Looking for a good APC

[davidc]

What do you guys use for a good APC?. I have been using Simple Green, is there something better?. I have ARO and it leaves a finish behind which is ok for what it is intended for but I am looking for something that cleans without leaving anything behind.

Dave

 

[watermark]

I always rely on Chemical Guy's Grime Reaper. Cut it 5:1 for tires and wheel wells, and 3:1 for the engine bay. Smells strong, and is hell on your hands though, so some sort of gloves are a necessity. Also, be careful if your wheels are coated, as this stuff is STRONG.

 

[IID]

What do you guys use for a good APC?. I have been using Simple Green, is there something better?. I have ARO and it leaves a finish behind which is ok for what it is intended for but I am looking for something that cleans without leaving anything behind.

Dave

I've used a few of them but keep coming back to this product:



Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner Plus D103

You can mix it from 1:1 (Full strength) all the way down to 64:1 (carpet shampooer's).I have different spray bottle concentrates for different applications.
The product is a very versatile dilution friendly cleaner.It doesn't leave any residue behind for me.

 

[snowking724]

Megs APC+ works great, can be diluted to whatever strength you need and the price is right. I have Optimum PC also and it works great but it's more than twice the price and not twice as nice. I have also used ARO and went right back to the Megs. I've used the Megs on wheels & tires, wheel wells, engine w/ just a rag, around the house and as a wax stripper during a wash(best use yet) and it's always performed well.

 

[Jeff120]

I use the Megs as well. Good stuff, but I dont ever use it stronger the 4:1 as that is the strongest Megs recommends mixing it.

Impressive any reason you use it 1:1?

I've used a few of them but keep coming back to this product:



Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner Plus D103

You can mix it from 1:1 (Full strength) all the way down to 64:1 (carpet shampooer's).I have different spray bottle concentrates for different applications.
The product is a very versatile dilution friendly cleaner.It doesn't leave any residue behind for me.

 

[BobbyG]

I've used a few of them but keep coming back to this product:



Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner Plus D103

You can mix it from 1:1 (Full strength) all the way down to 64:1 (carpet shampooer's).I have different spray bottle concentrates for different applications.
The product is a very versatile dilution friendly cleaner.It doesn't leave any residue behind for me.

Pretty much the same here.

I have a couple of different dilutions depending if I need something a little stronger.

Another product I've found very useful is Meguiar's Super Degreaser. This is stronger than All Purpose Cleaner Plus but when you need it it works.

 

[AeroCleanse]

I agree with the above, APC+ and Super Degreaser.

 

[IID]

I use the Megs as well. Good stuff, but I dont ever use it stronger the 4:1 as that is the strongest Megs recommends mixing it.

Impressive any reason you use it 1:1?

We have alot of highway construction/repair's in my area.
I like the 1:1 for removing road tar,road paint,and things of that nature.It let's me buy just the one product instead of going with a degreaser.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Optimum Power Clean is way more effective than APC+, IME.

 

[rwright]

Optimum Power Clean is way more effective than APC+, IME.

How about the fact that it's safe for paint? Everyone is so obsessed with "what works the fastest" instead of what works and is safe at the same time. Also think about this, if you dilute it 3:1 as recommended for most applications you now have 3 gallons of APC safe for all surfaces at a cost of $11.67/gallon. I'm sorry but $35/gallon is worth way more than having to worry about paying for paintwork or damage to any other surface. This is of course just my opinion.

 

[Kurt_s]

I have APC+, OPC, CG Grime Reaper and LAs Totally Awesome. I prefer OPC as I feel that it safer than thr others. I will probably only buy OPC in the future, although with 3/4 of a gallon around APC+ seems to work pretty well for carpeting and cleaning polishing pads.

 

[Perfections]

How about the fact that it's safe for paint? Everyone is so obsessed with "what works the fastest" instead of what works and is safe at the same time. Also think about this, if you dilute it 3:1 as recommended for most applications you now have 3 gallons of APC safe for all surfaces at a cost of $11.67/gallon. I'm sorry but $35/gallon is worth way more than having to worry about paying for paintwork or damage to any other surface. This is of course just my opinion.

Totally agree with this post!

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

How about the fact that it's safe for paint? Everyone is so obsessed with "what works the fastest" instead of what works and is safe at the same time. Also think about this, if you dilute it 3:1 as recommended for most applications you now have 3 gallons of APC safe for all surfaces at a cost of $11.67/gallon. I'm sorry but $35/gallon is worth way more than having to worry about paying for paintwork or damage to any other surface. This is of course just my opinion.

Agree with everything you say, especially what I highlighted in bold.

 

[AeroCleanse]

How about the fact that it's safe for paint? Everyone is so obsessed with "what works the fastest" instead of what works and is safe at the same time. Also think about this, if you dilute it 3:1 as recommended for most applications you now have 3 gallons of APC safe for all surfaces at a cost of $11.67/gallon. I'm sorry but $35/gallon is worth way more than having to worry about paying for paintwork or damage to any other surface. This is of course just my opinion.

I have yet to see any car paint damaged by the use of APC+ or Super Degreaser when used correctly.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

APC+ can be used on clearcoated wheels @ 4:1 per the manufacturer, but why does Meg's not recommend not to use it on car paint? Isn't it the same thing?

 

[Silverstone]

I only just started using a specific auto APC after using simple green (not so good) and something called Sal Suds (quite good) and now have Megs APC+ which I like alot. It took the WG sealant out of my MF towels that the others had trouble with. (Sal Suds would do it eventually and SG was a joke)

But here's an interesting point about APC+, I was putting cigarette butts in a water bottle with a little water and cap on to keep from stinking up the garage with an ash tray, but taking the cap off released an awful stink after a while. So I put a little 10-1 diluted APC+ in the bottle and it almost totally kills the smell of the butts. I assume it's breaking down the organic tars and nicotine or other molecules that produce the smell.
I figured this might be good to know for dealing with smoke smell in a car.

Alcohol will do the same, except I didn't want the bottle to explode when I dropped the butt in it. :laughing::xyxthumbs:

 

[AeroCleanse]

APC+ can be used on clearcoated wheels @ 4:1 per the manufacturer, but why does Meg's not recommend not to use it on car paint? Isn't it the same thing?

I just looked at my bottle of APC+ I didn't see anywhere were is said not to use on paint.

 

[rwright]

I have yet to see any car paint damaged by the use of APC+ or Super Degreaser when used correctly.

Well here's a little piece of info for you, on the label for Zep Citrus it says for shop use, use at full strength to degrease an engine. I decided to test this and guess what? It stripped the paint off the frame rails and parts of the hood. Did I use it correctly? Sure did, according to the label. I've always gone 4:1 with APC's but decided to test out the manufacturer's instructions. Have a problem believing this? Go to The Home Depot and look at the label for Zep Citrus. After receiving Optimum Power Clean I decided to run this test again on another vehicle. I used it 3:1 and straight and the paint remained on the metal. :xyxthumbs:

 

[AeroCleanse]

Well here's a little piece of info for you, on the label for Zep Citrus it says for shop use, use at full strength to degrease an engine. I decided to test this and guess what? It stripped the paint off the frame rails and parts of the hood. Did I use it correctly? Sure did, according to the label. I've always gone 4:1 with APC's but decided to test out the manufacturer's instructions. Have a problem believing this? Go to The Home Depot and look at the label for Zep Citrus. After receiving Optimum Power Clean I decided to run this test again on another vehicle. I used it 3:1 and straight and the paint remained on the metal. :xyxthumbs:

Never used it, and its doesn't sounds like its marketed to the car detailing sector. I was referring to Meguiars products.

 

[rwright]

Never used it, and its doesn't sounds like its marketed to the car detailing sector. I was referring to Meguiars products.

I understand. I was just providing my experience with another brand APC. I can't say if Meg's APC or APC+ is paint safe because I don't know. I do know that Optimum Power Clean is paint safe. The best thing for someone to do, call Meg's and ask them if APC+ is safe for paint.