Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

[dbssoccer]

So I have an PC DA polisher, two buckets, backing plate and pads (Meg) and a bunch of chemicals and liguids.
But what about the spray bottle for my D101? Is there a recommended bottle that allow it to foam as designed? The generic one I used didn't seem to create much foam.
How about the nozzle for the hose. I have some seen some real preferences with nozzles but in terms of both style and brand.
Is there a recommended tire brush to clean the tires?
What else? These are low cost items but I gather some products work better than others.

Thanks for you insight.

[The Guz]

Re: Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

Why not just invest in the actual D101 bottle. It already has the dilution ratio's on it. Add the sprayer and you are done.

I'm a fan of the tuff shine tire brush. It's ergonomic.

http://www.autogeek.net/tuf-shine-tire-brush.html

You may want to consider this as well.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/62454-best-darn-tire-cleaning-brush-i-ve-ever-used.html

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

He already has a bottle... He's talking about a sprayer. A foaming sprayer.

Of all the bottles I've saved, I somehow managed to toss my empty bottle of DUB Wheel Cleaner.. I could be wrong but I believe it has a foaming sprayer on it. I think the same goes for Megs Hot Wheel Chrome & Wire Cleaner. But if a foaming sprayer is something you truly want, there's places that sell them. Autogeek, along with other detailing sites sell sprayers specifically meant for foaming. [I've never tried any of them but 1 would think they'd work]

As far as a tire brush, ever since inheriting this rare little brush, I've been in love with it. This thing is the best tire brush by far that I've ever used





... But since those brushes^ might be next to impossible to find these days, these brushes that look about identical to the "Tuff Shine" brush the Guz recommended really do work great for cleaning tires.



They also work great as a pad conditioning brush. [just make sure to have a dedicated brush for each job, of course]

[davey g-force]

Re: Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

lol... I thought you were going to recommend that "brush" laying in its green bed having a sleep!

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

I find those brushes at the local auto body/paint/detail supply store for about $4^

As far as hose nozzles, that's a great question. IMO you want to stay away for using these type of nozzles. Why? Because eventually they will all break sooner or later, and when they do, you'll be cought by surprise and could easily find the hose/nozzle whipping out of your hands grip landing on your nearby car. That almost happened to me.. I was rinsing down the brand new Kia when 1 of these cheap, ill designed nozzles decided to break, resulting in the large part of what's left whipping out of control landing inches away from the vehicle. Talk about luck! Lol. But ever since that happened, I will Never use this kind of nozzle again. I suggest you save yourself the same risk.

I just walked out front to take a picture of this nozzle and check it out, it's broken in the exact same spot! Lmao. I had no clue it was broken, because I don't use it!



This is the kind of nozzle you want to use. Because if it does break, you're not left without your grip on the hose. It'll simply break, no harm no foul. That being said, this little nozzle has proved to be quite a gem. I bought 2 of them and still have the other tucked away in the box. A different car care company originally sold this particular nozzle, it was marketed as a car wash nozzle which is why I decided to buy it. I haven't seen anymore of these exact nozzles lately, but there are many other similar nozzles that share this design. [for example, you can find a decent 1 on the bay, called Crenova brass head nozzle for as low as $12]

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

Lmao Davey! My cat? She's actually been developing top secret "soft cat fur pads" that she thinks will be the next best thing since microfiber pads! But she's delusional! Hahaha;p

[The Guz]

Re: Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

Well he did say he has a generic bottle. That could either mean the Meguiar's generic bottle or just a generic spray bottle.

Someone on another forum recommended this one. I don't own it but it looks decent.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JYS9CM?colid=3UOZNC7TPSKIK&coliid=I2FPQOHMOPNM5L&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl

[dbssoccer]

Re: Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

Thanks for the input.
The bottles I use for the D101 are generic in that I got them from Home Depot or Lowes.
I understand the D101 is a foaming product yet I don't get much foaming so I suspect it may be the bottle I'm using? Just wondering.
I bought a gallon of the D101 and never considered the D101 spray bottle is part of the product's success.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

D101 isn't really a foaming product, per se. What you've probably read is that D103 APC+ does not foam as much as D101 APC does, but those discussions are really centered around use of an extractor in conjunction with these two products. The action of a proper extractor will cause D101 to foam up quite a bit in the extraction process, which really isn't desirable; D103 alleviates that issue. Will D101 create some foam when dispensed through a foaming spray head? Yes, but don't expect it be like the foam you get from something like our D102 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (basically the same thing as Gold Class Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner) as that is a dedicated aerosol propelled foam.

[dbssoccer]

Re: Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

Thanks Michael, your comments lead to more questions.

You are saying that D101, while it will foam when used with an 'extractor', shouldn't be applied in a manner that will cause it to foam. And that D103 alleviates this issue. How? Because it doesn't foam even with an extractor? What is the intended use for the D101 and D103? It sounds like they are very similar. One foams, that is bad, so you created D103 that doesn't foam. Please clarify.

I have seen two YouTube videos where both presenters are using D101 as a tire cleaner. The one person uses D101, full strength, in what he calls his 'favorite' bottle. It foams a lot as he sprays it on. Another person does something similar, full strength, and gets a lot of foam. The first person claims the foaming action is essential to the cleaning action. But then I'll defer to Meg in that Meg developed the product.

I am hoping D101 will be the "go to" APC (diluted properly to 10:1 or so) for routine cleaning and also be a good tire cleaner. But I have had better luck with an Eagle brand tire cleaner than I have had with D101 (diluted 1:1). I was thinking my problem maybe my spray bottle, the concentration I was using or both. The Eagle product does foam, and while doing so, seems to remove dirt and the 'blooming' from the tire.

Perhaps Meg has a tire cleaner that is more closely matched with the Eagle product. I know D101's primary purpose is not for tire cleaning.

[The Guz]

Re: Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

By the way D103 has been discontinued so D101 is it as far as APC's.

If you are looking for a much better wheel cleaner consider D143 Non-Acid Wheel & Tire Cleaner. It is essentially the bulk version of Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire Cleaner but dilutable. I have used this, D103 APC+ and D108 Super Degreaser and D143 outperforms all of them in the ability to clean tires. Plus it can be used on most wheels as a wheel cleaner. Be sure to read the exceptions prior to using either product.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Tool recommendations - bottle, brush, nozzle, etc?

Thanks Michael, your comments lead to more questions.

You are saying that D101, while it will foam when used with an 'extractor', shouldn't be applied in a manner that will cause it to foam. And that D103 alleviates this issue. How? Because it doesn't foam even with an extractor? What is the intended use for the D101 and D103? It sounds like they are very similar. One foams, that is bad, so you created D103 that doesn't foam. Please clarify.

I didn't say that you shouldn't use D101 in a manner that will cause it to foam, just that it will foam when used with an extractor, and foaming in an extractor is bad. D103 was essentially a big tweak to the D101 formulation to prevent foaming in an extractor. Foam in and of itself is not bad; in fact, it can be a very good thing. But D101 wasn't necessarily developed specifically to be a "foaming cleaner" in the way that the Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner is. That product comes out almost like shaving cream, which is what most people think of when think of a "foaming cleaner". But when a product is used in an extractor, the creation of foam (in this case, think more like heavy suds from a soap rather than a shaving cream consistency) is not a good thing.

I have seen two YouTube videos where both presenters are using D101 as a tire cleaner. The one person uses D101, full strength, in what he calls his 'favorite' bottle. It foams a lot as he sprays it on. Another person does something similar, full strength, and gets a lot of foam. The first person claims the foaming action is essential to the cleaning action. But then I'll defer to Meg in that Meg developed the product.

As I said, D101 will indeed foam, but how much foam you get will depend on the sprayer. And it's not necessarily that huge of a deal to have foam when using D101 to clean tires. I clean tires with it all the time but I don't use a foaming sprayer. I use at 10:1, spray it on and let it dwell while I'm cleaning the wheel. I'll then hit it with the same brush that Ric showed and then rinse everything off with plain water. Tires come out nice and clean, including any blooming that may have occurred on the sidewall.

I am hoping D101 will be the "go to" APC (diluted properly to 10:1 or so) for routine cleaning and also be a good tire cleaner. But I have had better luck with an Eagle brand tire cleaner than I have had with D101 (diluted 1:1). I was thinking my problem maybe my spray bottle, the concentration I was using or both. The Eagle product does foam, and while doing so, seems to remove dirt and the 'blooming' from the tire.

Perhaps Meg has a tire cleaner that is more closely matched with the Eagle product. I know D101's primary purpose is not for tire cleaning.

Michael's comments below address this perfectly, and D143/Hot Rims Wheel & Tire Cleaner will cause crud to run off the tire sidewall to the point it looks like poured strong coffee - hold the cream - on the ground by the tire. Great stuff, very little agitation required.

If you are looking for a much better wheel cleaner consider D143 Non-Acid Wheel & Tire Cleaner. It is essentially the bulk version of Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire Cleaner but dilutable. I have used this, D103 APC+ and D108 Super Degreaser and D143 outperforms all of them in the ability to clean tires. Plus it can be used on most wheels as a wheel cleaner. Be sure to read the exceptions prior to using either product.