dontsleeponit
11-15-2007, 11:21 PM
Got a chance to use a few products on my car the other day that were new to me. First off, sorry for not having any pics, I was in a rush with alot of this.
DP Wheel Gel
Overall, I certainly expected more from this product. I used it on my factory wheels which are just painted aluminum. They were a little dirty, with some brake dust accumulating in the front, but nothing crazy. I was expecting it to be more gel like, It didn't really stick to the surfaces any better then my regular wheel cleaner. It cleaned well, although again not blown away by the power, because I still had to do a good bit of agitating with different brushes. In the end, its not a bad wheel cleaner by any means, but I will not be spending the money for another bottle.
Oh yea and I almost forgot. The trigger that came with the bottle is terrible. Its hard to squeeze and doesnt dispense very well. It is different then the sprayer that came with my other dp products, which work great.
Optimum Protectant Plus
Tom (trhland) gave me some of this to try (Thanks Tom). I think it is very similar to 303 protectant, it even looks very similar, they both are a thin pale white liquid. I applied to my interior vinyl and plastic with a MF applicator. It spreads easy, and when it dries it looks very clean and matte. It is a very nice interior dressing. I would have a hard time picking between this and 303. I am interested to see if it repels dust better then 303, my dash always seems to get dusty, so I will report back about this.
Four star leather cleaner gel and leather conditioner
Ok, so I have been using only lexol products on my leather seats, and they are nice especially for the price. The seats are a sportier, stiffer kind of leather with perforations. So I first used the leather cleaner gel. This stuff clinged well to the surface (I wish the DP gel was more like this!), and wiped very clean with a mf. The MF showed more dirt coming off the seats then anything else I have tried. I think it is a strong cleaner, even though it says its ph balanced.
Well after letting the seats dry a little, and they did seem to dry out quite a bit. I applied the conditioner with a MF applicator. It is a thick cream and it spreads easily and the seats soak it right up. After letting it dwell for about an hour, I came back, and was surprised because the seats still seemed more drier then normal and not really softened at all, kind of stiff. I wasnt happy. The next day I went to the car, and the seats were a little better, but still not as soft as I would hope. I think the leather cleaner gel dried them out alot, so I applied the conditioner again. And they are softer and nicer now. I think I will do another coat of conditioner. I would not use the cleaner gel all the time on leather, maybe just to give them a good cleaning when they are dirty. I will stick to DP total interior cleaner for cleaning leather more often.
The conditioner left not a hint of shine on the seats and smelled like heavily of leather, which I like. The smell doesnt stick around too much, but I can tell its there so its nice if you like it. Im still on the fence about this stuff, I still like Lexol alot especially for the price (half the price of this four start stuff).
Duragloss 105
I sealed the car up for winter. This was my first time using any kind of sealant. I stripped the car down with a strong wash solution, and applied the 105 with a foam applicator. It spread pretty easy and dries to a light haze. I buffed it off about 45min later, and I was amazed at how easily it comes off, might be even easier then a good paste wax. After letting it cure overnight, the car looks very shiny. It definatley adds alot of gloss. I think I can notice less depth then my usual nuba LSP, but again very glossy.
The next night I was parked outside by a friends house for awhile, came outside and it was moist and misty out. The mist that had formed on the car was in a very tight uniform beading pattern, it was really cool! Im expecting this stuff to leave some very durable long lasting protection. I think when I find time soon I will top it with my new XMT180, should look great.
So for the most part Im happy with my new stuff, I still have alot more products I havent really tested or even used, so come spring time Im gonna have alot to review. I may get some pics of the car after the wax, if I can get a nice day sometime soon.
DP Wheel Gel
Overall, I certainly expected more from this product. I used it on my factory wheels which are just painted aluminum. They were a little dirty, with some brake dust accumulating in the front, but nothing crazy. I was expecting it to be more gel like, It didn't really stick to the surfaces any better then my regular wheel cleaner. It cleaned well, although again not blown away by the power, because I still had to do a good bit of agitating with different brushes. In the end, its not a bad wheel cleaner by any means, but I will not be spending the money for another bottle.
Oh yea and I almost forgot. The trigger that came with the bottle is terrible. Its hard to squeeze and doesnt dispense very well. It is different then the sprayer that came with my other dp products, which work great.
Optimum Protectant Plus
Tom (trhland) gave me some of this to try (Thanks Tom). I think it is very similar to 303 protectant, it even looks very similar, they both are a thin pale white liquid. I applied to my interior vinyl and plastic with a MF applicator. It spreads easy, and when it dries it looks very clean and matte. It is a very nice interior dressing. I would have a hard time picking between this and 303. I am interested to see if it repels dust better then 303, my dash always seems to get dusty, so I will report back about this.
Four star leather cleaner gel and leather conditioner
Ok, so I have been using only lexol products on my leather seats, and they are nice especially for the price. The seats are a sportier, stiffer kind of leather with perforations. So I first used the leather cleaner gel. This stuff clinged well to the surface (I wish the DP gel was more like this!), and wiped very clean with a mf. The MF showed more dirt coming off the seats then anything else I have tried. I think it is a strong cleaner, even though it says its ph balanced.
Well after letting the seats dry a little, and they did seem to dry out quite a bit. I applied the conditioner with a MF applicator. It is a thick cream and it spreads easily and the seats soak it right up. After letting it dwell for about an hour, I came back, and was surprised because the seats still seemed more drier then normal and not really softened at all, kind of stiff. I wasnt happy. The next day I went to the car, and the seats were a little better, but still not as soft as I would hope. I think the leather cleaner gel dried them out alot, so I applied the conditioner again. And they are softer and nicer now. I think I will do another coat of conditioner. I would not use the cleaner gel all the time on leather, maybe just to give them a good cleaning when they are dirty. I will stick to DP total interior cleaner for cleaning leather more often.
The conditioner left not a hint of shine on the seats and smelled like heavily of leather, which I like. The smell doesnt stick around too much, but I can tell its there so its nice if you like it. Im still on the fence about this stuff, I still like Lexol alot especially for the price (half the price of this four start stuff).
Duragloss 105
I sealed the car up for winter. This was my first time using any kind of sealant. I stripped the car down with a strong wash solution, and applied the 105 with a foam applicator. It spread pretty easy and dries to a light haze. I buffed it off about 45min later, and I was amazed at how easily it comes off, might be even easier then a good paste wax. After letting it cure overnight, the car looks very shiny. It definatley adds alot of gloss. I think I can notice less depth then my usual nuba LSP, but again very glossy.
The next night I was parked outside by a friends house for awhile, came outside and it was moist and misty out. The mist that had formed on the car was in a very tight uniform beading pattern, it was really cool! Im expecting this stuff to leave some very durable long lasting protection. I think when I find time soon I will top it with my new XMT180, should look great.
So for the most part Im happy with my new stuff, I still have alot more products I havent really tested or even used, so come spring time Im gonna have alot to review. I may get some pics of the car after the wax, if I can get a nice day sometime soon.