Adam's All Purpose Cleaner...

[TH3M B0N3Z]

I'm very intrigued by Adam's APC because not only does it work on wheels, tires and engine bays, but it is also used for cleaning foam pads. I also have an upcoming project which involves working on my girlfriend's '99 Ford Taurus. The wheels are so black, car soap will hardly bust through the dirt and brake dust, so this APC will really help.

I do have one concern, though. I painted my brake calipers some time ago, (red, for anyone who cares to know) and I never painted them with a coat of clear. Will the Adam's APC eat through the caliper paint at all? If the APC will harm them, I just won't use it on my wheels, as my car gets washed once a week and the wheels are never terribly dirty or hard to clean.

 

[camaro2ssblack]

No it won't eat thru anything but never let any APC dry on a painted surface. It is a great APC but only sold in RTU form.

 

[IID]

I'm very intrigued by Adam's APC because not only does it work on wheels, tires and engine bays, but it is also used for cleaning foam pads. I also have an upcoming project which involves working on my girlfriend's '99 Ford Taurus. The wheels are so black, car soap will hardly bust through the dirt and brake dust, so this APC will really help.

I do have one concern, though. I painted my brake calipers some time ago, (red, for anyone who cares to know) and I never painted them with a coat of clear. Will the Adam's APC eat through the caliper paint at all? If the APC will harm them, I just won't use it on my wheels, as my car gets washed once a week and the wheels are never terribly dirty or hard to clean.

Did you use the "Caliper" paint from DupliColor or G2?
If you did they should be "Oil and chemical resistant".With that being said,I have used OPC,PB Touchless Wheel Cleaner,Megs APC to clean mine and they still look like the day I painted them and that was seven months ago.

 

[TH3M B0N3Z]

No it won't eat thru anything but never let any APC dry on a painted surface. It is a great APC but only sold in RTU form.

What's RTU? I'm about to buy the gallon size because it's the best value and I have a spare Griot's spray bottle lying around.

So as long as I don't allow the APC to dry on the painted calipers, it'll be alright?

 

[fenderpicks]

Did you use the "Caliper" paint from DupliColor or G2?
If you did they should be "Oil and chemical resistant".With that being said,I have used OPC,PB Touchless Wheel Cleaner,Megs APC to clean mine and they still look like the day I painted them and that was seven months ago.

im not sure if brake fluid/ brake cleaner is consider as "CHEMICAL" to G2 caliper paint.
But when i got brake fluid/brake cleaner, it dulled my G2 calipers

 

[TH3M B0N3Z]

Did you use the "Caliper" paint from DupliColor or G2?
If you did they should be "Oil and chemical resistant".With that being said,I have used OPC,PB Touchless Wheel Cleaner,Megs APC to clean mine and they still look like the day I painted them and that was seven months ago.

I used the brush-on DupliColor caliper paint. The only thing the paint is not resistant to is brake cleaner... lol. I recently repainted the front calipers. I should have put clear paint over the red. They're holding up pretty well, but the occasional rock chips occur and some flaking. Even after I repainted the front left caliper, it still flakes and chips once in a while, requiring a touch-up. Maybe I'll look into that kit that includes primer and self-leveling paint. Can't remember the brand name at the moment.

 

[IID]

im not sure if brake fluid/ brake cleaner is consider as "CHEMICAL" to G2 caliper paint.
But when i got brake fluid/brake cleaner, it dulled my G2 calipers

Ahh,Thanks for the heads up.Guess I wont let any brake fluid/cleaner get near my calipers then :xyxthumbs:

 

[IID]

I used the brush-on DupliColor caliper paint. The only thing the paint is not resistant to is brake cleaner... lol. I recently repainted the front calipers. I should have put clear paint over the red. They're holding up pretty well, but the occasional rock chips occur and some flaking. Even after I repainted the front left caliper, it still flakes and chips once in a while, requiring a touch-up. Maybe I'll look into that kit that includes primer and self-leveling paint. Can't remember the brand name at the moment.

This is what I used on my DD (its a 2part mixed system):
G2 Brake Caliper Paint Systems: G2 Brake Caliper Paint System Set

Funny the product web-page mentions:
"Not only is the G2™ system attractive, but it offers great chemical and physical protection to the caliper. Brake fluids and dust, road salt, dirt, even loose gravel can't harm the high-gloss finish"

 

[TH3M B0N3Z]

This is what I used on my DD (its a 2part mixed system):
G2 Brake Caliper Paint Systems: G2 Brake Caliper Paint System Set

Funny the product web-page mentions:
"Not only is the G2™ system attractive, but it offers great chemical and physical protection to the caliper. Brake fluids and dust, road salt, dirt, even loose gravel can't harm the high-gloss finish"

That's an expensive kit, but it sure does look nice. I think my DupliColor kit did a good job, but the paint starts chipping and sometimes the low strength of a regular hose can chip paint off if the paint itself is already chipping. Maybe I'll strip off all the caliper paint and try a really good kit someday.

Went ahead and ordered the Adam's APC. Its main uses will be for my foam polishing/waxing pads and hand applicators, but also to tackle my girlfriend's nasty wheels. And detailing has started to become a side job for me, so I imagine the APC will help me there, as well.

Thanks for all the info, everyone!

EDIT: I say expensive, but I saw that it's only $46.99... thought I saw a price around 100 bucks, lol. Not sure what I was looking at. However, I found that G2 kit fot about 10 bucks cheaper on Amazon. =)

 

[ihaveacamaro]

What's RTU? I'm about to buy the gallon size because it's the best value and I have a spare Griot's spray bottle lying around.

So as long as I don't allow the APC to dry on the painted calipers, it'll be alright?

I have painted calipers, had them professionally painted and used Adam's APC straight on it with no issue.

RTU means Ready-To-Use.

I agree that it's a good all purpose cleaner, however it does seem to lack bite when diluted. Used straight, it should do great for you.

 

[TH3M B0N3Z]

I have painted calipers, had them professionally painted and used Adam's APC straight on it with no issue.

RTU means Ready-To-Use.

I agree that it's a good all purpose cleaner, however it does seem to lack bite when diluted. Used straight, it should do great for you.

Awesome. Thanks for your answer.

 

[swanicyouth]

FYI, you can get 16 oz of Sonus APC for about 12 bucks. This dilutes to 4-5 gallons of a great APC. You can also get a gallon of Meg's APC + for about $16 that will make up to 10 gallons of APC. Or for about $23 bucks, you can get a gallon of Chemical Guy's Grime Reaper APC that dilutes to 6 gallons of a pretty strong cleaner. All of them clean pads pretty well.

 

[TH3M B0N3Z]

FYI, you can get 16 oz of Sonus APC for about 12 bucks. This dilutes to 4-5 gallons of a great APC. You can also get a gallon of Meg's APC + for about $16 that will make up to 10 gallons of APC. Or for about $23 bucks, you can get a gallon of Chemical Guy's Grime Reaper APC that dilutes to 6 gallons of a pretty strong cleaner. All of them clean pads pretty well.

I appreciate your input, but I already purchased the Adam's APC. Seems like it'll do fine. :xyxthumbs: