Weekly Open Thread - oils lotions and potions oh my!
Every car person worth their weight in carnuba wax has some products you swear by. Part of car lust is dealing with various issues - be it dirty fuel systems, blue puff at start up, sketchy paint, dry leather and so on. What do you use? What do you swear by? I'll list a few of my favorites after the break below.
As always, this Monday thread is the collection bin for all things auto related that might not fit elsewhere. Pull up a chair, make yourself comfortable, there's beverages in the fridge.
I like products that work as advertised. I'm willing to pay for it to get what I want, but I'm cheap, and therefore hate wasting money (or product) unecessarily. Below are a few of the products I've had success with over the years.
Rain-X. I've been using Rain-X for years and swear by it. It simply helps you see much better in wet/rainy conditions. Where this is expecially important is so you know when the guy ahead of you is slowing/stopping unexpectedly. Living in a metro area for a number of years allowed this product to probably help me avoid a few accidents because of my improved ability to see. If you doubt it, apply the product to just 1/2 of your front window and see for yourself.
3M Fuel System Tune-Up Kit. Whenever I get a new (used) vehicle, this process is immediately applied. I've seen as much as a 3mpg improvement after using it. I think a lot of fuel systems cleaners are snake oil, but this is not one of them. The vehicles also run smoother after use.
Water Wetter. I have an 88 S-10 that has always run a bit hotter than I'd like. That is until I tried this. Impressive in its ability to lower coolant temperature. I first saw it used in dirt track race cars (sprint cars) where operating temps were a signficant concern due to mud on radiators, running near full throttle a lot and limited surface space for a cooling system. Royal Purple makes a similar product that works equally as well.
Nu Finish Liquid Car Polish. Nu Finish is my "wax" of preference for my old beaters. I'd use something different on a new car or a classic car, but on my every day beater I just want the water to bead and the grime to stick less. This goes on and off easily, and it keeps a bead a remarkably long time.
3M Headlight Lens Restoration System. I chronicled my use of the this product (with video!) on the blog a while back. A year and a half later and the lenses still look much better than when I started the restoration process. Same goes for my wife's Honda Civic lenses that I did at the same time.
Mothers Clay Bar Paint Saving System. I've used a couple of clay bar systems and this is the best I've found. If you have recently succumed to your lusts and purchased a '76 Ford Torino that has sat in the sun for the better part of every day since it left the production line, you need something to bring that paint and surface back to life. Start here.
Mothers Back-to-Black. You know those various black trim pieces all over your vehicle? You know how they really aren't black any more? This will fix that. The only drawback is that about once a month it needs to be reapplied if you really want to keep that look. But it does indeed do as the title suggests and restores those various shades of gray back to black.
Invisible Glass. I use this on any glass surface - car windows, home windows, mirrors, glass table tops and more. It cleans quickly, easily, and without streaks. Never again will I use Windex.
Simichrome Polish. I don't use this on my cars but rather my motorcycle. My cars are all plastic. It works beautifully on any un-coated non-ferrous metal that you want to bring to a shine. Incredibly easy to use, and it helps prevent subsequent tarnishing.
Lexol Leather Conditioner. I've used this to restore a junk yard seat with remarkable success. I've also used it on my Lazy-boy and it works well there too. But don't be surprised if it seems like the leather is drinking this stuff. You'll use more than you'd expect on your first application. But it does really restore the leather to a degree you'd likely not have imagined had you not seen the transformation.
Bill T. on February 20, 2012 at 09:45 AM
Here are two products that I've used and will endorse. Blue Coral for wax. It takes a lot of work in the buffing (many use a power buffer). The end result is very worthwhile. Armorall for leather. It was recommended several years ago, And I have used it several times since.
Anthony Cagle on February 20, 2012 at 10:58 AM
ArmorAll I've use on my old '78 and have no cracking or anything on the dash. Lately I've taken to using Lemon Pledge on all of the vinyl.
That Car Guy on February 20, 2012 at 11:22 AM
I've used Lemon Pledge, not any other kind, on tires, weatherstripping, radiator hoses, underhood stuff, all vinyls, and hard plastics since 1973, and with great success. It even makes the BRG on the Miata shine while removing fine scratches. Lemon Pledge soaks into the materials rather than builds a coat on top, thus preserving them, and leaves a quality shine, not a cheap used car lot "wet" look.
When the time comes, don't embalm me. Use Lemon Pledge. It smells good too.
mattc on February 20, 2012 at 04:56 PM
Collinite IW845: For a durable wax that is rather easy to apply/remove, I heartily recommend Collinite IW845. Collinite does not advertise but the detailing community is awash with how durable this wax is. My winter detail (usually in October) always ends with a coat of Collinite IW845. It will last throughout the Winter and onto Spring.
3M Headlight Kit: Excellent system to rejuvenate cloudy (to severly couldy) headlights.
NO Streek Glass Polish: Stoner's Invisible Glass is a great glass cleaner as well. But I really like No Streek. It applied almost like a wax, let bry, buff. Done.
Meguires Natural Finish vinyl/rubber protectant: Excellent dust repellant, natural looking finish and UV protector.
salguod on February 20, 2012 at 07:16 PM
Instead of Rain-X, get silicone wipers from Silblade or PIAA. You'll have to order them (Amazon usually has the best prices), I've never seen them in stores, but they coat the glass like Rain-X so you don't have to.
Another bonus - they last years instead of months. Most natural rubber wipers are shot within 6-12 months, my silicone wipers have lasted 4+ years.
Patrick Anderson on February 21, 2012 at 01:55 AM
Marvel Mystery Oil-have used it several times for sticky lifters-it works.
Rain X windshield wipers-smooooth!
Slick 50 fuel system cleaner
Lucas oil treatment in a noisy manual tranny-quiets right down.
toronado on February 21, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Lemon Pledge lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uklF7VtqJq8
Sorry I couldn't resist.
Eric Bowman on February 23, 2012 at 04:45 AM
Marvel Mystery Oil, in both lube and fuel.
Anthony Cagle on February 23, 2012 at 09:33 AM
Not altogether certain I want to try that 3M fuel system cleaner, as this is in the Amazon product description:
"Add 3M Complete Fuel System Cleaner to a full tank, at a recommended *delusion ratio* of one ounce of additive to each gallon of fuel."
Big Chris on February 23, 2012 at 02:07 PM
They might have been sniffing the product when they typed that...