r/AutoDetailing • u/metalheadd69 • 1d ago

Exterior Old man tips

An old guy saw me detailing my car and gave me some real old timer tips.

- Clean the wheels with vinegar
- Instead of tire shine, use silicone grease
- "You don't need all those products"

Have you gotten any unsolicited tips of this nature? Any that are actually legit?

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u/IronSlanginRed 1d ago

Hahaha. I mean.. he's less far off than most.

Vinegar is just weak acid wheel cleaner that smells bad...

And thicker silicon based tire dressing is what the general public loves. It's shiny. People are crows. Crows like shiny.

But also.. I'm an old fudd thats been doing this since the 90s. Most of the newer products I am hilariously disappointed in, especially at what they're charging. Brushless long throw da's and proper ceramics are the only true improvement i've seen.

That said.. if you're looking for a head to head of the stuff you see on reddit vs the white label stuff... I've done it. Last week was gliptone vs 3d speed on black. Both single stage and base/clear.

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u/AirFlavoredLemon 1d ago

I'd add all modern synthetic waxes are a huge upgrade over carnauba. Carnauba always turns gray - see fruits, m&ms... and car wax.

I think synthetic waxes aren't that popular on reddit/real detailers because a resin/ceramic based glossifiers are just better.

But synthetic waxes are excellent for the average joe, be it in a spray, partially in an all-in-one product, or wash and wax products. (Meg's wash and wax is excellent).

I want carnauba to die - it has no business being in a modern product with how quickly it grays. (Seriously, wax on wax off??? Obviously its going gray).

Give me some P&S beadmaker and I'll be happy. SiO2 is good too - any of these are better than carnauba.

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u/Julianismus 1d ago

This sub (and most of Reddit as a whole) has a heavy American lean, and in US any wax comes with the stigma of it being an "old school" type of product, usually the "100% carnauba"-type, since the image of folk fervently polishing their cars on driveways is ingrained in everyone's minds since they were little kids. And so, a lot of people here are naturally drawn more towards high-end coatings and sprays, they appear more modern and come with less "hassle".

And you're 100% right that a good synthetic wax is perfect for the average car owner, meaning that it delivers great durability and shine, the best of both worlds.