Review: Pinnacle Signature APC

[mjlinane]

Review: Pinnacle Signature APC

Introduction:

I received a surprise package from Stig a couple of weeks ago containing the new Pinnacle products.

Detour - In CG MF Cleaner review, I wrote about my long history as a "recovering" audiophile. I have been dragged back into that hobby over the last month due to my preamp failing and having to shell out $$$$ on a replacement. So I am back to listening & trying to optimize the sound with the new boxes while they break in. I was fiddling with power cords and ran across one of those truly mind blowing things that drove me crazy (and broke) while in that hobby. I swapped out the power cord to the power conditioner that feeds the turntable motor/pump (itself a power conditioner - and not anywhere near the signal path) with another (super premium) power cord and the sound was noticeably (well, a lot more than that) degraded. Yeah, I know, it only spins the record but it happened (and I am an Electrical Engineer by education and can`t even come close to explaining this one). I immediately put back in the original power cord. (Normally, in high end audio, the hype around reviews is staggering but this reviewer experienced the same thing with the same cord - A/C Master Coupler | Synergistic Research).

So why the detour? I`ve always believed the same thing about APCs. I have a large fraction of the products that ACC sells but only 3 APCs - and one of those I won in the Big Kahuna contest (thanks Todd). I use 1Z W99 to strip wax, OPC for general cleaning and BF for special occasions. But for tires, I have been using Zep Citrus because it is cheap and works well. It is an APC, after all. And they are tires. Why would I need to spend more? (Now, interior APCs, I am particular about those.)

Thanks to Corey again for providing the format and to Stig & PBMG for providing the product.

Product:


Product Claims:

From Autopia Car Care site - Pinnacle Signature All Purpose Cleaner

"The safe and effective cleaning solution for your automobile!

Versatile cleaning solution that can be diluted for a variety of surfaces
Safe for all surfaces when used at proper dilutions
Use to clean surfaces ranging from delicate leather to soiled engine compartments


Pinnacle Natural Brilliance is passionate about automobile care and obsessed with preserving the fine pieces of art that sit in our garages, garnish admiring glances on our roads, and stun spectators at car shows. Pinnacle Signature All Purpose Cleaner`s amazing ability clean safely is a result of that dedication. For over two decades Pinnacle Natural Brilliance has sought to better car care. You benefit from that dedication each time your squeeze the trigger of Signature All Purpose Cleaner.

Pinnacle Signature All Purpose Cleaner is powerful! You can use it to remove grease and filth build up from engine compartments without damaging delicate finishes. It will remove road tar, sap, and bug residues from paint. When used at the proper dilution it even removes heavy soil build up on a fine leathers. Pinnacle Signature All Purpose Cleaner is the only cleaning solution you need for your automobile.

Pinnacle Signature All Purpose Cleaner is safe. Use at full-strength for the dirtiest jobs such as engine degreasing or undercarriage detailing. Dilute 1 part Pinnacle Signature APC with 5 parts water to formulate a powerful cleaning solution that is ideal for cleaning wheels and tires. For lighter cleaning action, such as cleaning fender wells, door jambs, fuel doors, and residues from paint, dilute 1 part APC with 10 parts water; it is even safe for leather and vinyl in this dilution.

Once diluted to the proper ratio, mist Pinnacle Signature All Purpose Cleaner onto the surface to be cleaned and allow it to dwell for 30 to 45 seconds. Agitate with a soft brush or applicator if needed. Rinse away residue with a strong spray of water. When cleaning leather or delicate finishes spray properly diluted Pinnacle Signature All Purpose Cleaner directly onto the brush or applicator and agitate. Blot dry with a separate towel."

Details:

1.- Packaging: Plastic bottle with trigger sprayer
2.- Directions: Clearly labeled
3.- Viscosity: About the same as water
4.- Color: Clear
5.- Scent: Sorry, allergies have greatly reduced my sense of smell but didn`t seem bad, maybe even pleasant - citrusy?
6.- Price at time of review: 16oz = $ 14.99
7.- Manufacturer: Pinnacle Natural Brilliance
9.- Made in: USA

Other Products Used:

5 gallon bucket
Tuf Shine Wheel Brush (these are really good, guys!)
Pressure washer

Preparation:

Other than put some water in the bucket and find my brush, none really.

Application:

Spray on (I have used it neat and at 5:1), scrub with brush, rinse off. Repeat until foam is white (not brown).

Observations:

Pinnacle Signature APC cleans well and quickly.

Before:

During:

After:

White Foam:


Does it meet its claims? Yes.

Pros:

1.- Excellent cleaning ability
2.- Very fast, too

Cons:

1.- None I`ve found.

Final Observations and Summary:

Now I get it! It works so much faster and effectively that I save time and effort. Duh!!

I actually did the other 3 tires with Zep (still in my "it`s just an APC" mindset) and it took 3 cycles to get to white foam. With the Pinnacle, only one (the second application yielded white; 4th with the Zep). I`ve learned my lesson. Highly recommended.

I haven`t used diluted on interiors (yet) but will update when I do.

Now, what do I do with all of my Zep?

Comments and questions are encouraged. Thanks for viewing!

[ihaveacamaro]

Great review, I wish I could try all the APCs!

[dc52nv]

Thanks for the review.

[Pats300zx]

Great review Mike. I used some today on my interior. Works really well.

[Audi X2]

Mike thanks a lot for the great review!
I too am an audiophile and can totally relate to the hobby. Lately I have been very happy with my set-up and sticking to car care to fulfill my need to tweak things

[Bunky]

Thanks for the review. It sounds like a great APC!

[TroyScherer]

Nice review Mike.

[rzatch]

Application:

Spray on (I have used it neat and at 5:1), scrub with brush, rinse off. Repeat until foam is white (not brown).

I actually did the other 3 tires with Zep (still in my "it`s just an APC" mindset) and it took 3 cycles to get to white foam. With the Pinnacle, only one (the second application yielded white; 4th with the Zep). I`ve learned my lesson. Highly recommended.

Nice review Mike. Were both products at the same dilution ratio?

[Wors]

Mike - Great review, thank you for taking time to post the results.

[mjlinane]

Thanks guys.

I too am an audiophile and can totally relate to the hobby. Lately I have been very happy with my set-up and sticking to car care to fulfill my need to tweak things

Definitely. The $100 I spend a week or so on detailing stuff is pocket change by comparison. My ancient Krell gave up the ghost so I replaced it with Parasound JC2 & JC3 (~$7000) and now I have the hankering to get the matching JC1s ($10,000). Would "need" to go balanced then, too (new ics - figure a couple $K there). Oh, and forgot the power cord and power conditioner and etc. We`ll see....

For those non-audiophiles out there, that is the low end of the "good" stuff.

I will say it did train me well to observe even the tiniest of differences and neurotically compare things. Reviews are pretty easy then.

Were both products at the same dilution ratio?

By both, do you mean the Zep, too? I was using Zep 3:1 and have since moved to neat.

[tropicsteve]

looks like good stuff mike, thanks.

[Pats300zx]

Just used some Pinnacle APC today at 5/1 on tires. Did a really nice job.

[mjlinane]

Thanks Steve.

[Todd@RUPES]

Thanks for the review!

[Laguna]

Awesome job