Must Try Products....

Of the products mentioned here that I've used, I would like to rate them on a scale of 0-10, with 10 being a whole hearted endorsement and represents the best in class and 0 being - well zero and a total waste. I hope others will do the same and hopefully will develop a product rating system instead of tons of products that we try once only to sit on the shelf wasting space and money. There are so many "average" products that all purportedly do the same thing, I would love to get a consensus from our forum members on the best of the best. FWIW

Rating
Adam's Detail Spray = 10 (tied with FK-425 with cost advantage to FK but the Adams has a wonderful scent)
Adam's Single Soft Microfiber Towel = 7 (they don't seem to be holding up that well but a really nice)
Adams VRT = 4 (goes on nicely and is totally not greasy, but strictly a matte finish and does not last nearly as long as Optimum Opti Bond Tire Gel, which has a lustre finish which I prefer. So far I would rate the Opti Bond Gel as a 8, but I haven't tried that many other tire dressings to give it a 10)

P21S Wheel Gel Cleaner = 3 (used to be my favorite but I was just introduced to Autoglym and that is hands down the best in class - a solid 10)

Wolfgang Finishing Glaze = 8 (because I've only used WG & Meguire Polish & Sealants-think it's a great product line and haven't had the desire to experiment with other products, though I probably should)
Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant = 8

There you have my personal assessment of the products mentioned here that I have personal experience with. Hope it helps narrow down the choices for others, so please help out and start listing and rating.
 
addysdaddy said:
Adams VRT = 4 (goes on nicely and is totally not greasy, but strictly a matte finish and does not last nearly as long as Optimum Opti Bond Tire Gel, which has a lustre finish which I prefer. So far I would rate the Opti Bond Gel as a 8, but I haven't tried that many other tire dressings to give it a 10)
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Are you talking about Adam's SVRT or the orginal Adam's VRT?

detailchick said:
Mark .......do you still like the sponge(magna?) for claying?

Why do you love your flex3401 now? Curious!:inspector:
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LOVE the magna-sponge! How did I forget to mention that?!?!

I can't deny the forced rotation of the 3401!!!

Hi sweetie. :wave:
 
The 10's on my list are:


Adam's Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

Adam's Detail Spray

Adam's Glass Cleaner

Adam's Quick Sealant

Adam's Leather Conditioner

Adam's Single Soft Microfiber Towel

Meguiar's M105

Meguiar's D300

Meguiar's G110v2

Optimum Hyper Spray Polish

Collinite Metal Wax

DP Cleanse-All Exterior Cleaner

P21S Wheel Gel Cleaner

Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant

CG Black on Black

Wolf's Chemicals White Satin Car Shampoo

LC Constant Pressure Pads

Flex 3401

Autonet Mesh Sanding Discs

Abralon Sanding Discs

PakShak Waffle Weave Glass Towel

PakShak Big Boy Microfiber Towel
 
Meg's Interior Detailer

Optimum Power Clean

Goo Gone, Profesional Strength (nothing works better on tar!!)

Other than that, I think it has been covered.

Although, if it has a bottle and a label I'm sure I will find a reason to try it.
 
I have to add Some of my own.

OPT Poli-seal
Menz Power Finish
Dodo BTBM
Ultima Tire and Trim Guard
Collinite 845 and 915
Pinnacle SSII

These are just a few of the products I feel someone has to try at least once.
 
Mark, you should save your list and update it each quarter to track how your choices change.

I would include:

Optimum Power Clean - great cleaning power for most any surface with safety (personal, surface)
Optimum Car Wash - good all around for suds lovers, cost effective
Mothers VLR - an inexpensive interior cleaner/conditioner
Ultima Tire and Trim Guard - definitely longer lasting than the usual trim products

I am not a real detail spray user for all over paint wipe downs but I did try out some Griot's speed shine a few weeks ago and was impressed with the ease of application (ease of buffing).
 
TLMitchell said:
30+ years trying to find something that lasts longer, shines better or is easier to use than 845. I haven't found it yet. Almost breaks my heart that I Opti Coated everything in the stable and won't be waxing much anymore.

TL
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After you apply your sealant of choice, let it sit for 10-12 hours and then apply a thin layer of 845. Really brings out the shine - think you'll be pleased with the results.
 
Speaking of products - looking for a something that will remove the stickum from old wheel weights and the nuclear tar balls that inevitably surface on the interior of the mag wheels. Seems to be a problem mostly found in south Florida & similar climates. I've recently tried TarX and frankly I was disappointed. Plenty of products out there that will remove bugs but it barely did anything to the tar and never touched the stickum. And unlike the demo video, I wasn't trying to remove tar from the paint but rather off the aluminum wheels. I've tried 3M Adhesive Remove and that's ok but requires an enormous about of mustard to make any headway whatsoever. A little help would be greatly appreciated.
 
addysdaddy said:
Speaking of products - looking for a something that will remove the stickum from old wheel weights and the nuclear tar balls that inevitably surface on the interior of the mag wheels. Seems to be a problem mostly found in south Florida & similar climates. I've recently tried TarX and frankly I was disappointed. Plenty of products out there that will remove bugs but it barely did anything to the tar and never touched the stickum. And unlike the demo video, I wasn't trying to remove tar from the paint but rather off the aluminum wheels. I've tried 3M Adhesive Remove and that's ok but requires an enormous about of mustard to make any headway whatsoever. A little help would be greatly appreciated.
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Have you tried Stoners Tarminator? If you can get it I heard Tardis works excellent for wheel weight adhesive.
 
Mark,
Why the change of heart on OPC? Did you conclude it was changing the color of some leathers when used as an interior cleaner?
 
PFix said:
Mark,
Why the change of heart on OPC? Did you conclude it was changing the color of some leathers when used as an interior cleaner?
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No, there has been nothing bad, IME, I just found some other products that work better for me.

FWIW, I no longer use APC's on the interior at all.
 
Pats300zx said:
Have you tried Stoners Tarminator? If you can get it I heard Tardis works excellent for wheel weight adhesive.
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For wheel weight adhesive I like to use goo gone (the liquid not the gel). It works on tar too if you let it soak long enough.
 
Rocket said:
For wheel weight adhesive I like to use goo gone (the liquid not the gel). It works on tar too if you let it soak long enough.
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I'm thinking of reverting back to Kerosene to deal with the adhesive & tar issues. Just really wanted to deal with a more environmentally friendly product.

And Bobby, yes I'm sure it was Adam's Super VRT, it's their tire dressing. Again goes on great but to matte for my taste and truly doesn't last imo.
 
addysdaddy said:
After you apply your sealant of choice, let it sit for 10-12 hours and then apply a thin layer of 845. Really brings out the shine - think you'll be pleased with the results.
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Been there, done that. Impressive indeed! Moot point now that I've got Opti Coat on everything.

TL
 
addysdaddy said:
Speaking of products - looking for a something that will remove the stickum from old wheel weights and the nuclear tar balls that inevitably surface on the interior of the mag wheels.
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Spray on Tarminator and let it sit for awhile. If the goo from the weights still has some paper adhering saturate it with WD 40 and let it sit for a while. I'm surprised with your Tar X results, the tar ran down the sides of the car for me when I tried it.

addysdaddy said:
I'm thinking of reverting back to Kerosene to deal with the adhesive & tar issues. Just really wanted to deal with a more environmentally friendly product.
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Not to mention stinking up your garage. Kerosene is one of those things I classify as crude but effective. Back in the day the codgers used to give their cars a kerosene bath before the pre-winter wash n wax. The petroleum distillates were touted as penetrating and preventing rust as well as removing tar and contaminants. The stuff works and I use it occasionally. Never seen anything that was more effective at killing a bucketful of suds when you wash it off.

Most effective tar remover I ever saw was dry cleaning fluid. In the early '70s my first job in High School was at an automatic car wash. Guys would come in with tar and creosote coating their cars up to the trim strips. We'd spray 'em down with dry cleaning fluid out of an old Joy bottle. Come back in half an hour and there'd be a pool of black crud on the ground and the car would be relatively clean. Even legitimate Dry Cleaners can't get the good stuff anymore.

TL
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
No, there has been nothing bad, IME, I just found some other products that work better for me.

FWIW, I no longer use APC's on the interior at all.
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Now dog gone it Mark, I just bought a gallon of OPC because you said it was the best thing since sliced bread and now there something better. sheesh:surrender:D:D:D:D
 
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