Name your top 5 detailing product discoveries. :)
Name your top 5 detailing product discoveries. :)
Name your top 5 best products you discovered this year with a
short one sentense explanation why you like it. (No paragraphs!)
also name 3 honorable mentions...
1. Prima Nero - Super easy to use matte, non slippery clean interior finish.
2. Griots SprayOn wax - Excellent LSP, super deep lustor.
3. Prima Epic - Super wet finish that shines through dust and lasts!
4. Griots Speedshine - Smooth finish quick detailer.
5. Prima Monster Fluffy - Softest plush MF ive seen by far!
Honorable mention..
1. Griots Best of Show wax
2. Griots Random orbital
3. Prima Platinum MF towels
short one sentense explanation why you like it. (No paragraphs!)
also name 3 honorable mentions...
1. Prima Nero - Super easy to use matte, non slippery clean interior finish.
2. Griots SprayOn wax - Excellent LSP, super deep lustor.
3. Prima Epic - Super wet finish that shines through dust and lasts!
4. Griots Speedshine - Smooth finish quick detailer.
5. Prima Monster Fluffy - Softest plush MF ive seen by far!
Honorable mention..
1. Griots Best of Show wax
2. Griots Random orbital
3. Prima Platinum MF towels
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
- Dogs licking MF towels clean - Free, easy, save on electricity
- Dogs blow drying MF towels dry (tie to back, and run) - FREE
- Pinnacle Sourveign Wax - probably the best of the "cheap" Carnuabas
- Malms Liquid Wax - VERY easy to put on, better gloss than Pinnacle, doesnt last as long
- Pinnacle Crystal Mist - spray carnauba for touchups
Havent tried it yet but Malms super expensive Carnauba, when I get rich, I will try it
Actually, this should be first but ... WIFE ... she loves to clean wheels!
1. DP Monster Fluffy - no more worrying if my MFs are too "stiff" to be used on my paint I need to get some more of these - I seem to be unable to keep enough clean at all times.
2. Evolution car cover - Griot's custom orders these to fit every single option your car has - it was tailored to fit my mirrors, spoiler, antenna, etc. Keeps rain and dust/dirt off my car overnight, and for all the custom fitting, was relatively inexpensive (I think around $150).
3. Prima Epic - THE best shine for non-metallic paint. My husband and his buddy have been building a fence all day, and I told them if they washed and dried their own cars, I'd clay and wax them. They totally jumped at it, and I know what I'll be doing tomorrow (Mostly, I just want to see the results on metallic paint and hubby's is metallic sand color and his buddy's is dark metallic green.)
4. DP Glass Cleaning Cloth - abrasive enough to cut through gunk, bugs, dust, etc, but still picks up all the cleaner and leaves glass streak and lint free.
5. Wizard's Trim/Rubber/Plastic treatment (I forget the rest of the name) - cleans wax/white spots off trim and leaves a nice shine. Great on tires too.
Honorable mentions:
1. Prima Hydro - keeps the nice shiny finish on my car and is very easy to use.
2. Prima Slick - this is probably a tie for 5th but Hydro is really amazing and I love that it "fills in the gaps" for having to wax as often.
3. Simple Green - whoever detailed my car at the dealership for delivery did a crappy job, and there was cosmoline evvvvverywhere in the engine compartment. Simple Green took it right off. Also good for getting the crap of my wheels, but I have Griot's Wheel Cleaner for that that actually works better and doesn't seem as harsh.
I need to get some more of these - I seem to be unable to keep enough clean at all times.2. Evolution car cover - Griot's custom orders these to fit every single option your car has - it was tailored to fit my mirrors, spoiler, antenna, etc. Keeps rain and dust/dirt off my car overnight, and for all the custom fitting, was relatively inexpensive (I think around $150).
3. Prima Epic - THE best shine for non-metallic paint. My husband and his buddy have been building a fence all day, and I told them if they washed and dried their own cars, I'd clay and wax them. They totally jumped at it, and I know what I'll be doing tomorrow
(Mostly, I just want to see the results on metallic paint and hubby's is metallic sand color and his buddy's is dark metallic green.)4. DP Glass Cleaning Cloth - abrasive enough to cut through gunk, bugs, dust, etc, but still picks up all the cleaner and leaves glass streak and lint free.
5. Wizard's Trim/Rubber/Plastic treatment (I forget the rest of the name) - cleans wax/white spots off trim and leaves a nice shine. Great on tires too.
Honorable mentions:
1. Prima Hydro - keeps the nice shiny finish on my car and is very easy to use.
2. Prima Slick - this is probably a tie for 5th but Hydro is really amazing and I love that it "fills in the gaps" for having to wax as often.
3. Simple Green - whoever detailed my car at the dealership for delivery did a crappy job, and there was cosmoline evvvvverywhere in the engine compartment. Simple Green took it right off. Also good for getting the crap of my wheels, but I have Griot's Wheel Cleaner for that that actually works better and doesn't seem as harsh.
Last edited by MLPearson79; Nov 27, 2006 at 10:10 AM. Reason: Amended #5
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX & Boston, MA (Babson College)
1. Meguiars Quik Interior Detailer - Great Smell and makes everything look fresh and new again.
2. Meguiars #7 Showcar Glaze - works especially great on my Jet Black MINI. Although it doesn't last long, the wetness of the paint is amazing while it lasts
3. Meguiars Detailer Line - Great products, and are available in bulk. Keeps the cost down for my weekend job
.
4. P21S Carnauba Wax - pretty affordable and looks great too!
5. I can't think of a 5th one right now...
Other products that I am looking forward to try based on this thread and others:
The whole Prima Product Line
Monster Fluffy Towel
I've got a pretty busy detailing schedule this week since I am on break now, so my checking account should allow me to purchase some new products later this week (I've got my first Ferrari detail on Monday
).
2. Meguiars #7 Showcar Glaze - works especially great on my Jet Black MINI. Although it doesn't last long, the wetness of the paint is amazing while it lasts
3. Meguiars Detailer Line - Great products, and are available in bulk. Keeps the cost down for my weekend job
.4. P21S Carnauba Wax - pretty affordable and looks great too!
5. I can't think of a 5th one right now...
Other products that I am looking forward to try based on this thread and others:
The whole Prima Product Line
Monster Fluffy Towel
I've got a pretty busy detailing schedule this week since I am on break now, so my checking account should allow me to purchase some new products later this week (I've got my first Ferrari detail on Monday
).
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: AR
blackfire interior protectant - goes on even and is very matte. Easier to use than 303
finish kare 425 QD - just about perfect
poorboy's bright n bold tire dressing - water based dressing that also cleans. I have retired my other tire dressings
cyclo - I can't remember the last time I unboxed my PC since I bought this polisher. Capable of more correction than the PC
SFX Ultra Fine Detailing Clay - Very easy on your LSP and I like to use it more often than a more aggressive clay
finish kare 425 QD - just about perfect
poorboy's bright n bold tire dressing - water based dressing that also cleans. I have retired my other tire dressings
cyclo - I can't remember the last time I unboxed my PC since I bought this polisher. Capable of more correction than the PC
SFX Ultra Fine Detailing Clay - Very easy on your LSP and I like to use it more often than a more aggressive clay
1 Stynthetic Wax-makes it shiny
2 Clay bar- removes anything trappen under wax
3 Canuba Wax- makes it even more shiny (but risks messy arches, added care means it only takes #3)
4 Micro fiber towel- gets everything nice and smooth, even better for the shine.
5 Garage- Keeps it shiny and protected from the elements
Honorable Mention:
JB paint- Makes the MINI look absoultly stunning when clean, but it is a dust and drit magnet, which makes me obssess about keeping Pearl clean so I can't rank it.
2 Clay bar- removes anything trappen under wax
3 Canuba Wax- makes it even more shiny (but risks messy arches, added care means it only takes #3)
4 Micro fiber towel- gets everything nice and smooth, even better for the shine.
5 Garage- Keeps it shiny and protected from the elements
Honorable Mention:
JB paint- Makes the MINI look absoultly stunning when clean, but it is a dust and drit magnet, which makes me obssess about keeping Pearl clean so I can't rank it.
My list for 2006 (My detailing rookie year)
1) Wizards Black Renew - The best trim and tire stuff I've used. Cleans off old wax residue and makes your trim black not shinny.
2) PC Dual-Action Polisher - I've seen the light and the swirls and now I don't rub I polish!
3) Paradise Monster Fluffy - (IPP) Super soft very thick. I even dry them in the dryer and they're still as soft as day one.
4) Prima Nero - Interior vinyl. Non-glossy, great cleaner and smells terrific.
5) Prima Slick - I use a lot of this stuff and it quickly cleans my paint, wheels and glass. Leaves my Epic covered paint very slick.
Honorable Mention:
Glass Cleaning Cloth - Leaves absolutely no streaks and cleans so easily.
Prima Clarity - Glass Cleaner. In combination with the above cloth, sweet!
Sounds like a Detailers Paradise commercial, but then again I belong to OTBWD .
1) Wizards Black Renew - The best trim and tire stuff I've used. Cleans off old wax residue and makes your trim black not shinny.
2) PC Dual-Action Polisher - I've seen the light and the swirls and now I don't rub I polish!
3) Paradise Monster Fluffy - (IPP) Super soft very thick. I even dry them in the dryer and they're still as soft as day one.
4) Prima Nero - Interior vinyl. Non-glossy, great cleaner and smells terrific.
5) Prima Slick - I use a lot of this stuff and it quickly cleans my paint, wheels and glass. Leaves my Epic covered paint very slick.
Honorable Mention:
Glass Cleaning Cloth - Leaves absolutely no streaks and cleans so easily.
Prima Clarity - Glass Cleaner. In combination with the above cloth, sweet!
Sounds like a Detailers Paradise commercial, but then again I belong to OTBWD
.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
1. Mother's Reflections car polish - cleans and polishes
2. Menzerna FMJ - A polymer sealant that shines like a glaze
3. Meguiar's Hyper dressing - originally purchased to detail the engine
compartment but discovered that it works great on the black trim and
does not attract dirt and dust particles like the Vinylex did.
4. P21S - great carnauba wax, touch up with Pinnacle Crystal Mist
5. RejeX - nothing repels bugs or brake dust better. I introduced it to a
BMW owner that loves it so much he doused his entire car in it.
2. Menzerna FMJ - A polymer sealant that shines like a glaze
3. Meguiar's Hyper dressing - originally purchased to detail the engine
compartment but discovered that it works great on the black trim and
does not attract dirt and dust particles like the Vinylex did.
4. P21S - great carnauba wax, touch up with Pinnacle Crystal Mist
5. RejeX - nothing repels bugs or brake dust better. I introduced it to a
BMW owner that loves it so much he doused his entire car in it.
1) ICE Synthetic Polish (not really polish) - relatively inexpensive, readily available, slick and shiny, goes on and off SOOO quick and easy it'll temp you to use it every time you wash. Looks great on my cool blue metallic. Seems to keep everything from sticking. And looks great on the black trim!
2) ICE Spray Detailer - shiny and slick compliment to the ICE polish. I've only needed to wash my car twice in the 6 weeks of daily driving I've had it, this stuff works so well. Makes paint and trim look great. And makes the wheels clean and SLICK.
3) Monster Fluffy - hard to overstate how nice these towels are.
4) Sonus bucket / dolly / gritguard
5) Jelly Blade - makes drying much faster and easier
I'm sure my taste and needs will change as my finish gets older and needs more work - but so far ICE has kept me looking new...
2) ICE Spray Detailer - shiny and slick compliment to the ICE polish. I've only needed to wash my car twice in the 6 weeks of daily driving I've had it, this stuff works so well. Makes paint and trim look great. And makes the wheels clean and SLICK.
3) Monster Fluffy - hard to overstate how nice these towels are.
4) Sonus bucket / dolly / gritguard
5) Jelly Blade - makes drying much faster and easier
I'm sure my taste and needs will change as my finish gets older and needs more work - but so far ICE has kept me looking new...
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 19
From: Merrick, NY
So far..
Plexus clear plastic cleaner. It makes lenses and dash pieces super clear and smooth. It works on old cars even that were never taken care of.
Speedshine. Stuff is awesome. If I had it garaged, I would do it daily. After I carnauba paste wax I use it to get the areas that would require too much rubbing to get the dried wax off, as well as making the wax look impecable. Cleans off wheels and interior too. Kinda odd stuff. No idea what it is.
Plexus clear plastic cleaner. It makes lenses and dash pieces super clear and smooth. It works on old cars even that were never taken care of.
Speedshine. Stuff is awesome. If I had it garaged, I would do it daily. After I carnauba paste wax I use it to get the areas that would require too much rubbing to get the dried wax off, as well as making the wax look impecable. Cleans off wheels and interior too. Kinda odd stuff. No idea what it is.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,692
Likes: 2
1. Prima Epic - wonderfully tough, slick ansd shiny synthetic wax
2. DP's glass cleaning cloth and "Clarity" glass cleaner - the first thing I've ever found that replaces my tried-and-true "Windex cleaned with newsprint".
3. Prima Slick - best exterior detailing spray I've ever used. Sooper slick and shiny on Epic wax
4. Porter Cable Random-Orbital polisher - nothing... NOTHING makes polishing out spiderweb scratches or applying wax easier than one of these babies. I don't even OWN my own (yet) and I still think this is the best thing since sliced bread. Hopefully Santa will have me on the "Nice" list this year!
5. DP "Monster Fluffy" towels. One day I WILL have a bunny-suit made of these for all-body detailing sesions...
2. DP's glass cleaning cloth and "Clarity" glass cleaner - the first thing I've ever found that replaces my tried-and-true "Windex cleaned with newsprint".
3. Prima Slick - best exterior detailing spray I've ever used. Sooper slick and shiny on Epic wax
4. Porter Cable Random-Orbital polisher - nothing... NOTHING makes polishing out spiderweb scratches or applying wax easier than one of these babies. I don't even OWN my own (yet) and I still think this is the best thing since sliced bread. Hopefully Santa will have me on the "Nice" list this year!
5. DP "Monster Fluffy" towels. One day I WILL have a bunny-suit made of these for all-body detailing sesions...
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,326
Likes: 6
From: PA
1. DP Monster Fluffy MF Towels - I use them following my weekly washing along with my number 2 choice below to keep the MINIs more shiny than the day we picked them up. If you can find a softer towel, you've made a great find !
2. Griot's Speed Shine - goes on evenly and quickly makes the car look like it was just waxed, even if it's been a couple months since the last coat was applied.
3. Meguair's Clay Bar - good consistency, easy to use, and cleans dirt like metal shavings to a magnet.
4. Griot's Microfiber Drying Towels - One of these will easily dry a MINI without ringing it out. Leaves NO lint, no streaks, super absorbent !
5. Griot's Microfiber Duster - Never used a California Duster, but I can't imagine it could beat this one. I use it almost daily (not on days it rains) to remove the dust and it does a great job in just a few easy swipes.
2. Griot's Speed Shine - goes on evenly and quickly makes the car look like it was just waxed, even if it's been a couple months since the last coat was applied.
3. Meguair's Clay Bar - good consistency, easy to use, and cleans dirt like metal shavings to a magnet.
4. Griot's Microfiber Drying Towels - One of these will easily dry a MINI without ringing it out. Leaves NO lint, no streaks, super absorbent !
5. Griot's Microfiber Duster - Never used a California Duster, but I can't imagine it could beat this one. I use it almost daily (not on days it rains) to remove the dust and it does a great job in just a few easy swipes.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 10
Discoveries from this year?
1. The Sonus line of polishes: SFX 1, 2 and 3
2. The Sonus waffle-weave drying microfiber
3. Zaino Grand Finale - I tried this several years ago but I never really felt it had any impact until I got the MINI, so you might say that I re-discovered it. I think that the finish on my old Altima was too far gone to show the true benefit. It's expensive, but worth it for that final touch. I only use it once or twice a year for special occasions, but it's very cool. I always thought that the paint surface was slick after Zaino Z2 and Z6... the Grand Finale takes it to the next level.
Well... thats 3. I've been in maintenance mode lately... using a lot of products that I already had in the garage.
My favorite OLD products are:
1. Zaino sealant system (Z2 polish, Z5 polish, ZFX, Z6 Quick Detailer)
2. Sonus buffing towel (2 different napps - very handy)
3. Scratch X - the first thing I reach for when dealing with minor scuffs
4. Langka - Great for smoothing out touch-up paint on rock chips.
5. A good lambs-wool wash mit - Great for reducing the number of swirlmarks generated while washing
6. Meguiars #40 for outside plastic and wheel arches.
Things I want to try in the next year:
1. a grit guard - I know that I need one... I just haven't found one yet, but I haven't tried very hard.
2. The windshield washer tablets from 303.
3. Something from Detailer's Paradise... I like to support our NAM vendors and I'm especially grateful to Heather for all of the time and excellent info she has shared here on NAM: http://www.detailersparadise.com
1. The Sonus line of polishes: SFX 1, 2 and 3
2. The Sonus waffle-weave drying microfiber
3. Zaino Grand Finale - I tried this several years ago but I never really felt it had any impact until I got the MINI, so you might say that I re-discovered it. I think that the finish on my old Altima was too far gone to show the true benefit. It's expensive, but worth it for that final touch. I only use it once or twice a year for special occasions, but it's very cool. I always thought that the paint surface was slick after Zaino Z2 and Z6... the Grand Finale takes it to the next level.
Well... thats 3. I've been in maintenance mode lately... using a lot of products that I already had in the garage.
My favorite OLD products are:
1. Zaino sealant system (Z2 polish, Z5 polish, ZFX, Z6 Quick Detailer)
2. Sonus buffing towel (2 different napps - very handy)
3. Scratch X - the first thing I reach for when dealing with minor scuffs
4. Langka - Great for smoothing out touch-up paint on rock chips.
5. A good lambs-wool wash mit - Great for reducing the number of swirlmarks generated while washing
6. Meguiars #40 for outside plastic and wheel arches.
Things I want to try in the next year:
1. a grit guard - I know that I need one... I just haven't found one yet, but I haven't tried very hard.
2. The windshield washer tablets from 303.
3. Something from Detailer's Paradise... I like to support our NAM vendors and I'm especially grateful to Heather for all of the time and excellent info she has shared here on NAM: http://www.detailersparadise.com
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,047
Likes: 0
From: NJerz
1. Collinite 845 Insulator Wax - This stuff is indestructable, the shine is deep, and the finish is slick. It lasts longer than anything else I've tried, Klasse and other sealants included (not Zaino).
2. Sonus SFX-3 - Leaves a great finish ready for any LSP - it smells great, too!
3. 3M Imperial Hand Glaze - This stuff removes/hides everything and anything with only hand application.
4. One Grand Blitz Wax - This carnauba wax is extremely durable and gives a shine worthy of some ploymer sealants.
5. Sonus Der Wunder Drying towel - Microfiber waffle weaves that absoulely SUCK water off the car - best drying towel/technique I've found, and I've tried a lot.
Honorable mentions:
- Stoner's Invisible glass
- 303 Aerospace protectant
- 303 Fabric cleaner/protect
- Klasse All In One
- Einzette Gumni Phledge (rubber treatment).
Man, there are many more.
mb
2. Sonus SFX-3 - Leaves a great finish ready for any LSP - it smells great, too!
3. 3M Imperial Hand Glaze - This stuff removes/hides everything and anything with only hand application.
4. One Grand Blitz Wax - This carnauba wax is extremely durable and gives a shine worthy of some ploymer sealants.
5. Sonus Der Wunder Drying towel - Microfiber waffle weaves that absoulely SUCK water off the car - best drying towel/technique I've found, and I've tried a lot.
Honorable mentions:
- Stoner's Invisible glass
- 303 Aerospace protectant
- 303 Fabric cleaner/protect
- Klasse All In One
- Einzette Gumni Phledge (rubber treatment).
Man, there are many more.
mb
I just amended my list to bump Wizard's trim/rubber/whatever else treatment into my top 5. GREAT stuff. I had two reallly white wax smudges and it took them right off and put a nice, subtle, natural shine on my trim and tires. Love it.