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  • Big detailing questions

    Hey guys..got a few big detailing questions I wanted to get all in once post. I've been searching for a while about all this info, and have seen hundred of opinions, I figured I'd make a thread for myself, since I have a few questions.

    I'd looking to order some of the detailing brand lineup of products, mostly so I can get more out of my products, as some of them can be used for different things. I was looking for some reccomendations of what I should order, since I have a few specifics to my car that I didn't see any previous suggestions on. The things I was looking to take car of are;

    1) Tire Cleaner - currently using NXT Tire cleaner, but it doesn't cut through tire dressings.

    2)Wheels - Using Hot Rims all wheel cleaner right now, and it does a good job, but it's pricey. Was wondering what I could use in the detailing line. I'm going to say Wheel Brightener is out of the question, as my rims have a polished lip with a clear coat on them, and I don't want to risk damaging them.



    Also, would NXT Metal Polysh be ok to use on the lip to get a nice shine, or is it only safe on uncoated metal?

    3) Wheel Wells - I generally just use some left over car wash for these...looking for something to help break down some grime on them to make it a little easier to clean, but safe enough that it won't harm my wheels incase it drips on them.

    4) Engine Bay - I have painted pieces in my engine bay. No rattle can here, they're professionally sprayed with normal auto paint and clearcoated, so they need to be treated like normal car paint. I'm looking for something to clean up the engine bay, but not harm the painted pieces.



    Also, for a dressing. I usually use NXT Tech Protect on the painted pieces, strut bar, intake, hoses, etc. Anything else I could use that would be ok in the detailing line?

    5) Carpets - Don't use anything now...tried some Armor-All oxy magic to get a few stains out, and it didn't work, and made the seat worse. Was looking for a nice carpet cleaner that I could work into all the mats, seats, etc. and then remove with a Bissel Little Green Machine which I'm looking to get also.

    6) Interior - I use NXT Tech Protect on all surfaces, center console,, dash, etc. I have painted trim pieces as well like in the engine, so something that will clean and not damage them.




    I was thinking I could pretty much use APC for everything, but I was wondering how well it would work on the tough grease of the engine bay and the tire dressing. Was thinking Safe-D-Greaser instead for the engine and tires, but would it harm anything in the engine bay, or my rims if there's overspray on the wheels? And what about APC+, is it just like APC but better, and just as safe to use on wheels and painted pieces?

    Thanks for reading guys, sorry if this is a bit long, and I appriciate any advice or suggestions you guys have.

    -TJ
    2003 Matrix XRS *Sold*
    2002 Mustang GT
    2005 Subaru STi *coming this spring!*

  • #2
    Re: Big detailing questions

    Wasn't BIG detailing a George Carlin routine? Reminds me of JUMBO shrimp.

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    • #3
      Re: Big detailing questions

      Well, here are my thoughts and what I use so far, but as you say, opinions will vary...

      1. I use APC at about 8:1 and a soft toothbrush or Tire Brush. Looking forward to trying APC+, as Rick over at ASD said it was even better for grease/grime. Get a Foaming Head sprayer with your spray bottle if you choose APC. APC+ is low foaming, so doesnt really matter.

      2. I have been using the Multi-Piece Cleaner, so cant help there.

      3. I use APC in the wheelwells, then dress with All Season Dressing. Again, looking forward to APC+.

      4. Not sure. But I'd cleaner/wax the the painted parts.

      5. Well, APC and APC + are good carpet/fabric/leather cleaners. Meguiars does have a new Consumer Line Bissel/Meguiars Carpet cleaner coming out as well. (Carpet only).

      6. Well, ASD is a bit glossier. You could use the Hyper-Dressing on interior and exterior parts, and mix a few different bottles with different ratios to get the different shines you want. It wont hurt the paint, again just wipe off excess that gets on the paint. That paint in there may be a bit trickier to cleaner/wax.
      2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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      • #4
        Re: Big detailing questions

        Seems like APC+ is my go to product, thanks a lot Murr. Good advice all around.

        Anyone have any experiences with APC+ as an engine cleaner, wheel cleaner and interior cleaner?
        2003 Matrix XRS *Sold*
        2002 Mustang GT
        2005 Subaru STi *coming this spring!*

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Big detailing questions

          *BUMP*

          Anyone else have anyone advice for me? Would APC+ be able to clean everything I need?
          2003 Matrix XRS *Sold*
          2002 Mustang GT
          2005 Subaru STi *coming this spring!*

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Big detailing questions

            APC+ is very versatile, you just dilute it according to the surface.

            NXT metal polysh is meant to be used on uncoated metal. For the coated lip on the rims you could use Cleaner/wax. Or maybe DC1 and then protect the wheel with a sealant of your choice. If you keep the wheels protected, you probably won't need a wheel cleaner to clean them, regular car wash soap is often enough
            Last edited by Zet; Nov 28, 2006, 02:44 AM.
            "Now Biff... make sure that we get two coats of wax this time..."
            - Back To The Future

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            • #7
              Re: Big detailing questions

              I've used APC+ for carpeted and rubber floor mats with great results. Used it to clean carpeting in my home and to restore a fireplace screen. Different dilutions here and there and the stuff really is "all purpose". For carpeting, I misted the area with APC+ (rubbing it in with a soft brush in needed areas) and sucked it up with a hot water extraction carpet cleaning machine using only hot water. Left the carpets fluffy and good smelling.....and best of all, CLEAN.

              Mort

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              • #8
                Re: Big detailing questions

                So it seems like APC+ is definatly my product of choice.

                Thanks Zet for the wheel advice, and thanks Mort, that's exactly what I was looking to do on my carpets.

                My only question now, is I know that APC+ is low foaming..so whats the best way for application, since I won't be using a foaming nozzle on the sprayer? Just a normal sprayer, and work it in to whatever I'm using with a brush?

                And as far as dilution goes, should I be fine with the following?

                10:1 - Interior Cleaning, Carpets

                4:1 - Tires, Wheels, Wheel Wells, and Engine

                Thanks again guys..great help all around.
                2003 Matrix XRS *Sold*
                2002 Mustang GT
                2005 Subaru STi *coming this spring!*

                Comment

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