Affiliate Disclosure: Mothers sent us some of the products described below free of charge. Automoblog earns from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate, including the cleaning products shown here. These commissions come to us at no additional cost to you.
The Mothers team sent us a care package to test. Longtime car enthusiasts may recognize the Mothers from the 1970s when mag wheels were hot. If you were in Southern California at the time, you might even remember the orange Mothers pickup that frequented area car shows and swap meets.
Today, mothers have more than 100 car care products in its portfolioincluding professional level cleaners, but the following will work no matter what type of vehicle you own.
Polishing cloth and gold microfiber towel
The polishing cloth has no edges and is best suited for removing traces of enamel and wax. The microfiber cloth is lightweight, lint-free, and glides very well over paint, especially larger areas like the hood. I use the polishing cloth for a final clean up after applying whatever products I may be using, including glass cleaner and detailer mist.
The Premium Gold Microfiber Towel is more robust and acts like a vacuum cleaner with its “double nap” design. I have found that the long nap is best for cleaning your vehicle immediately after washing, leaving it ready for waxing and polishing. The longer nap is also good for cleaning interior cleaners. The shorter nap will help with that final polish, and is especially useful for removing waxes and heavy polishes from paintwork.
When you’re done, toss them in the washing machine and they’ll be ready for next time.
At the time of writing this article, you can get a mom cleansing cloth. on Amazon for about $8. A pack of 12 Premium Gold Microfiber Towels is available for around $42.
California Gold Snapshot Details
This was my favorite in the moms care package because my wash jobs are not complete until i apply something like this. It comes from my early years in the auto business when I was selling cars at Sioux Falls Ford. Under each of our desks was a bottle of this bright pink thing called “showroom gloss.” It had the most disgusting smell, but it worked like a charm.
The California Gold Instant Detailer gave me the shine without the foul smell. Spray it on, spreading it out evenly with a soft cloth, then blotting up any excess with the longer pile of the Premium Gold Microfiber Towel. As of this writing, a spray bottle of California Gold Instant Detailer it’s about $7 on amazon.
A bottle of this will usually do the trick when you’re pressed for time. It took me about 10 minutes to get a good gloss on my 500X (although it will be a bit longer if you have a larger vehicle). For more “Spray and Walk Away” options, explore the Mothers Speed lineup.
carnauba wax and wash
This was perfect for my lower quarter panels where road grime collects. Hitting it with a high pressure hose isn’t enough to remove it either. You can opt for the scrub brush at the car wash, but I understand if you’re in doubt: They’re often dirty from frequent past use, and I know they cause a scratch or two.
Mothers Carnauba Wash & Wax can be a good substitute. Add some to a bucket of water and “wash” as appropriate with a coarse sponge or lambswool medium. Although you can use it all over your vehicle, it’s great for those isolated spots that collect dirt, grime, and grease.
The photos below are of the three most problem areas on my 500X. They include the rear window, lower quarter panels, and the section behind the rear wheels. A standard spray gun at the car wash will never clean these areas, nor will an automatic wash (depending on where you go, the automatic wash will do a worse job).
These areas on my 500X always need a little extra love, and Mothers Carnauba Wash & Wax was a great help. At the time of this writing, a 64-ounce bottle of the material is available on amazon for about $13.
Fun fact: Carnauba, native to Brazil, is known for its heat tolerance.
Bug and Tar Remover
Nothing is more unpleasant than when the front end of your vehicle looks like a scene from Starship Troopers. I grew up in rural Iowa, and as a young adult about 20 years ago, I worked for a medium-sized farm operation. After work at night, I would drive the “back roads” home. Sometimes the amount of bugs hitting the windshield made it look like it was raining (and Iowa has some scary bugs, including one that looks like a flying scorpion).
Mothers Bug & Tar Remover will make quick work of bug guts, bird droppings, and tar (as the name implies). The formula will neutralize the acidity of bug and bird slime, which is more effective than trying to hose it off. It is safe to use on almost all surfaces, including glass, chrome, vinyl, and paint protection film.
As of this writing, an 18.5-ounce bottle of bug and tar remover retails for around $12 on Amazon.
power balls
Many of the roads I drive here in the Detroit metro (Woodward Avenue, Southfield Freeway, Interstate 94, M10, and Fort Street) are some of the busiest in the area. Michigan’s heavy traffic and unpredictable weather is a recipe for a dirtier vehicle. Even after a proper wash, I still need to clean some areas, including the wheels.
The solution? A Powerball of Mothers!
Attach the PowerBall to the end of any variable speed drill and suddenly you have a built-in buffer. The spongy ball attaches to an included 10-inch extension bit, ideal for cleaning wheels with deeper pockets. the ball of power it’s about $25 on amazon as of this writing.
Mothers also sells a mini power ball and a PowerCone polisher too, both of which are compatible with a standard drill.
Back-to-Black Wheel Cleaner
A bottle of Back-to-Black tire cleaner from the Classic Mothers Line It will make your rims shine like your paint after a good coat of wax. It’s excellent at dissolving brake dust and is safe for any tire, including whitewall and low-profile tires. Amazon carries a 24 ounce spray bottle of the stuff for around $8.
If you want that showroom hold after using the cleaner, try hitting your rims with Mothers wipe the shine off the tires.
interior cleaners
One 12 ounce bottle of Leather Cleaner for Mothers It will go a long way, especially if you have an older sports or luxury car with a leather interior. The pH balanced formula removes dirt, stains and odors that have “settled” or soaked into leather. Mothers Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner It’s essentially the same, just for cloth seats.
For the rest of your interior surfaces, try the Speed Interior Details.
Should you buy products for mothers?
Mothers is a brand we use, recommend and trust, but not exclusively. We have had good luck with armor all, meguiarsand turtle wax in the past. Ultimately, we recommend trying a few different brands and seeing which one you like best.
Keeping your vehicle clean is a essential part of regular maintenance, as are oil changes and tire rotations. Consider washing your vehicle as often as possible, especially after a snow or rain storm. It’s a good strategy to keep your car’s body and chassis looking good as the miles add up. When you finally get something new, you’ll be glad you invested in elbow grease. Washing (or not washing) your vehicle can affect its resale value in the long run.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Society of Automotive Historians. He is a member of the board of directors of the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, a former president of the Detroit Working Writers, and a loyal fan of the Detroit Lions.
