Walking in your local store’s auto detailing & car care department can be quite intimidating for those who are not experienced in cleaning their own cars. Sure you recognize some of the big names like Meguiars and Mothers, but at my local store, there are a dozen or more different types of wax. They all come in different sizes and some may not even know how to effectively use them. That is where I believe AMMO NYC fills the void.
(Full disclosure: I purchased AMMO NYC Products out of my own pocket. I did not ask for, nor receive any special treatment, discounts, or freebies prior to writing this article.)
The Company
AMMO NYC is a car detailing company founded by Larry Kosilla. Larry has his fingers in many different areas of the car detail world. You more than likely have seen him on the /DRIVE series /DRIVE Clean. He also runs his own YouTube channel, his own car detail podcast, a premier car detail company, and last but not least, he sells his AMMO NYC products online.
Larry breaks down his product line into what he calls different regimens: Paint, Wheel, and Interior. On the AMMO NYC YouTube channel, Larry actually shows you how to use them, and shows you how they perform. You can just purchase a regimen kit, or pick and choose the products you want from each. You can also purchase a small segment of specialized tools, as well as AMMO NYC gear.
AMMO NYC Products
AMMO NYC’s regimen kits remove the guess work of which products to use, however I still opt for the pick-and-choose route and have created my own weekend warrior regimen. I daily drive a 2013 Camaro SS and it lives in the elements all day, every day. Rain, snow and salt – my car sees it all. Rather than Concours d’Elegance, I go Concours d’Cars & Coffee, and just try to keep things looking good.
My personal AMMO NYC routine consists of: AMMO Foam Paint Cleanser, AMMO Spit Emergency Shine, AMMO Plum Wheel Cleaner, AMMO Mud Tire Gel, and AMMO Citrus AP Cleaner. Below is a summary of each product, and how and when I use them.
AMMO Foam Paint Cleanser
I use AMMO Foam Paint Cleanser when I am giving my car a full wash. Per Larry’s videos, I squirt three big gulps into my “body-only” bucket. I also squirt a bunch in my foam cannon. I like to cover my car completely in AMMO Foam then use a microfiber sponge in my bucket to clean the car with.
Nice and clean after a foam bath.
AMMO Spit Emergency Shine
I use AMMO Spit Emergency Shine to clean up some water spots and any dirty spots on my car in between washes. This product is basically spray wax. I spray it on a circle microfiber applicator and work it on my car then use a microfiber towel to wipe away the residue. It’s quick and easy to use.
AMMO Plum Wheel Cleaner
This is hands down my favorite AMMO product and fantastic job of keeping the wheels clean. First, I like to wet the wheels and then spray on the AMMO Plum Wheel Cleaner, letting it sit for 15 seconds or so before using my dedicated “wheels-only” bucket with a wheel brush (we like the Brush Hero!) to agitate the chemicals on the wheel. The reaction turns the brake dust purple and it’s very cool to see it dripping down the wheels. Hence, the plum name.
I know it’s difficult to tell from the photo because of the aluminum wheels, but it’s noticeable how well AMMO Plum Wheel Cleaner works when looking at the area around the valve stem.
The post-clean up shot.
AMMO Mud Tire Gel
As the name suggests, Ammo Mud Tire Gel is tire shine. I’m a firm believer that too much tire shine can ruin your tires over time, but since AMMO’s Mud Tire Gel is water-based, it will not cause damage to the tire sidewall. I have found that I only need to apply AMMO Mud Tire Gel lasts quite a while and rarely do I apply it more than once every 2 to 3 car washes.
AMMO Citrus AP Cleaner
This product is used to remove grease and grime. Admittedly, AMMO Citrus AP Cleaner is the product I use the least, as my engine bay receives the least attention in my regimen. When I do pull out the stuff, I follow Larry’s directions and squirt it on a shop rag before working it on all the road grime in my engine bay.
The Verdict
As with all car detail supplies you have to find what you like and what works for you. While AMMO NYC has many competitors, many of them sacrifice quality for lower cost. AMMO NYC appears to have found the best of both worlds. AMMO NYC products aren’t cheap, but they aren’t unreasonable while providing what I perceive to be a superior quality product.
Keep an eye out for more car care coverage on RFD!
