Aussie S650 Paint protection and detailing thread

[DFB5.0]

I went to order some Green Star and Pol Star, only to discover its on sale for Fathers Day. Considering the price of both before Waxit took the brand on earlier this year, both are an absolute steal at those prices!

Father's Day Gift Ideas – Waxit Car Care

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[DFB5.0]

For anyone wanting to know how to care for black, unpainted plastic trim, I have just posted the below thread -

DFB’s Guide to Trim Restoration and Protection | Mustang7G - 2024+ S650 Mustang Forum (Dark Horse, GT, EcoBoost, GT500, GT350, Mach 1)

Considering the age of Australian delivered S650's, most of us in the "maintain" rather than "restore" stage.

 

[Deano1978]

Is there a way to neatly/carefully get rid of the "furry" bits of plastic from the lip of my front spoiler (from scraping on driveways etc...). Sandpaper?

 

[xrs]

yeah one try not to scrap it, I swear I didn't scrape mine grrrrr, but I got some fine sandpaper and just gently ran it under the lip, my eye was twitching every time I washed the car lol

 

[DFB5.0]

Spring orders, one from both Waxit and Detailing Shed................

The Carpro and KCx are replenishments from Waxit..................

The next lot is from Detailing Shed, again, replenishing a number of favourites. The Brake Buster and R2R would have to be my most used chemical products. Pilot is my favorite interior cleaner/detailer at the moment. I've also decided to try out the Optimum version of Glass Clean & Protect, I absolutely love the Opti-Coat version as its everything Carpro ClarifyPhobic should have been.

Optimum Opti Glass Clean & Protect - 504ml - Glass Coating - Detailing Shed

Amazon.com: OPTI-COAT– Opti-Glass Clean & Protect – Clean Glass Surfaces Without Streaking; Polymers Bond to Glass & Continue to Add Protection with Each Use; Boost Your Opti-Glass Pro Coating (16 Fl. Oz.) : Health & Household

The OG Tire Dressing is expensive, but you do get 946ml for the money, and a little goes a long way. I love the way it looks, its application feel (similar to ADS Tire+), and the scent is so addictive. Yes, I know scent is a non-functional aspect, but it plays a big part in the user experience..................it makes me happy.

Obsessed Garage Tire Dressing - Detailing Shed

Amazon.com: OBSESSED GARAGE - Tire Dressing | Long-Lasting Deep Satin Finish - 32 oz : Automotive

 

[DFB5.0]

For the initial cleaning stage I went with P&S Xpress, because it was more universal, and suggested in D's "Little Black Book" on 6G as being suitable for leather as well.
This document has become my bible reference. (Which was last updated November 2024 - hint hint!)

Well, I finally got around to making a series of updates to that thread -

DFB'S LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF DETAILING - UPDATED AUGUST 2025

 

[5.0ALM]

Just a heads up for the weekend warriors in case you don't get the Autobarn mail outs.

Until end of this month, Autobarn has a 25% OFF most Bowden's Own products.

https://autobarn.com.au/ab/Autobarn...by-Brand-at-Autobarn/Bowdens-Own/c/BOWDENSOWN

I haven't tried many of their chemical products, but two of my own favorites are the Big Green Sucker drying towel:

I've been using one of these for a few years now, and can get around the entire RAV4 without wringing it out.
Amazing!
Even though I have an Ego 765 blower now, I still reach for the Big green Sucker to finish things off.


And the Inta Mitt for glass cleaning, specifically on the inside:

It can be a bit clumsy to use, but I've liked the results with the dual sides.


I'm getting frustrated with TRC Dry Me A River waffle weave towels that are leaving lint, and not giving the life expectancy I expect for their reputation.

To that end, I'm about to try the Maxshine waffle weave towels.

And I must get around to using the Invisible Glass Clean and Reach tool more often.
I tried it once, and found it "clunky". I'm sure there's a learning curve involved, particularly with how to avoid smearing what you've just wiped around and around.


The only Bowden's chemical product I have used is their microfibre wash.
I haven't tried other brands to compare against, it works, and can be got from a local bricks 'n mortar store.

Interestingly, mine is blue.

Current product shots depict a green product, so I don't know if there's been a formula change or not since I bought this two years ago.

Bowden's; easy to get on a whim from a local store, and price competitive when on sale.
And, made in Australia... something I am becoming more and more conscious of.
We cannot loose all our manufacturing to overseas.

 

[5.0ALM]

Well, I finally got around to making a series of updates to that thread -

DFB'S LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF DETAILING - UPDATED AUGUST 2025

Thanks D, much appreciated.
This post is my detailing bible.

Playing catch up here, after being away for 3 weeks in Morocco.

As before, I've done a cut 'n paste into a Word doc and printed as a PDF.
(With some minor formatting tweaks for page layouts)

I don't spend much time on 6G these days, so I've only formatted an A4 version this time for here on 7G Aussie.

A PDF becomes a handy off-line reference to have.
As well as a hardcopy, I keep a PDF copy on my phone to refer to out in the garage.
Attachment below


Edit:
And bound!

 

[bfets]

Thanks D, much appreciated.
This post is my detailing bible.

Playing catch up here, after being away for 3 weeks in Morocco.

As before, I've done a cut 'n paste into a Word doc and printed as a PDF.
(With some minor formatting tweaks for page layouts)

I don't spend much time on 6G these days, so I've only formatted an A4 version this time for here on 7G Aussie.

A PDF becomes a handy off-line reference to have.
As well as a hardcopy, I keep a PDF copy on my phone to refer to out in the garage.

I did the same! I have a copy of the list on my phone for when I need to reference. Works well

 

[xrs]

oh now I have to print it out too, I just purchased the shine mate polishers they arrived today.
ShineMate Mini Cordless Duo | EB210 & EB212 Car Polisher Kit

 

[5.0ALM]

I'm getting frustrated with TRC Dry Me A River waffle weave towels that are leaving lint, and not giving the life expectancy I expect for their reputation.

To that end, I'm about to try the Maxshine waffle weave towels.

Thinking about this more....

I have always dried my MF towels in the tumble dryer on "delicates" mode.
ie; virtually no heat, just spinning in air.

I did purchase a cheapo clothes drying rack several weeks ago from Bunnings, specifically for the MF towels. Have yet to use it.

But I just had an epiphany!
The lint is most likely being picked up from within the tumble dryer.
I mean, the lint filter on the door always needs cleaning out.

As much as I like my normal towels and bath sheets being soft (as opposed to drying out hard in the sun), I'm definitely going to start using the drying rack for the car towels.

The lint when cleaning glass was becoming very annoying.

 

[DFB5.0]

Just a heads up for the weekend warriors in case you don't get the Autobarn mail outs.

And I must get around to using the Invisible Glass Clean and Reach tool more often.
I tried it once, and found it "clunky". I'm sure there's a learning curve involved, particularly with how to avoid smearing what you've just wiped around and around.

I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly, but I use the Reach and Clean tool for the initial passes, ie wet with glass cleaner. After that, I buff dry with a towel to streak free.

I think some do it the reverse to that, as in using the tool for the second streak-free passes.

The only Bowden's chemical product I have used is their microfibre wash.
I haven't tried other brands to compare against, it works, and can be got from a local bricks 'n mortar store.

Interestingly, mine is blue.

Current product shots depict a green product, so I don't know if there's been a formula change or not since I bought this two years ago.

Are you sure someone didn't fill up that bottle with the Dynamo?

 

[DFB5.0]

Another empty gallon.........................

Traditional quick detailers like this are no longer a go-to for many, but I still think they have a place. I'd say with the proliferation of rinse-less wash concentrates, most simply mix those up at a quick detailer dilution rather than buying a specific product.

I used Last Touch and Final Inspection as my only drying aids for many years, of which they did exactly what they say on the bottle. In many cases, these products are much easier to use with less streaking potential. For a while there, I was also using Megs Final Inspection as my clay lubricant as its considered a residue free product.

I've since replaced Final Inspection with either Carpro or Gyeon clay lubricants, and P&S Paint Gloss has replaced Last Touch.

 

[xrs]

Badges have arrived, Jefferson Ford $160

 

[xrs]

Side badges and boot badge are on, I don't think I will be able to get the pony done can only get access to the bolts on the head and tail, looks impossible to get to the middle two. Doing the boot badge gave me the opportunity to use my new shine mate polisher and get all the little scratches that have appeared there over the year from where I do not know. I do think black on the grabber blue is really nice.

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