DFB's Garage

[Tasmania]

I was just thinking of doing the same but trying it on rain water tank and then with the inline camping filter i bought.

Sandro will have a video soon on his di filter set up cost him $999

[Azure]

That's why I use a water deionizer system. I have to wash outside with no shade and my water is regularly ~420PPM TDS. I really doesn't take long to burn through the deionizer media, so this year I bought two refills (~$200 total). Last wash I was at ~9PPM out of the deionizer, so I'll need to replace the media shortly.

[DFB]

This week's indulgence..................

https://i.postimg.cc/3wb6FSJj/IMG-4491.jpg (https://postimg.cc/GBGqcjD9)

First off, I'm going to blame someone else for being "influenced" to buy something detailing related..............Carpro ECH2o...............but, but the other boys are doing it too! :laughing:

Having used most of my supply of Carpro Lift earlier in the week, I felt compelled to order some more after have no trouble cleaning up a nicely dirty Mazda.

I have also decided to give Capro ReTyre another try. I was pretty harsh on it after my initial uses, this time it at least arrived with the correct foaming sprayer.

The Kwazar sprayers are a favorite of mine, they look as good as they spray. This one, along with a replacement sprayer head in each colour, is for spares/stock.

I'm really looking forward to giving ReTyre another go as well as trying ECH2o.

[Tasmania]

Nice haul, My Spotless come with a white trigger with a round mesh type head
Thought that was a little weird

[Azure]

Interested in how you like ReTyre and ECH2O as well. Both are on my 'next purchase' list lol.

[DFB]

Interested in how you like ReTyre and ECH2O as well. Both are on my 'next purchase' list lol.

I'm really looking forward to ECH2o, I know a lot here use it.

My first uses of ReTyre were disappointing. For some reason, my bottle was sent with the wrong sprayer head, so it did not foam up as intended. It also struggled to clean up a set of Michelin PS3's on my Falcon.

https://i.postimg.cc/pTvC0s9T/IMG_1252.jpg (https://postimg.cc/XZ29qckS)

I have since learnt that those tires are very resistant to cleaning and only something harsh like Tarminator will get them clean. No other tire I have cleaned has been like that.

Using it on other tires was more successful -

https://i.postimg.cc/W1XdLx7t/IMG_1384.jpg (https://postimg.cc/gxLz3SQP)

https://i.postimg.cc/BQ58NjLT/IMG_1389.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Vd6LkLFv)

https://i.postimg.cc/GhkjJ4MC/IMG_1547.jpg (https://postimg.cc/mtgMTgfX)

https://i.postimg.cc/HxqQbmXn/IMG_1551.jpg (https://postimg.cc/bDRDjK6f)

So, I decided to give ReTyre another go and with the correct sprayer head, hopefully better results.

[DFB]

I'm feeling run down after working a lot of hours lately, so I decided last night to take today off. That didn't mean I sat on my **** all day...........although it was nice sleeping till 10am.

I did have a few things I wanted to attend to. First being cutting and fitting some cabinet liners.

https://i.postimg.cc/Y0GWhHvh/IMG-4522.jpg (https://postimg.cc/7J46WjMk)

I once bought this stuff at Bunning's but they have discontinued it. Good old Bunning's, determining what people buy and not want customers WANT to buy. I ended up getting these rolls off Amazon, although they are not quite wide enough for these ultra-wide shelves. It's all I could find though.

I decided to use Carpro ECH2o to wipe the shelves down with. Diluted at 1:15 as a water-less wash.

https://i.postimg.cc/5yhFzRzp/IMG-4505.jpg (https://postimg.cc/8fb5Qwtr)

https://i.postimg.cc/RFbtSFVk/IMG-4525.jpg (https://postimg.cc/tZWJD96k)

I like this lining over the more freely available rubber mesh liners as it won't allow liquid to pass through and not as easily moved around.

https://i.postimg.cc/85CWgWDd/IMG-4527.jpg (https://postimg.cc/VS35jJJ5)

And while this little duck was sleeping, a package arrived for me -

https://i.postimg.cc/L4wQ9k58/IMG-4515.jpg (https://postimg.cc/K47DQMt6)

I have been using a bit of iron remover lately, Carpro IronX or NV Purify being my chosen products for this role. Likewise, I have been using a lot of Gyeon product as well. After comparing a few different brands in the larger 3.8/4lt sizes, I went with Gyeon Iron, which can also be used with a clay bar/pad like Purify.

Moving on, Optimum Car Wash Shampoo is another soap for me to try. This is a pH neutral maintenance with a bubble gum scent. It's also a thicker soap than a lot of the other soaps I have been using lately.

Sonax XTREME Wheel Cleaner is known to be a very powerful product. I actually bought this as a substitute for NV Purge, which has never disappointed me with its ability, so I'm keen to see if it lives up to the reputation.

The Microfiber Gloves will be an interesting thing to have a go with, as will the Polishing Cones.

https://i.postimg.cc/jqmfBL1N/IMG-4518.jpg (https://postimg.cc/MX0XQKqK)

A relaxing day much needed.

[DFB]

Continuing pH testing of chemicals, in particular soaps.

For the most part, pH neutral soaps are best for maintenance washes, while alkaline or acidic soaps used for deeper cleaning or preparing for a new wax or sealant.

Starting off with my favorite soap, Carpro Reset. As expected, the pH level of the soap measure at about 7.5, for both diluted and undiluted forms.

Undiluted -

https://i.postimg.cc/Xqss0Fr9/IMG-4572.jpg (https://postimg.cc/y3SmmDXN)

Diluted -

https://i.postimg.cc/vTY0jXZQ/IMG-4551.jpg (https://postimg.cc/cgz7tR3j)

Next, Koch Chemie GSF. Again, a pH neutral soap in both forms.

Undiluted -

https://i.postimg.cc/8z9n5htH/IMG-4566.jpg (https://postimg.cc/5X5mKFcY)

Diluted -

https://i.postimg.cc/nhCPpdYr/IMG-4546.jpg (https://postimg.cc/xXVRP3ZV)

Carpro Lift I only measured in diluted form, it read pretty alkaline -

https://i.postimg.cc/SNZP009H/IMG-4554.jpg (https://postimg.cc/KRMfLHJ5)

Then things got confusing. Most will know my love of NV Snow, as well as the alkaline Snow+. NV Snow is sold as a pH neutral soap, except my readings were anything but.

Undiluted -

https://i.postimg.cc/DzQdTsDm/IMG-4560.jpg (https://postimg.cc/XZJyKZn0)

Diluted -

https://i.postimg.cc/TY2sH2Kr/IMG-4557.jpg (https://postimg.cc/kDZw2mF4)

I then went ahead and tested NV Snow+, a product that is supposed to have a pH reading of 8.1.

Undiluted -

https://i.postimg.cc/9fHtK1Lv/IMG-4564.jpg (https://postimg.cc/QFSTWgGb)

Diluted -

https://i.postimg.cc/vBLP3CMq/IMG-4563.jpg (https://postimg.cc/0MjdNWzD)

To recap, Snow had reads at about 10, Snow+ reading about 12.

I'm pretty confused by this, I guess this why I find Snow to be good at pre-soaking. I did a quick test of adding a drop or two of Snow into 100ml of tap water and the readings stabilized.

Waxit recommend Snow and Snow+ be diluted at 1:10 in a foam cannon or 50ml to 10lt of water. For 1:10, you would add 909ml of water and 91ml of soap in a 1lt foam cannon.

Both of these NV soaps would be best measured accurately. Even so, I am not really sure why I got these reading when they are sold at defined pH levels.

[Azure]

Wow, pretty far from PH neutral!

[Tasmania]

Send NV a email and see what they say?

Your new name is DFB Detective Detailing or officer DDD or Triple D
:buffing:Im the MAN:wowwow:

[DFB]

So after yesterdays confusion over the measured pH readings of NV Snow, I wanted to mix up a proper measured amount at the recommended dilution. And still, the readings are too high -

https://i.postimg.cc/x8p9tMJc/IMG-4582.jpg (https://postimg.cc/N2Th0yxc)

A figure of 9.7 is just too far from a neutral reading of about 7.5, I really don't know what to think now. Perhaps an email to Waxit/NV for clarification is needed.

I then tested another soap to make sure it's not operator or equipment error, this time the product I intended to use today, Optimum Car Wash.

https://i.postimg.cc/fW8Wzn2D/IMG-4584.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Dmb36D3M)

A reading of 6.94 is ever so slightly acidic, but close enough for me.

In use, this soap is quite interesting. It pours quite thickly, but foams much thinner than I'm used to. It's very much like P&S Pearl in consistency and it's ability to cling and just "hang" on the paint.

https://i.postimg.cc/85HpfqTd/IMG-4588.jpg (https://postimg.cc/wy18S4y3)

I like a thicker foam but it smelt nice and provided good cleaning and lubrication. It rinsed well too.

The Ranger also provided another opportunity to use ECH2o, this time to wipe the door jambs and tray.

https://i.postimg.cc/fTkzk2pX/IMG-4590.jpg (https://postimg.cc/3d55cBKJ)

So far, I really like this product. I really need to try using it as a rinse-less wash before making any more comment.

I used Bead Maker for the drying aid today, it's pretty hard to go past Bead Maker for gloss. It really makes paint pop, especially remarkable on a pretty boring flat white finish.

https://i.postimg.cc/FzH9yDKM/IMG-4594.jpg (https://postimg.cc/yg24Bhcj)

[CleanIT]

So after yesterdays confusion over the measured pH readings of NV Snow, I wanted to mix up a proper measured amount at the recommended dilution. And still, the readings are too high -

https://i.postimg.cc/x8p9tMJc/IMG-4582.jpg (https://postimg.cc/N2Th0yxc)

A figure of 9.7 is just too far from a neutral reading of about 7.5, I really don't know what to think now. Perhaps an email to Waxit/NV for clarification is needed.

I then tested another soap to make sure it's not operator or equipment error, this time the product I intended to use today, Optimum Car Wash.

https://i.postimg.cc/fW8Wzn2D/IMG-4584.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Dmb36D3M)

A reading of 6.94 is ever so slightly acidic, but close enough for me.

In use, this soap is quite interesting. It pours quite thickly, but foams much thinner than I'm used to. It's very much like P&S Pearl in consistency and it's ability to cling and just "hang" on the paint.

https://i.postimg.cc/85HpfqTd/IMG-4588.jpg (https://postimg.cc/wy18S4y3)

I like a thicker foam but it smelt nice and provided good cleaning and lubrication. It rinsed well too.

The Ranger also provided another opportunity to use ECH2o, this time to wipe the door jambs and tray.

https://i.postimg.cc/fTkzk2pX/IMG-4590.jpg (https://postimg.cc/3d55cBKJ)

So far, I really like this product. I really need to try using it as a rinse-less wash before making any more comment.

I used Bead Maker for the drying aid today, it's pretty hard to go past Bead Maker for gloss. It really makes paint pop, especially remarkable on a pretty boring flat white finish.

https://i.postimg.cc/FzH9yDKM/IMG-4594.jpg (https://postimg.cc/yg24Bhcj)

I've been playing around with Ech20 a lot lately. The rinseless washes are such great, versatile products. Ech20 has been excellent on all interior and exterior surfaces diluted 1:20/30.

I like Optimum Car Wash. Not quite as good as Reset (is anything?), but for the money I think it's a very good shampoo.

[dgage]

Thanks DFB for the info about the EZ Detail GO Brush. I picked it up and really like it. I normally don’t do the wheel arches because it is so tight on our cars but this brush works even on my sedan. I also used it to detail an engine bay and it seemed to work well. So thanks!



This was my first chance to try my new EZ Detail GO Brush. I bought this specifically for wheel arches, a job it does very well.

https://i.postimg.cc/L4VxgSHc/IMG-4229.jpg (https://postimg.cc/PNPW0Bvy)

https://i.postimg.cc/L6CvvVgv/IMG-4226.jpg (https://postimg.cc/kBSxgKct)

https://i.postimg.cc/g2xs76vp/IMG-4227.jpg (https://postimg.cc/zy1Tbvt2)

[DFB]

Thanks DFB for the info about the EZ Detail GO Brush. I picked it up and really like it. I normally don’t do the wheel arches because it is so tight on our cars but this brush works even on my sedan. I also used it to detail an engine bay and it seemed to work well. So thanks!

Excellent, I'm glad you like it.

I try so many different products and tools that sometimes I never really know if I will like something or not, however the GO version of those brushes surprised me. I actually spotted Sandro from CCAD using one for wheel arches and decided to give one a try.

At this point I am going to say that the EZ-Detail brushes are well worth the added cost over and above the similar and cheaper Chinese knockoff's.

I ran four of these Maxshine versions for a while and they were just not that good. One of the smaller ones came adrift from its handle, the rubber protector tip went AWOL on one of the larger ones and they just haven't maintained their shape. They are brand new below and certainly don't look like that now -

https://i.postimg.cc/CKK5XVxx/may1911.jpg (https://postimg.cc/75pqJdzF)

https://i.postimg.cc/9M6fDRtD/may1913.jpg (https://postimg.cc/MMYw4GLw)

The EZ-Detail versions are much, much better made and are holding up to regular use better than the cheaper alternatives.

https://i.postimg.cc/ZYMdYjVm/IMG-2067.jpg (https://postimg.cc/ThnwCVzN)

https://i.postimg.cc/cL5f0ZFc/IMG-0260.jpg (https://postimg.cc/pmzmBNb9)

https://i.postimg.cc/X7Lw19Fm/IMG-0259.jpg (https://postimg.cc/jLWwLwM4)

I primarily use the small and large versions for wheel cleaning, but they also get use for engine bays and exhaust tips. I did not expect the GO version to be much different, but its very, very good for cleaning wheel arches.

https://i.postimg.cc/wByLBPPY/IMG-0257.jpg (https://postimg.cc/PLHP36TS)

https://i.postimg.cc/q7YhnGXS/IMG-4034.jpg (https://postimg.cc/KKP8hBWD)

https://i.postimg.cc/y6p5LqqX/IMG-2817.jpg (https://postimg.cc/dDd40xVL)

https://i.postimg.cc/Gmj3hjPQ/IMG-3786.jpg (https://postimg.cc/mPtWmC5z)

https://i.postimg.cc/L4VxgSHc/IMG-4229.jpg (https://postimg.cc/PNPW0Bvy)

I absolutely love these brushes; they are so versatile. This is definitely a case of "you get what you pay for".

[Tasmania]

I have the small and large and had them nearly 5 years i snapped the handle off the large but fixed it with some metal tubing. Still going strong i have a cheaper Chinese that is bent to hit up the back of the spokes.