawhorse, it too has that layer of sawdust. However, the workhorse will have to wait until after my mowing run next week for a wash.

 

[DFB5.0]

Autumn, the best season for garage pottering!

I couldn't take it anymore, the Ranger just HAD to be washed. And yes, there was some mud to be dealt with....................

Today's theme was using up some odd-bod products. Soap of choice was P&S Wide Open, which was used for the wheels, a pre-wash and the contact wash. Drying Aid was 3D Bead It Up, which smells so nice. Moving to the inside, DIY Interior Clean & Protect took care of wipe-down duties. Gyeon Tire Express was the finishing touch, a product that never really won me over.

I then made a start on changing the crappy perforated drawer liners that come with these Maxim cabinets, swapping to a more stable solid non-slip material.

ADYAWEN Professional Tool Box Liner and Drawer Liner, Easy Cut Non-Slip Foam Rubber Toolbox Drawer Liner Mat - Adjustable Thick Cabinet Liners,Black (21.6 inch × 236 inch) : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement

 

[DFB5.0]

Mustang's turn, and for some reason, I just didn't feel like playing with foam today. However, I still wanted something more than a rinse-less to properly flush out the door jambs and address the wheels. So, I did a bit of a "hybrid" wash.

Starting with the wheels, Carpro Reset went in the wheel bucket and Brake Buster for the tyres. Despite not using the foam cannon, I still used the pressure washer for rinsing. Atom Mac went on the rotor after finishing each wheel.

With the pressure washer hose still out, I gave the Mustang a good rinse, in turn flushing out the jambs, windscreen scuttle and grills.

For the wash, I went with ADS Hero. With this car wearing an ADS coating, Hero plays exceptionally well here. Despite rinsing beforehand, I still went around with a pre-soak using a slightly richer dilution to account for the water already on the surface of the vehicle.

On the XR6 yesterday, I used the TRC Ultra Black Sponge, but today I went with multiple TRC Eagle 500's.

I've been using the EGO after rinse-less washes to blast water and solution out of the panel gaps, grills and windscreen scuttle. This helps reduce some of towel work when drying.

I recently picked up a bottle of this Stoner Invisible Glass Hybrid Ceramic glass cleaner, which is a newer version of their Clean & Repel. On first acquaintance, it seems to be very easy to use and doesn't require special technique to get a clear result from..............cough, ClarifyPhobic, cough, Trace-less.

Invisible Glass Hybrid Ceramic 473ml - 92183 - Windscreen & Glass Cleaner | Repco Australia
Invisible Glass Rain Repellent - 643mL | Supercheap Auto

Interesting to note Stoner Car Care now have an official website and store in Australia, previously only a very limited selection of products from the brand were sold via auto stores and detailing retailers.

Australia Stoner

Again, it was such a nice day to be outside, so after finishing the Mustang I decided to make the most of it and took my best friend for a walk along the river.

 

[DFB5.0]

My Most Used Products

The following products are the ones I gravitate toward the most. While I do like to mix and match, these are products that I know give the best performance, make the task quicker and easier, excel at the “user experience” and deliver me the end result I’m looking for. A nice scent plays a role as well. Important to note that this is not everything I use per wash, just the ones I instinctively go for.

In no particular order, these are my staples ………………………………..

P&S Brake Buster – I’ve been in love with this product from the moment I tried it. Back then, I didn’t have much use for wheel cleaners, and I still don’t to some degree. However, Brake Buster has become a staple due to its versatility and affordability.

I like how this product gives you options, as in it can be used neat or diluted, sprayed or foamed. When used neat, it’s a very capable tyre cleaner that lathers up beautifully under agitation. When required, undiluted Brake Buster can do some heavy lifting, I’ve found it quite effective as a follow up to an iron remover on neglected wheels. When diluted via a foam cannon, you also have a great maintenance wheel cleaner, the foam helping to increase your working time. Backing this up, Brake Buster is exceptionally slick and contains corrosion inhibitors.

I know there is a perception that Brake Buster is only suitable for light maintenance cleaning, but most people who say that have only ever used it diluted, which in turn removes some of its capabilities. When required, I haven’t been left wanting more out of Brake Buster when used neat.

Brake Buster’s only major drawback is its tendency to kill spray heads, a byproduct of its alkalinity, even with chemical resistant spray heads.

Carpro Reset – I’ve said this multiple times, but I keep trying new soaps wondering if Reset can be beaten, and while some come close, no other maintenance soap can tick all of the boxes like Carpro Reset. It’s easy to pour, foams like a champ, offers exceptional slickness, cleans well, rinses freely and smells amazing. Reset is also highly concentrated, which negates its price premium.

It’s biggest claim to fame comes from it registering pH neutral, but offers the cleaning ability of an alkaline soap. For that reason, there is some suggestion that Reset will degrade wax, but that’s not something I have noticed. In my opinion, the worst thing about Reset is the name, many mistakenly assume that it’s a strip wash. “Refresh” or “Revive” would have been more fitting.

If I could only pick the one soap, Reset would be my choice.

Carpro Hydr02 Lite – I can’t remember where I learnt about this stuff, but what a discovery! Hydr02 put an end to using waxes or specific wheel sealants (Poorboys), a simple spray and rinse application was a revelation. Keep in mind this was before ceramic coatings became mainstream, and certainly before dedicated wheel coatings. So, for the average weekend warier, Hydr02 allows you to get something onto your wheels and calipers without having to do a full wheels-off detail.

Now, it's debatable as to how much “protection” is being provided here, especially next to a stout high-temp wheel coating. However, it does help make cleaning and drying your wheels much easier. I also use it as a topper on exhaust tips. While I don’t use Hydr02 on my own vehicles paint, for completely bare vehicles, using this product after a wash can drastically assist the drying process.

My initial use of Hydr02 was in concentrate form, which was diluted using demineralized water. However, I’ve found the pre-diluted Hydr02 Lite and its Gyeon Wet Coat cousin to be more stable and less likely to streak or spot. It is more expensive this way, but it's also more convenient as you don’t need to buy two different liquids. There is also a Hydr02 Foam, but its junk.

Bilt Hamber Atom Mac – I really only discovered the need for a product like this after taking delivery of a car with gloss black wheels. You see, as the brake rotors dried, a thin film of rust would develop on the surface of the rotor. So, as soon as you next apply the brakes, that rust was turned into orange dust that would undo your wheel cleaning efforts. And on gloss black wheels, this exaggerated the situation.

At some point I discovered Obsessed Garage and a product he was using to help prevent this flash rust, Hydes Serum Rustopper. But of course, it was off limits to Australia due to it being restricted to ground shipping. Actually, I ordered a bottle as an experiment and somehow this shipping restriction slipped through the cracks. Shortly after this, Detailing Shed started to carry Hydes, then Bilt Hamber Atom Mac became available. I chased a product like this for two years, then suddenly I had access to two options.

At its core, Atom Mac is a corrosion inhibitor with many applications. On cars, it helps prevent the flash rust from developing on rotors and won’t impede the safe operation of the brakes or affect the finish of the wheels. I apply this immediately after cleaning each wheel, then again after washing the rest of the vehicle and prior to using a leaf blower to dry. This double pronged application all but eliminates flash rust, nor do you need to do the old backwards and forwards antics to dry off the rotors.

Granted, a 500ml or 1-litre bottle of Atom Mac is very expensive. However, the dilution rate is high, so a bottle will last you for years. At the recommended 5% dilution, you are adding 25ml into 475ml of demineralized water.

Armour Detail Supply Amplify – I’m at the point now where I can tell if a product is good or not within the first 30-seconds of use. Well, I think Amplify was closer to 15-seconds! This has to be one of the easiest and best ceramic toppers/detail sprays on the market.

The first thing that gets you is the amazing scent. Yes I know, a scent doesn’t necessarily have a bearing on how a product works, but it contributes to the overall user experience. There are products on the market that are quite good at their intended role but are totally ruined by the scent or odour that I refuse to use them. That doesn’t apply to Amplify.

In use, Amplify is just so dam easy to apply. In my case, I use it as a drying aid after removing the bulk of the water with a blower. A few sprays into the towel, maybe one or two onto a section, wipe, flip, wipe, done! It’s this simplicity that wins me over as it significantly reduces towel work. And backing it all up is supreme gloss and slickness. There is literally nothing to hate with Amplify. In addition to drying aid, I also use it on door jambs, engine bays, exhaust tips and wheels.

Armour Detail Supply Pilot – This has been another instant hit for me! While technically called an interior “detailer”, I’ve found Pilot to have plenty of cleaning ability beyond mild wipe overs or dusting. In most cases, I use this product in a spray and wipe manner, however it can be teamed with a brush and lathered up if needed. I use it on just about every interior surface including plastics, gloss trim, leather, fabric and screens. Pilot also has UV inhibitors and anti-static properties, and the final finish is completely matte, OEM look. And the spiced pear scent is to die for, I would use it for the scent alone!

Overall, I’ve found Pilot to be a very well-balanced product, easily one of ADS’s best! You can tell it’s a serious contender when I move a product into a good Kwazar or Pressol sprayer.

Stoner Invisible Glass –For me, glass cleaning is a necessary evil, it’s a job that needs to be done rather than something I look forward to or enjoy. For that reason, I want a product and towel that makes it as painless as possible.

After trying so many glass cleaners over the years, from cheap to expensive, the conclusion I’ve come to is to keep it simple, stupid! There is a definite correlation between heavily scented and coloured glass cleaners and a streaky, hazy finish. Invisible Glass on the other hand is as basic as it comes, a cheap bottle and sprayer, no fancy scent, no lurid colouring. It’s just a glass cleaner, nothing more, nothing less. The fact it it’s cheap and can be bought from any auto store are added bonuses.

Optimum No Rinse – I was late to rinse-less washing, and ONR was my first attempt at the method. Ironically, I use ONR for jobs other than rinse-less washing. In my opinion, even if you don’t like rinse-less washing, having a product like ONR in your arsenal is essential. Why? Because it's so versatile; rinse-less washing, water-less washing, clay lubricant, glass cleaner, interior cleaner, quick detailer, water softener, household cleaning………………………..

For me, I always have a bottle of ONR mixed up at the quick detailer rate. This then gets used for wiping benches, dealing with bird bombs, cleaning tools, engine bay wipe downs. I also love it as an ultra-gentle interior cleaner, from plastics to gloss surfaces, leather to screens, even rubber floor mats. And as a rinse-less, I like ONR for its lubricated feel, and in the latest generation, its easy drying properties.

A staple everyone should have!

Carpro ECH20 – This product is here for similar reasons to the above ONR, as in cost effective usability. Originally designed as a water-less wash concentrate, many also like ECH20 for rinse-less washing and as a drying aid, however I don’t love it in either role.

I’m primarily using ECH20 at the water-less wash rate to wipe down door jambs, engine bays and the tray of my Ranger. In a technical sense, using ECH20 for this helps clean and dry these areas that don’t actively get “washed” with the rest of the vehicle. In that regard, the mild cleaning ability and high lubrication make it perfect for this role. ECH20 also leaves behind some mild protection and works so nicely on unpainted black plastics.

When used on paint, it adds high levels of gloss and slickness that is hard to beat. And to cap it all off, ECH20 smells amazing and is surprisingly cost effective. In some instances, ECH20 can be a little streaky, which is undoubtably due to the carnauba wax content. However, being a concentrate means you can play around with the dilution until you find the sweet spot. For water-less washing, I’m using it at 15:1, for quick detailer/drying aid duties I would move that to 25:1.

 

[DFB5.0]

My Most Used Tools, Towels & Accessories –

Oh boy, where to begin here. See, what I’m using most now in terms of tools, towels and accessories is the result of buying and trying so many different options over the years. So, I now have a very defined list of likes and dislikes when it comes to the various towels, brushes and tools I use and recommend.

TRC Car Wash Towel – From the outset, this is NOT the best towel on the market. The 320gsm is on the lower side, and the 80/20 instead of 70/30 blend means this is a more cost-conscious option. However, don’t let that 80/20 blend fool you, this is an excellent towel.

Firstly, the 41cm x 69cm size is perfect for a wide range of jobs. Combined with the terry-weave construction, low bulk and short pile length makes it an excellent choice for interior cleaning. I liked it so much in that role that I went on to make it my engine bay towel (in red), general purpose towel (in grey), customer polish removal towel (in blue), I even have a set of orange and purple for the kitchen and household cleaning.

At $4.45 each or 10 for $41.45, the Car Wash Towel is very affordable, and I’ve found durable as well.

https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...2&_sid=5aff79db7&_ss=r&variant=44132055384279

TRC Dry Me A River – For some reason, I prefer these waffle weave towels over specific glass towels. For glass cleaning, this ultra dense and short pile towel is hard to beat. Those attributes reduce the likely hood of leaving lint behind, while also helping to provide a stable/consistent pressure across the surface. While offered in a few sizes, for glass I think you want the medium 40cm x 60cm.

I also have the medium 40cm x 60cm and large 50cm x 100cm in light blue for drying door jambs. In this role, the low pile and lack of bulk helps get into those tight spots of door jambs.

https://autobuff.com.au/products/tr...sq=dry+me&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=31490626027633

TRC Rip-n-Rag – I’ve used something similar for a while now, but these bulk quantity “disposable” towels are far superior to junk sold in chain stores. While only being 180 gsm, TRC went with the superior 70/30 blend, which means they are softer and more absorbent compared to the Repco Eclipse 200 gsm towels that are also sold in box form. And if you want an even higher gsm and size, TRC now sell the Ultra version.

These 30cm x 30cm towels are just so handy to have, both for car cleaning and general workshop or household duties. They are cheap enough to sacrifice for dirty jobs, but with enough quality to make them safe to use on any exterior or interior surface. I’m generally using these for metal polishing (exhaust tips), tyre dressing knock downs, Solution Finish, tar/adhesive removal, Tarminator tyre cleaning, I’ve also used them for leveling ceramic coatings (wheels).

At $69.95 for a roll of 80, this means a per towel cost of only 0.87c each.

https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...1&_sid=5aff79db7&_ss=r&variant=44392590672087

Detail Factory Tire Scrub Brush – Previous to this, I had been using the Maxshine knock-off Tuff Shine brush on tyres. And that brush worked fine, I really didn’t need another tyre brush. Then this Detail Factory brush arrived on the scene, and for some reason, I felt the need to give it a try.

Holding the two brushes side by side, I was a little puzzled at Detail Factory’s choice of a softer bristle, everything I had been told prior was that you NEEDED a stiff bristle for tyres. Those concerns evaporated within seconds of using the new brush. Turns out that a slightly softer, more flexible bristle is actually more effective as they better conform to the sidewall and offer superior contact with the various sidewall patterns. This might sound weird, but the DF brush seems to do the same job with less effort, while also helping to lather up the cleaner better too. And where the Tuff Shine is all hard black plastic, the DF has a soft cushioned hand grip and an anti-slip rubberised coating to make it easier to hold and use.

I loved this brush so much I went on to buy another for cleaning rubber floor mats, and the XL sized version for larger SUV/Truck tyres, and an even softer bristle version for interior/carpet cleaning………….………….although the original is the best. For years everyone said the Tuff Shine brushes simplicity is what made it so perfect for the role. But somehow, Detail Factory made it even better.

https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...1&_sid=b112b9dd1&_ss=r&variant=45795360374999

Maxshine XL Curved Grip Brush – Look, I know this is a knockoff of the Detail Factory Curveball and Screwball, but at half the price, even I can’t ignore that. The Curveball is a $55 brush, the Screwball is $68. The Maxshine equivalents are $27 each, or $44 for both. Having used both DF and Maxshine versions, the Maxshine is NOT half the quality.

So why these brushes? Originally, these were designed for cleaning large surfaces such as interior door panels and leather. However, someone influential started using them to apply tire dressing…………..much to the horror of those who created it. And at $55 - $68 a pop, yes, I understand the horror of subjecting such a nice brush to a dirty job like that. But at $26, well, it’s a more palatable proposition. Ok, so that is also a lot of money for a tyre applicator when a $3 foam block will do the same thing. But…………………that foam block will last a dozen or so times, then end up in landfill. These brushes can be used over and over, washed with APC, and used over and over.

What I love about these brushes for tyre dressing is they really help to level out a dressing. I use the soft synthetic version for larger side walls (40 and above) and the boars hair version for low profile (40 and below). The best part is you don’t end up with sticky tyre dressing all over your hands. I also have a separate synthetic version for cleaning wheel faces.

https://detailingshed.com.au/collec...ed-grip-xl-detailing-brush-ultra-soft-bristle
https://detailingshed.com.au/collec...ved-grip-xl-detailing-brush-mixed-bristle-red
https://detailingshed.com.au/collec...hine-curved-grip-xl-detailing-brush-twin-pack

EZ-Detail GO – (AKA - The Toilet Brush) I only bought this brush after seeing Sandro using one in a video. While you can technically use the GO for wheels, I only use it for wheel arches. With the round head of bristles, this is by far the best brush for cleaning wheel arches! The GO is just so ergonomic for this role because it negates the need to flip the brush or twist your wrist to conform to the shape of the arch.

A MUST HAVE!

https://autobuff.com.au/products/ez-detail-go-ez-wheel-brush?_pos=1&_psq=GO&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Great for engine bays too...............

EGO LB-765 – With a proper dedicated car drying blower, I resisted buying an EGO blower for quite a while. After using a Stihl battery powered blower, I felt like the concept was cumbersome and underwhelming. When I finally did cave, I determined that the EGO was good but not as effective as the Big Boi. And that mentally still applies, but……………………….

Being battery powered, there is a massive convenience factor to using a leaf blower compared to lugging a corded machine and hose around the vehicle. Compared to a lot of blowers on the market, EGO’s seem to be geared towards this role due to the way they have designed the lower frame section, which effectively gives you an extra set of handles. And now that they also sell a rubber tipped stubby nozzle, there is no need to purchase the poorer fitting 3D-printed nozzles or even the silicone rubber bands.

At the time of purchase, the LB-765 was the most powerful handheld leaf blower on the market, be that petrol or battery powered. EGO have since released an even more powerful LB-880 and LB-1000, but they seem to be bulkier and will not deliver the full potential on the smaller 2.5 Ah batteries. I’d also steer clear of the LB-530, its just too lean and has annoying throttle lag. Quite often the LB-765 is packaged with two 5.0 Ah batteries and a rapid charger, making it better value than buying a LB-615 or LB-650.

Detailing Seat – I once hated cleaning wheels as it meant being crouched down on my knees, which in my day job as a gardener I’m already doing that a lot each day. My knees have always been dodgy, so anything that gives them a rest is a bonus. And so, discovering seated wheel cleaning was another detailing revelation!

I started using one of those cheap rolling stools from an auto store. This worked ok, but was too high for wheel cleaning, even on the lowest setting. Waxit were the first in Australia to offer the universally recognised detailing seat, which is sold under a variety of different brands including Economax (the Waxit one), Maxshine, Griots, Adam’s, Chemical Guys. There are fancier seats, and I’d love one of those Vyper Chairs, but these detailing seats are just the right height for wheel cleaning, and the storage each side is very handy. I also fitted a foam cannon mount on mine. Being on wheels, it means you can skate from wheel to wheel without getting up and down multiple times. You will also find this seat handy for polishing and tyre dressing.

Which of these to buy? Considering they all come out of the same factory in China, its odd that prices vary widely (DO NOT pay the $240 asking price for the Adam's). Some of them don’t come with a padded seat, including the Economax I have, so I’d say shortlist the ones that are supplied with the padded seat overlay. I actually bought the Maxshine padded cover to fit on my Economax, and it certainly makes a huge difference to comfort.

Seated wheel cleaning is THE BOSS move!

https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...with-soft-cushion?_pos=4&_sid=60959c90a&_ss=r
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections/economax/products/economax-detailing-creeper-seat
https://www.repco.com.au/car-care-p...G-H3DJpZv7n25UfNmhvQsSZUHTwKuvKsXuIYvrvbXPsCd
https://adamspolishes.com.au/produc...O3ONWqfdDYB3yrja0cpSf1gwMSEQ_L2GLS1NMEJlpGUQU

Buckets – Probably the most used accessory in a detailer’s arsenal! I use buckets for wheel cleaning, washing, rinse-less washing, soaking used polishing pads and excessively dirty towels, to collect the dust from polishing pad blow outs, and even as a laundry basket.

I went overboard with the colour matching gamma seal, grit guard, bucket dolly and stickering. However, there is some practical considerations here beyond it also looking good. The gamma seals help keep the buckets clean between uses, the dollies also play a role in the seated wheel cleaning above. The grit guards are probably overkill for me, I guess I have them because that’s what everyone tells you to do.

At the bare minimum, I would have buckets in at least 15-litre capacity, ideally 20-litres. If you are not going to do gamma seals, at least keep the supplied lids to keep dust and debris out of them between uses.

Pressure Washer Setup – At one point, I found using a garden hose was quicker and more convenient that setting up a pressure washer. That’s because the Karcher K2 I had just didn’t produce enough flow, and was better for cleaning wheels than having to manage that long gun/lance setup. And because of the short hose, I had to move the machine as I worked around the vehicle. Well, that all went out the window when I bit the bullet and spent some money on a Kranzle K1152, then a wall mounted KHD10 later on.

Look, I know that these Kranzle machines and Mosmatic fittings are expensive, and putting it all on the wall………………..well, I purposely didn’t add it all up. I spent waaay too much money on my pressure washer setups, but its what I love doing and this makes me love it even more. Some people spend their money on holidays, booze, drugs, coffee, shoes, watches, handbags, cars………………….we all have that hole we pour money into in the name of a hobby.

Thing is, I could have adapted my Karcher with a better hose, gun and nozzles. And so can you, which means taking an existing machine and completely transform the useability for under $300.

https://detailingshed.com.au/products/kranzle-k1152tst?_pos=1&_sid=9cfa4f94c&_ss=r
https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...10-l-m-new-model?_pos=1&_psq=khd&_ss=e&_v=1.0

 

[DFB5.0]

Landcruiser Detail

This job has been many months in the making, the owner asking me to get to it when I got a chance. This was last winter/spring, and well, I had a LOT going on. Single handedly doing the end of season potting, a job that once took a team of 4 or 5 to do, well that left me completely drained. Then the Spring rush, then a major trauma at work, then taking off on leave in time for the car to arrive. Then both the customer and I landed in hospital, which for me wrote off the better part of month. By then it was the run into Christmas, and because it was then summer, it was too hot to detail this car in my driveway (it won't fit in the garage due to the roof rack and GVM upgrade). Then I made a rather large "restructuring" decision, and well, I just wasn't interested in chasing work and wanted time to find my new normal. So here we are.

Unlike some of these Landcruiser's, this one has actually been used for it's 4WD capabilities. It's been driven all over the country, including through central Australia, up and down the east coast, all the way through the west. With that in mind, and 150,000 km (93,000 miles) on the clock, its got its fair share of dings, scrapes and general wear and tear. It's also parked outdoors 24/7, which would explain the completely crazed and yellowed headlights, well beyond what polishing could clean up. I was the last person to detail this car, but that was quite some time ago. So, I had some work ahead of me.

Note the light paint transfer around the wheel arch, which are from the owner brushing against the front gates. I managed to get these off with a towel and Rupes DA Coarse.

I actually started on the job I hate most................ vacuuming! I had forgotten how nicely this Toyota carpet cleans up, which is complete contrast to most Japanese and Korean carpets, cough, Subaru, cough, Kia. With the help of the Tornador, sand and debris were easily dislodged and sucked up with the vac. I got this part of the job done much quicker than expected, especially considering the size of the vehicle and how much debris there was to remove.

Next, the wheels and tyres, which I did in two stages. Last night I mixed up a full rate 2% PIR Bilt Hamber Touch-less. I went around and applied this to each wheel, wheel arch, and the steel front and rear bumpers. Check out how Touch-less turns the tyres brown without any contact, then drags it down and off the treated surface. I also used Touch-less on the rubber floor mats, then scrubbed with the DF Tyre brush.

Once the Bilt Hamber was rinsed, it was then time for the contact washing. I applied NV Purge to the wheels, which was allowed to soak while I scrubbed the tyres with Wise Guy. From here, I foamed Brake Buster over the top and went in with brushes. These wheels are pretty jacked up, so my efforts could only do so much. But they were at least clean.

Once the wheels and tyres were done, the Touch-less came out again for the rest of the vehicle. While it was soaking, I went around with a brush to agitate around the window frames, badges, the steel bumpers, grill ect. As always, its impressive what this soap can do without any contact, in turn making things easier once the wash mitt comes out.

For the contact wash, I switched to Carpro Descale, which helps address mineral deposits but also is a great strip wash. Because of how big this thing is and the need for a ladder to address the roof, I did the vehicle in two halves. Once rinsed, and there was a LOT of rinsing going on with this car, I went around with Hydr02 to lay something down to make drying quicker.

Once blown down with the EGO, I went around using an old Bowden's Big Green Sucker towel and NV Boost v2 to finish off the drying and add some gloss and slickness to the paint. The door jambs were then wiped down with ONR.

From here, back to the interior. The plastics weren't too bad, so I went straight in with P&S Swift, which has a lovely blend of cleaning ability and a subtle enhancement. Then, the leather was cleaned using a brush and KCx Pol Star. Grey tends to hide dirt quite well, so while they didn't necessarily look dirty, they certainly looked better after scrubbing. Once clean, I went around with Geist Leather Conditioner. I was pretty hard on this product in my initial reviews, but it's really grown on me with every use. On these seats, it applied super nice and gave a subtle enhancement without greasiness or excessive shine.

From there, I went in with P&S True Vue for the glass, which was a challenge in the warm Autumn sun. I then vacuumed the floors again, then reinstalled the now clean and dry rubber floor mats that had been dressed with P&S Swift. A misting of OG Leather & Pine scent and the interior was done. Finally, Carpro Perl went on the sizable Cooper Discovery AT tyres using the TRC Ultra Utility Brush for efficiency. I also dressed the spare tyre on the rear tailgate.

The mess left in my driveway.....................

The finished result, after hosing the filth from my driveway........................

With the owner only a few blocks away, I picked up and dropped off the car. Which considering how much I love the engine in this beast, any chance to drive it is a treat. I know the 4.5 diesel V8 was laughed at for being underpowered for the cubic capacity, you really wouldn't know it due to how smooth and effortless it feels. The owner has told me multiple times he will never sell it, the new V6 diesel 300-Series is not on his radar, and especially not the V8 petrol powered Nissan Patrol. And I totally understand why.

 

[DFB5.0]

Got the Ranger all cleaned up again today. I've been mixing it up by using rinse-less over the last couple of weeks.............sort of.

First, I clean the wheels and tyres as normal, rinse the whole car, then go in with rinse-less. Today I decided to use DIY Rinse-less Wash teamed with Ceramic Gloss, I keep forgetting how nicely these two play together.

This is the original version of DIY Rinse-less, it's since been updated to a new v2 formula. Apart from v2 being $10 more than v1, the new formula has different "polymer package", which increases lubrication and slickness, while also causing that milkier colour. They claim it took two years to develop and maintain it doesn't "leave anything behind".

Also today, I reapplied ADS Ghost to the tyres. I first applied Ghost to these tyres way back in mid-January and have been very pleased with how it looked and kept the tyres cleaner for longer. You also virtually eliminate the need for strong tyre cleaners, save for the prep work prior to application. In this case, I scrubbed with ReTyre, then wiped down with mineral spirits. This time I applied two coats of Ghost.

The Easter holiday period started today for me.................I can't remember the last time I didn't work over Easter. So, I decided to get both Falcon's out from under their covers and hopefully enjoy some seat time before it starts raining over the weekend.

 

[xrs]

ADS Ghost is very good imho, but I found you can't use a spray head with it, the product goes hard inside the spray head, you have to remove the spray head and soak it in hot water to release the product. I have just put the cap back on now.

 

[DFB5.0]

ADS Ghost is very good imho, but I found you can't use a spray head with it, the product goes hard inside the spray head, you have to remove the spray head and soak it in hot water to release the product. I have just put the cap back on now.

Interesting, I haven't noticed that.

Probably the best way to avoid it would be pump the product back into the bottle, then purge the sprayer with water. This is what I do with products I know kill sprayers such as Brake Buster and Wise Guy.

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