DFB’s Detailing Awards 2024

[DFB]

##NOTE## - I've written this piece for a couple of other forums. However, I debated if I should put post this here too, mainly because it flaunts the product rules for this forum more than usual. So, I totally understand if this post is deleted. I did put a lot of work into it, so felt like I wanted to share it here too.

DFB’s Detailing Awards 2024

Well, if a certain Youtuber can give out yearly detailing awards, then why can’t I? The difference here though is I don’t have a conflict of interest, sell my own products, or get sent a bag of money to say nice things about average products and brands. So, the following is my inaugural detailing awards……………………….with guaranteed no deleting of videos or comments!

Best Tyre Cleaner (Dedicated) –

In a tyre cleaner, I want something that lathers up under agitation and delivers a nice bare rubber surface. I'm not sure why, but I’ve found products that lather nicely give the impression that they are cleaning more effectively.

1st - Shine Supply Wise Guy
I like how strong this product is and the value it provides. Lathers well and cleans exceptionally. Can also be used as a wheel cleaner if needed.

2nd – Carpro Retyre
I consider this product to be a sledgehammer, its foaming trigger helps deliver that lather I’m looking for to strip tyres bare. It’s a bit strong for regular use, hence Wise Guy winning overall as its more versatile.

3rd - Adams Rubber & Tire Cleaner
This is one of the best on the market but is priced out of contention in Australia, made worse by not being dilutable. But it cleans so well, which redeems the price shortcomings.

Best Wheel Cleaner -

This is a hard one to arrive at winner because there are three main types of wheel cleaner; alkaline, iron removing, acidic. No one is using acid anymore, so it comes down to if you need that iron-remover aspect.

1st - P&S Brake Buster
I like this because its versatile. Use undiluted for heavy duty wheel cleaning, or dilute for regular use. Used undiluted, it’s a great maintenance tyre cleaner. It also foams like a champ, which helps keep the product on the surface for longer. It’s also slick and lathers up nicely under agitation.

2nd - NV Purge
Now, if you are dealing with cars that produce a lot of brake dust, then this could be in 1st position for you. Purge is the best iron-remover wheel cleaner on the market and is relatively affordable compared to its competitors. Unlike a lot of similar products, Purge’s sulfur stench is well masked, and although not pleasant, its tolerable.

3rd - Armour Detail Supply Wheel Cleaner
This product works in a similar way to Purge, just without the value for money equation. It’s also had the stench well masked, even more so than Purge.

Best Tyre Dressing –

In this category, I’m looking for a water-based dressing that won’t sling, doesn’t need a jackhammer to remove, strikes that balance between matte to satin sheen, and is easy to apply.

1st - Obsessed Garage Tire Dressing
This is the dressing I’m using the most, it just nails the look I’m going for. It balances the higher price with excellent coverage from a small amount of product. It smells lovely too.

2nd - Armour Detail Supply Tire+
This has that little bit extra gloss compared to OG Tire Dressing, but is controllable to taste. Again, super easy to apply with great coverage and a delicious banana scent.

3rd - NV Onyx
This has been on the market for a while now, but it still ticks all of the boxes. It’s also very well priced and the caramel scent is to die for. I love Onyx when its been applied thickly, then levelled down to uniform satin sheen.

Best Bug Remover –

To be honest, most bug removers are the same thing. However, these are the three I find work best.

1st – Carpro Bug Out
This is the product I keep coming back to for its balance of price and performance. Although its more expensive in 4-litre size, its actually cheaper than the P&S product in smaller sizes.

2nd - P&S Buff Off
I’ve found this product to be just as effective as the other two here but offered at a more cost-effective price point in the larger gallon size.

3rd - Koch Chemie Insect & Dirt Remover
Another great performer, offered with the best bottle and sprayer here, the Carpro/P&S equivalent sprayers and junk.

Best Tar & Adhesive Remover –

A tar remover should make this tedious task a breeze, melting away tar without needing excessive agitation, if at all.

1st - Carpro TarX
Not the strongest, but arguably the safer of the products on this podium. It is however extremely effective, often not requiring agitation when used on a well protected vehicle or if dealt with promptly.

2nd - Koch Chemie Eulex
Ok, so you need to be careful with this stuff, its certainly a much stronger solvent. However, for stubborn tar and adhesive removal, it can make a tough job relatively easy. Just make sure to use it in a ventilated space and rinse treated areas promptly.

3rd - Stoner Tarminator
Another sledgehammer, but if you are reaching for a tar remover, generally other cleaning chemicals haven’t done their job, which warrants that extra muscle. Again, be careful with this product, its extremely potent. I also use this for occasional tyre deep cleaning, no idea why it works like this, but it does to perfection.

Best Iron Remover –

I once thought iron removers were all the same thing, however some work much better than others. All of them stink to some degree, so I’ve chosen proven performers that are the least offensive on the nose. Also, avoid the soaps infused with iron remover, they are too diluted and just aren’t effective enough.

1st - NV Purify
NV sell this as a combined iron remover and clay lube, but I only use it for iron removal. Like Purge, this product is one of the more palatable smelling of its type, but still extremely capable of dissolving iron contamination. Its also the best value here in Australia.

2nd - Carpro IronX
One of, if not THE, first iron removers on the market, and still a segment leader. There are cherry and lemon scented versions, but we only get the lemon. Even still, IronX stinks. But…………….its one of the most effective on the market.

3rd - Gyeon Q2M Iron / Redefined
The original was non-scented, meaning it was absolutely putrid, but arguably one of the most effective. The new Redefined version is supposed to be virtually odorless.

Best Clay Lubricant –

I think most people overcomplicate clay lube, in reality soapy water will do the job at a fraction of the price. But where is the fun in that?

1st - Carpro Clay Lube
Very similar to the Gyeon version in being dilutable, but is also said to contains no gloss enhancers or protective polymers. It’s also more affordable and available in a larger size. This product was recently renamed, from Immolube to Clay Lube, the Immolube name was repurposed for their PPF slip solution.

2nd - Gyeon Clay Lube
I never saw the need for a dedicated clay lube……………..until I used this product. Previously, I was using a Megs quick detailer, but this stuff is noticeably slicker, and smells lovely too. Dilutable to suit.

3rd - McKee’s N-914
To be honest, any rinse-less wash would work here, but being that N-914 is surfactant based, its not going to leave much behind after its use. Highly affordable too.

Prep Spray (IPA) –

With a prep spray, I’m looking for effective removal of polishing oils, is safe for every surface and evaporates in a controlled way. Compared to an IPA/water mix, these products offer lubricating qualities to reduce the risk of marring prior to coating, are less likely to soften clearcoat, and don’t flash too quickly, meaning they are more effective.

1st - Carpro Eraser
I didn’t even have to think about what I’d put in 1st position here, it was always going to be Eraser. It ticks all of the boxes; lubrication, controlled evaporation, effective streak free results…………..and the most delightful scent in the detailing industry.

2nd - Gyeon Prep
To be honest, toss a coin between Prep and Eraser as they are virtually the same thing, they even smell the same. Prep went in second due to the higher cost.

3rd - Rupes Reveal
There actually two versions of this, Lite or Strong. Lite is similar to Eraser, Strong is closer to the old Gtechniq Panel Wipe and best applied to the towel and not directly to the paint, ideal for a final wipe prior to coating. Both are sleeper products.

To be continued................................

 

[DFB]

Best All Purpose Cleaner –

I don’t use much APC, but when I do, I want it to work! These are where I’ve landed.

1st - Koch Chemie Green Star
Green Star is the “fad” APC at the moment, but its actually one of the few KCx products that isn’t overpriced. Highly dilutable to suit a variety of tasks, it lathers up beautifully and can even be foamed.

2nd - Bilt Hamber Surfex
I mostly use this stuff on my garden tools, its water-based formula is highly dilutable, out to 200:1. I’ve found it superbly capable at stripping away dirt, grease and oil.

3rd - Carpro Multi-X
I haven’t used this product, but I know many who love it. If Green Star wasn’t available, this would be what I’d chose.

Best Maintenance Wash Soap –

Here, I'm looking for a soap that is easy to pour, has high slickness, excellent foaming ability, can be used in a bucket or foam cannon, has a nice scent and offers free rinsing qualities. Bonus points for value as soap is a high-use rate product.

1st – Carpro Reset
Not much comes close to Reset, I keep trying other soaps, but none tick all the boxes to the same level as Reset. It’s on the higher end of the price scale, but you get what you pay for.

2nd – NV Snow
Every time I come back to this soap, I’m reminded of just how bloody good it is. Snow does just about everything Reset can do, but does so at a much lower price. The only reason it doesn’t eclipse Reset is the scent, which isn’t unpleasant, but Reset is better.

3rd – Shine Supply Shift
This is an undervalued soap in my opinion, but I have enjoyed using it from the moment I took a punt on it. It does command a higher price, and its slightly too thick when compared to the runny Reset and Snow, but the coconut-lime scent is lovely, it foams well, rinses well and is nicely slick.

Best Decon / Coating Refresh / Pre-wash Soap -

These soaps are used to deep clean a coating, deal with heavy road film prior to washing, or to strip existing waxes and sealants. A soap here needs to do the heavy lifting a pH neutral maintenance soap can’t. In most cases, we are talking a high alkaline product here, but there are now acid leaning options to deal with mineral content. I think each of these are products you need, but one is remarkable to the point where it naturally sits at the top.

1st – Bilt Hamber Touchless
No other soap I have used can clean like this can without agitation. You do need to be very accurate with your dilution ratios, but once you have it nailed, its easy and extremely effective. Touch-less is high alkaline, but its said to not strip waxes and coatings, or discolour trim with frequent use.

2nd – Carpo Descale
This is an acidic soap designed to remove mineral deposits that can clog up coatings or cause water spots. It will also strip waxes and sealants. It foams great as well.

3rd – Carpro Lift
Another high alkaline soap, but with less ability to clean in a touchless manner. It’s still very capable though, foams well and rinses freely. I would favour this over Touch-less if you intend on washing with agitation.

Best Rinse-less Wash –

This has become a very crowded segment of the car care market, to the point where its very hard to pick just three here because they do the job in different ways. I’ve tried to cover the three main subcategories here; surfactant-based, polymer-based and those that leave protection behind. I’ve then ranked these how I like them, so shuffle the deck to suit your needs.

1st - Armour Detail Supply Hero (Protective)
No doubt there are more capable “cleaners” in this category, but I’ve found this to be one of the slickest available and the easiest to dry afterwards. Smells amazing, mixes easily (unlike Absolute) and teams well with the ADS toppers.

2nd - Optimum No Rinse (Polymer)
The OG rinse-less wash that has gone through many revisions since it was launched more than a decade ago. I’ve only used the last two revisions, but the latest seems to easier to dry. I use this product in more ways than just a rinse-less, its so versatile, so cost effective. Kinda a staple product of my detailing pantry.

3rd - DIY Detail Rinse-less (Surfactant)
I typically don’t like surfactant rinse-less washes, they have a slightly tacky/sticky feel to them compared to that slickness brought by a polymer type. I could have listed N-914 here, but I prefer the DIY version, it seems to clean better and when teamed with their Ceramic Gloss, it’s a formidable combination. You can even add this to your windscreen washer fluid.

Best Drying Aid –

Oh boy, where do I start here, there are just so many to choose from! The single most important thing I’m looking for in a drying aid is ease of use, no excessive towel work to achieve a streak free finish. I also want GLOSS and SLICKNESS. If it smells nice, even better.

1st - Armour Detail Supply Amplify
Another product I didn’t have to think about, Amplify is my current go-to for its supreme ease of use, the gloss, the slickness, the amazing scent. It does it all! I keep expecting to find a catch, but after using it extensively now, it just keeps on delivering.

2nd - Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Detailer
Look, at full retail this product is too expensive, so make sure its on sale before buying. In any case, this is one of, if not THE, best product Meguiar’s currently makes. Its just so easy to work with, producing a clear, streak free finish with minimal towel work required. If only it had a more enticing scent, the one they chose is just a bit too 90’s for my liking. Still, a very accomplished product that I’ve re-bought many times now………………and that says it all.

3rd - P&S Bead Maker
Now, this product doesn’t always achieve that easy to use requirement, but its ability to add gloss and slickness to paint is almost unmatched in the detailing arena. I know it has some deficiencies (longevity, occasional streakiness, dusting), but I always love using Bead Maker, and that scent, yeah, I’d use it for that alone.

Best Quick Detailer –

The concept of a quick detailer is quite old fashioned these days, but I think they still have a place in the modern era of spray sealants and ceramic sprays. They offer supreme ease of use, delivering a pleasing boost in gloss and slickness without the risk of overdoing it like the drying aids listed above.

1st – P&S Paint Gloss
I instantly fell in love with this product that sits in the shadow of its Bead Maker brother. While it doesn’t quite match Bead Maker for gloss and slickness, its not far behind and doesn’t suffer from the dusting and streaking issues either. Smells amazing too.

2nd -Meguiar’s Last Touch
Between this and Paint Gloss, Last Touch is equally accomplished. However its edged out of top spot because of the higher asking price. This was my drying aid for a long time, but I’ve kept it around due to its ease of use.

3rd - Carpro ECH20
Technically a waterless wash concentrate, but when mixed at the quick detailer ratio, it's such a joy to use. Owing to the wax content of the formula, you do need to work a little harder to get that streak free finish. That wax element though is what makes it so slick and glossy. I love using this on black trim.

To be continued...............................

 

[DFB]

Best Spray Sealant –

Once upon a time, you basically had the option of Carpro Reload or a variety of spray waxes. Now, its hard to know where to start. These products have come on in leaps and bounds, being much easier to apply with far less streaking or the need to follow some convoluted application process. These are what get my money………

1st - Armour Detail Supply Ceramic Spray Sealant
Surely the easiest ceramic sprays out there, and I’ve tried a lot of them. It’s also supposed to last 6-months, which easily eclipses most, then provides coating-like hydrophobics. Expensive, but a little goes a long way.

2rd - Carpro Reload 2.0
Many didn’t like the first version of Reload, mainly from a streaking point of view, but I didn’t mind it. The second version made improvements to the ease of application, requiring less toweling to level down streaks. I’ve found 2.0 to be very forgiving, if not as long lived as the ADS or KCx.

3rd - Koch Chemie S0.02
The biggest drawback to S0.02 is the asking price, just under a $100 for 500ml, which keeps it going any further than third. But on the flipside, its super easy to apply with virtually no streaking, even on black paint. Longevity is decent, while gloss and slickness are its hallmarks.

Best Wax or Sealant –

While an outdated method for protecting your car, these products still have a place, offering the tactility missing from a coating or spray sealant. There is something so magical about wiping off a wax or sealant, almost a form of stress relief. Here you trade off chemical resistance and longevity but are rewarded by the slickness and warmer glow added to the paint.

1st - Collinite 845
Fun fact, this product wasn’t originally designed for cars, its primary use was as an electrical insulator. It’s also a synthetic wax, so it's hard to place this product as a wax or a sealant. Either way, 845 works so well on car paint, where it delivers a warmer gloss than a coating, and more slickness to boot. No fancy bottle or fruity fragrance here, just a dam good wax for your car.

2nd - Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant
I considered not putting this product down as its no longer available from Australian vendors, but you can sometimes get it on Amazon. Why bother with it then? Because its sheer joy to apply, sheer joy to wipe off, and sheer joy to look at once you are done. Not the strongest out there, but can be layered with a wax if you need more durability. A true old-school product with old-school charm.

3rd - Menzerna PowerLock
This product used to the ducks nuts, but time has left it behind. Thing is, its still a very nice product to apply, probably one of the easiest wipe-off’s you will experience with a product like this.

Best Ceramic Coating –

I’m not the best ceramic coater or the biggest fan of them either, but just like the above category, they have their place. My key requirement for a coating is for it to be slick, which is not often present without the use of topping agents, in effect making them a two-layer product. The below are all single layer products, and apart from CanCoat, slick too.

1st - Armour Detail Supply Quartz
I have this on my Mustang and really like how it looks and feels. I found it very grabby on the wipe off, but it then transforms into a lovely slick surface. Not cheap, but its claimed durability is supposed to be a conservative number and users can expect more.

2nd - Gyeon Mohs Evo
I was always going to use this on the Mustang but changed my mind late in the piece. The main reason why I had shortlisted it was due to its natural slickness when compared to Gyeon Pure EVO. It’s also said to be more user friendly to apply, both in terms of previous Gyeon coatings and its key competitors.

3rd - Gyeon CanCoat Evo
This is a weird one because it's not a traditional ceramic coating due to its sprayable nature. But it's also way more durable than a typical spray sealant, offering up to and beyond 12-month longevity, I got 18-months out it. For what is such an easy and forgiving application, the hydrophobics are astounding. It’s only main drawback is the lack of natural slickness.

Best Multi-Surface Dressing -

I really only use these as an engine bay dressing or for quickly refreshing wheel arch liners. Still, a must have for any car guy.

1st - Meguiar’s Hyper Dressing
Most people will be screaming at their screen when reading this section, “where is the Koch Chemie Motorplast?”. Granted, Motorplast works in a similar way, as in a self-leveling dressing that works best on a wet surface, but I just don’t love it. Hyper Dressing is more versatile, can be dialed in to your specific taste, smells better and looks better. Overall, Motorplast is just too glossy for my taste.

2nd - Carpro Perl
A close second place here because Perl is such a great product. But its probably a better tyre dressing than a trim dressing. Again, I just keep returning to Hyper Dressing for these roles.

3rd - 303 Protectant
An oldie, but a goodie. Unlike the two above, this is ready to use without dilution. Probably the most subtle dressing you can use on plastic and rubber, offers superior UV protection and is fragrance free too.

Best Glass Cleaner –

I hate cleaning glass, so I want a product that makes this tedious task less tedious. Where I normally love a scented product, I’ve found the best glass cleaners are the ones without a fragrance and/or lacking in colour. They just clean glass, end of story.

1st - Stoner Invisible Glass
I’ve tried cheaper, I’ve tried more expensive, but I keep coming back to this product because it just works! No fancy bottles or labels, no scent, not colour. Just a dam good glass cleaner.

2nd - P&S True Vue
This does everything Invisible Glass does, but with the benefit of being sold in gallon/concentrate form, which allows you to tailor the dilution to suit winter and summer conditions. Again, no scent, although its blue in colour.

3rd - Gyeon Q2M Glass
This is basically the only “premium” glass cleaner I’ve liked. Clear in colour, it does have a nice scent but doesn’t seem to suffer from it. Not outrageously expensive either.

To be continued.....................................

 

[DFB]

Best Interior Cleaner –

For an interior cleaner, I want something that is pH neutral, lathers nicely under agitation, leaves no residue and is multi-surface safe.

1st - P&S Xpress
This is one of those products I knew was a winner within the first 30-seconds of use. I love how it lathers, love the residue free finish, I love the scent. I’m mostly using this on plastics, but it makes a great leather cleaner too.

2nd - Griots Interior Cleaner
This is going to be hard to find for those in Australia, the brand is not officially sold here. I really like this product because its fragrance and colour free, sometimes those two elements are not wanted or needed. Again, residue free and multi-surface safe.

3rd - Koch Chemie Pol Star
Compared to the other two, this product is dilutable to suit the intended use. I mainly use this for carpet/fabric cleaning, but it’s a safe cleaner for all interior surfaces, including leather.

Best Interior Detailer -

I find myself using these products more than an interior cleaner. For the most part, these are used to refresh an already clean interior, but can be used to do some heavier lifting with agitation.

1st - Armour Detail Supply Pilot
I know I gush about this product quite a lot, but it truly is an exceptional addition to my cabinet. I’d use it for the scent alone, but I also love how it wipes on and flashes away to a completely matte residue free finish. Out of these three, it probably offers the most cleaning ability too.

2nd - Carpro InnerQD
Previous to ADS Pilot, this was my favourite interior detailer. And its still in high rotation for the same reasons outlined above. Really, the only reason why this came second was due to the spiced pear scent of Pilot. Both are winners.

3rd - P&S Swift
Swift offers the most dressing potential of this trio, which may or may not be what you are looking for. Still, the enhancement is subtle and its accompanied by a very unique “orange-sickle” scent. I love using this for dressing rubber floor mats.

Best Leather Cleaner –

Probably a redundant category considering how the three interior cleaners above work on leather too. Still, I prefer having these cleaners on board to offer more targeted cleaning ability, while remaining completely safe.

1st - ColourLock Strong or Mild Leather Cleaners
Which of these you choose will depend on what level of cleaning you need. Both of these are foaming cleaners, Mild will have you sorted in most situations, but having Strong on hand is great for dealing with steering wheels. Scent and colour free.

2nd - NV Cleanse
Another foaming leather cleaner, but in a single/simplified offering. It’s also more affordable and matches the ColourLock duo for a lack of scent.

3rd - Koch Chemie Pol Star
This is typically used in a spray bottle, but can be put into a foaming bottle like the above products. However, its also dilutable to suit your needs, meaning its more economical to use and a great option if you have a lot of leather to clean. Scent free.

Best Leather Conditioner –

I’m pretty anal when it comes to how leather looks after its been cleaned. If you have spent all that time and effort removing dirt, oils and grime, why put something back on that makes it look dirty again, as in gloss. These products don’t do that, while also being beneficial to modern automotive leather, something a lot of companies get wrong.

1st - ColourLock Leather Shield or Protector
Both of these go on quite glossy, but level down to a completely matte, OEM finish. No scents, no colorants, no glossy or oily finish. Use Shield up to 3 years old, then switch to Protector from then onward.

2nd - NV Nourish
Again, a simplified single product approach when compared to ColourLock. Nourish is probably a more convenient product to apply, it can be sprayed directly onto the surface and levelled with a towel or applicator. It has a very mild leather fragrance and produces a soft, natural looking finish.

3rd - Geist Leather Conditioner
Like the ColourLock stuff, this can actually benefit PU coated leather. It does produce a slight amount of sheen, but is largely fragrance free. There is also a heavy focus on safety with this brand, both in terms of the material and user.

Best Finishing Polish Compound –

These compounds are all about gloss, refining the finish to produce high clarity.

1st - Carpro Reflect
I love this stuff, it's main attractions being a complete lack of dusting and a very easy wipe off. Teamed with the right pad, it can do more correction than you might think.

2nd - Rupes DA Fine
This is a non-diminishing compound that I’ve found can deliver some decent cut on a more aggressive pad, or as a jeweling polish on a softer foam pad. Pretty easy to work with too.

3rd – Carpro Essence
This is probably more of an all-in-one polish in that it leaves behind a layer of Si02. I will often use this prior to laying down a coating, but it can be used elsewhere too. Like Reflect, this stuff is so nice to play with, producing no dust and a super easy wipe off.

Best Cutting Compound –

I don’t use these very often, but a heavier compound is worth having. These don’t offer the same ease of use compared to the above, but they are some of the better ones on the market.

1st - Scholl S2 Black
I only used this recently, but I was shocked at how nice it was to play with, especially the wipe off. Used on a dark grey Subaru, it surprisingly finished out very nicely as well.

2nd - Rupes DA Coarse
Like the yellow DA Fine, this is a non-diminishing compound, meaning it will continuing cutting right till the end of the cycle. For severe defects, this maximizes your working time.

3rd - Sonax Cut Max
This stuff is aggressive, so I’ve never really needed it on paint. I have though used it on headlights with a blue wool to great effect. If you deal with rock hard German paint, this might be your savior.



Best On-Step Compound –

These products are normally what I settle on, the take the hassle out of paint correction in that they can deal with defects but finish with good clarity.

1st - Sonax Perfect Finish
I keep coming back to this compound for its versatility and ease of use. It can be used as a light finishing polish on harder paints with a foam polishing pad or dialed up to do some decent correction with a heavier foam or wool pad. The name is more in line with it being a diminishing compound that can cut and finish nicely, rather than being a pure finishing polish. Relatively dust free if not over-worked.

2nd - Scholl S20 Black –
The only drawback to S20 is the dusts a bit, but its supremely capable of high-level correction without leaving behind a mess. I’d probably say its got more cut than Perfect Finish but will still finish out nicely.

3rd - Griots Fast Correcting Cream
This could probably go in the above category, but the fact it finishes nicely without a second step is what lands it here. Arguably Griots best product, it can certainly do some heavy lifting.

Best Metal Polish –

I’ve found not to over complicate this task, just stick with the tried and true.

1st - P21S Polishing Soap
In most cases, this product is going to maintain your chrome and exhaust tips without messy metal polishing, all while washing your car. A bit of a hidden gem in the detailing industry, one that they probably make no money one because a tub of this stuff is going to serve you for 20 years, in fact you will wear out the sponge before you run out polish.

2nd – Autosol Metal Polish
For those situations where the P21S hasn’t done the job, then this stuff will have you sorted. An oldie but a goodie, I like this because of the toothpaste style format makes it easier to dispense.

3rd – Mothers Mag and Aluminium Polish
Again, a very old and well proven product that just works. Available everywhere.

To be continued.................................

 

[DFB]

The Sin Bin!

Not every product, tool or brand on the market is worthy of your money. Some products are merely average at best, some are overpriced, some are poorly managed. The following are my sin-bin "winners" for 2024 –

1st – YouTuber’s who treat their viewers as mugs!
Look, this is more of an insider observation that I have made over the last 6-months. Some of these detailing channels have built a huge following, earning themselves a tidy living in the process. And why not, making videos to a high standard is way more work than many realize. I have nothing against these people creating their own products or using their hard-earned viewer base to generate sales. But to treat them as complete fools by playing games and pulling silly stunts is pretty low. It's also delusional to think that this behavior wouldn't be called out, not to mention then turning on your viewers and labeling them as trolls for daring to question this behavior.

2nd – Bilt Hamber Trace-less
I really, really don’t want to put this here, but……………………….I just couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room………………….this stuff DOES leave traces behind. My initial use of this product was impressive, it evaporates almost instantly, making glass cleaning seemingly simple. But I noticing streaks left behind after use. I continued trying it using different methods but kept getting the same problem………………ghosting and streaking. The problem here is the product flashes far too quickly in this climate, meaning it doesn’t actually absorb properly into the towel to remove what you are trying to clean away. I suspect this product would be fine in the winter, or in its natural UK environment. I bought a gallon of this stuff……………….all virtually useless.

3rd – Distributors running good brands into the ground
This is another observation that has only gotten worse and worse since the pandemic. What I’m talking about here is distributors who are responsible for importing and on-selling well known detailing brands, then running them into the ground with ridiculous pricing and poor stock control. Anyone who reads my posts will know at least two brands that I’m referring to here. Both brands are highly desirable, produce high quality tools and products that are aimed at professionals and pro-sumers. In other words, customers who value quality are being treated like mugs. The result? Well, the pros can’t justify the spend, so they go elsewhere. And with how fast this industry evolves, the pro-sumers will follow eventually as well. And what are they left with then? A recognized name with high quality products that no one wants to buy because they are too expensive or not available.

The Final Show Down!

So, which of the above shone brightest this year? Which exceeded my expectations? Which is the product I’m most excited to grab? So, rather than the “everyone’s a winner” approach above, these are the true winners for this year………………………….

1st – Armour Detail Supply
I was going to name two products from ADS as first and second, but then that wouldn’t do just to the whole range, which are all winners in my opinion. Pilot, Amplify and the wheel coating are my favorite products in their respective categories……………by considerable margin. But then you consider how universally good the whole range is, well, its very impressive to create such a cohesive product line, especially for such a young company. I also like how the owners are receptive and engage with their customers, both in product support and with feedback. This is how you launch a brand, build it up with good products and customer engagement to the point where it's picked up by one of the biggest distributors in the world. A job well done.

2nd – Bilt Hamber Touch-less
I was late to the party on this one, and in most cases, I don’t really need it either. But there is no denying how capable this product is, one of the very few products on the market that comes close to safe touchless car washing. Don't expect it to be a fully touch-less method of washing, but it certainly helps remove the bulk of grime from the vehicle, making the contact wash safer in the process. You also need to be very accurate in calculating your dilution/panel impact ratio, but once calculated, you can set and forget. The latest formula is also more concentrated, meaning you use less product per application. Not a product I always use, but one I certainly appreciate when dealing with ultra dirty cars.

3rd – TRC Rip-n-Rag
Now, having microfiber towels on a roll or in a box is not a new concept, but the difference here is these are actually nice towels. Even though the GSM is low, the 70/30 blend means they are soft and absorbent compared to the junk sold elsewhere. Super handy for tasks that would otherwise ruin a nice towel, think metal polishing, tyre cleaning, dressing knock downs, dirty jobs, even ceramic coatings. I’m also using them for oil checks and machinery maintenance. For as little as 87-cents per towel, they can be binned as needed.

Honorable Mentions –

MTM PF22.2 (Wide Mouth) –
The PF22.2 has been a leader in the foam cannon space for a long time now, but the narrow bottle opening made it tedious to fill and empty. With the new wide mouth bottle and adaptor, its completely transformed the user experience. Props to MTM for offering the adaptor and bottle separately, which means an existing foam cannon can easily be upgraded.

Maxshine XL Curved Grip Brushes –
Look, I know these are a knockoff of the Detail Factory Curveball and Screwball, but at half the price, they were worth the look for me and have proven durable. These quickly became two of my favorite brushes. The soft version I use for cleaning wheel faces, more ergonomic that typical brushes used for this task. I then use a separate version for applying tyre dressing on larger sidewalls, the density of the bristles provides a self-leveling effect and excellent coverage. The firmer “mixed” bristle version I also use for tyre dressing, in particular on low profile sidewalls. The benefit of using a brush for this task means you don’t get dressing all over your hands and therefore negates the need for gloves.

Final Thoughts -

And with that, thus concludes my fancy awards ceremony. No stunts, no suss winners, no paid partnerships, no tantrums……………………..just my opinion after living and breathing this stuff for so long.

Happy detailing and thanks for reading my dribble this year, it's been a savior during some very hard times, both physically and mentally.

 

[Hobbit]

I still really like Perfect Finish too. It treats me very well and it can cut. It seems to be getting a reputation in some circles that it can't remove defects. I've removed some decent defects using Perfect Finish with a 15mm and some different cutting pads - wool, microfiber and foam.

I'm curious, have you used anything from Labocosmetica? For value they blow Carpro out of the water in many cases in Canada. IE cleaning chemicals. Panel wipe and iron decon would be 2 examples.

Going to have to look for those maxshine brushes. I would never get one from detail factory. I don't clean enough cars for that..

 

[DFB]

I still really like Perfect Finish too. It treats me very well and it can cut. It seems to be getting a reputation in some circles that it can't remove defects.

I'm curious, have you used anything from Labocosmetica?

Going to have to look for those maxshine brushes. I would never get one from detail factory. I don't clean enough cars for that..

With Perfect Finish, it apparently has some fillers in it, so I'm guessing those who criticize it are latching onto the filling aspect hiding defects and not removing them.

I'm not sure why, but the Labocosmetica brand just doesn't speak to me. Give it time, I'm sure I'll dive in at some point, but I just haven't been drawn to them.

Those brushes at that price make more sense than paying twice that for the Detail Factory stuff. I'm a massive DF fan, but it takes a leap of faith to use a $75 AUD brush for tyre dressing duties. I mean, there are plenty of similar brushes on the market now, the Maxshine's are more expensive than the ones on Amazon. However, I like how the Maxshine's have their own unique twist in having removable bristles, meaning you can buy the kit with both bristle heads and swap them using a single handle...........................or buy them separately like I have. They also have a better plastic storage stand than the DF versions.

 

[JDGolden]

Great write up! I read all of it but will be coming back to check here when I need something. I’ve certainly taken recommendations from members here regarding products. As a matter of fact, I just used one of your recommendations yesterday; Griots Interior Cleaner. Great product.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Desertnate]

Great write up!

I've always been someone who avoided going "all in" on any one particular brand/product line, but ADS is pulling me dangerously close. I doubt I'll totally give up some of my favorites, but ADS looks like it will gain more shelf space in my garage.

 

[BrrrBrrr is verified member.]

I don't post on here a whole lot because I usually have nothing meaningful to add to any conversations, but I just want to say I appreciate your reviews and I usually buy products based on a few members recommendations, you being one of them. So, thank you.

 

[Flash Gordon]

Great write up. I couldn't do something like this in 1,000,000 years.
I bet you could get a job doing this. At minimum a bunch of free products to test

 

[DFB]

Great write up. I couldn't do something like this in 1,000,000 years.
I bet you could get a job doing this. At minimum a bunch of free products to test

Funny you say that, over the last 18-months I've been writing articles for an Australian detailing supplier, helping flesh out the blog/buyers guide section of their webstore. It's actually been a huge confidence boost for me personally, while being able to have a (very small) part in the industry and being privy to some insider info, for example I knew the ADS brand was coming months before it went on sale, same for Labocosmetica.

It's a very different style of writing, instead of my usual longform style here, I need to be mindful of being concise and integrating product links. It's all about hitting keywords to maximize search results and speaking to a much wider customer base. Put it this way, I need to refrain from using typical detailing lexicon, instead being more general so as to not alienate the novice.

In terms of being paid for this service, I was given a couple of options, including free product. Personally, I chose to be paid per article, I think that is the best way to remain somewhat independent and impartial. I then have control over what I review or write about, meaning I'm not writing about products I don't believe in. For example, being the Australian distributor for ADS, I've written extensively about the brand because I like and believe in the products, of which I bought every one of them with my own money.

At one point, I was sent the entire Bilt Hamber product lineup with the intent of doing a range review. Some of those products I would have naturally bought, some of them I would have chosen another brand instead. But because it was all free, naturally there is pressure to perform favorably for the brand and company I'm working for. I didn't like that. So instead, I focused on delivering an article that properly explained what each product does and is used for, because I don't know about others, but I find the Bilt Hamber product descriptions to be very ambiguous. So, my article provided value by making the products more approachable.

I won't post the company in question here, but if you would like the link, send me a PM and hook you up.

 

[Klasse Act]

Wow Deyon...WHAT A REVIEW

Thankfully I've got many of the products in your awards and your wrap up is spot on, ADS took 2024 by storm, no doubt about it️

That said, have you tried CarPro WheelX yet...

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[DFB]

Wow Deyon...WHAT A REVIEW

Thankfully I've got many of the products in your awards and your wrap up is spot on, ADS took 2024 by storm, no doubt about it️

That said, have you tried CarPro WheelX yet...

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

No doubt WheelX cleans well, but using it for the first time, I contemplated putting it back in the cabinet and grabbing something else after doing the first wheel.

I don't expect an iron-remover type wheel cleaner to smell like roses, so the following is not a subjective assessment on fruity scents, but rather a deal breaker caused by a lack of attention to detail. The stench of WheelX is revolting. You can certainly tell its acidic in how it stings your nostrils, and I found the odor hung around for hours afterwards. Even IronX manages to tame some of the stench, let alone the leaders in this space, NV Purge/Purify and ADS Iron Remover/Wheel Cleaner. And even though those products still stink, they are far, far less offensive and frankly, there is no excuse for this anymore. Maybe I should have put this on the Sin Bin list.

And I say all of that as a Carpro fan boy, but WheelX would have to be one of the worst I've tried last year, and because of that, the worst Carpro product. I only ordered the small 500ml bottle, thank goodness, I'll begrudgingly use it up eventually.

 

[Klasse Act]

.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[Setec Astronomy]

If anybody gets a hold of the SDS for WheelX let us know what's in there. I looked for one but couldn't find.

 

[Flash Gordon]

Funny you say that, over the last 18-months I've been writing articles for an Australian detailing supplier, helping flesh out the blog/buyers guide section of their webstore. It's actually been a huge confidence boost for me personally, while being able to have a (very small) part in the industry and being privy to some insider info, for example I knew the ADS brand was coming months before it went on sale, same for Labocosmetica.

It's a very different style of writing, instead of my usual longform style here, I need to be mindful of being concise and integrating product links. It's all about hitting keywords to maximize search results and speaking to a much wider customer base. Put it this way, I need to refrain from using typical detailing lexicon, instead being more general so as to not alienate the novice.

In terms of being paid for this service, I was given a couple of options, including free product. Personally, I chose to be paid per article, I think that is the best way to remain somewhat independent and impartial. I then have control over what I review or write about, meaning I'm not writing about products I don't believe in. For example, being the Australian distributor for ADS, I've written extensively about the brand because I like and believe in the products, of which I bought every one of them with my own money.

At one point, I was sent the entire Bilt Hamber product lineup with the intent of doing a range review. Some of those products I would have naturally bought, some of them I would have chosen another brand instead. But because it was all free, naturally there is pressure to perform favorably for the brand and company I'm working for. I didn't like that. So instead, I focused on delivering an article that properly explained what each product does and is used for, because I don't know about others, but I find the Bilt Hamber product descriptions to be very ambiguous. So, my article provided value by making the products more approachable.

I won't post the company in question here, but if you would like the link, send me a PM and hook you up.

Good for you mate!!
Someone here should hire you to help run the forum/put on sales/showcase products
@Admin

 

[Prange]

Thanks for all your insight and extensive reviews. They're much appreciated.

 

[Klasse Act]

Thanks for all your insight and extensive reviews. They're much appreciated.

He's our Pan minus being disingenuous

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[BrrrBrrr is verified member.]

On your best drying aid section, did you ever try the concoction Jamie the Cleaner calls 'Clean Maker' that consist of of 10 parts beadmaker and 1 part dream maker? It's supposedly really good.

I would also like to see your recommendations for categories like brushes, pump sprayer, drying towels rinseless towels, etc.)