[Guest84]

I'll try to keep it short and sweet, excuse the pics, they're low resolution but hyperlinked within the text (bold) below:

Did a full detail http://home.earthlink.net/~ripsnort/BMW/Prep.jpgwith the Porter Cable and tried out some new products sent to me (thnks again E36M3). I only used the Gold Class wax on the hood to test the products longevity out. Again, I couldn't tell the difference from one wax to another if you showed me two identical cars side by side, so I test the longevity of the product, as well as the ease of application and removal. Gold Class is a nice product, though I still prefer Griots Carnauba or P21S carnauba for "carnauba-based" waxes.

I used these Griots 3" foam padsfor getting in the tight spots and the dreaded bumpers, one 3" foam pad for the polish and one for the wax phase. Great concept, regular 6" foam applicators tend to gunk up tight spots with excessive polish or wax.

Meguiars "Endurance" tire gel is a nice product, comes with its own applicator, I like the results and jury's still out on how long it lasts.

Tire before
Tire after application

Meguiars Microfiber towels(side by side with Griots) are indeed "softer" than Griots, though the towel is a bit thinner, I gave both another go after being suspicious that these may have caused some swirls in my last full detail last Sept. They both worked great, and I recommend either brand. I stand corrected on my paranoia!

For those of you still not sold on Claybar, take a look at this after I finish just one door panel (after the car had been washed twice), its tough to see, but there are black streaks in this clay! I highly recommend prepping the surface with claybar if your not already doing so, I tried Meguiars Quik detail spray as a lubricant, though its a nice product on its own, I still prefer Griots Speed Shine.

The one Meguiars product I am going to rave about is the "Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner..this product beats Griots Wheel cleaner hands down..its *almost* a "spray on and hose off" product, though alittle elbow work is in order, you can see this before picture showing brake dust, I applied the product and waited 2 min. then hose it off. The after picture shows most of the brake dust hose easily off, but again, some elbow work was required. This product dissolved about 80% of the dirt, include the caked on brake dust on the calipers that the Griots Wheel cleaner never touched. I highly recommend trying this product if your tired of brake dust.

Here's one of the deeper scratches I had in my bumper, alittle Griots Fine hand polish, P21S paint cleaner, and wax cleaned it right up to look like this after.

And of course, 7 hours later, the proverbial frontal shot (low resolution, 640x480, no photoshop!) and the profile shot. Let me tell you, after 7 hours of detailing the finish only, I pooped! Getting too old for black, next automobile color is going to be a light color!

In summary:
Meguiars Microfiber towels: Great product.
Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner: Sold me, I'll buy this from now on until I test a few others on the market.
Quik Detailer: Good product, though I still personally prefer Griots.
Gold Class Wax: Longevity still to be determined.
Endurance High gloss tire cleaner: Nice product, gel form, good applicator, longevity still to be determined.

 

[alee]

Nice review Rip. :thumb:

Have you tried the P21S wheel cleaner? I ran out of wheel cleaner last month, so I've been doing it the hard way (soapy water, sponge, bruised knuckles).

I've used the BMW Wheel Cleaner and P21S, and so far I like the P21S the best, but based on your review, the Meguiars wheel cleaner sounds like it might be even better.

 

[31st330i]

I've been using the meguiar's tire gel for two years now. great stuff!! I usually re-apply it every other wash after scrubbing the tires off first.

on the wheel cleaner, I have been using hot rims as well but I dilute it 50%. I stil prefer the #36 wheel cleaner, which I used prior (too damed expensive, though).

I almost purchased a gallon of the P21S wheel cleaner (intending on watering it down) but WOW :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: it's like $90 / gallon! instead, I ordered a gallon of Eiman Fabrik Hi-Intensity cleaner for $19.95. I'll probably dilut that a little as well but it's highly touted over at autopia. oh, and it's non-acidic.

 

[31st330i]

zaino z16 looks promising as well. I could see that replacing the endurance tire gel and the gummi-pfledge in my cabinet.

 

[alee]

zaino z16 looks promising as well. I could see that replacing the endurance tire gel and the gummi-pfledge in my cabinet.

No no no! Z16 is TERRIBLE. I call it tire milk. It is messy as heck to apply, and it doesn't seem to last very long.

I switched to using Vinylex on my tires until I find something I can live with. Z16 I could do without.

 

[Dr. Phil]

Nice report Rip

I use the Hot Rims when my dust is built up and you are right on the button. It really does a good job at loosening/removing the majority of the dirt. A little wipe down is all that is need after:thumb: And with the style 73s that is a big plus

I'll be interested in the longevity of tire gel. I'm not 100% set on any as yet. Using One Grand currently, but after a few days of rain I have noticed some "browning".:dunno:

Thanks again for the review

 

[31st330i]

PM 325xiT:
you'll like the endurance tire gel. it works well and even staus on after I clean the wheels and tires with hot rims. it has never turned brown.

as for the wheel cleaner, I've been using the HotRims product for the last 8 or so months (I think it's a fairly new product). it's pretty decent but I water it down anyway. once my gallon of EF-HI arrives, I post about that. I'm hoping it will be better than hot rims since it's always cmopared to the P21S wheel cleaner. and at $20/gallon, it will be even cheaper to use than hot rims.


alee:
thanks for the tip. looks like I'm sticking with endurance tire gel.

 

[ad]

Nice review Rip.

I also use Meguires Tire gel and it's great. Keeps the shine on for weeks. I just bought some Griot's speedshine and polishing towels, I hope these work well? I've been using Meguires Inspection 34 and this past weekend I didn't like the results. I have yet to use a wheel cleaner, looks like Hot Rims will be my next purchase.

 

[Dr. Phil]

PM 325xiT:
you'll like the endurance tire gel. it works well and even staus on after I clean the wheels and tires with hot rims. it has never turned brown.

as for the wheel cleaner, I've been using the HotRims product for the last 8 or so months (I think it's a fairly new product). it's pretty decent but I water it down anyway. once my gallon of EF-HI arrives, I post about that. I'm hoping it will be better than hot rims since it's always cmopared to the P21S wheel cleaner. and at $20/gallon, it will be even cheaper to use than hot rims.

Is the tire gel available at local type stores or do you need to go to a car care supplier? (duh..I'll check their site later) But either way I'll give it a go. Thanks for the tip:thumb:

I got lucky with the hot rims, I forgot to order cleaner when I did an online order. Stopped by Advanced Auto grabbed a bottle and went on my way.

 

[31st330i]

endurance tire gel is available almost anywhere. I've been picking it up at my local target or kragen.

 

[awd330]

I can also vouch for the Endurance tire gel. I haven't come across any other tire dressing with better durability and shine. Some folks have voiced complaints about the product "slinging off", but I've not had that problem. The key is to apply sparingly, let sit, and then buff of any excess.

PM 325xiT: Endurance is fairly easy to find in local stores (Target, AutoZone, Pep Boys, Walmart). You just need to choose between "Regular" sheen and "High Gloss". I like the High Gloss.

Previously, I used Meguiar's #40 for almost 10 years and then switched to Vinylex for a year or two. I gave 303 Aerospace a try a couple months ago, but it was a little too matte for my tastes (great for interior dash, but not for tires). Your mileage may vary.

Hot Rims sounds like a nice product. I'm pretty happy with using Eimann Fabrik Hi-Intensity right now, but I may give Hot Rims a try when it comes time to re-supply.

 

[Guest84]

Nice review Rip. :thumb:

Have you tried the P21S wheel cleaner? I ran out of wheel cleaner last month, so I've been doing it the hard way (soapy water, sponge, bruised knuckles).

I've used the BMW Wheel Cleaner and P21S, and so far I like the P21S the best, but based on your review, the Meguiars wheel cleaner sounds like it might be even better.

Alee, haven't tried the P21S W.C. but will pick some up when I make another run for more P21S Paint cleaner.

Thks all.

 

[31st330i]

awd330:

I prefer a matte finish.... so how long did the 303 last on the tires? does it wash off immediatly?

if someone is putting on enough tire gel so that it flings off, that's WAAAYYYY too much.

here's how I usually apply it (in one pass because I like LESS sheen):

1) apply a bead accross the length of the applicator then back (effectivly two thin beads)

2) smear the bead into the applicator with finger

3) blot the tire using the applicator at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock.

4) run applicator over the side wall.

 

[31st330i]

Alee, haven't tried the P21S W.C. but will pick some up when I make another run for more P21S Paint cleaner.

you'll need to change your undies after looking at the price tag. :yikes:

 

[Dr. Phil]

you'll need to change your undies after looking at the price tag. :yikes:

:lmao:

Thanks for the application tip for the tire dressing. Since the gel will be different then the "liquid" stuff I'm using now that will help.

Gotta love those curved applicator pads, best $2.99 I've spent in a long while

 

[awd330]

awd330:

I prefer a matte finish.... so how long did the 303 last on the tires? does it wash off immediatly?

if someone is putting on enough tire gel so that it flings off, that's WAAAYYYY too much.

here's how I usually apply it (in one pass because I like LESS sheen):

1) apply a bead accross the length of the applicator then back (effectivly two thin beads)

2) smear the bead into the applicator with finger

3) blot the tire using the applicator at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock.

4) run applicator over the side wall.

31st330i:

The first time I used 303, the product seemed to fade away right before my eyes. :tsk: Then, I got into the habit of applying two coats about 30 minutes apart. This still left a matte finish, but it was more durable. Still, I'd have to re-apply after each washing. Of course, my preference for a shinier finish might have influenced my application schedule. You may prefer the "untreated" look that followed each washing.

By the way, my application technique sounds a lot like yours except that I leave out step 2 (smearing product into applicator).

 

[in_d_haus]

I like Endurance and have been using it for a couple years. It will actually last through a couple rains. everything else washes off.

 

[Kaz]

Am I the only one who doesn't mind 'natural' looking tires? Don't get get me wrong, that nasty brown look from using cheap dressing is horrible, but after 8 months of doing nothing to them, mine still look pretty much like new, untreated tires.

 

[31st330i]

Am I the only one who doesn't mind 'natural' looking tires? Don't get get me wrong, that nasty brown look from using cheap dressing is horrible, but after 8 months of doing nothing to them, mine still look pretty much like new, untreated tires.

and to be honest, I like the look of the endurance after it has been washed off slightly. this gives it sort of a gloss-less yet protected look. it's about as cloose as I can get to making it look like a brand new tire.

oh... and I NEVER get any dressing on the tread. I know some people like that but I only apply the gel to the section between the rim guard and the outer raised ring. applying it past the raised ring and on the tread just defeats the whol purpose of having performance tires (let alone a performance car).

 

[Intermezzo]

Great post Ripsnort!!

Wow! Great job on the bumper!! Since that scratch was in a tight spot on the bumper, am I correct in assuming you polished it by hand using Griot's hand polish? If so, then that is truly amazing! That is definitely a product I gotta look into (or perhaps it's all in the technique...).

Meguiar's Endurance is a great product. Definitely one of Meguiar's best all-around products.

Alee, I'm surprised you didn't like Z-16. I've been using it with pretty good results. Not super-durable, I agree, but among dressing with no silicone oil (just water based PDMS), it's the longest lasting I've used.

Ripsnort, is the Meguiar's Hot Rims cleaner Ph neutral?

Thanks...