Best after-wash car detailing spray?
Discussion
Can anyone recommend a car detailing spray? I want something to spray over the bodywork after washing that will give some shine, there's various online and some claiming ceramic coating.. so what do you guys recommend as the best you have used? thanks
edited to add - this is the ceramic one from Autoglym: Autoglym Rapid Ceramic Spray, Ultra Hydrophobic 500ml. Anyone used it?
edited to add - this is the ceramic one from Autoglym: Autoglym Rapid Ceramic Spray, Ultra Hydrophobic 500ml. Anyone used it?
Edited by Phooey on Monday 21st September 08:09
I use Autoglym Rapid Ceramic.
Someone who really knows their detailing onions will no doubt be along to tell me why I’m wrong but I think it’s great.
Much easier to apply than a traditional wax, gives a great shine and the water beads on it afterwards. You can use it on metal, chrome and plastic.
Someone who really knows their detailing onions will no doubt be along to tell me why I’m wrong but I think it’s great.
Much easier to apply than a traditional wax, gives a great shine and the water beads on it afterwards. You can use it on metal, chrome and plastic.
I use Griot's 3 in 1.
It's pretty good but doesn't seem to be widely imported to the UK so you pay a bit of a premium.
It smells lovely but whether it's worth more to most people than the equivalent Autogylm or Maguires product then probably not.
It won one of Project Farms comparison videos as the best spray on product. Was very close to the dedicated ceramic coats costing 4x more.
It's pretty good but doesn't seem to be widely imported to the UK so you pay a bit of a premium.
It smells lovely but whether it's worth more to most people than the equivalent Autogylm or Maguires product then probably not.
It won one of Project Farms comparison videos as the best spray on product. Was very close to the dedicated ceramic coats costing 4x more.
Edited by _Rodders_ on Monday 21st September 08:16
Over 20yrs of Detailing I've tried ALOT of QD's, the following are my favourites -
Yum Detailer
https://yumcars.co.uk/product/yum-detailer/
Gtechniq QD
https://www.gtechniq.co.uk/shop/auto/wash-decon/qu...
Gyeon QD
https://www.cleanandshiny.co.uk/products/gyeon-q2m...
Or if you are looking to add quick and easy protection I'd recommend a specific spray/rinse product like -
https://www.cleanandshiny.co.uk/products/gyeon-q2m...
Chris
Yum Detailer
https://yumcars.co.uk/product/yum-detailer/
Gtechniq QD
https://www.gtechniq.co.uk/shop/auto/wash-decon/qu...
Gyeon QD
https://www.cleanandshiny.co.uk/products/gyeon-q2m...
Or if you are looking to add quick and easy protection I'd recommend a specific spray/rinse product like -
https://www.cleanandshiny.co.uk/products/gyeon-q2m...
Chris
Everyone will tell you what they use is the best. They are all so similar its pick whatever you want really.
Autoglym doesn’t make bad products. They might not be some obscure, cool detailing brand but their products are good quality, affordable and readily available.
On my weekend toy.
I use soft99 luxury wax. It’s cheap and shines the paint. It doesn’t last as it’s wax based but I don’t care.
I also use bilt hamber qd. This is a concentrated product you dilute down. Its pence per wash in use.
Again doesn’t last like a ceramic spray but I don't care.
On a daily driver I want better protection so use collinite beadcoat. This lasts 6 months gives a decent finish and is very easy to apply.
I then top it up with Autoglym polar seal when the panel stops beading.
Application is the easiest out of them all. Ive already got the tools out. Spray on, pressure wash off then dry with a towel.
Autoglym doesn’t make bad products. They might not be some obscure, cool detailing brand but their products are good quality, affordable and readily available.
On my weekend toy.
I use soft99 luxury wax. It’s cheap and shines the paint. It doesn’t last as it’s wax based but I don’t care.
I also use bilt hamber qd. This is a concentrated product you dilute down. Its pence per wash in use.
Again doesn’t last like a ceramic spray but I don't care.
On a daily driver I want better protection so use collinite beadcoat. This lasts 6 months gives a decent finish and is very easy to apply.
I then top it up with Autoglym polar seal when the panel stops beading.
Application is the easiest out of them all. Ive already got the tools out. Spray on, pressure wash off then dry with a towel.
Been using this stuff for a few years now - works well and very easy to wipe on / off.
Can also put it over ceramic coatings.
https://www.ashfieldvaletingsupplies.co.uk/product...
Can also put it over ceramic coatings.
https://www.ashfieldvaletingsupplies.co.uk/product...
Belle427 said:
Sonax BSD is still very good and hard to beat.
Lots to choose from really but the Autoglym offering is probably just as good in all reality.
I like the look of Gyeon products, going to try their cancoat in the future.
I've used their ceramic coating for plastic trim. I was quite impressed, seemed to last a couple of years. Lots to choose from really but the Autoglym offering is probably just as good in all reality.
I like the look of Gyeon products, going to try their cancoat in the future.
Thanks again for replies. I bought both the Autoglym and Sonax. First impressions - the Autoglym is the better of the two - easier to apply and although hard to tell - but possibly a slightly better shine. The Sonax is grabby and easily smears whereas the Autoglym couldn't be any easier to apply.
Phooey said:
Thanks again for replies. I bought both the Autoglym and Sonax. First impressions - the Autoglym is the better of the two - easier to apply and although hard to tell - but possibly a slightly better shine. The Sonax is grabby and easily smears whereas the Autoglym couldn't be any easier to apply.
Sonax bsd is a great product for winter. Water just beads off like crazy. I dilute it 1:1 with water as it’s very rich. Doesn’t affect performance but is easier to apply. The Autoglym line of products are excellent. Just because they aren’t a trendy obscure brand a lot look down on them.
What they excel at is end user experience, like you have found out.
sam.rog said:
Sonax bsd is a great product for winter. Water just beads off like crazy. I dilute it 1:1 with water as it s very rich. Doesn t affect performance but is easier to apply.
The Autoglym line of products are excellent. Just because they aren t a trendy obscure brand a lot look down on them.
What they excel at is end user experience, like you have found out.
Having this "debate" with myself right now The Autoglym line of products are excellent. Just because they aren t a trendy obscure brand a lot look down on them.
What they excel at is end user experience, like you have found out.
New car and want to get out and wash and put some basic protection on it today whilst the weather is nice.
It's easy to end up down all sorts of detailing rabbit holes convincing yourself spending three times as much will make it look so much better when there's a Halfords five minutes down the road from me where I can get Meguiars Gold Class and AutoGlym SRP and it'll look amazing.
butchstewie said:
Having this "debate" with myself right now
New car and want to get out and wash and put some basic protection on it today whilst the weather is nice.
It's easy to end up down all sorts of detailing rabbit holes convincing yourself spending three times as much will make it look so much better when there's a Halfords five minutes down the road from me where I can get Meguiars Gold Class and AutoGlym SRP and it'll look amazing.
I’ve been down the unicorn pubes magic alchemy products and spent way too much money on the latest and greatest. New car and want to get out and wash and put some basic protection on it today whilst the weather is nice.
It's easy to end up down all sorts of detailing rabbit holes convincing yourself spending three times as much will make it look so much better when there's a Halfords five minutes down the road from me where I can get Meguiars Gold Class and AutoGlym SRP and it'll look amazing.
I’ve now got a pretty concise arsenal of products that for the job well whilst giving me the lowest cost per wash.
Must have tools
Pressure washer. Direct hoses b5 is an unbeatable <£100 option.
Ali express foam cannon. (I use an mtm pf22.3)
Big bucket
wash mit
Wheel brush.
Drying towel
Microfibre cloths.
Chemicals.
Bilt Hamber touchless
Bilt Hamber autowash
Bilt hamber surfex hd
Koch chemie polstar
Bilt Hamber auto qd
Bilt hamber traceless.
Sofft99 fusso
Bilt Hamber auto wheel
As you can see I’m well into the Bilt hamber lineup of products. They are top drawer quality. But are mostly highly concentrated so can be diluted down which brings the cost right down.
I’ve got lots of other products like rinse less washes, waxes, tyre dressings ect.
That list will get you a clean well protected car that lasts for months. With a cost of a couple quid per wash.
Yeah I had a garage full of products some 10-20 years old that got used once or twice then got replaced with the next latest and greatest.
Just got back from Halfords with Gold Class shampoo and a couple of Autoglym Perfect Polishing Pads.
There's a bottle of old but fine Finish Kare 215 in the garage.
Even in Halfords I found myself looking at all sorts of stuff I just didn't need.
Suppose all I'm saying to anyone on similar threads is don't overthink it too much - P&P can be a killer
Just got back from Halfords with Gold Class shampoo and a couple of Autoglym Perfect Polishing Pads.
There's a bottle of old but fine Finish Kare 215 in the garage.
Even in Halfords I found myself looking at all sorts of stuff I just didn't need.
Suppose all I'm saying to anyone on similar threads is don't overthink it too much - P&P can be a killer
butchstewie said:
Suppose all I'm saying to anyone on similar threads is don't overthink it too much - P&P can be a killer
I disagree. Most of the online detailing product suppliers offer free delivery if you spend more than £65 or £70 - the killer is trying to find £70 worth of stuff to buy every time you want to place an order ...Ask me how I know!
_Rodders_ said:
I use Griot's 3 in 1.
It's pretty good but doesn't seem to be widely imported to the UK so you pay a bit of a premium.
It smells lovely but whether it's worth more to most people than the equivalent Autogylm or Maguires product then probably not.
It won one of Project Farms comparison videos as the best spray on product. Was very close to the dedicated ceramic coats costing 4x more.
Having used it a couple of times now, I can believe it being very close to the dedicated ceramic coats.It's pretty good but doesn't seem to be widely imported to the UK so you pay a bit of a premium.
It smells lovely but whether it's worth more to most people than the equivalent Autogylm or Maguires product then probably not.
It won one of Project Farms comparison videos as the best spray on product. Was very close to the dedicated ceramic coats costing 4x more.
Edited by _Rodders_ on Monday 21st September 08:16
Largely because, having used dedicated ceramic coats, it's a similar level of effort.
Ok, being fair, it's about half the effort, for probably 80% of the effect. I'd recommend it, but I'm not sure I'd want to apply it every wash; the application is easy, it's buffing afterwards is a bit of a faff - calling it a wax is fair, as it's a similar application and level of work as applying a wax.
Excellent product, lovely smell, great results, just not something to use every time.
One thing I do use everytime is Tec582 ceramic detail spray. It's cheap (in the US at least, about $25 a gallon), and fantastic as a drying aid, I go round and hit every panel with it, wipe it off immediately, it takes off the water marks immediately and leaves a good shine. Virtually no effort at all. Not as good as the Griots, but for cost and ease of application, I'd certainly buy it again.
Frankthered said:
I disagree. Most of the online detailing product suppliers offer free delivery if you spend more than £65 or £70 - the killer is trying to find £70 worth of stuff to buy every time you want to place an order ...
Ask me how I know!
That's the point you end up buying far more than you need because after all £70 of stuff with free P&P is better than spending £12+ P&P on the one thing you probably don't need either Ask me how I know!
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