I originally intended this to be a review of a few AMMO NYC products I tried but decided to rate the other products in my arsenal as well. Let me say that this is my opinion only and your results may vary. I truly believe that when it comes to detailing, there is not magic solution. While you usually get what you pay for, cost does not mean quality. Some expensive products aren't very good and some cheap products work very well. In the end, you should use what works for you.
So lets get started:
Tools
Karcher K5 Premium electric pressure washer - This is a decent electric pressure washer and At ~$250, this 2000psi machine does a good job and will handle anything you need for detailing (not so much for around the house work). It contains a lot of plastic parts (like most electric units) which hurt its long term reliability (I went through 3 electric pressure washers in 5 years). Ultimately I chose to replace it with a more powerful gas powered unit for the quality and longevity.
5 out of 10
Simpson ALH3425-S - I absolutely love this pressure washer. It has a Honda engine, serviceable triplex pump, an aluminum frame and a 35ft hose (typically you only get a 25ft hose). It puts out 3400psi and will handle anything I need to do around the house. It's not cheap at ~$600-800, but it is worth it. The Honda starts on the first pull every time.
8 out of 10
Mosmatic wand and gun with stainless steel swivel and quick connects - This is a must for detailing. The integrated swivel eliminates binding the hose. The quick connects allow me to switch quickly fro a full length with the wand to no wand (ideal for foam cannon and cleaning the wheels). The Mosmatic gun is ~$75-90, and the wand is ~$50. The stainless steel quick connections are ~$40. All in this setup set me back $160. It was worth it. The quality of the Mosmatic gun and wand is incredible.
10 out of 10
MTM Foam cannon - I had used the old style for many years and recently switched to the newer PF22 model. At ~$70, this is a must have item. They do have some cheap knock offs on Amazon. I have not used them and can't comment on there quality, but I am skeptical of the longevity. My original is 5 years old and still works just fine. I like the new PF 22 since you can now change the spray pattern from vertical to horizontal. Also it feels a little more solid.
10 out of 10
Porter Cable 7424XP - This is a great DA polisher and at ~$100, you can't go wrong. There are better units available but at this unit will do everything most will need. This is a short throw DA so it wont correct as fast as a long throw DA like Rupes LHR21, but it's also 1/3 the cost. I still haven't found a reason to upgrade. I use a 5" backing plate and a 3" backing plate with hex logic pads.
8 out of 10
McCulloch MC1385 steamer - This comes in handy everywhere, not just in detailing. This steamer easily removes stains (including grease, oil, and ink pen) from carpet and seats. Great for under hood detailing. I can't believe I waited so long to get one.
9.5 out of 10
Cleaners
Meguiar's APC - Amazon has this for less than $25 a gallon. I use 10:1 for interior and painted surfaces and 4:1 for wheels, engine, and undercarriage. I have not tried anyone else's APC, but this will do everything I need, so why switch.
7 out of 10
Adam's Wheel Cleaner - This is a strong cleaner and will cut through brake dust and heavy deposits. As always the quality of the bottles, packaging and customer service with Adam's is incredible. Most wheel cleaners smell bad, but Adam's has managed to make it stink al little less.
7.5 out of 10
Ammo Plum - I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between this and Adam's wheel cleaner. The odor isn't as strong as Adam's but that odor is less pleasant than Adam's. Ammo NYC, like Adam's has great packaging and bottles. This edges out Adams only because the odor isn't as strong.
8 out of 10
Nextzett Colortec wheel cleaner - My favorite wheel cleaner by far. The odor is absolutely disgusting but it cleans better than anything I've used. If you can stand the smell it's worth it.
9 out of 10
Adam's Tire Cleaner - This stuff just plain works. I rarely have to use more than one application to get the tires clean. I can't imagine anyone else makes a better tire cleaner.
10 out of 10
Stoners Invisible Glass - Decent glass cleaner but not the best. It is ammonia free and safe on tinted glass, but not the most powerful cleaner.
7 out of 10
Windex- that's right, just like you dad used. It's been around forever, because it works. Be sure you get the ammonia free one of you have tinted windows.
9 out of 10
Meguair's D120 Glass cleaner- You can get a gallon of concentrate for ~$20 and it dilutes 10:1. That's 11 gallons for $20. It's ammonia free and has pleasant grape smell, It's the only thing I've found that works better than Windex.
10 out of 10
Soaps
Chemical Guys Maxi Suds - Great grape scent, good foaming and won't strip wax. Downsides are the foam doesn't last long and isn't as thick as others I've used.
6 out of 10
Chemical Guys Mr. Pink - Not much different that Maxi Suds. Different color and scent.
6 out of 10
Chemical Guys Honeydew - I've tried other and always seem to come back to this one. Great foam and works well with the foam cannon. The price is hard to beat. $25 for a gallon on Amazon.
9 out of 10
Adam's Car Wash Shampoo - The best soap I've used. Great foaming and lasting suds. This one edges out CG Honeydew slightly on the foam side but the price hurts it slightly. Bottom line- if you're ordering stuff from Adam's, add this to you order, otherwise you can make do with CG Honeydew.
9.5 out of 10
Optimum No Rinse - This is my go to wash for the cold winter months. I can wash my truck in the garage with just 1 gallon of water. I was skeptical at first but it works and will not scratch the paint. I still prefer a standard two bucket wash when I can, but this bridges the gap when the weather is too cold.
8 out of 10
Trim/Tire Dressing
Adam's Tire Shine - I like the ease of a spray bottle, but it streaks a little if you don't even it out. This leaves a slightly oily residue. It gives a durable glossy finish, but I prefer a slightly less shine.
7 out of 10
Adam's VRT - Nice thick and gives a nice matte finish. Dries completely with no residue. Great for trim but is difficult to apply to tires with heavy side lugs. This was my go to for tires for a while. I still love it for trim.
8 out of 10
Adam's In and Out spay - Basically VRT in aerosol form. Works great for grills and hard to reach areas.
8.5 out of 10
Chemical Guys VRP - Almost identical to Adam's VRT with a little more gloss. Slightly cheaper than Adam's.
8 out of 10
Chemical Guys Black on Black - Almost identical to Adam's In and Out spray with a little more gloss. Slightly cheaper than Adam's.
8.5 out of 10
Ammo Mud - This may be my favorite tire dressing ever. It is a little thinner than VRT and spreads easier. It dries to the touch with almost no residue. It leaves a satin finish and last very well.
10 out of 10
Drying aids, Detail spray and spray wax
Adam's H20 Guard and Gloss - I really wanted to like this product. I like the idea but it never seemed to finish out for me. I ended up with streaks that required more buffing that I though was necessary. Other's on here swear by it, but it just doesn't work for me (remember how I said use what works for you).
4 out of 10
Ammo Hydrate - I have had really good success with this drying agent. It works well even in cold temperatures. It doesn't streak and it seams to make the towel soak up the water instead of just pushing it around on the surface. It's very easy to use.
8.5 out of 10
Meguiar's Spray wax - at $20 for a gallon on Amazon, this stuff is great value for money. I use this for almost everything. It's a great spray wax but it also works as a interior detailer, leather protectant, and even glass sealant. It's the Swiss army knife of detailing.
9 out of 10
Meguiar's Spray Detailer - This stuff is cheap and makes a great drying aid. I've discovered better detail sprays but this was my go to for a long time. I still use this as my clay bar lubrication since it does not leave a wax residue.
6 out of 10
Garry Dean's Infinite Use Detail Juice - I love this stuff. It seems expensive until you consider the dilution ratios. 8oz is $25 on Amazon but it will make 3gal. This is a must have item.
9 out of 10
Compound, polish, and clay
Meguiar's M105/M205 - This combo is all I need for paint correction. There are a lot of different compounds and polishes out there, but none as versatile as this. M105 does dust up if you work it to long or don't clean out your pad regularly.
8 out of 10
Meguiar's Final cut - I no longer see a need for this, I can get the same results with M205.
5 out of 10
Menzerna FG400 - Not as much cut as Meguiar's M105. but is doesn't dust and it will finish down better and doesn't micro mar the paint. It could be used as a 1 step polish8.5 out of 10
Jescar Correcting Compound - Slightly better cut than Menzerna and a longer working time. Does not dust and finishes down better than Menzerna.9 out of 10
Sonax Perfect Finish - Best one step polish. It has enough cut for mild paint correction and finished down to a beautiful finish. If you only have mild swirls, this is all you'll need.10 out of 10
Meguair's clay bar - There isn't much difference in clay bars. They work but I've found a better option. I still use this traditional clay bars fro glass and wheels.
7 out of 10
Nanoskin Autoscrub - Way better than a traditional clay bar. Reusable and cleanable, If you drop it on the ground, rinse it off and go back to using it.
10 out of 10
Coatings, sealants, and wax
Ammo Reflex - I really like this coating but will have to reserve my judgment until I can see it's durability. It goes on easy and wipes off easy. It is flexible, unlike typical silicon dioxide coatings. It can be layered and is supposed to last 1yr. I think this is the only true user friendly coating for the DIY guy.
9.5 out of 10
Ammo Skin - I like that this sealant can be layered for multiple coats but I found it difficult to apply and remove. It is very grabby and didn't spread easily. It left a shadowing effect after removal. This fades after it sits in the sun for a few hours. I assume this is because it uses the heat to auto level. It does require a 24hr window before a recoat unlike 12hrs with a lot of other sealants.
4 out of 10
Meguiar's M21 sealant - This applies very easily by hand or with a DA. It flashes off after 15 minutes and removal is very easy. It can be recoated or topped with wax after 12hrs. Lasts 6 months. Still my go to sealant.
9.5 out of 10
Jescar Powerlock + - Applies very easily by hand or with a DA. It flashes off after 3-5 minutes and removal is very super easy. It can be recoated or topped with wax after 3hrs. Lasts 6-8 months. My new go to sealant.
10 out of 10
Meguiar's M26 wax - Good average liquid wax. It applies with little effort but works best when applied with a DA. Wipes off easy with very little dusting, It does turn white if you get it in to cracks or on rubber trim. Last about 6 months or 12 washes, whichever comes first.
6.5 out of 10
Adam's Buttery Wax - Better than average liquid wax. Applies easily and seems to work best when applied by hand. No dusting and doesn't turn trim white. Longevity seems to be less than Meguiar's, at about 4 months or 8 washes.
7 out of 10
S100/P21S - You can spend the extra money on P21S, but why? S100 is the same formula just marketed for motorcycles. It applies easily and comes off easily. There is no flash time, unlike most carnauba waxes. Just wipe in and buff off. I usually do one panel at a time. You do have to buff it slightly with even pressure or you will get smearing. Last 2-3 months or 4-6 washes depending on the temperature. It seams to degrade faster in the winter.
8 out of 10
Interior cleaners
Meguiar's Interior Detail Spray - This seams to be little more than a mixture of their spray wax and their spray detailer. It works but I don't find much need for it since their spray wax will do the same thing. Not a bad product, just unnecessary.
6.5 out of 10
Lexol leather cleaner - I have yet to find anything this can't clean. It's powerful and still safe. It comes in a spray but is almost a cream consistency which makes it easy to spread and work into the surface for a good deep clean. It's easy to work with and doesn't leave any residue it does have a strong chemical odor though.
9 out of 10
Adam's leather cleaner - a very good leather cleaner but the Lexol is just a little better (and cheaper). Adams is a liquid and seams to saturate the towel and not spread as easily as the Lexol. Adam's does not have a strong odor.
8 out of 10
Lexol leather conditioner - This stuff doesn't provide as much conditioning as I'd like but it does a decent enough job. It's fairly cheap, less that $10 on Amazon. Surprisingly, unlike the Lexol cleaner, this has almost no odor.
7 out of 10
Adam's leather conditioner - This is a very good conditioner and is super easy to work into the leather and seems to last very well. It does have a pretty strong smell, but it's not a bad smell.
9 out of 10
Chemical Guys Stripper Scent - I'm not usually one for air fresheners, but I do like this one. Before you ask, it does not smell like disappointment and broken dreams. It actually smells like a mix of vanilla with a hint of baby powder. My wife laughed when I bought it but she get mad if I don't spray it in her car after I wash it.
11 out of 10
Please feel free to offer any feedback on anything I have reviewed or anything else you have used.
Happy detailing.
So lets get started:
Tools
Karcher K5 Premium electric pressure washer - This is a decent electric pressure washer and At ~$250, this 2000psi machine does a good job and will handle anything you need for detailing (not so much for around the house work). It contains a lot of plastic parts (like most electric units) which hurt its long term reliability (I went through 3 electric pressure washers in 5 years). Ultimately I chose to replace it with a more powerful gas powered unit for the quality and longevity.
5 out of 10
Simpson ALH3425-S - I absolutely love this pressure washer. It has a Honda engine, serviceable triplex pump, an aluminum frame and a 35ft hose (typically you only get a 25ft hose). It puts out 3400psi and will handle anything I need to do around the house. It's not cheap at ~$600-800, but it is worth it. The Honda starts on the first pull every time.
8 out of 10
Mosmatic wand and gun with stainless steel swivel and quick connects - This is a must for detailing. The integrated swivel eliminates binding the hose. The quick connects allow me to switch quickly fro a full length with the wand to no wand (ideal for foam cannon and cleaning the wheels). The Mosmatic gun is ~$75-90, and the wand is ~$50. The stainless steel quick connections are ~$40. All in this setup set me back $160. It was worth it. The quality of the Mosmatic gun and wand is incredible.
10 out of 10
MTM Foam cannon - I had used the old style for many years and recently switched to the newer PF22 model. At ~$70, this is a must have item. They do have some cheap knock offs on Amazon. I have not used them and can't comment on there quality, but I am skeptical of the longevity. My original is 5 years old and still works just fine. I like the new PF 22 since you can now change the spray pattern from vertical to horizontal. Also it feels a little more solid.
10 out of 10
Porter Cable 7424XP - This is a great DA polisher and at ~$100, you can't go wrong. There are better units available but at this unit will do everything most will need. This is a short throw DA so it wont correct as fast as a long throw DA like Rupes LHR21, but it's also 1/3 the cost. I still haven't found a reason to upgrade. I use a 5" backing plate and a 3" backing plate with hex logic pads.
8 out of 10
McCulloch MC1385 steamer - This comes in handy everywhere, not just in detailing. This steamer easily removes stains (including grease, oil, and ink pen) from carpet and seats. Great for under hood detailing. I can't believe I waited so long to get one.
9.5 out of 10
Cleaners
Meguiar's APC - Amazon has this for less than $25 a gallon. I use 10:1 for interior and painted surfaces and 4:1 for wheels, engine, and undercarriage. I have not tried anyone else's APC, but this will do everything I need, so why switch.
7 out of 10
Adam's Wheel Cleaner - This is a strong cleaner and will cut through brake dust and heavy deposits. As always the quality of the bottles, packaging and customer service with Adam's is incredible. Most wheel cleaners smell bad, but Adam's has managed to make it stink al little less.
7.5 out of 10
Ammo Plum - I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between this and Adam's wheel cleaner. The odor isn't as strong as Adam's but that odor is less pleasant than Adam's. Ammo NYC, like Adam's has great packaging and bottles. This edges out Adams only because the odor isn't as strong.
8 out of 10
Nextzett Colortec wheel cleaner - My favorite wheel cleaner by far. The odor is absolutely disgusting but it cleans better than anything I've used. If you can stand the smell it's worth it.
9 out of 10
Adam's Tire Cleaner - This stuff just plain works. I rarely have to use more than one application to get the tires clean. I can't imagine anyone else makes a better tire cleaner.
10 out of 10
Stoners Invisible Glass - Decent glass cleaner but not the best. It is ammonia free and safe on tinted glass, but not the most powerful cleaner.
7 out of 10
Windex- that's right, just like you dad used. It's been around forever, because it works. Be sure you get the ammonia free one of you have tinted windows.
9 out of 10
Meguair's D120 Glass cleaner- You can get a gallon of concentrate for ~$20 and it dilutes 10:1. That's 11 gallons for $20. It's ammonia free and has pleasant grape smell, It's the only thing I've found that works better than Windex.
10 out of 10
Soaps
Chemical Guys Maxi Suds - Great grape scent, good foaming and won't strip wax. Downsides are the foam doesn't last long and isn't as thick as others I've used.
6 out of 10
Chemical Guys Mr. Pink - Not much different that Maxi Suds. Different color and scent.
6 out of 10
Chemical Guys Honeydew - I've tried other and always seem to come back to this one. Great foam and works well with the foam cannon. The price is hard to beat. $25 for a gallon on Amazon.
9 out of 10
Adam's Car Wash Shampoo - The best soap I've used. Great foaming and lasting suds. This one edges out CG Honeydew slightly on the foam side but the price hurts it slightly. Bottom line- if you're ordering stuff from Adam's, add this to you order, otherwise you can make do with CG Honeydew.
9.5 out of 10
Optimum No Rinse - This is my go to wash for the cold winter months. I can wash my truck in the garage with just 1 gallon of water. I was skeptical at first but it works and will not scratch the paint. I still prefer a standard two bucket wash when I can, but this bridges the gap when the weather is too cold.
8 out of 10
Trim/Tire Dressing
Adam's Tire Shine - I like the ease of a spray bottle, but it streaks a little if you don't even it out. This leaves a slightly oily residue. It gives a durable glossy finish, but I prefer a slightly less shine.
7 out of 10
Adam's VRT - Nice thick and gives a nice matte finish. Dries completely with no residue. Great for trim but is difficult to apply to tires with heavy side lugs. This was my go to for tires for a while. I still love it for trim.
8 out of 10
Adam's In and Out spay - Basically VRT in aerosol form. Works great for grills and hard to reach areas.
8.5 out of 10
Chemical Guys VRP - Almost identical to Adam's VRT with a little more gloss. Slightly cheaper than Adam's.
8 out of 10
Chemical Guys Black on Black - Almost identical to Adam's In and Out spray with a little more gloss. Slightly cheaper than Adam's.
8.5 out of 10
Ammo Mud - This may be my favorite tire dressing ever. It is a little thinner than VRT and spreads easier. It dries to the touch with almost no residue. It leaves a satin finish and last very well.
10 out of 10
Drying aids, Detail spray and spray wax
Adam's H20 Guard and Gloss - I really wanted to like this product. I like the idea but it never seemed to finish out for me. I ended up with streaks that required more buffing that I though was necessary. Other's on here swear by it, but it just doesn't work for me (remember how I said use what works for you).
4 out of 10
Ammo Hydrate - I have had really good success with this drying agent. It works well even in cold temperatures. It doesn't streak and it seams to make the towel soak up the water instead of just pushing it around on the surface. It's very easy to use.
8.5 out of 10
Meguiar's Spray wax - at $20 for a gallon on Amazon, this stuff is great value for money. I use this for almost everything. It's a great spray wax but it also works as a interior detailer, leather protectant, and even glass sealant. It's the Swiss army knife of detailing.
9 out of 10
Meguiar's Spray Detailer - This stuff is cheap and makes a great drying aid. I've discovered better detail sprays but this was my go to for a long time. I still use this as my clay bar lubrication since it does not leave a wax residue.
6 out of 10
Garry Dean's Infinite Use Detail Juice - I love this stuff. It seems expensive until you consider the dilution ratios. 8oz is $25 on Amazon but it will make 3gal. This is a must have item.
9 out of 10
Compound, polish, and clay
Meguiar's M105/M205 - This combo is all I need for paint correction. There are a lot of different compounds and polishes out there, but none as versatile as this. M105 does dust up if you work it to long or don't clean out your pad regularly.
8 out of 10
Meguiar's Final cut - I no longer see a need for this, I can get the same results with M205.
5 out of 10
Menzerna FG400 - Not as much cut as Meguiar's M105. but is doesn't dust and it will finish down better and doesn't micro mar the paint. It could be used as a 1 step polish8.5 out of 10
Jescar Correcting Compound - Slightly better cut than Menzerna and a longer working time. Does not dust and finishes down better than Menzerna.9 out of 10
Sonax Perfect Finish - Best one step polish. It has enough cut for mild paint correction and finished down to a beautiful finish. If you only have mild swirls, this is all you'll need.10 out of 10
Meguair's clay bar - There isn't much difference in clay bars. They work but I've found a better option. I still use this traditional clay bars fro glass and wheels.
7 out of 10
Nanoskin Autoscrub - Way better than a traditional clay bar. Reusable and cleanable, If you drop it on the ground, rinse it off and go back to using it.
10 out of 10
Coatings, sealants, and wax
Ammo Reflex - I really like this coating but will have to reserve my judgment until I can see it's durability. It goes on easy and wipes off easy. It is flexible, unlike typical silicon dioxide coatings. It can be layered and is supposed to last 1yr. I think this is the only true user friendly coating for the DIY guy.
9.5 out of 10
Ammo Skin - I like that this sealant can be layered for multiple coats but I found it difficult to apply and remove. It is very grabby and didn't spread easily. It left a shadowing effect after removal. This fades after it sits in the sun for a few hours. I assume this is because it uses the heat to auto level. It does require a 24hr window before a recoat unlike 12hrs with a lot of other sealants.
4 out of 10
Meguiar's M21 sealant - This applies very easily by hand or with a DA. It flashes off after 15 minutes and removal is very easy. It can be recoated or topped with wax after 12hrs. Lasts 6 months. Still my go to sealant.
9.5 out of 10
Jescar Powerlock + - Applies very easily by hand or with a DA. It flashes off after 3-5 minutes and removal is very super easy. It can be recoated or topped with wax after 3hrs. Lasts 6-8 months. My new go to sealant.
10 out of 10
Meguiar's M26 wax - Good average liquid wax. It applies with little effort but works best when applied with a DA. Wipes off easy with very little dusting, It does turn white if you get it in to cracks or on rubber trim. Last about 6 months or 12 washes, whichever comes first.
6.5 out of 10
Adam's Buttery Wax - Better than average liquid wax. Applies easily and seems to work best when applied by hand. No dusting and doesn't turn trim white. Longevity seems to be less than Meguiar's, at about 4 months or 8 washes.
7 out of 10
S100/P21S - You can spend the extra money on P21S, but why? S100 is the same formula just marketed for motorcycles. It applies easily and comes off easily. There is no flash time, unlike most carnauba waxes. Just wipe in and buff off. I usually do one panel at a time. You do have to buff it slightly with even pressure or you will get smearing. Last 2-3 months or 4-6 washes depending on the temperature. It seams to degrade faster in the winter.
8 out of 10
Interior cleaners
Meguiar's Interior Detail Spray - This seams to be little more than a mixture of their spray wax and their spray detailer. It works but I don't find much need for it since their spray wax will do the same thing. Not a bad product, just unnecessary.
6.5 out of 10
Lexol leather cleaner - I have yet to find anything this can't clean. It's powerful and still safe. It comes in a spray but is almost a cream consistency which makes it easy to spread and work into the surface for a good deep clean. It's easy to work with and doesn't leave any residue it does have a strong chemical odor though.
9 out of 10
Adam's leather cleaner - a very good leather cleaner but the Lexol is just a little better (and cheaper). Adams is a liquid and seams to saturate the towel and not spread as easily as the Lexol. Adam's does not have a strong odor.
8 out of 10
Lexol leather conditioner - This stuff doesn't provide as much conditioning as I'd like but it does a decent enough job. It's fairly cheap, less that $10 on Amazon. Surprisingly, unlike the Lexol cleaner, this has almost no odor.
7 out of 10
Adam's leather conditioner - This is a very good conditioner and is super easy to work into the leather and seems to last very well. It does have a pretty strong smell, but it's not a bad smell.
9 out of 10
Chemical Guys Stripper Scent - I'm not usually one for air fresheners, but I do like this one. Before you ask, it does not smell like disappointment and broken dreams. It actually smells like a mix of vanilla with a hint of baby powder. My wife laughed when I bought it but she get mad if I don't spray it in her car after I wash it.
11 out of 10
Please feel free to offer any feedback on anything I have reviewed or anything else you have used.
Happy detailing.
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