I'm getting ready to wash my car for the first time in a couple of months (hate winter) with my new gilmour foam gun. I see reports of some people (even phil@detailersdomain) mixing their car wash concentrate with an all purpose cleaner. Is this a good thing to do when prepping for wax? If so, how does one determine how much to mix?

I have a gallon jug of Adam's APC and Chemical Guys Honeydew Snow Foam if it matters, and am considering using a mix (assuming someone doesn't say it's a bad idea at least). Is it likely that these chemicals can mix happily? Is there some benefit to doing this vs just using a stronger concentration of just car wash?

--Matt

 

Hi, -I am not a chemical expert, and am not farmiliar with the particular chemicals you are considering mixing together, but I would strongly discourage it. Perhaps because part of my job at work is to train others on OSHA's Chemical Safety in the work place, and understanding Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

Good friend of mine that I grew up with owns a body shop. If you are concerned with removing all the wax from your car, there is a product called "Safe Cut" that they use when they get a detail-job to do. Rub it on, buff it off. Must be followed by waxing the car to give it a new protective layer.

Please don't mix chemicals. It shouldn't be too hard to find the right chemical for the job you want to do.

Take Care,

-Alex

Edit: removed unnecessary information about prepping a car to paint a vehicle (we're only talking about waxing here)

 

If you are so unsure, and I have no idea what those products are, why take a chance on totally ruining the finish? A common practice for home detailing is to wash with Dawn detergent for the first time then clay bar, machine polish then wax. A random orbital and proper pads should only be used for polishing. After that, wash with regular automotive shampoo. The majority of NAM members will be using Prima or Griot's products. Heading off into the wilderness by yourself can often turn out ugly.

 

I was just curious. I noticed more than one job where Phil @ Detailer's Domain mixed car wash with APC, and was looking for more info. If they're doing it, there's got to be some good reason right? The Chemical Guy's stuff is all gone now, and Adam's Car Wash is on the way to replace it. Yes, Prima and Griot's products are great. Are you indicating that Adam's and/or CG's products are somehow questionable or dangerous to use? I've read nothing but good feedback on both of them.

--Matt

 

Just use dish washing soap like Dawn. It is harmless but removes all the grease and wax on your car. Then proceed as normal waxing.

 

No way. Dish liquid is not good for rubber surfaces. I'll just go with a stronger mix of the car wash soap in the foam gun. It sounds like mixing is not recommended (unless you're familiar with the chemicals at any rate).

--Matt

 

Shoot Phil an email. He's always answered my questions pretty quickly.

 

Phil says
--Matt

 

What many people don't realize is just because a professional detailer does it, it doesn't mean its the right approach for the DIYer. A professional may see a car just a couple times each year, if even more than once in its lifetime. Professionals can get away with using products that may be to aggressive or not ideal because of how infrequently it is used on one specific car. In contrast, some one who does it themselves may use that product repeatedly and as a result see premature surface failure over time as a result of over using an improper chemical.

In this case, if you're looking to strip off the wax, Phil's approach is sound. With only 3 ounces being added you'll be at approximately a 10:1 dilution ratio in your foam gun tank, plus you will be diluting it even more as it empties. By the time your done, there's probably only one once of APC per gallon of water, or less.

You can always over concentrate your wash, but with the Adam's you will just be leaving more gloss enhancers behind which will be counter productive.

 

Agreed. I certainly wouldn't plan on doing this regularly. It's intended for use when removing previous products, as I did today (and generally do only once a year).

My game plan for today was:
1) Clean Wheels With Sonax Full Effect
2) Hit heavy bug/tar areas with Tarminator
3) Wash with 3oz Adam's Car Wash / Adam's APC via foam gun
4) Dry
5) Decon with Auto Finesse Iron Out
6) Wash again, this time only using Adam's Car Wash
7) Dry
8) Clay using a Griot's Garage Clay Kit
9) Wash again to remove anything left over from the clay job, same mix as step 6
10) Dry
11) 2 Coats Mother's Synwax
12) 2 Coat's Mother's Pure Carnauba
13) Just a hint of Meguiars Hot Shine on the Tires (I like the rejuvenating properties of silicone, but am not a big fan of the shine)
14) Hit all of the exterior plastics with Mother's Back To Black

Overall, I'm impressed with the results. There were quite a few products in this job that I've not used before (full effect, foam gun, iron out, tarminator, Griot's clay kit), and each of them definitely made the cut for next time. I found that the the Full Effect is the most effective wheel cleaner I've ever used. Tarminator removed bugs and tar better than whatever crap I previously had from the auto part's store. The foam gun made the wash quicker, easier, and seemingly more effective. The Iron Out seemed to pull all the tiny little rust dots that this pepper white paint seems to show oh so often right out with no effort. The Griot's Clay kit's lube seems a bit better suited to the task than the showtime stuff that Mother's includes in their kit.

The only thing I would have done differently is the wax, but I didn't think to pick up some better stuff ahead of time so it'll have to wait for the next detail job in a month or two. I've used the Synwax/Carnauba combo before, so I'm sure it will live on for a good while.

--Matt

 

I don't like shiny tires either, so I've been using Adam's VRT.
I think it's a step up from Back to Black for the trim, and you can use it on the tires as well. Nice deep black on the tires, with only a tiny bit of shine after it dries. It was recommended to me by Phil when he set me up with a good starter kit last spring. I use it on my R56 all the time, and detailed 5 or 6 cars/trucks for friends last summer and still have half of a bottle left.
Haven't tried Black Wow for the trim yet, it seems to be the favorite around NAM though.

 

I'm definitely going to pick up some VRT in the near future. I got a case of Back to Black a while ago for a sweet deal a while ago, and just finished the second to last bottle on this job, so I'll be due soon enough. I'm not looking to pick up any Black Wow until (or if) mine starts looking damaged. This is a new car, and the plastics have been treated since week one, so I'm hoping that won't be anytime soon.

--Matt

 

let me know if you need anything help on this. it does work but I would definitely agree with autoality with the statement that this set up is for stripping and prepping cars for paint correction or removing waxes and sealants.