2015 Year In Review - 20 Products That Blew Me Away!

[Nick McKees37]

2015 was another outstanding year for Autogeek for a multitude of different reasons, including but not limited to:

• Competition Ready, a new TV show hosted by Mike Phillips and Adrienne "AJ" Janic came to fruition. The show will be debuting in April on Velocity Network.
• 10th Annual Detail Fest & Car Show was our biggest and most successful to date.
• McKee's RV, a subsidiary of PBMG launched in the summer. With it came a new website - McKee's RV - RV Waxes, Cleaners & Polishes
• Ivan, formerly the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (graduated to the new Competition Ready Van), has been replaced with a 37 foot Freight Liner that sleeps 6!

All of the above wouldn't be possible without the support and backing of our customers. With over 60 brands and thousands of products to choose from, there is something for everyone at Autogeek.

I might sound like a broken record, but one of the perks of my job is getting to test out and compare each and every new product, from detail sprays to state-of-the-art surface coatings. To say that I love my job would be an understatement. So, with that being said, I thought I would assemble a list of products that knocked my socks off in 2015. Please note that some products are new, while others have long been fan favorites.

I personally recommend every product on this list, and you can bet that each and every one of them has a spot in my garage at home.

3D HD Polish



Wow this stuff is magical is what I proclaimed the first time I used HD Polish. Whether you refer to HD Polish is magic-in-a-bottle or the best friggin' finishing polish ever made, there's no doubt the quality of the finish left behind left you in awe, much like it did when I used it for the first time. An unbelievable product indeed; two thumbs up!


SONAX High Speed Wax



Where have you been all my life? SONAX High Speed Wax feels more like a wax in a sprayable form that it does a traditional spray wax. Make sense? Use this stuff once and you'll understand. It imparts a deep, rich glow that mimics the look of a high-end paste wax. No streaks or smears, and you can use it on virtually any hard exterior surface.


BLACKFIRE All-In-One Trim & Tire Protectant



You can thank me for this one. That's what I told Mr. Phillips when I handed him a bottle of BLACKFIRE All-In-One Trim & Tire Protectant to test our early in the stages of its development. Mike loved it, and so do I. Here's why: It cleans, conditions and protects in ONE step. Use this versatile cleaner/protectant on exterior plastic trim and, my favorite application, as a tire cleaner/protectant for use during a waterless or rinseless car wash.


Four Star Ultimate Spray Wax Plus



TWO spray waxes on this year's list?! You betcha! Earlier this year Four Star reformulated Ultimate Spray Wax Plus, and boy did they do an outstanding job. Unlike SONAX High Speed Wax which is thicker than your normal spray wax, Four Star Ultimate Spray Wax Plus has a viscosity much like water. While Four Star Ultimate Spray Wax Plus works well on all exterior surfaces (including glass), my favorite application is wheels. The lubricious formula removes brake dust and dirt (I use it with my favorite waterless / rinseless wash for wheel cleaning) while making the surface slick and glossy. This spray wax exhibits excellent anti-static characteristics, which is another reason I use it to clean my wheels on-the-go.


BumperSkinz Crystal Clear Bumper Protection



Skeptical is the best word used to describe how I felt the first time I applied BumperSkinz to a black Mercury Sable. To my surprise, not only was BumperSkinz easy to apply (I mean really, really easy), it also held up through an entire Florida summer without any signs of peeling, cracking or fading. This DIY clear bumper protection is cheap insurance for keeping your vehicle's bumpers protected from shopping carts, doors, etc.



Custom UVS Heat Shield



You might be surprised to see this one on the list because the UVS Heat Shield has been around forever, but for the first time I actually purchased one for my daily driver. I love it! The thick core blocks harmful UV rays and keeps my stainless shift knob from burning my hand. I figured it would be great to have in South Florida, but I didn't think I would end up liking it as much as I do.


Color-Coded Microfiber Bulk Detailing Towels - 16 Pack



Without a doubt the best deal in microfiber - that sums up the Color-Coded Bulk Microfiber Detailing Towels. Autogeek was able to obtain these towels at a very low price, so we passed along the savings to you guys. Our Color-Coded Microfiber Bulk Detailing Towels are 12 x 16 inches and weigh in at a not-so-feathery 250 gsm. This size and weight makes Color-Coded Microfiber Bulk Detailing Towels perfectly sized and weighted for a handful of different detailing tasks.


Pinnacle Exhaust Cleaner & Brightener



I never thought the day would come where I got picked on at the office for having a car that was too clean. I spent a lot of dough on the aftermarket exhaust installed on my WRX, so I like to keep the polished mufflers and tips clean and shiny. What's so bad about that? Not only does Pinnacle Exhaust Cleaner & Brightener melt away built-up exhaust soot, it features an all-natural formula that, unlike most metal polishes, has an inviting, pleasant fragrance. Keeping your exhaust clean has never been this fun.


CarPro HydroFoam



Too good to be true. That's what I thought the first time I heard about CarPro HydroFoam, a soap that is best described as a Frankenstein Hydro2, one of the most popular products offered by CarPro. I'm glad to report that HydroFoam is the real deal, and that CarPro has done it once again. HydroFoam cleans, shines and coats in one step. If you thought Hydro2 was a time saver, wait until you try out HydroFoam.


DP Turbo Car Dryer



I never realized how much I disliked drying my car with a handful of microfiber towels until the first time I used the DP Turbo Car Dryer. Developed exclusively for Autogeek by Shop Vac, the DP Turbo Car Dryer is lightweight and packs a whopping 6.5 peak horsepower motor. Even with some customers experiencing hoses that don't want to stay on (remedied by glue or screws), the DP Turbo Car Dryer turned out to be one of the best selling products in 2015. 2016 will bring a new-and-improved version - stay tuned.


McKee’s RV Waterless Wheel Wash & Polish



100% of the credit goes to Bob McKee on this one. Early in the development of McKee's RV, Bob wanted something that would clean AND polish wheels in one-step. A few months and half a dozen formulations later, McKee's RV Waterless Wheel Wash & Polish was born. This thick, spray on waterless wash features micro polishing agents that remove road film and light oxidation, creating a brilliantly clean wheel that sparkles like the day it was new.


3D HD Speed



You might be wondering how much 3D bribed me in order to get two of their products on this year's list. Those of you that have used SPEED are aware of its magical abilities to make paint glossier in less time than any other product. It cleans, corrects, polishes, fills and seals paint in one step, leaving it with a gloss so deep and rich you could easily trick others into thinking you spent all day performing multiple steps.


Griots Garage Multi-Purpose Utility Towels



I took a bag of these home on a whim one Friday after work and I couldn't be happier that I did. It seems like I have an endless supply of utility towels when I need them (go for the bag of 50, you'll be glad you did). My favorite application with these towels is cleaning wheels with Four Star Ultimate Spray Wax Plus as part of my waterless routine. They also work great for door jambs and engine bay detailing. Griots Garage Multi-Purpose Utility Towels are the quintessential example of a hidden gem.


Lake Country ThinPro Foam Pad System



David Patterson outdid himself on this one. Autogeek collaborates with Lake Country more than any other brand, and the ThinPro Foam Pad System is Lake Country's latest creation. Designed exclusively for Autogeek, ThinPro Foam Pads utilize the next generation of Hybrid foam technology in a lightweight, thin design design that is optimized for free-spinning dual action polishers. ThinPro Foam Pads are arguably the most robust foam pads Lake Country manufacturers, making them especially appealing for professional detailers.


Pinnacle Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner & Conditioner



I would hate to say that I dislike any given aspect of car care and detailing, but the one I enjoy the least is interior detailing. I would much rather apply a quick coat of my favorite spray wax instead of cleaning and dressing my interior. Frequent car care is easy car care, and that's where Pinnacle Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner & Conditioner can work to your advantage. This all-in-one cleaner and protectant makes it possible to detail your interior in 10 minutes or less. Use it to clean and protect dashboards, door panels, vinyl seats, etc. It works well, smells wonderful, and leaves a classy satin finish that sticks around a couple weeks.


The Hose Slide



Everyone should have one of these. And I mean everyone. The picture alone sums up how valuable this product is when washing or polishing a car, so I'll leave it at that and let you order a set for yourself and anxiously await its arrival.


Rupes Glass Cleaner



This one shouldn't come as a surprise. Why? For one, everything Rupes makes is outstanding, and I mean everything; Tools, foam pads, polishing compounds, the list goes on. It's no surprise then that one of their newest products, aptly named Glass Cleaner (way to keep it simple!), is another home run. Rupes Glass Cleaner has a slight foaminess to it, which enables the cleaner to cling to the surface. Very clever! Cleaning ability is top notch as well.


Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating



Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating takes ease of use to a new level. In fact, this surface coating is so easy to use that even if you've never applied wax to your car, you'll get the hang of Uber after just one panel. Apply it to paint, wheels, glass, plastic trim, you name it and Uber will protect it. You'll be hard pressed to find another surface care enhancement product that will leave your paint glossier and better protected than Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating.


Ultra Soft Microfiber Rinseless Wash Mitt



If you visit the forum on a daily basis, you can't help but come across a post where I rave about this wash mitt. This is, to my knowledge, the first wash mitt designed exclusively for use with a rinseless wash. The open loop fibers reduce friction so the mitt glides effortlessly across your vehicle's delicate painted surfaces, taking dirt and dust with it. If you're a rinseless wash junkie and have yet to try this wash mitt, what are you waiting for?!


Duragloss Aquawax Waterless Wash N Wax #971



Duragloss products are known to impress. You'll be glad to hear that the newest product to bear the "wet look" name is no different. Duragloss Aquawax Waterless Wash N Wax #971 - while not a fancy concentrate that makes 185 gallons of ready to use solution with just one bottle - cleans, shines and protects your vehicle's exterior surfaces in one quick, easy step. Unlike most waterless wash products, Duragloss 971 isn't watery, in fact it feels more like a spray wax than a waterless wash. Yet miraculously enough, it isn't more likely to induce scratching or marring despite the fact that it feels like its lacking in the lubricity department. I've used a lot of detailing products, and I can honestly say that Duragloss 971 is among the top for the highest level of gloss left behind. 10 thumbs up on this one, and a steal at $35 a gallon.

[Nick McKees37]

Ready...set...go!

[pheerix]

What no Uber Rinseless?!

[VISITOR]

nick, what is going to be new/improved (hose, motor, etc,) with the new dp turbo car dryer?

[roguegeek]

Real good list. I've been able to try a lot of those in 2015 and wasn't disappointed. Real surprised Wolfgang Uber Rinseless Wash didn't make the list, though. That was, easily, my favorite product of 2015.

[roguegeek]

nick, what is going to be new/improved (hose, motor, etc,) with the new dp turbo car dryer?

I'd want to know this too. Was real close to purchasing one a couple months ago. I'll definitely pick up the new one whenever it's released.

[Justin at Final Inspection]

Great list!!! I have 6 of those items in my arsenal!

Pinnacle exhaust cleaner
HD Speed
LC Pro thin pads
Pinnacle Vinyl/rubber cleaner conditioner
Wolfgang Uber Ceramic coating
Rinseless wash mitt

[vobro]

I didn't try too many new products but the few I've used that I really like;
OPT Hyper Compound new formula
Car Pro Essence
DP Tire coating/cleaner
Megs Thin Foam Pads
HD Speed and Polish
Wolfgang Trim Protectant
New products that I won't buy again
Blackfire Coating
CarPro Reload- whatever the latest version is
UTTG- performance is substandard than previous version

[boomdone]

Glad to see HD Polish on there. I love it. Speed get a lot of love but I like to use a different LSP (typically a coating) so I like a pure polish. And HD Polish is a great one.

I also NEED the hose slides. Next sale I'm grabbing them.

[ScottH]

I'd nominate Pinnacle's Crystal Detail Mist to this list...if I could :-).

Great list Nick!
ScottH