APC's vs tire cleaners

Nick@Autogeek said:
Dedicated tire cleaners contain a component that is not found in all purpose cleaners, which is what makes them so effective at deep cleaning tires.

This same component is harmful for surfaces intended to be cleaned with an APC (ie: leather, vinyl, etc), which is why an APC does NOT contain this key ingredient.

If you don't plan on coating your tires, then you can get away with using an APC for routine cleaning, however choose your cleaner wisely as some APCs are caustic and what you think is dirt that's being removed from the tire is actually vital antiozonants and rubber conditioners leaching out from the surface due to the aggressiveness of the cleaner being used.

Keep in mind if you clean your vehicle every weekend, it's not necessary to clean the tires every single time you wash the car, especially if you apply a tire gel/spray on a regular basis. If and when you do use an APC to clean your tires as part of routine maintenance, dilute it 1:10 (or whatever the recommended dilution ratio is for "mild" strength). There's no need to use it full strength.

:dblthumb2:
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:dblthumb2:
 
silverfox said:
Interesting debate. Almost as good as the "special coating car soaps", or "dedicated MF cleaning" products.....yeah.
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SYMAWD said:
That one is ridiculous. The coating can withstand any chemical, but apparently needs a special car soap. Okay...
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I thought the idea of that "coating soap" was that precisely because the coating was chemical resistant, that "soap" could be extra strong to remove anything stuck to the coating, while if a "soap" like that was used on a regular LSP it would strip or degrade it. I mean right? Car soaps are designed to be gentle on the LSP, a coating doesn't need that, so a special coating soap could be a lot stronger to clean better while not effecting the coating.
 
Nick@Autogeek said:
Dedicated tire cleaners contain a component that is not found in all purpose cleaners, which is what makes them so effective at deep cleaning tires. Choose your cleaner wisely as some APCs are caustic and what you think is dirt that's being removed from the tire is actually vital antiozonants and rubber conditioners leaching out from the surface due to the aggressiveness of the cleaner being used.
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Thanks for validating my theory. :D (Autopia Forum - Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum )

Based on my experience some (cheap?) tire cleaners are caustic and seem to cause this leaching, as well. Anyway, I'm glad that the community is becoming aware of this because this can only lead to better, safer products and recommendations.
 
Carpro reset, which is touted as a "coating soap" will not strip away waxes any easier than other pH balanced soaps. I think the main marketing tactic is that it's a pure soap, which contains no gloss enhancers. There's other pure soaps out there, too.


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ZL1 Mark said:
Carpro reset, which is touted as a "coating soap" will not strip away waxes any easier than other pH balanced soaps. I think the main marketing tactic is that it's a pure soap, which contains no gloss enhancers. There's other pure soaps out there, too.
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Ok, I don't have any soaps like that, I'm still working on using up stuff I bought in 2006.
 
SYMAWD said:
That one is ridiculous. The coating can withstand any chemical, but apparently needs a special car soap. Okay...
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Setec Astronomy said:
I thought the idea of that "coating soap" was that precisely because the coating was chemical resistant, that "soap" could be extra strong to remove anything stuck to the coating, while if a "soap" like that was used on a regular LSP it would strip or degrade it. I mean right? Car soaps are designed to be gentle on the LSP, a coating doesn't need that, so a special coating soap could be a lot stronger to clean better while not effecting the coating.
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What's highlighted in bold is the idea behind some "coating" soaps.

I haven't personally used CarPro Reset yet, but I was involved with the testing and formulation of Black Label Diamond Coating Shampoo, and I can tell you that it is noticeably stronger than conventional "wax friendly" shampoo formulas. If I recall correctly, the pH is around 9 at the proper dilution. It removes stubborn road film like it's nobody's business, without clogging the pores of the coating or having any detrimental affect on the beading or sheeting. It's also more concentrated than any other soap we sell, and its lubricity is off the charts.

Can you live without it for your coated vehicle? Sure. Does following the manufacturer's directions make sense and ensure complete and total success with any given product? Yes.

Setec Astronomy said:
Thanks for validating my theory. :D (Autopia Forum - Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum )

Based on my experience some (cheap?) tire cleaners are caustic and seem to cause this leaching, as well. Anyway, I'm glad that the community is becoming aware of this because this can only lead to better, safer products and recommendations.
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The saying you get what you pay for applies here. :dblthumb2:

ZL1 Mark said:
Carpro reset, which is touted as a "coating soap" will not strip away waxes any easier than other pH balanced soaps. I think the main marketing tactic is that it's a pure soap, which contains no gloss enhancers. There's other pure soaps out there, too.


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That might be true, but a lot of it also has to do with synergistic chemical compatibility, and that leads us right back to this statement:

Nick@Autogeek said:
Does following the manufacturer's directions make sense and ensure complete and total success with any given product? Yes.
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:)
 
Jeff Wagner said:
I can say Nick you have great track record with me. The Detailers Pro tire cleaner is so good it starts cleaning before you can get a brush up to the tire. Kinda strange i did i video of it today after being so impressed with it. Ended up being able to pass a white glove test :xyxthumbs:
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I second that thought. And not to be a AG fanboy but...I've tried a bunch of tire cleaners including numerous APCs and I would give the new DP tire cleaner highest marks. And the DP kit is significantly better than Tuf Shine IMHO. Thanks as usual Nick!!

:props::props::props:
 
I've use M101 and it seems to be okay but now that the whole "caustic" thing came up, hmmmm. It seems like I should be using something more dedicated. With all the other product I've spent a fortune on I don't think I should cheap out now.
 
runrun411 said:
I've use M101 and it seems to be okay but now that the whole "caustic" thing came up, hmmmm. It seems like I should be using something more dedicated. With all the other product I've spent a fortune on I don't think I should cheap out now.
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People seem to like the Mother's Foaming Wheel and Tire Cleaner, I have a bottle of it that seems full, I'm actually not sure whether I tried it yet. I've been using OPC for tires and I like that a lot. I just got some more and diluted it at 3:1 (I was using the older version in that thread I linked above), so if that works ok it's pretty economical, comes up to $10/gallon of diluted.

Of course you can't argue with what people are saying about the DP and Tuf Shine cleaners, I haven't used them.
 
I use a mix of Bleache-White (full strength) and Super Clean (mixed 1:1)and it works out great for me. IMO its just as important to use the correct spray bottle and for me its an old ECO TOUCH spray bottle that foams the product, really brings the brown stuff to the surface in my useage :dblthumb2:
 
Klasse Act said:
I use a mix of Bleache-White (full strength) and Super Clean (mixed 1:1)and it works out great for me. IMO its just as important to use the correct spray bottle and for me its an old ECO TOUCH spray bottle that foams the product, really brings the brown stuff to the surface in my useage :dblthumb2:
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Ahhh I remember Bleache-White!

Shhhhh Roger, you'll get drawn and quartered around here for bringing that up! :D
 
ARO has worked well for me. I bought duragloss whitewall tire cleaner and that has worked even better. This is what I used for cleaning tire.
 
addysdaddy said:
I second that thought. And not to be a AG fanboy but...I've tried a bunch of tire cleaners including numerous APCs and I would give the new DP tire cleaner highest marks. And the DP kit is significantly better than Tuf Shine IMHO. Thanks as usual Nick!!

:props::props::props:
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Amazing that of all these different APCs that we all use, that tire cleaners have an extra something that APCs don't have. I don't like the point that Nick made about ARO. I gotta try that too.
 
runrun411 said:
Amazing that of all these different APCs that we all use, that tire cleaners have an extra something that APCs don't have. I don't like the point that Nick made about ARO. I gotta try that too.
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Tried ARO and found it very underwhelming. YMMV but...I've tested blackfire, pinnacle, meguiars, optimum, tuff shine, simple green, ARO and none worked better than the new DP tire cleaner.
 
Nick@Autogeek said:
some APCs are caustic and what you think is dirt that's being removed from the tire is actually vital antiozonants and rubber conditioners leaching out from the surface due to the aggressiveness of the cleaner being used.
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Does the new DP Hi-Intensity APC remove the vital ingredients when cleaning tires at 4:1? What about vinyl tops?
 
ZL1 Mark said:
Does the new DP Hi-Intensity APC remove the vital ingredients when cleaning tires at 4:1? What about vinyl tops?
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4:1 for tires (only if they're really dirty), then 10:1 for maintenance cleaning.

10:1 for vinyl convertible tops (it will not harm the vinyl, but I would recommend wetting the vinyl first).
 
I have been using Megs D101 diluted at 4:1 for my tires. Is that strong enough,or too much? That is the same ratio I used for D103.

I like 101,but the 103 seemed to do a better job IMO.

I used to used EO A2Z,or whatever they call it now. It worked really well,but it's way cheaper to use an APC.
 
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