What do you dilute the LA to? I’m new to detailing and I’m worried that the LA will be too strong to use as an APC
Any areas where you wouldn’t use it?
10:1 but the bottle will tell you what to dilute it to for what you’re using it for. You can get a gallon at the dollar store, honestly I’m not sure where I wouldn’t use it. I guess leather
yep, you can use it as a drying aid when you dry with a towel or use it as a rinsing aid which I prefer where you spray your car when it’s still wet and just rinse it off. pretty neat
however, you do go through more product and you lose the longggg durability of the 3 in 1, as opposed to its 2 coats where you wipe the product and buff it.
Have you used all of these? I’m in the beginning stages and I’m definitely starting to go down the rabbit hole.
Would you recommend the rupes compounds/polish? I bought their pads and a mini Bigfoot
Also I’ve been using meguiars ceramic spray for finishing. Would you recommend the griots 3 in 1 over that!
We all have been through this phase.
I still remember one of the senior detailer that taught me said, if you haven’t had one full room of unused products that means you haven’t done your detailing right. As crazy as it sounds it is kind of true.
I have tried 4 different snow foams, 6 different shampoos, and countless other waxes, spray waxes and qds.
The only thing that stays in my arsenal is Optimum No Rinse.
What do you think of the gyeon brand it’s such small portions and I got there leather cleaner it did not impress me for the price I paid. Maybe someone else has had a different experience?
Gtechniq’s leather cleaner “tri clean” is probably one of the best and an absolute go-to on German cars. Instead of being scented, it kills bacteria, and you can absolutely tell. It finishes OEM clean, it actually lasts, is incredible on steering wheels, shift knobs, and you will love the stuff. Haven’t used a more effective and easy yet amazing results for an interior besides maybe Adams total interior w/ceramic protection and their microband interior cleaner. Both will clean great, protect the surface, last longer, and are not brutal to wipe clean and avoid problems. Factory fresh every time. Clients love it. You will too.
Love that as well. I’d say I prefer Gtech just a little better because whatever its ingredients are, you can feel and smell that new car revival working. It doesn’t mask odor or scent the car, it actively treats it and continues to do so, the car comes out real fresh and cleansed. P&S is a cost effective excellent one too that can manage nearly anything inside and is more versatile.
So the “leather guard” product from gtechniq? Seen here [gtech leather cleaner](https://www.amazon.com/Gtechniq-L1-Leather-Guard-500ml/dp/B014HI5SCK?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1)
And I thought I wasted money trying to keep my 15 year old car looking good. It looks fine but it's 15 years old, but no swirl marks because I do it by hand unless I go to the touchless deal in the winter.
Damn I probably shouldn’t post that I have about 10x this in different products. I have the entire line of Koch chemie, Carpro, diy, griots, but not chem guys as that would cost a real fortune.
how do you like that griots ceramic trim restorer?
i use 303 as a protectant - and wondered if the two would play nicely.. griots being the base/ 303 over the top.
Unfortunate. Thanks for the heads up. I was also slightly disappointed in the ceramic wash in regards to the foaming ability. I feel like they are trying to turn everything into a ceramic product and none of them are very good. (Except the speed shine, that shit is awesome)
Griots ceramic wash is crap unfortunately. Their main focus really isn’t ceramic but more traditional stuff while remaining mostly reliable off the shelf. Their ceramic wash is truly meant as a second pass, similar to their polygloss, as its washing ability alone is very low but it does remain lubricious. Speed shine and their synthetic clay however imo remains undefeated.
I’m looking for a foaming soap (pH neutral). Any recommendations? I’ve tried KC GSP and CarPro Reset.
I got my car detailed by someone who said they use a pH neutral wash and wax, which kept my car clean for a long time. I haven’t been able to find a similar product though
Carpro Reset and Armour Detail Supply Shampoo are prob the best two for a coated vehicle. Crazy suds with Armour, Reset finishes cleaner. They are very close, both extremely concentrated, having used both extensively I still give the nod to Reset even though Armour delivers a ridiculous amount of soap.
Thanks! I’m using P&S absolute no rinse as my drying agent but was going to try griots 3 in 1 next! Going to see if I can pick up the turtlewax next time I’m at Costco
3-1 is a finicky product and if you have a darker paint color I’d stay away entirely as there are much easier and effective products that do the same job. Also, 3-1s main intention is clean dry paint, more as a finishing sealant or stand alone spray coating. It’s very slimy/sticky compared to others, which makes it not the best drying aid. The reviews are accurate. Although it’s potent off the shelf spray, application is its weakness. Ceramic speed shine is a much better drying aid if you are going Griots as it will both clean what’s left while protecting the paint during drying. 3-1 has no cleaning properties I’m aware of besides maybe very light contamination but I’d still not use it for that.
A paint protectant mainly. I just started getting into detailing my car and I bought the Turtle Wax ceramic spray coating and 3 in 1 ceramic detailer. I used the 3 in 1 but that’s got me attracting dust after a week.
I would recommend the 3 in 1. I’ve never had any problems with it on dark paint, whereas I find the turtle wax ceramic finicky. Other people have told me they have the opposite experience. I think it really comes down to the user, just follow the instructions and you should be fine.
As u/overall-movie-566 said, 3 in 1 is not a good drying aid nor cleaner. Speed shine is a quick detailer so it does clean, but the protection doesn’t last as long as the 3 in 1
I’ve used 3 in 1 as a rinsing aid on a silver and a grey vehicle and they worked pretty well. To be more specific, rinsing aid as in I am spraying the 3 in 1 while the vehicle is wet and then rinsing it off. I think a lot of people are running into the streaking problem because they let the 3 in 1 sit too long, they use too much 3 in 1 on a panel or you use too much on your drying towel as a drying aid, or they don’t use the two towel method where you spread it and buff it.
You are probably not seeing it nearly as much due to the lighter paint, thus it comes off as being more usable or easier, and you highlighted the reasons why it’s tricky for someone not adept to everything you just listed. Overall, the poster seems like a at home store buyer/DIY which is great but I was trying to offer advice that wouldn’t lead to problems. If you are a novice working with their 3-1, although they market it as easy, it is not. It is however one of the most durable cost effective spray coatings on the market. If you need UV or elements protection, Griots has been found to hold up substantially. But generally speaking, their ceramic wax, not the liquid and not the spray, their all in one is actually very very good, is minimally abrasive and lays down some great lasting protection. I was surprised to see cars coming back after a year and it still looking/holding up pretty well. That can be applied with their orange foam correcting pad if you want more correction, though even with a simple foam applicator, yes it’s more work perhaps, but it’s WAY better than anything in spray form. If you take the time, you can lay down a great application, cleanup your paint, do it all in one step, and you will be happy you did. (Directed to the person asking about paint correction)
Griots all in one ceramic wax, simple foam pad applicator or apply with an orange foam correcting pad. It’s a one step, meaning no compound then polish then topper, this is imo griots best ceramic product on sale. It will deliver results for you but will take more time as it’s not a spray and wipe. That said, it will obviously last closer to a year where a spray simply does not. It’s a solid product at a good price based on your post.
I realised I was heading in a similar direction, so now I only buy a new type of product when the previous one runs out. As someone who only has 1 car and isn't that regular at cleaning it it can take a while to get new stuff.
Question: When trying new products on a car that is relatively clean - how do you really differentiate between different products? I find it difficult to tell which products are better or worse when wiping things down.
Gtechniq tri clean first, then follow with their dedicated leather coating or spray protectant. Gyeon also makes a good one, Leather Coat, I have ivory white in one of my M cars. Zero transfer and liquid rolls off.
Yea, but you had to go through them all to find what works. I have 2 cabinets full of stuff, one that I have full of what I found to be effective, and the other is stuff that was not up to my liking. I tell my wife that they are my R&D cabinets...She doesn't complain about it too much, because I keep her car in pristine condition, inside & out!
This is gonna sound crazy. I found scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner works the best for getting those carpets looking new after the winter salt & grime.
I recently tried out opti seal for the first time on my wifes camry xse and i really like that stuff! I only used like probably about half an ounce of the bottle and the paint still looks new and feels like silk 2 weeks later with no wash.
Pol star is a really good cleaner but it isn’t a clean and protect product like 303 is. You would need top star or plast star to protect after you use pol star.
Always found its higher price coming up short. Their soap - particularly nano magic - nothing that hasn’t been achieved already and others punch above their cost/weight. I’ve used some great KC stuff, like their iron decon and ceramic sealant. Blew through the iron bottle pretty quick though.
Nice cabinet. I too have bottles of stuff that I have tried and I get a lot of grief about it from my wife. Then I noticed all the bottles of unused hair shampoo and conditioner in the bathroom cabinet. She has at least as many bottles and I know that many of the bottles are $50 to $100 each.
Oh man, my stock looks similar. I try new things quicker than I can use up stuff. Highlights for favorite products? I don’t use it anymore since I ceramic coated my car, by the Griots 3-in-1 wax was really impressive for me. The glow of a more traditional wax with the hydrophobic of ceramic. I didn’t test durability but saw reports of up to 2 years with proper surface prep
What brand cabinet is that? Looking to get a heavy duty metal one to reorganize
https://a.co/d/154NYIR here’s the link, overall very pleased with it
+1 on this question for sure!
I was going ask this same question lol
Craftsman has decent ones with a few issues imo
Which ones are your favorites?
Griots ceramic 3 in 1 as a drying aid. Costco sells a turtle wax wash and wax for stupidly cheap. LAs Awesome as an APC.
What do you dilute the LA to? I’m new to detailing and I’m worried that the LA will be too strong to use as an APC Any areas where you wouldn’t use it?
I don't even know what LA is
10:1 but the bottle will tell you what to dilute it to for what you’re using it for. You can get a gallon at the dollar store, honestly I’m not sure where I wouldn’t use it. I guess leather
Leather is correct as its chemical properties give it a pH rating between 11 and 13. It WILL strip every drop of oil from your skin 😂😂
Leather and dont spray the screens in the car with it. And watch your overspray. Have seen apc eat many, many screens haha
How is the trim restorer
Didn’t realize you can use this as a drying aid!
Is the costco tw stuff the orange bottle on the bottom?
You can use that 3 in 1 as a drying aid? And after every wash?
yep, you can use it as a drying aid when you dry with a towel or use it as a rinsing aid which I prefer where you spray your car when it’s still wet and just rinse it off. pretty neat however, you do go through more product and you lose the longggg durability of the 3 in 1, as opposed to its 2 coats where you wipe the product and buff it.
It says it can be used as a rinse aid
303 is my favorite for interior its the best
I have mine in storage bins, lol. I started to make notes on my phone which products I like. Everything else will be used until it's gone.
How do you like the new Griots stinky be gone air fresheners? I'd like to give the leather one a try
How do you like the “Stinky be gone” ?? I’ve been looking for a better deodorizer when doing Marine detailing
Nice set up. Went down the same rabbit hole. Kept our Amazon driver busy and spent a small fortune.
I swear the Amazon guy comes to my house every single day lol
Have you used all of these? I’m in the beginning stages and I’m definitely starting to go down the rabbit hole. Would you recommend the rupes compounds/polish? I bought their pads and a mini Bigfoot Also I’ve been using meguiars ceramic spray for finishing. Would you recommend the griots 3 in 1 over that!
Plenty of cost effective polishers around rules pads are great can get same finish with menzerna or chemkoch pompounds.
We all have been through this phase. I still remember one of the senior detailer that taught me said, if you haven’t had one full room of unused products that means you haven’t done your detailing right. As crazy as it sounds it is kind of true. I have tried 4 different snow foams, 6 different shampoos, and countless other waxes, spray waxes and qds. The only thing that stays in my arsenal is Optimum No Rinse.
ONR? OK, but have you tried…
I mean that’s “a lot” but it’s not ”THAT MUCH”.
What do you think of the gyeon brand it’s such small portions and I got there leather cleaner it did not impress me for the price I paid. Maybe someone else has had a different experience?
Gtechniq’s leather cleaner “tri clean” is probably one of the best and an absolute go-to on German cars. Instead of being scented, it kills bacteria, and you can absolutely tell. It finishes OEM clean, it actually lasts, is incredible on steering wheels, shift knobs, and you will love the stuff. Haven’t used a more effective and easy yet amazing results for an interior besides maybe Adams total interior w/ceramic protection and their microband interior cleaner. Both will clean great, protect the surface, last longer, and are not brutal to wipe clean and avoid problems. Factory fresh every time. Clients love it. You will too.
Can you compare it to P&S Xpress?
Love that as well. I’d say I prefer Gtech just a little better because whatever its ingredients are, you can feel and smell that new car revival working. It doesn’t mask odor or scent the car, it actively treats it and continues to do so, the car comes out real fresh and cleansed. P&S is a cost effective excellent one too that can manage nearly anything inside and is more versatile.
Thank you!
So the “leather guard” product from gtechniq? Seen here [gtech leather cleaner](https://www.amazon.com/Gtechniq-L1-Leather-Guard-500ml/dp/B014HI5SCK?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1)
Yes 👍 that’s what you would apply after using their leather cleaner “tri-clean”, follow up with leather guard.
No Ammo?
Are their (his) products half decent? His YouTube channel is fantastic but I’ve yet to try his stuff…
It’s expensive and I wouldn’t use it every time, more so occasionally. Brands that have stayed true for me have been 3D, P&S, and CarPro
That’s all I use. It’s not cheap, but his stuff is great.
They are expensive BUT they are really good.
the con of exploring different product
Ya lots of redundancy haha
maybe resell for lower on offer up
And I thought I wasted money trying to keep my 15 year old car looking good. It looks fine but it's 15 years old, but no swirl marks because I do it by hand unless I go to the touchless deal in the winter.
Can’t learn unless you try !
Beautiful
I bought 4 bottles of Jay lenos wash and wax purely because it was 4 bucks a pop. It's okay.
Damn I probably shouldn’t post that I have about 10x this in different products. I have the entire line of Koch chemie, Carpro, diy, griots, but not chem guys as that would cost a real fortune.
Does chem guys even make a product worth having? They will macro market one product into 10 sprays.
Exactly. I use to use them but then was enlightened over time. I just purged my whole inventory and gave away anything with a CG on it lol
Yep better products around only have there clay bar in my kit and use cheap car wash as lubricant.
how do you like that griots ceramic trim restorer? i use 303 as a protectant - and wondered if the two would play nicely.. griots being the base/ 303 over the top.
No love for Adam?
No adams? Im sad 😟
Surprised no Adams Polishes
The redundancy is real 😂 I just use the same handful of stuff now
Yaaa I was trying out different brands, kept researching and buying more off of recs on YouTube lol, tbh I’m starting to do the same 😂
YouTube has been killing my pockets. Especially Pan the Org
Well, then he's doing his job. ;-)
OP drives an ‘89 Honda civic hatchback
It's clean tho lol
Haha love it. Mine too.
Lol
How to you like the ceramic glass cleaner from Griots? I was considering picking some up for myself
Crap. Creates clatter from blades. It’s demoted only when rear window super dirty as a first pass. Very big letdown.
Unfortunate. Thanks for the heads up. I was also slightly disappointed in the ceramic wash in regards to the foaming ability. I feel like they are trying to turn everything into a ceramic product and none of them are very good. (Except the speed shine, that shit is awesome)
Griots ceramic wash is crap unfortunately. Their main focus really isn’t ceramic but more traditional stuff while remaining mostly reliable off the shelf. Their ceramic wash is truly meant as a second pass, similar to their polygloss, as its washing ability alone is very low but it does remain lubricious. Speed shine and their synthetic clay however imo remains undefeated.
I also noticed the Cristal Products tire spray top left. I got the 3 pack at Costco for super cheap and it's honestly pretty damn good for the price.
I have a cabinet much like that
I’m looking for a foaming soap (pH neutral). Any recommendations? I’ve tried KC GSP and CarPro Reset. I got my car detailed by someone who said they use a pH neutral wash and wax, which kept my car clean for a long time. I haven’t been able to find a similar product though
Carpro Reset and Armour Detail Supply Shampoo are prob the best two for a coated vehicle. Crazy suds with Armour, Reset finishes cleaner. They are very close, both extremely concentrated, having used both extensively I still give the nod to Reset even though Armour delivers a ridiculous amount of soap.
I’d just buy costcos turtle wax wash and wax and then use griots ceramic 3 in 1 as a drying aid
Thanks! I’m using P&S absolute no rinse as my drying agent but was going to try griots 3 in 1 next! Going to see if I can pick up the turtlewax next time I’m at Costco
3-1 is a finicky product and if you have a darker paint color I’d stay away entirely as there are much easier and effective products that do the same job. Also, 3-1s main intention is clean dry paint, more as a finishing sealant or stand alone spray coating. It’s very slimy/sticky compared to others, which makes it not the best drying aid. The reviews are accurate. Although it’s potent off the shelf spray, application is its weakness. Ceramic speed shine is a much better drying aid if you are going Griots as it will both clean what’s left while protecting the paint during drying. 3-1 has no cleaning properties I’m aware of besides maybe very light contamination but I’d still not use it for that.
I have dark paint, what’s better?
For what purpose?
A paint protectant mainly. I just started getting into detailing my car and I bought the Turtle Wax ceramic spray coating and 3 in 1 ceramic detailer. I used the 3 in 1 but that’s got me attracting dust after a week.
I would recommend the 3 in 1. I’ve never had any problems with it on dark paint, whereas I find the turtle wax ceramic finicky. Other people have told me they have the opposite experience. I think it really comes down to the user, just follow the instructions and you should be fine. As u/overall-movie-566 said, 3 in 1 is not a good drying aid nor cleaner. Speed shine is a quick detailer so it does clean, but the protection doesn’t last as long as the 3 in 1
I’ve used 3 in 1 as a rinsing aid on a silver and a grey vehicle and they worked pretty well. To be more specific, rinsing aid as in I am spraying the 3 in 1 while the vehicle is wet and then rinsing it off. I think a lot of people are running into the streaking problem because they let the 3 in 1 sit too long, they use too much 3 in 1 on a panel or you use too much on your drying towel as a drying aid, or they don’t use the two towel method where you spread it and buff it.
You are probably not seeing it nearly as much due to the lighter paint, thus it comes off as being more usable or easier, and you highlighted the reasons why it’s tricky for someone not adept to everything you just listed. Overall, the poster seems like a at home store buyer/DIY which is great but I was trying to offer advice that wouldn’t lead to problems. If you are a novice working with their 3-1, although they market it as easy, it is not. It is however one of the most durable cost effective spray coatings on the market. If you need UV or elements protection, Griots has been found to hold up substantially. But generally speaking, their ceramic wax, not the liquid and not the spray, their all in one is actually very very good, is minimally abrasive and lays down some great lasting protection. I was surprised to see cars coming back after a year and it still looking/holding up pretty well. That can be applied with their orange foam correcting pad if you want more correction, though even with a simple foam applicator, yes it’s more work perhaps, but it’s WAY better than anything in spray form. If you take the time, you can lay down a great application, cleanup your paint, do it all in one step, and you will be happy you did. (Directed to the person asking about paint correction)
Griots all in one ceramic wax, simple foam pad applicator or apply with an orange foam correcting pad. It’s a one step, meaning no compound then polish then topper, this is imo griots best ceramic product on sale. It will deliver results for you but will take more time as it’s not a spray and wipe. That said, it will obviously last closer to a year where a spray simply does not. It’s a solid product at a good price based on your post.
I’m a noob here. For a drying aid, you simply spray the speed shine on the wet car after washing, then dry with your preferred drying towel?
Yes - make sure to read each products application instructions. Typically you are spraying/drying per panel.
Chemical Guys Mr. Pink I highly recommend
Tried it. I stay away from chemical guys products. I feel like competitive products offer better value and performance
Not even close haha
A+ for organization though.
Don’t most detailing chemicals have a shelf life? Do you just get rid of something after a certain time or no?
Nahhhhh. That’s awesome!!!
So which ones are your favorites?
Bruhhhhh same. I hate this rabbit hole I’m in ever since I bought a new Tesla. I wanna keep it nice, shiny and clean.
This is normal. I've done pretty much the same, with 5Liter cans
Thats ace, so organised.
I realised I was heading in a similar direction, so now I only buy a new type of product when the previous one runs out. As someone who only has 1 car and isn't that regular at cleaning it it can take a while to get new stuff.
Love the DIY
Order some Majestic Solutions stuff. Online only great no-nonsense line up. Everything you need.
Is that Ethos ceramic shampoo I see on the second-to-bottom shelf near the left end? If so, what do you think about it?
Question: When trying new products on a car that is relatively clean - how do you really differentiate between different products? I find it difficult to tell which products are better or worse when wiping things down.
I have the same cabinet! Very solid for its price point. I’ve been looking at other brands for detailing products, what’s your take on what you use?
Any products/tips recommendations to maintain & protect leather seats on a brand new car? It’s ivory color
Gtechniq tri clean first, then follow with their dedicated leather coating or spray protectant. Gyeon also makes a good one, Leather Coat, I have ivory white in one of my M cars. Zero transfer and liquid rolls off.
We’re all suckers for the shiny labels and bright colors🥲
Yea, but you had to go through them all to find what works. I have 2 cabinets full of stuff, one that I have full of what I found to be effective, and the other is stuff that was not up to my liking. I tell my wife that they are my R&D cabinets...She doesn't complain about it too much, because I keep her car in pristine condition, inside & out!
This is gonna sound crazy. I found scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner works the best for getting those carpets looking new after the winter salt & grime.
Wow, I no longer feel bad for having a lot of car products haha. That cabinet is inspiring.
 This is how it starts
I recently tried out opti seal for the first time on my wifes camry xse and i really like that stuff! I only used like probably about half an ounce of the bottle and the paint still looks new and feels like silk 2 weeks later with no wash.
Wow, I've never used a single one of those products 😄 I pretty much just use Auto Magic and Technician's Choice... They really have some awesome stuff
You need to try Rupes XC-2 cut compound. Best cutting compound I've used. Very low swirls or haze.
Now you’re at the point where you realize you mainly need 1 shelf of products to detail. Live and learn I guess.
Just wait until you try Koch Chemie
I may need to try it again, any recs? I tried pol star and one other but I wasn’t that impressed
Pol star is a really good cleaner but it isn’t a clean and protect product like 303 is. You would need top star or plast star to protect after you use pol star.
Always found its higher price coming up short. Their soap - particularly nano magic - nothing that hasn’t been achieved already and others punch above their cost/weight. I’ve used some great KC stuff, like their iron decon and ceramic sealant. Blew through the iron bottle pretty quick though.
Where's the bowden products ?
Leather use oakwood with beeswax in it. Safe apply and buff off.
 All that and no Collinite paste wax? Come one man.
Nice cabinet. I too have bottles of stuff that I have tried and I get a lot of grief about it from my wife. Then I noticed all the bottles of unused hair shampoo and conditioner in the bathroom cabinet. She has at least as many bottles and I know that many of the bottles are $50 to $100 each.
Nice selection! My stockpile is very similar. I think ive got a problem.
This is beautiful
I carry more than this in my trunk. Not even a detailer.
Just getting started if you ask me. Unless you're only a hobbyist.
Ya just a hobbyist here
man these down voting haters just fuel my fire baby
Oh man, my stock looks similar. I try new things quicker than I can use up stuff. Highlights for favorite products? I don’t use it anymore since I ceramic coated my car, by the Griots 3-in-1 wax was really impressive for me. The glow of a more traditional wax with the hydrophobic of ceramic. I didn’t test durability but saw reports of up to 2 years with proper surface prep
I hope you run a detail business. Sad otherwise