The Product Debate [Archive] - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

Buster

07-14-2007, 11:42 AM

Okay I think nows a good a time as any. Being that I have been professionally detailing for 7 years. Ive come across tons of different products. Ive used them in sooo many different ways. One thing I stand by is that the ordinary shade tree detailer does not need the high end products to obtain an exceptional look.

Proceed....

OMGz Turbo

07-14-2007, 11:47 AM

Im actually a Ardex nut job...I used to work for Xtreme Auto Detailing, and thats all we ever dealt with.

Buster

07-14-2007, 11:55 AM

Ardex makes a great product, not too crazy about their glass cleaner. And the compounds turn to dust.

OMGz Turbo

07-14-2007, 12:01 PM

which glass cleaner? They have 3 different ones and like 10 different compounds

i love their "Speedy" spray for interior's and plastics

http://www.ardexlabs.com/index2.html

CHAOS

07-14-2007, 12:19 PM

currently im using the pooyboys lineup mainly... with a few others tossed in.. they are working very nicely for me ... however, ive also seen great results from the pinnacle line, the zaino line and the chemical guys line

OMGz Turbo

07-14-2007, 12:20 PM

i like zaino too, and on metal polishing side...Blue magic, and mothers...But NEVR DULL IS THE ****

CHAOS

07-14-2007, 12:27 PM

neverdull is ok... ive had great results with NOXON

CHAOS

07-14-2007, 01:33 PM

fwiw im buying some of this tonite

http://zymol.com/shop/item.asp?PID=1378&scID=25 lol

Buster

07-14-2007, 03:09 PM

zymol is sick. my dad swears by it.

slobaru

07-14-2007, 03:12 PM

zymol is sick. my dad swears by it.

yeah, It becomes very tiresome when trying to get it off though, and often turns to dust... But looks AMAZING.

CHAOS

07-14-2007, 03:16 PM

i have the zymol cleaner wax, not a bad product, i also have zymol carbon... which is nice.

enigma

07-14-2007, 05:56 PM

I've tried zymol, its a nice product, but you can get streaking in the finish, sometimes a real PITA to remove. Great finish tho.
Zaino gave me the best shine, but this was the most labor intensive to use. It did give me the longest lasting, and deepest shine.
For the DD, i am a big fan of meg's products, because they are easy to use, and easy to obtain.

bastid

07-14-2007, 09:52 PM

My first detail kit was the Pinnacle kit. Have only used Pinnacle products since. I really like the Liquid Souveran wax because it's easy on, easy off and leaves a great shine. Although, I can't speak negatively as I've seen great results with all kinds of products: Turtle Wax ICE, the entire Meguiars lineup, P21S, Zymol, etc.

CleanNeon98

07-14-2007, 10:47 PM

yeah, It becomes very tiresome when trying to get it off though, and often turns to dust... But looks AMAZING.

I put that on just fine...taking it off however was a PITA. I was also looking at diff. waxes today...whats the difference between a cleaner wax and a carnuba wax..also some are liquid and some came in a little tub and were almost 100% solid

ConglomrationAL

07-15-2007, 08:01 AM

Optimum polishes are the best i've ever used, but they go well with the Edge2k pads that i've been using.
As far as the best polishes that money can buy i'd have to go with Menzerna. Some day i'll buy them, but, $50 for a liter of Final Finish is a little too pricey for me right now.

CleanNeon98

07-15-2007, 11:14 AM

Right now here is what I have on the car

1 coat zymol
1 coat mother's power wax
1 coat mother's power wax
1 coat liquid glass polish
1 coat mother's power wax
(this is in the order that i applied them)
i think i might have went overboard

Renegade_

07-15-2007, 11:20 AM

I clay barred and waxed my car for the first time ever this friday - I love it. I bought a meguiars kit from autozone and just went to town.

The car is like glass now...

I think I'll throw another layer of wax on since the first layer was a pansy layer... won't hurt.

enigma

07-15-2007, 11:13 PM

Hey clean, any type of cleaner wax does exactly what the name implies, it strips the paint of all the minor dirt/contaminants, and adds a mix of polish and wax to the finish, good for a one step program, not so good for a multi-step.
Do either a few coats of the liquid glass, followed by a few coats of PURE carnuba wax, like the megs gold glass, or similar. What you want to do it get the paint, as clean as possible, IE claybay, then add a few good coats of polish, then add a few coats of carnuba to "protect" the polish. Polish gives the paint depth, and claity, carnuba gives it that protective shine.

JoshV70

07-15-2007, 11:53 PM

Really love my 1Z polishes finished up with P21S wax or Poorboy's EX with Carnauba.

CleanNeon98

07-16-2007, 01:41 AM

I read about the Porter Cable 7424 polisher, but im nervous about it...hear it can do more harm than good if used improperly but can also work miracles such as this.

http://www.guidetodetailing.com/article_images/sidebyside.jpg

http://www.guidetodetailing.com/article_images/before1.jpg
http://www.guidetodetailing.com/article_images/after1.jpg

jh95zenki

07-16-2007, 07:01 AM

SeMaxima99

07-16-2007, 10:42 AM

CleanNeon98

07-16-2007, 10:50 AM

You would have to be an effing gorilla to harm to your car with a PC. Unless your definition of being harmful is removing small amounts of paint then I guess the PC could be harmful...but that's what it's made for.
I own one and love it. Buy one.

And Albert, you would join TST just to make one post in a detailing thread. haha...

Is it something thats used only once to repair the finish? Or used all the time to wax and polish...removing small ammounts of paint what do you mean by that? Id love to know what Im getting myself into before I drop 100 for it

jh95zenki

07-16-2007, 11:43 AM

Is it something thats used only once to repair the finish? Or used all the time to wax and polish...removing small ammounts of paint what do you mean by that? Id love to know what Im getting myself into before I drop 100 for it

http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/80225-polishing-paint-perfection.html

Check out the illustrations right under the first chart. That article explains a lot about polishing and the PC. I would read most of those articles on that site under the "guide to detailing". They helped me a lot. :thumbup:
If you're serious about detailing, I definately recommend the PC and then moving up to a rotary once you've mastered the PC if you're still serious about it. You might want to check out The Ultimate Detailing Machine as well, it's supposed to be an upgraded PC that just recently came out. There's all kinds of reviews on autopia about it. I'm considering getting one eventually.

The PC is great for both polishing and applying some waxes. It can be used all the time for certain waxes and can be used whenever polishing is needed. Those articles can explain a lot.

jh95zenki

07-16-2007, 11:45 AM

CHAOS

07-16-2007, 12:11 PM

al, glad to see you joined!

theres some definite good detailers on this thread... so anyone reading can pick up a good amount of info and ask questions if you have any!

tjf

07-16-2007, 01:22 PM

how does everyone feel about the clay bar, yeay or neay?

how hard are they to use?

Renegade_

07-16-2007, 01:47 PM

I was hesitant at first to use it but it literally took me all of 3 minutes to get the technique down.

I can't see any negative points to a good claybar

tjf

07-16-2007, 02:05 PM

I was hesitant at first to use it but it literally took me all of 3 minutes to get the technique down.

I can't see any negative points to a good claybar

yea im just scared it would scratch the paint

SeMaxima99

07-16-2007, 04:29 PM

just keep it lubed. When we use the clay at work we do it right after the car is washed and still soapy. Just make sure to keep the car soapy and wet otherwise youll have soap streaks.

ToyotaTat

07-16-2007, 05:49 PM

anybody have a reccomendation for something to clean my headliner? it's disgustingly stained...btw it's grey cloth

CleanNeon98

07-16-2007, 05:51 PM

anybody have a reccomendation for something to clean my headliner? it's disgustingly stained...btw it's grey cloth

Must be some kinda penetrating spray for it...BTW you havent posted in a while

SeMaxima99

07-16-2007, 05:53 PM

personally we dont touch the headliners because of the fact that eventually the cleaning agent can break down the glue on the other side holding it to the roof. But if you want something that cleans very well id say the awesome orange gets stains out the easiest.

SeMaxima99

07-16-2007, 05:54 PM

http://www.professionalcarcare.com/xcart/catalog/AAO500_Awesome_Orange-p-16175.html

that what the product is. Im not sure if thats how much i pay for it though. We get most our products from a distributor that sells a bunch of different brands.

ToyotaTat

07-16-2007, 06:00 PM

^ thanks.
Must be some kinda penetrating spray for it...BTW you havent posted in a while
umm....ok??

EvlEgl

07-16-2007, 06:20 PM

redline

07-16-2007, 06:57 PM

FWIW the picture Clanneaon Posted of the scratched door, Isn't the same door...Look att he door handle, No lock or buttons on the bottom one...I highly doubt any Wax/Cleaner will get those scracthes out and make it Shine THAT good.

No but a wetsand and a rotary buffer will be close. I used to use this stuff called "peanut butter" compound by Ardex and wool bonnet. It would take out almost anything after a wetsand.

redline

07-16-2007, 07:03 PM

Products I stand by and use often

Sonus SFX Polish
Sonus SFX Pads
PC 7424
Pinnacle Souveran
Meg. 26
Meg. Show car glaze
3M perfict-it Swirl Remover
Zaino Clay
Blue Coral Product-X Glaze
Blue Coral Car Wash Soap
Dawn Dish Soap

redline

07-16-2007, 07:06 PM

just keep it lubed. When we use the clay at work we do it right after the car is washed and still soapy. Just make sure to keep the car soapy and wet otherwise youll have soap streaks.

I would recommend you use a detail spray after the soap has been rinsed off because of possible grit still left on the car. I am sure this works well but I wouldn't chance it. Get one peice in your claybar and say goodnight to your clear.

D Money

07-16-2007, 07:10 PM

I use everything on the zaino line.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Zaino

CleanNeon98

07-16-2007, 07:44 PM

JoshV70

07-16-2007, 07:58 PM

Anyone know whether the Poorboys SSR polish line contains fillers or not?

jh95zenki

07-16-2007, 08:36 PM

I would recommend you use a detail spray after the soap has been rinsed off because of possible grit still left on the car. I am sure this works well but I wouldn't chance it. Get one peice in your claybar and say goodnight to your clear.

+1
You should rinse the soap off after you wash each panel as well. I would never risk leaving the soap on there and then claying on top of it.

jh95zenki

07-16-2007, 08:48 PM

Anyone know whether the Poorboys SSR polish line contains fillers or not?

No, they are abrasive and are designed to remove the swirls, not fill them in. They are also made to be used after each other depending on the correction being made and which polish, if one contained fillers the one used after would just be taking them out making it completely pointless.

rickeo

07-16-2007, 09:53 PM

Used to be a big Zaino fan, then realized i was paying WAY to much for what i was getting. Became a Chemical Guys convert and i will never look back. Paul over at CG is absolutely the coolest guy, he always throws in free stuff and discounts everything. Dont order from their site, call and ask to talk to Paul.

Products i use:
-EDGE SchMitt (dont care what people say, i love it and have yet to see any micromarring)
-misc. 80/20 MF
-Makita rotary w/ full EDGE 2000 system (perfection?)
-Chemical Guys 70/30 MF
-Chemical Guys Wheel Guard (applied 3 layers of this to my wheels when i first recieved them, brake dust rinses off with the hose... amazing stuff)
-Chemical Guys CGC-2 medium duty compound (gak!... if you have used it, you know what i mean)
-"" Pro-Polish
-"" M-Seal
-"" Blitz Liquid Acrylic Sealant
-Poorboys World APC
-Chemical Guys Synthetic Detailer
-50/50 IPA/H2O
-Zaino Z16 "perfect tire gloss" (only zaino product i fork over the dough for... No other tire shine i have tried, and that be many, has surpassed it)
-Gilmour foam gun (couldnt imagine washing a car without it)
-2 buckets both with GritGuards
-S100 Wheel Gel (AKA P21S)
-S100 Total Cycle Wash (AKA P21S)
-Zymol Lehm-Klay w/ Lube ($$$ but so much eaiser to use then other clays)
-Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Gloss
-Chemical Guys MF Restore
-

JoshV70

07-16-2007, 11:18 PM

No, they are abrasive and are designed to remove the swirls, not fill them in. They are also made to be used after each other depending on the correction being made and which polish, if one contained fillers the one used after would just be taking them out making it completely pointless.

Okay thanks. Have been using 1Z polishes for a year or two with great success with the PC, but it doesn't like to work well with the cyclo. Figured I will try the Poorboy's with the cyclo, but just wanted to verify that it didn't contain any fillers like a lot of products do.

italianblaze

07-17-2007, 01:35 AM

thats how they are posted on the autopia site...

just admit you got ownd due to lack of observation
i mean i probably would of overlooked it at first too

SeMaxima99

07-17-2007, 01:37 AM

I would recommend you use a detail spray after the soap has been rinsed off because of possible grit still left on the car. I am sure this works well but I wouldn't chance it. Get one peice in your claybar and say goodnight to your clear.

Sometime we do that. Usually when my boss does it he just uses the soap. But since the cars are getting pressure washed before the soap goes on i guess he doesnt feel the need to do it. But then he is always folding over the clay bar once it picks up some dirt.

SeMaxima99

07-17-2007, 01:41 AM

-Zaino Z16 "perfect tire gloss" (only zaino product i fork over the dough for... No other tire shine i have tried, and that be many, has surpassed it)
-

I can surpass that by a lot or atleast id try it and be quite confident it would. There is this product that we use but only on our own cars now since its the last 4 gallons left on the east coast. (at least its not sold in stores anymore) It was recalled for not being VOC compliant so its no longer able to be sold in costal states. If you come to the wc photo meet 3 ill bring some. It will not come off because of water and will not spray onto the side of the car from driving.

CHAOS

07-17-2007, 06:11 AM

how does everyone feel about the clay bar, yeay or neay?

how hard are they to use?

they are great for what they do... removing contaminents from the paint etc etc... they are not hard to use, its just time consuming.

CHAOS

07-17-2007, 06:12 AM

anybody have a reccomendation for something to clean my headliner? it's disgustingly stained...btw it's grey cloth

i hear alot of people like woolite cut with water... just dab in on and DONT RUB ... u dont want to soak the headliner either... it could potential ruin it.

CHAOS

07-17-2007, 06:16 AM

rickeo - youve got some nice stuff there... i see a lot of good reviews about the CG line up... and how do you like that schmitt? ive wondered how it works?

rickeo

07-17-2007, 09:53 AM

I can surpass that by a lot or atleast id try it and be quite confident it would. There is this product that we use but only on our own cars now since its the last 4 gallons left on the east coast. (at least its not sold in stores anymore) It was recalled for not being VOC compliant so its no longer able to be sold in costal states. If you come to the wc photo meet 3 ill bring some. It will not come off because of water and will not spray onto the side of the car from driving.

TOL Grape? LOL, a buddy of mine has that, he had someone ship it to him privately. I tried it last week, and i like the way it finishes, but it seemed like it took at least 2 coats to look even. But i will agree, it was very good. But for now ill stick with my "legal" Z16, lol

rickeo - youve got some nice stuff there... i see a lot of good reviews about the CG line up... and how do you like that schmitt? ive wondered how it works?

Well while it lasts i loved it, if you ever try one you'll see its not very durable. It tears easily on any little snag it gets caught on, but i guess thats a testament to its softness?? :mrgreen: Mine has gotten way to beat up so Paul at CG threw in one of their MF Chenille mitts for me to try. Im probably going to just stick with that.

CHAOS

07-17-2007, 09:56 AM

i really like the lambswool mit i got from chris at GGD... very soft and the bug remover side is nice to have as well

SeMaxima99

07-17-2007, 05:12 PM

Ardex: Blue Soap for the rims, Pink wax soap for the car, Glass Cleaner. Purple cleaner wax(gotta check what it is not at work right now)

PRO: Bug Remover, amesome orange (best cleaner ever) Interior Shampoo, HD Interior cleaner

Meguires: 26 wax

Stoner: Spray Shine, Xenit, and carpet cleaner

Ill have to update it with more when i get to work i just cant seem to remember what products i just know what ones to use and when.

In addition to that:
Ardex: A foam (if we run out of awesome orange or need something less aggressive), detailers pro glasss cleaner, wax and wash (pink stuff from above), 5213 car wash (blue stuff from above), 6220 dull away lemon scent, 4216 diamond crystal four (best to get out scuff marks with hand or a high speed)

Pro: proshine (heavier then stoners spray shin for the cars with alot of plastic trim on the outside), wheel brightner (acid for the break dust only when its really baked on), wheelie clean (diluted 1:1 works great for break dust), upholstery and carpet cleaner (liquidy), clear rubber dressing (used for tire shine: Could use ideas of others that arent too expensive), non corrosive cleaner/ degreaser (engine compartment)

Stoner: upholstery & carpet cleaner (if we run out of awesome orange or need something less aggressive)

Northern tool and equipment: spray wax (made wit carnuba (sp) )

Wonderwafers (best longest lasting scent)

SeMaxima99

07-17-2007, 05:14 PM

TOL Grape? LOL, a buddy of mine has that, he had someone ship it to him privately. I tried it last week, and i like the way it finishes, but it seemed like it took at least 2 coats to look even. But i will agree, it was very good. But for now ill stick with my "legal" Z16, lol

I couldnt find out the name of it on the jug, Ill have to ask my boss when i go back for my second shift tonight.

ndtechie05

07-18-2007, 03:52 PM

Grape is the way to go...at least the non-VOC compliant one. They now have a VOC compliant one and from what I've heard it's not as good as the old stuff. The thing I like about grape is that it gets deeper on every pass, not too shiny and not a matte like Z16. +1 on the MF Chenille mitt, I like mine lots, paid too much for it where I saw a 3 pack at BJ's for 8.99...hmmmm

TOL Grape? LOL, a buddy of mine has that, he had someone ship it to him privately. I tried it last week, and i like the way it finishes, but it seemed like it took at least 2 coats to look even. But i will agree, it was very good. But for now ill stick with my "legal" Z16, lol

Well while it lasts i loved it, if you ever try one you'll see its not very durable. It tears easily on any little snag it gets caught on, but i guess thats a testament to its softness?? :mrgreen: Mine has gotten way to beat up so Paul at CG threw in one of their MF Chenille mitts for me to try. Im probably going to just stick with that.

ndtechie05

07-18-2007, 03:56 PM

I have some Product X I purchased from someone. How do you apply? By hand, PC/which pad/speed? I know you have to LSP it with a wax, which I don't do on my own car but other cars I've worked on I top with Natty's Red wax.

Products I stand by and use often

Sonus SFX Polish
Sonus SFX Pads
PC 7424
Pinnacle Souveran
Meg. 26
Meg. Show car glaze
3M perfict-it Swirl Remover
Zaino Clay
Blue Coral Product-X Glaze
Blue Coral Car Wash Soap
Dawn Dish Soap

redline

07-18-2007, 06:50 PM

I have some Product X I purchased from someone. How do you apply? By hand, PC/which pad/speed? I know you have to LSP it with a wax, which I don't do on my own car but other cars I've worked on I top with Natty's Red wax.

Is it Pink? I haven't seen this stuff on the market in a long time! I applied it by hand with a microfiber pad. It doesn't last very long but it is very easy to use. have any more?

ndtechie05

07-18-2007, 10:41 PM

Is it Pink? I haven't seen this stuff on the market in a long time! I applied it by hand with a microfiber pad. It doesn't last very long but it is very easy to use. have any more?

Yes it is pink, got it off autopia from someone. I have 32oz of it. I haven't used it yet.

den9

07-24-2007, 01:19 AM

FWIW the picture Clanneaon Posted of the scratched door, Isn't the same door...Look att he door handle, No lock or buttons on the bottom one...I highly doubt any Wax/Cleaner will get those scracthes out and make it Shine THAT good.

you would be surprised

http://www.poorboysworld.net/board/viewtopic.php?t=554