New or Needing some product guidance? Look here:

[TheMeanGreen]

Hello everyone,

I would like to make this thread be a consolidation of all the products that we, as members, have experienced great performance with, or have heard about great performance from reputable sources, in order to help our fellow forum members and newbies with getting a start in their detailing adventures. I will not be adding links as I believe that going out and finding these things for oneself helps in the process of becoming versed and orientated with the product market. Additionally, if you guys have products that you would like to see on this list be sure to comment below, I ask the suggested product have the ability to be used universally, or be able to fulfill multiple roles. Let us begin:


SS: Stainless Steel
OTC: Over the Counter
Sunlight Friendly Soaps can dry on the panel and be easily rinsed away. The opposite is true for Non-Sunlight Friendly Soaps
PW: Pressure Washer
WW: Waterless Wash
RW: Rinseless Wash
OPT: Optimum Polymer Technologies
APC: All Purpose Cleaner

Pressure Washing:

Need PW Fittings? Obsessed Garage is the place to find them. If you are on a budget, MTM Hydro and Amazon are good sources.

Pressure Washing (Pressure Washer, Budget):
* Sunjoe SPX 4000-Pro
* Karcher K1700/(cube)

Pressure Washing (Pressure Washer, Higher End Electric):
* Kranzle 1322TS
* Kranzle 1622
* AR Blue Clean AR613
* AR Blue Clean AR630-TSS

Snub Gun Options:
* MTM Hydro SG28 (no swivel)
* Tecomec MV925 (get the swivel option)
* MTM Hydro SGS28 (Additional "S" stands for stainless steel)
* MTM Hydro Acqualine SGS35

Lances:
* MTM Hydro 20" SS 15 degree bent wand
* MTM Hydro Aqualine 20" SS 15 degree bent wand
* Northstar SS 36" bent pressure washer lance (OTC)

Foam Cannon:
* MTM Hydro PF22 or PF22.2 (Gold standard)

Nozzles:
* MTM 1/4" QC Nozzles (3.0 Orifice needed for any PW under 2.0 GPM)
* MTM Acqualine Blue Nozzle/Guard (Will need 3.0 Orifice for any PW under 2.0 GPM, advise picking up the 40 degree)

Pressure Washer Hoses:
* MTM Kobrajet 3/8"
* Simpson Cleaning Monster 3/8" - 50ft (this hose is not pliable at all, but is good for heavy duty application where the chances of running it over with 1/2 ton truck (or lesser) is high)
* Sunjoe SPX-25HD 1/4" (for the SunJoe guys)
* Flexzilla 1/4"
Note: Recommended to go with a 50ft option when adding hose or going with one hose, particularly with an electric pressure washer under 2.5 gpm. As well, the only benefit to purchasing a 3/8" over a 1/4", at a hose length of 75 feet or less, is the fact that the 3/8" hoses tend to be better built.

Garden Hose:
* Flexzilla 50` Garden Hose (Drinking Water Safe)
Note: Any garden hose will suffice, I only listed Flexzilla option because it is safe to drink from, meaning that when your wife uses your new hose to water the garden, a garden which may contain food crops, chemicals from the hose wont leech into the flowing water, and leech from the water into the plants. The kids can also drink from it as well. If purchasing a new hose, many would agree to purchase a 50`.

Water Filtration (Budget):
* GE GXWH20S (OTC: HD)
* GE FWWTC (OTC: HD)
* 3/4" MHT to 3/4" MIP (OTC: HD)
* 3/4" MHT to 3/4" MHT (OTC: HD)
* SS Washing Machine Supply Lines (OTC: HD)
* Thread Sealing Tape (OTC: HD)

Water Filtration (Expensive):
* CR Spotless

Buckets:
*Leaktite 5 Gallon bucket (OTC, HD, Model #005GFSWH020)
*Gamma Seal lid (OTC [HD], or Amazon)
*Detail Guardz Dirt Lock (Quantity 1 total)
*Grit Guard (One per bucket or quantity two)
Note: For my wash process I have been able to single it down to one wash bucket, using the Dirt Lock on top of a Grit Guard. Regarding colors of the Grit Guard and Dirt Lock, you can pick whatever color you want, personally I would like to transition my wash bucket to both a white Grit Guard and a white Dirt Lock, so that I am able to see any debris in the water, more easily.


Chemicals:

Degreasers/APC`s:
* Superior Products Road Warrior (OTC)
Note: Road Warrior is the most gentle and effective degreaser that I have personally found, to date. It is also very cost effective at ~$14/gallon. It is low foaming and easy rinsing.
* Extra Tough Multipurpose Cleaner & Degreaser
Note: Personally, I would pick Road Warrior or Extra Tough over Meguiar`s Super Degreaser, Meguiar`s All Purpose Cleaner, Super Clean, anything from Zep, and anything from Simple Green. In my arsenal, Road Warrior has replaced Extra Tough, every other degreaser and APC.
*Heavy Hitting Degreaser: Super Clean, Superior Products Furry, OPT Power Clean

Wheel Cleaner`s:
* Superior Products Road Warrior (OTC)
* P&S Brake Buster (Carbon Ceramic Safe)
* Feynlab Pure Wash (Carbon Ceramic Safe)

Fallout (Iron Remover):
* Eagle One Black & Plasticoat Wheel Cleaner (OTC)
* Meguair`s Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner (OTC)
* Carpro Iron-X
* Carpro Iron-X Paste
* OPT Ferrex

Tar/Adhesive/Bug Remover`s:
* Stoner Tarminator (OTC)
* Carpro Tar-X
* 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner (Quart)
* Goof Off (Not Goo Gone, Goof Off is more safe for automotive finishes, I also view this as a last resort as it is quite aggressive)
* Citrol 266 (OTC)

Concrete Remover:
* Back-set by Romix

Light Water Spot Removers:
* Optimum Polymer Technologies MDR
* Mckee`s 37 Fast Water Spot Remover
* Distilled White Vinegar

Panel Prep:
* KleanStrip Prep-All (OTC)
* Poorboy`s World Strip Down Wax Stripper
* Rust-Oleum Automotive Wax & Tar Remover (post strip wash panel prep, OTC)
* Gyeon Q2M Prep, etc.

Traditional Soaps:
Sunlight Friendly (No Gloss Enhancers or other additives):
* Chemical Guys Honeydew Snow Foam Car Wash
* Meguiar`s Hyperwash
* 3D Pink Car Soap
* 3D Super Soap
* Xtreme Solutions Xtreme Suds Car Soap
* DPC Foam - Maintenance Soap
* Bilt Hamber Auto Foam

Non-Sunlight Friendly Traditional Soap (May be used as a prep wash):
* Carpro Reset
* Feynlab Pure Wash
* Meguiar`s Wash Plus (Strictly a Prep wash, OTC)

Rinseless/Waterless Wash (Some are Multipurpose):
* Feynlab Pure Rinseless
* Mckee`s 37 N-914
* DPC Revive
* Wolfgang Uber Rinseless
* Ultima Waterless Wash Concentrate
* Carpro ECH20
* Optimum No Rinse & Shine
* Ammo FROTHe (Strictly used as Waterless Wash or WW Pretreatment)

Clay Lubricants:
* Mckee`s 37 N-914
* DPC Revive
* Wolfgang Uber Rinseless
* Ultima Waterless Wash Concentrate
* Carpro ECH20
* Optimum No Rinse & Shine

Detail Sprays (Mixing some sort of liquid LSP from a brand range is a fun way to add slickness and gloss to the surface):
* DPC Revive
* Wolfgang Uber Rinseless
* Ultima Waterless Wash Concentrate
* Carpro ECH20
* Mckee`s 37 Rinse Free Wash & Wax

Dedicated Detail Sprays:
* Meguair`s Hybrid Ceramic Detail Spray (OTC)
* Soanx Brilliant Shine Detailer
* Gyeon Quartz Quick Detailer

Spray Wax:
* Griot`s Garage Ceramic 3-IN-1 Wax (OTC)
* TAC System Shinee Wax
* Mckee`s 37 Trademark Extender Spray Wax (Universal Topper)

Sealant:
* Griot`s Garage Ceramic 3-IN-1 Wax (OTC, Universal Topper)
* Finish Kare BWM-101 (formerly and commonly known as FK1000P)
* Seal N Shine (OTC, not great in the looks department but hard to beat in durability and price)
* Meguair`s Hybrid Ceramic Wax (OTC)
* DPC Kingsguard (Universal Topper)


Microfibers Tools/Towels: In Progress

Drying Towels:
*Griot’s PFM
*Luxury Microfiber Sucker
*The Rag Company Gauntlet
*Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy

Wash Mitts:
*The Rag Company Microfiber Chenille Mitt
*The Rag Company Cyclone Microfiber Wash Mitt
Note: Alternatives from companies such as Microfiber Madness and Luxury Microfiber

Glass Towels:
*The Rag Company Diamond Microfiber Glass and Window
*The Rag Company Dry Me A River Waffle Weave
*The Rag Company Premium FTW


Multipurpose Towels:
*Kirkland Yellow’s
*The Rag Company Pluffle
*The Rag Company Eagle Edgeless 500
Note: Microfiber Madness, Luxury Microfiber, and Autofiber produce comparable edgeless towels
*The Rag Company Creature Edgeless Dual Pile
*The Rag Company All Purpose Car Wash Microfiber Terry Towel

Applicators/Scrub Mits:
*Carpro InnerScrub Glove
*The Rag Company Interior Scrub Mit
*The Rag Company Smittens
*Autofiber Saver Terry Applicator
*Maxshine Foam Combine Waxing Applicator

Interior Cleaner:
*P&S Xpress Interior Cleaner
*Carpro Multi-X

Interior/Multipurpose Dressing:
*303 Aerospace Protectant
*Carpro Perl
*OPT Protectant Plus


Brushes: In Progress
Miscellaneous Tools: In Progress
Other: In Progress

Over the next days I will work on updating this thread with relevant information, I wanted to get this out there to forum members for the purposes of brain storming.

 

[Stokdgs]

TheMeanGreen -- Wow ! thank you for making this list !!! What a job !!
You need to correct spelling here -- to Kranzle.. * Krenzle 1322TS
* Krenzle 1622

Thanks again ! Great job !!!
Dan F

 

[TheMeanGreen]

TheMeanGreen -- Wow ! thank you for making this list !!! What a job !!
You need to correct spelling here -- to Kranzle.. * Krenzle 1322TS
* Krenzle 1622

Thanks again ! Great job !!!
Dan F

Of all words that I spelled, I can`t believe I misspelled Kranzle. Thanks for the correction!

 

[johnboy]

thanks for that list, looks like a lot of work. do you have a degreaser you prefer for road film? thanks for your work

 

[TheMeanGreen]

thanks for that list, looks like a lot of work. do you have a degreaser you prefer for road film? thanks for your work

As it currently stands, Extra Tough is my go for traffic film as I haven`t seen any adverse effects of leaving it on a painted surface for a significant amount of time, like a couple of hours or more. It hasn`t left any chemical staining on the paints that I have let it dry on, this is why I recommend it. However, I wouldn`t be surprised if Road Warrior was equally as safe on paint as it has been test by the New York City Transit Authority (go to Superior Products website and look up Road Warrior, unfortunately I cannot post the link) for performance and safety, particularly on vinyl surfaces. So by the logic that vinyl surfaces may be more sensitive to strong cleaners than automotive paint, and Road Warrior has cleared a pretty stringent test producing the given results, I would recommend Road Warrior. I also recommend it because it is far easier to come by as you can order it through your local O`Reilly`s, and usually pick it up from the store in 48 hours or less.

 

[dwaleke]

Awesome thread. Thanks for posting it. I hope this reply does not derail the thread.

Degreasers/APC`s:
* Superior Products Road Warrior (OTC)
Note: Road Warrior is the most gentle and effective degreaser that I have personally found, to date. It is also very cost effective at ~$14/gallon. It is low foaming and easy rinsing.
* Extra Tough Multipurpose Cleaner & Degreaser
Note: Personally, I would pick Road Warrior or Extra Tough over Meguiar`s Super Degreaser, Meguiar`s All Purpose Cleaner, Super Clean, anything from Zep, and anything from Simple Green. In my arsenal, Road Warrior has replaced Extra Tough, every other degreaser and APC.
*Heavy Hitting Degreaser: Super Clean, Superior Products Furry, OPT Power Clean

Is any one concerned about Road Warrior containing 2-Butoxyethanol as a main ingredient on the SDS?

Of all the caustic ingredients in degreasers / APCs this one seems to be one that people may want to avoid.

"2-Butoxyethanol (bu-tox-zi-eth-an-ol) has many names, including ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, Butyl Cellosolve, butyl glycol, butyl Oxitol, glycol butyl ether, Dowanol EB, Gafcol EB, Polysolv EB, and Ektasolve EB. Common abbreviations for 2-butoxyethanol include BE and EGBE."

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=345&tid=61

From my research it seems degreasers that are based on Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) or Sodium Metasilicate are bit safer for you and what you might spray them on. Obviously chemistry of a product is more complicated than just looking at one ingredient.

And it seems odd that the pH of this product is only 8. More than water, but far less than say any other degreaser/APC (OPC, Super Clean, Multi-X, D101, D180, ZEP 505, Purple Power, LA`s Awesome, etc). This speaks to your feedback on it being gentle. Diluting any of the others down to pH 8 would net you a ton a product. Perhaps not nearly as effective though.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[TheMeanGreen]

Awesome thread. Thanks for posting it. I hope this reply does not derail the thread.





Is any one concerned about Road Warrior containing 2-Butoxyethanol as a main ingredient on the SDS?

Of all the caustic ingredients in degreasers / APCs this one seems to be one that people may want to avoid.

"2-Butoxyethanol (bu-tox-zi-eth-an-ol) has many names, including ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, Butyl Cellosolve, butyl glycol, butyl Oxitol, glycol butyl ether, Dowanol EB, Gafcol EB, Polysolv EB, and Ektasolve EB. Common abbreviations for 2-butoxyethanol include BE and EGBE."

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=345&tid=61

From my research it seems degreasers that are based on Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) or Sodium Metasilicate are bit safer for you and what you might spray them on. Obviously chemistry of a product is more complicated than just looking at one ingredient.

And it seems odd that the pH of this product is only 8. More than water, but far less than say any other degreaser/APC (OPC, Super Clean, Multi-X, D101, D180, ZEP 505, Purple Power, LA`s Awesome, etc). This speaks to your feedback on it being gentle. Diluting any of the others down to pH 8 would net you a ton a product. Perhaps not nearly as effective though.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

If you`d like I can stick a pH strip my gallon and show you that it is very near to pH 8, as well the product is very very dilute-able. For instance, a dilution ratio of 1:20 to 1:35 is great for weekly washes, depending on the vehicle. Interior cleaning can be done with dilutions from 1:30 to 1:100. There are few times when dilution less than 1:10 may be needed. As well, glycol ethers and derivatives (as well as other names) are found in many many detailing and house hold cleaning products. Accidents do happen, but honestly ingestion and contact of ANY degreaser is not favorable for the human body. We are adults and need to realize/keep in mind the responsibilities and implications that we take on when using and storing cleaning products. The amount of precaution that is needed when using a glycol ether based cleaner is the same amount that is needed when using a Sodium Hydroxide or Sodium Metasilicate based cleaner. In reality, the sodium salts are also rather corrosive to the materials that comprise vehicles, where as a glycol ether is bit more gentle. It all depends on how you use it. Personally, I don`t find it worrying that 2-Butoxyethanol is the main ingredient in Road Warrior.

 

[dwaleke]

I do not doubt it is pH 8. That is what the SDS reflects. Just surprising to see a product described as a degreaser with such low pH. As many of these products seem to be between 11-13.5 (and diluted down based on purpose of use).

Even pH neutral cleaners can be effective cleaners so I do not dispute your experience with this product. After all you did say it is gentle.

PPE is something many people do not use. Gloves seem to be much more common now-a-days. I wear them when working with any car cleaning products. Respirators are just as important. Limiting unnecessary exposure is even better. Hence the question of the known hazardous ingredient.