DFB's Garage

2025 XR6 Detail – Part 3

The following post covers the finishing touches.

Glass –

With the glass polished, it was time to get something back on it. After removing all of the remaining tape from the vehicle, I went around with a towel and Carpro Eraser to lift off any remaining polish residue and dust from the window rubbers and trims, a task I always hate doing but has to be done. All exterior glass was wiped down with Eraser, followed by undiluted IPA.

Product of choice for the glass was Gyeon Quick View. Applied to all glass and left to bond for at least 5-minutes, the residue is buffed using a damp towel. I follow with glass cleaner for a streak free finish.



Rear Bumper Diffuser –

I had planned on applying Solution Finish to this unpainted black plastic bumper insert. However, after cleaning with Eraser and IPA, the surface came up pretty good. So instead, I applied a heavy coating of Carpro Reload and called it good.

At some point I need to clean and scuff the inside of the exhaust tip in preparation for a dusting of fresh black paint. I've done this a few times over the life of the car.



Grill Treatment –

Ford used a strangle semi-gloss plastic on the FG XR upper and lower grills, not full piano black as is the current fad, but not unpainted black plastic either. I treat these areas in one of two ways, a spray and rinse sealant such as Hydr02, or a very obscure product from my Autoglym days………………..today I went with the later.

Autoglym Instant Show Shine is hard to describe. At first glance, you’d assume this is an aerosol trim dressing like Mothers Naturally Black, however you can also use it on paint and glass. I therefore have no idea what’s in it, but for whatever reason it works really well on areas that are hard to reach or fiddly to detail. Being an aerosol, its super easy to get full coverage of intricate grills like this, simply spray and wipe away the residue.

This is the last Autoglym product I have in my cabinet, purely because of its unique USP. Back in the 2000’s, we didn’t have access to online ordering in Australia until late in the decade. That meant an auto store was your only product outlet unless you knew of a body shop or paint retailer who stocked a special brand. And so Autoglym was a step above what was available in auto stores at the time. Now? Well apart from a few bits and pieces, they are making legacy products that haven’t been changed in 20 years. Once online shopping became available, and Bowden’s became big, there wasn’t any reason to buy Autoglym anymore, they got left behind.



With the tyres dressed and the engine bay wiped down, that’s a wrap on the XR6 detail.



Thanks for reading.
 
I remember using Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection back in the day, I don't even remember if I finished it, I think it was around the time I started using spray sealants, like Concours Crystal Seal Energise, which I think was the predecessor of the NV spray sealants. I haven't used the Autoglym Show Shine, but I have used their Bumper and Trim Detailer, which is also an aerosol product, I still have a little bit left, probably just enough to use on the FJ's grill, sounds like a plan for after the next wash.
 
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Thank you to all that posted and reached out, it means more than you know. I think I was so numbed yesterday, it all happened so quickly. Today has been horribly tough, I haven’t felt this level of pain since my mentoring grandmother passed 15 years ago. I now understand what people describe as feeling empty, a sense of breathlessness and a deep tension from within that cannot to be elevated.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your mate and companion I'm not really good with trying to put words down, better saying them in person,

But with everyday it gets a little better, think back on the time you had with one another and smile, stay strong Deyon.
 
Sorry to hear about the passing of your mate and companion I'm not really good with trying to put words down, better saying them in person,

But with everyday it gets a little better, think back on the time you had with one another and smile, stay strong Deyon.

Funny, I'm the complete opposite, you'll get more out of me with written word, especially at the moment as I'm easily triggered.
 
Another tough day.

I got out of the house to do some Christmas shopping, then ended up driving down to a favourite walking spot, then immediately broke down, again. It was raining when I arrived and while I sat there trying to regain composure. It felt so wrong to get out of the car and get started on the lap, someone was missing, someone was left behind and was missing out. Every tree, every stop point, that patch of paspalum we always had to check out, all a trigger. And yet, shortly after setting off, the rain stopped, the sky cleared to blue, the sun came out. I could almost hear his footsteps behind me.

Upon return to the car, I sat in silence wondering if things will get better because this is too much to bear. The hurt, the feeling of letting him down, the feeling he is missing out, the feeling he has been forgotten. Then feeling sh.t at the thought of no longer being on edge every time he got sick. I feel guilty wondering if another could alleviate this lonely emptiness, it's too soon to have those thoughts, it would break his heart to see. The thought of packing up his things in an attempt to protect myself from the grief triggers, again, it's too soon, but also when is the right time? Then there is the dread of all of those feelings.

I eventually got going again and just drove. A trip to the Ford dealer, some loud music, distractions, all helped. I also decided to look into how I want Faych commemorated, we were given a pamphlet on Friday, but it was just too much to consider then. I just hope what I have selected is fitting, that it will keep his memory alive but also give me some closure and acceptance. I will say, some of what is being offered comes across as a cash grab by the company offering these services, preying on people in a vulnerable state who think spending big will make it all better................ that could just be my grief talking though. I'm also cognisant of wanting him with me forever, but without turning into a neurotic mess every time I forgot to "bring him along".

Surprisingly, making those decisions has helped. Also, the realization that his body was simply the vessel for his kind soul, which is now living in our hearts and memories. I have to believe that at the moment, I have nothing else.















This is so hard.
 
This will sound generic, but it does get easier with time. And as for when to adopt again, you'll know when the time is right. And don't consider it a betrayal, he loved you and knows you need a companion, someone to look after, and be looked after by, that's why they are with us.

When I lost Benson, my first dog, I got Rosie within 2 weeks and it was the right decision, she was a rescue from the Animal Welfare League, the place where they film the Dog House Australia. When I lost Rosie I waited 4 months, I was really busy with overtime, we had a massive government contract at work which finished just before Christmas. I also had to pick very carefully as my 1 year old great nephew was living with us, so I decided to get a puppy, then decided to get 2 so they wouldn't be lonely when I went back to work, a good decision. I found Buster and Ziva on gumtree, 2 from a litter of 8, and the same mix as Benson, but both smaller than him.

You'll know when it's the right time, and you'll know it's the right dog, they'll have been sent to you. Sorry if this brings the emotions out again, but I'm getting all emotional now too.
 
I always found I never learnt anything from Pan because he never really shows what he is talking about in action, but that's just me as I'm a visual learner. The only time I would watch a video of his would be to see a brand-new product, quite often he would be sent the product early and would then be the first to have a video out. But then how credible was that review, especially after the Turtle Wax scandal, I gave up after that?

It's pretty obvious I have taken inspiration from OG, there is no denying some of what he had done is either pretty cool or extremely influential. But just like any influential person, you have to know when something is the real deal, and when commercial reality dictates an opinion. Some fail to understand that and either drink the Kool Aid unquestioned, or end up completely writing the person off.

For example, I side with him on pressure washing, Swisstrax flooring, and certain products he uses and endorses. Like him, I also struggle with anxiety and OCD tendencies and would much rather be playing with my toys in the garage than jet-setting around the world. But then I personally think he has wasted so much time and effort on products and endeavors, only to still be in the same position several years down the track.

Those Pressol sprayers for example. I have a fleet of the original versions, they are expensive and not as "functionally excellent" (see what I did there) as the Kwazar equivalent. In that I mean they don't spray as nicely, the trigger action is stiffer and the bottles panel in with extended. But they look amazing with the matching labels, and I actually quite like the click-click sound they make. Personally, I haven't had issues with the tips splitting, but if you watch his videos, he is always cranking on them so no wonder they fail, I set and forget.





The latest Pro-Series versions were supposed to fix ALL of the issues, from split tips to paneling, improved chemical resistance of the bottle and spray head, upgraded internal seals, a flexible pickup tube with a weighted filter for 360-degree spraying. Apparently, these changes had "undergone rigorous, in-depth chemical durability testing". And yet.....................................................

Why do these new and improved versions still suck? As in, the bottle turning brown when filled with alkaline chemicals (which the old ones didn't do). Why does that new pickup tube fall off the head despite the wire spring clip that is supposed to fix that issue? Why were the first batch released with steel instead of stainless-steel spray tips, in turn rusting within hours? And why do the spray heads still fail with certain chemicals? And all this for $20 USD each!

I can't help thinking that a basic plastic bottle and Tolco/Canyon sprayer has NONE of these issues...................for less than $5 USD. So why does a bottle 4 times the price have these issues. It's not acceptable. And yet, he still says these are the "best sprayers on the planet". Worth mentioning, none of these issues have affected my Kwazar's, which I have ran back-to-back with the v1 Pressol's for many years now. The don't leak, they don't panel, they spray finer, the pickup tube doesn't fall off, they have a smoother trigger action, and like the Pressol, they also have double action and and 360-degree spray potential. In Australia, a 500ml Kwazar is $15.00 (less when I use my wholesale discount), a 500ml Pressol v1 is $24.00, plus another $15.00 if you want the chemical resistant "Industrial" spray head.

I'm not saying all this to take the man down, but rather point out that I'm not so blinded by his influence that I can't find fault. I also personally think he has wasted so much time, money, effort and his reputation on these bottles for no return. He is 6-years in on this project and is still treading water.
Not sure which videos of pan you’re referring to but I actually feel the exact opposite in that I’d say pans video provide far more value that Matt’s when it comes to doing the actual work. OG’s videos seem to be more superficial and more about trying to look the part. To be quite honest if someone were to ask for a recommendation on which channels is best to learn from I wouldn’t recommend either og or pans but between the those two I’d have to give the nod to pan. Btw, I share your disappointment in the Pressol sprayer. I don’t see how they supposedly underwent rigorous testing yet still aren’t able to get them to function properly.
 
Deyon, I am just now checking back in after the holiday. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your pup. We don't deserve dogs. Unlike humans, they are always excited to see us regardless of the circumstances. I am not great at writing what I am thinking, so just know you are in my thoughts.
 
Not sure which videos of pan you’re referring to but I actually feel the exact opposite in that I’d say pans video provide far more value that Matt’s when it comes to doing the actual work. OG’s videos seem to be more superficial and more about trying to look the part. To be quite honest if someone were to ask for a recommendation on which channels is best to learn from I wouldn’t recommend either og or pans but between the those two I’d have to give the nod to pan. Btw, I share your disappointment in the Pressol sprayer. I don’t see how they supposedly underwent rigorous testing yet still aren’t able to get them to function properly.
Pan's content was good to start with but then came the paid for reviews over and over again to then fuel his own over hyped brand.

That is giving out for free to small YT channels to promote and hype.
 
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Pan's content was good to start with but then came the paid for reviews over and over again to then fuel his own over hyped brand.

That is giving out for free to small YT channels to promote and hype.

Pan's content is good for some people, but useless to others. But you can say that about any form of media.

My original comment was in relation to his content not being of value to me personally, not that his content was valueless. In most cases, what he is presenting is almost always something I have already learnt about or have tried myself. So to me, that content is of no value to me. However, for someone new to detailing, the way he breaks stuff down speaks to the viewer is of value to those with much to learn.

It can be very easy to read between the lines and create drama from thin air.
 
So sorry to hear about the loss of your best friend, Deyon!!! :cry:🙏
 
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I've been suffering from fatigue over the last couple of days, no doubt the result of the last 10-days. But I push on.........................

Yesterday I gave the Ranger it's weekly wash, and having rained, it was covered in road film. Today it was the Wildtrak's turn, again covered in grime and mud from the wet weather over the weekend. The common theme with both being the use of NV Snow.




I say this all the time, but every time I return to this soap, I'm genuinely surprised with its ability. Snow has the slickness of Koch Chemie GSF and Carpro Reset, but its easier to pour and mix, foams better, offers superior cleaning power and rinses more freely. The scent is considerably more subtle that those rivals, but its uniquely pleasant and hardly a deal breaker. I also like that it has no gloss additives or fillers, it just cleans and leaves a residue free finish.

The cleaning power is such that I don't really need two soaps to deal with baked on road film, as in an alkaline pre-soak followed by a pH neutral for contact washing. I just foam with Snow and leave it to dwell, the following rinse will remove most of that grime before re-foaming for the contact wash.



To cap it all off, Snow is one of the best value high-end soaps on the market (in Australia at least). And that includes what's available at the box stores. For example, 4-litres of Snow retails for $82.45, a 3.78-litre (1 gallon) bottle of the also very good Meguiar's Hyper Wash sits is $99 at full RRP. And even if you find it on discount, you are left with a soap that is harder to work with owing to its thick/sticky consistency and the way it reactivates when rinsing. The dirt-cheap house-brand soaps are junk, they lack lubrication and cleaning power, while also requiring very high dose rates to do the same job.
 
I've been suffering from fatigue over the last couple of days, no doubt the result of the last 10-days. But I push on.........................

Yesterday I gave the Ranger it's weekly wash, and having rained, it was covered in road film. Today it was the Wildtrak's turn, again covered in grime and mud from the wet weather over the weekend. The common theme with both being the use of NV Snow.




I say this all the time, but every time I return to this soap, I'm genuinely surprised with its ability. Snow has the slickness of Koch Chemie GSF and Carpro Reset, but its easier to pour and mix, foams better, offers superior cleaning power and rinses more freely. The scent is considerably more subtle that those rivals, but its uniquely pleasant and hardly a deal breaker. I also like that it has no gloss additives or fillers, it just cleans and leaves a residue free finish.

The cleaning power is such that I don't really need two soaps to deal with baked on road film, as in an alkaline pre-soak followed by a pH neutral for contact washing. I just foam with Snow and leave it to dwell, the following rinse will remove most of that grime before re-foaming for the contact wash.



To cap it all off, Snow is one of the best value high-end soaps on the market (in Australia at least). And that includes what's available at the box stores. For example, 4-litres of Snow retails for $82.45, a 3.78-litre (1 gallon) bottle of the also very good Meguiar's Hyper Wash sits is $99 at full RRP. And even if you find it on discount, you are left with a soap that is harder to work with owing to its thick/sticky consistency and the way it reactivates when rinsing. The dirt-cheap house-brand soaps are junk, they lack lubrication and cleaning power, while also requiring very high dose rates to do the same job.
Quick question Deyon how much GSF goes into my foam bottle 20ml
Or a little more.
 
Quick question Deyon how much GSF goes into my foam bottle 20ml
Or a little more.

For a 1000ml foam cannon bottle, use 100 - 120ml of soap to 900 or 880ml of water. The Koch Chemie dose rates are way off.
 
I'm not entirely sure if I have done the right thing here, and I don't want to jinx things, but say hello to baby Olly..................







In my toddler days, I grew up with a tri-colour Cocker, who Mum and Dad had before I was born. We were inseparable, he was like my big brother. When Faych came along, the roles were reversed, I was big brother. I've had a few people suggest getting a Golden Retriever or Labrador, but my heart is with Cocker's, they just suit my nature. It was never really a choice here.



Having said all of that, I feel somewhat guilty, as if I'm replacing my Faychie all too soon. It breaks my heart over and over again every time I think of him as I go about things we would do together, like I'm leaving him behind. I know this is not a rational thing, but I just can't help it. But if he is watching over me, I know he wouldn't want me to be sad, or that no other dog would experience the same love and treatment he got from me.

Over the past week, I've had so many people reach out, something I will never forget. Everyone goes through a loss differently, and those who provided advice gave me something to think about. One in particular explained how he mourned a loss for several years before finding a new companion, which to me sounds like hell. As it stands, I'm so lost without my shadow. While Faych can never be replaced, I know I need that presence in my life, someone to love, someone to follow me around, someone to make me smile, someone to comfort me, someone to care for.

Right here, right now, I'm not ready. But then I don't want to wait indefinitely for the "right" time to come up, progressively getting more and more lost and depressed. I'm a week in and feeling more settled, more accepting of what happened. There is peace in knowing Faych will never leave my heart and mind. By the end of January when Olly will be able to come home, I know I'll be in a different frame of mind. As I type, I have a mixture of nerves and excitement, but still a sense of sadness and guilt.

Olly was born in late November to Mumma Lola and Pappa Ernie. He will develop into a blue roan or white-black bi-colour. I've seen both parents in action, and the way each pup is being treated and prepared for their forever homes.





As mentioned earlier, I had so many people reach out, provide advice, tell their stories. Please know each and every word helped. I always knew I'd be crushed the day Faych left me, but I never knew how hard it was going to be or how I'd deal with it. So a big thankyou to all that helped me over the last week, the spectrum of stories and advice got me through and got me thinking about the future.
 
TESTING GRIOT'S GARAGE - [/B]

Griot's Garage has long been a respected detailing brand in the USA. A family-owned business, they pride themselves on providing exceptional customer service and US-made detailing chemicals. Ever since joining the Autogeek forum a few years ago, I've heard nothing but positive comment regarding this brand. On countless occasions, I had people telling me I should try Griot's Garage, but my response was always the same, not sold here. Sort of............

Going back a few years, Auto Mega Store (an online auto retailer) began stocking three or four products, none of them what I'd consider a true representation of the Griot's brand. Then Obsessed Garage, who offers international shipping, took on a small selection of products. Shipping prices were astronomical and only worthwhile if buying other items too. This was actually my introduction to the brand, of which I really liked the Interior Cleaner, the gallon spouts and Fast Correcting Creme.



There was also a few ways of getting the brand through back door avenues, but it was just not worth the hassle. Then Amazon began offering Griot's, but again, a little costly. Enter Autobarn......................



Pricing is still little rich on certain products, but pretty much in line with other American specialty brands sold in this country. No doubt the prices are inflated to provide room for the constant revolving door of catalog specials. It is what it is.



Today I put each of the above products to work on the Ranger, with the exception of the interior cleaner and scent, of which I've already have tested.

In order of use...................

Wheel-Tire-Matt Cleaner -

On the Ranger, I only used this to clean the tyres, which proved to be exceptionally good! With tyre cleaners, I really like it when they lather up nicely as it gives you a visual indicator of what you are doing, which is why I love Brake Buster. So, it lathers exceptionally well, and appeared to do the job VERY well, check out later in the post for that.

(Note I have an empty bottle here, which I discovered was leaking from a crack in the plastic. I put the product into another bottle but kept original bottle for photography.)





Like Brake Buster, I reckon this stuff would foam like a MF! It has a semi gel-like formula to keep it from running off vertical surfaces, and being multi-purpose product, this would likely mean an alkaline leaning formula. And at $29.95, it's decent value, and one of the best I've tried.

DFB Verdict - A winner! Easily the pick of tyre cleaners available in a store like this, and one of the best I've tried full stop.

Brilliant Finish Car Wash soap -

This is a soap that apparently "preserves your wax", which indicate a pH balanced formula. They also suggest the "special brighteners yield a lasting, high-gloss and streak-free appearance", which would be a cause for concern with ceramic coated vehicles.







As you can see, this soap foams well at an 8:1 dilution, not the best I've seen, but it can certainly put on a show. Slickness is good, again not the best, but plenty slick. I also like the free rinsing properties, and those gloss enhancers didn't mess with the paint or wheel coatings on this vehicle. The scent is very subdued, almost not there. Price wise, at full RRP its on par with something like Meg's Gold Class, but I'd favor the Griot's.

DFB Verdict - A very nice soap, just lacks a little theater.

Ceramic Speed Shine -

Ceramic Speed shine is a step above the regular Speed Shine in that it contains siloxane and Si02 to provide superior gloss, slickness and water repellency. They suggest it can be used as a clay lubricant, but I probably wouldn't do that.





I used this product as a drying aid. On initial acquaintance, this stuff reminds me of Gyeon Ceramic Detailer in both scent and application feel. In that I mean some slight initial grabbiness, something I really didn't like with the Gyeon product. But as it flashes, the surface transforms into a glossy, slick look and feel. This product has that mild vinegar type aroma common to a lot of these ceramic detailers, although they have laced it with a mild scent. Price wise, this is one of the more expensive items at full RRP. Personally, I'd favour Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Detailer instead.

DFB Verdict - Not bad, but not a must-have.

Speed Shine -

This is the original Speed Shine, basically a traditional quick detailer. These products are often overlooked these days, but they still have a place in my opinion. With a high level of lubrication, Speed Shine also has some mild cleaning properties, making it ideal for spot cleaning of bird bombs or bugs. Like any detail spray, Speed Shine is safe for all surfaces and can also be used as a drying aid or interior detailer.



I used Speed Shine as a drying aid for the door jambs and tray sides. I really love the sweet scent, which is much less "nosey" than the ceramic version. It feels slick under the towel, which again makes it nicer to work with than the ceramic type. It flashes away nicely and leaves a slick, glossy surface. Pricing on Speed Shine seems about right to me, and overall, I think I like this one better than the ceramic version.

DFB Verdict - I've always like quick detailers, and Speed Shine is no different. Will it knock your socks off? No, but it does absolutely nothing wrong, which makes it a winner for me.

Ceramic Glass Cleaner -

I've been buying a lot of this type of glass cleaner lately, so I thought I'd give this a try as well. These products are basically a mild spray sealant with a high evaporation rate to help limit streaks. Ceramic Glass Cleaner is intended as a maintenance product to Griot's glass coating (not sold here), but it can be used as a standalone to create exceptional hydrophobic properties.............fancy RainX in other words. Bizarrely, they suggest you team it with a clay bar for decontaminating the glass.



Having tried a few of these glass cleaners now, I've noticed some work brilliant, some are horrible. The best I've found is the Opti-Coat Clean & Protect, the worst being Carpro ClarifyPhobic. I'd say the Griot's sits in the middle, it required just a little more attention than the Opti-Coat, but nowhere near as temperamental as the Carpro. The scent is a non-event, but 650ml bottle is very well priced.

DFB Verdict - Good, not great. I much prefer the Stoner and Optimum versions.

To be continued..................
 
Griot's continues...........................

Interior Detailer -


These interior products have become extremely popular of the last 5-years as they provide just the right amount of cleaning and UV protection, but without making your interior look like an oil slick. The Griot's version is suitable for all interior surfaces including leather, plastic, vinyl, glass and infotainment screens.



With a mild citrus scent, the Interior Detail performs on par with the likes of competitor products from Carpro, Gyeon, Meguires and Koch Chemie. In that I mean how it wipes on and flashes away to a clean OEM finish. If you prefer a more enhanced look, I'd suggest looking at P&S Swift or Ethos Interior Detailer instead. Important to note this is a very different product to their Interior Cleaner, which offers significantly more cleaning power, but for maintaining an already clean car, this stuff will do it all day long.

DFB Verdict - A worthy contender, although the bar set by ADS Pilot probably skews my rating here.

Ceramic Tire Dressing -

"Ceramic" tire dressings have become more and more prevalent over the last couple of years as they promise a darker look and superior longevity. Griot's make a lot of the ultra-durable nature of this product, likewise the lack of sling and a satin appearance. And praise the lord, Griot's resisted the urge to call this product tire SHINE.

At this point, notice how clean the tyre is after its treatment earlier. Very impressive cleaning power.









I've met very few tyre dressings I didn't like, and this Griot's product is no different. It spreads easily, with a large brush in my case, smells lovely and leaves that ultra-dark look. On these tyres, there is some mild initial shine, but it levels off with a follow up wipe.

DFB Verdict - A winner.

Final Thoughts -

The Griot's lineup in the USA is absolutely massive! As well as detailing chemicals, towels, tools, and accessories, they also offer garage related tools and accessories. At the moment the lineup available in stores is relatively small. That would be a result of Autobarn selecting a very weekend warrior friendly product mix, which explains the focus on wax-based products, but overall, the basics are covered.

I doubt the tools and accessories will land here either, most of which are made in China. In the end, Autobarn can (and do) supply similar items for less money by going straight to the manufacturer. Griot's are the middleman and passes on two layers of profit margin, then more fat is added once they land in Australian retailers. That's why a basic $10 brush ends up being $40 in Australia, or a foam cannon going from $99 to $200.

I need more time with these products, but so far they have proven to be solid performers. If you buy your detailing supplies at the big box stores and are getting bored with Bowden's or the other usual suspects, I'd suggest giving the Griot's brand a look. In particular, the tyre cleaner and dressing are excellent, but I'd also check out the Interior Cleaner and Speed Shine too.

 
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