Couple of products let me down

B

biff

In Exile
Well, just a couple more weeks before I go live with mobile biz. (The Yellow Pages ad came out yesterday, guess I really have to go through with this now- scary!)

Anyway, I was doing the first Spring detail on my detail truck and was trying a couple of products that I'm just not completely happy with. Maybe you can suggest some alternatives:

1. I used 3M general purpose adhesive remover as a Bug and Tar remover. It was totally useless. Just stinky and expensive. I ended up using Simple Green (5:1) and a LOT of elbow grease. What do you guys like as an inexpensive bug and tar remover?

2. 3M Imperial Hand Glaze as a polish. (not a good day for 3M). I've been using this for a while by hand, and although the results are pretty good, its just a pain to remove it without streaks and clouds. I'm going to be adding a PC random orbital so a different glaze/polish is order anyway. I'm thinking Meguiar's #7 or #9.

3. Scented FaBreze as a deodorizer. This is one of their new ones, not the Extra Strengh stuff. Initially its fine, but it just doesn't last at all. They say that the scented versions have more airborn scent than the old Extra Strengh version, maybe that's why. BTW - They also say that their Auto version is the weakest formulation of FaBreze (although the scented stuff seems weaker) Should I go back to extra strengh or is there something better? I've been considering an AutoMagic deodorizer.

Thanks in advance.
 
Hey Biff,

Unfortunately, I've not used any of the products you mentioned so I'll give you the skinny on comparable products I have used.

For bugs, tar and dewaxing I've used a few. Autoint (valugard) New Car Prep is a safety solvent. Bugs, tar, crayons, adhesive residue, deaxing, etc etc. I received a small sample and it worked quite well. I've also used Autoint's Omni All Purpose Cleaner as a bug / sap presoak (diluted 10:1) and it worked well too although it's not much of a tar remover. Lately, for bugs I've just used Poorboys Spray and Wipe as a pre-soak and it works good but like the Omni isn't meant to be a tar remover. I think 4-Star has a Citrus based cleaner that can be used (most likely diluted) for bugs, tar, adhesives, etc. Check with Dwayne on that one.

Polishes; Not sure where the FI-II falls into the abrasive scale but I think it's mild to medium (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). Here are some I've used and would recommend.

Light; Poorboys Professional Polish, Meg's Swirl Free, Poorboys SSR1, AutoInt (Valugard) Clear Coat Polish.

Medium duty; Coats Mild Buff, Meg's DACP, Poorboys SSR2.

On the scents/odor removers I've used AutoInt's Odor Eliminator which is actually non-scented. It is supposed to simply remove the cause of any odors. Scented products I recently purchased 4-Stars Tropical scent and it is powerful stuff so very very little goes a long way! Two spritzs into a vehicle is about all you need. I also put about 1 1/2 ounces into a 32oz bottle of 4-Stars carpet/upholtersy shampoo and it makes for a nicely scented carpet shampoo. But, like any scent it is temporary.

Natty
 
For order removal I like Oder X by Turtle wax. I liked it when is was included in their carpet cleaner and now it comes as a stand alone agent in a spray bottle. Give it a try!
 
I've used the 3M finesse hand glaze and your right its hard to remove and clouds up a few hours later. I was told not to use much and to rub it until it almost disappears. I've not tried it in some time got tired of the problems.
 
The Meguiars # 9 and # 82 are both excellent for light/medium duty polishing. They are both fairly mild, and as a result low-risk.

For straight tar removal, WD-40 is hard to beat (other than the smell).

For both bugs and tar, clay works very well.
 
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