Stjärnagloss... recommendations?

[JRC1]

Either these products are awesome or they have nailed their marketing … which is it… maybe both?! Every other person seems to have a Stjärnagloss air freshener or some tag on their socials

Anyone used their products and can recommend?
I’m after a couple of things:

a) a quick detailer for when the car is clean and doesn’t need a full wash, but something to use inbetween washes, to remove water spots etc - can anyone recommend any good products for this?

b) something to get rid of tar spots that’s as or more effective and less onerous than using a clay bar on the whole car, is there a spray that can help with this?

Doesn’t have to be Stjärnagloss, although I’m curious to hear feedback on their products.

There’s some good products here I’m sure - https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/exterior/paint-prot...

Chemical Guys stuff always seems to get good reviews.

Appreciate any recommendations, thanks

[Belle427]

The market is flooded with products but to be honest they all do a similar thing.
That is coming from an enthusiastic amateur that has researched stuff to death and watched a lot of you tube.
I personally use Bilt Hamber and garage therapy products just because I know they work well for me and are not ridiculous price wise.
To be honest you could go to Halfords and use the entire Autoglym range and be very happy, some will disagree but they still make some very good products.
Isn`t stjarnagloss dodo juice in disguise anyway?

[paul_c123]

A petrol-soaked rag is great for tar spots and much cheaper (well, maybe not in the current climate...) than any off the shelf product.

[Familymad]

Absolutely bang on. My detailing mate was aghast I used the petrol rag trick on the McLaren and not some clay thingy….

[Frankthered]

Belle427 said:

The market is flooded with products but to be honest they all do a similar thing.
That is coming from an enthusiastic amateur that has researched stuff to death and watched a lot of you tube.
I personally use Bilt Hamber and garage therapy products just because I know they work well for me and are not ridiculous price wise.
To be honest you could go to Halfords and use the entire Autoglym range and be very happy, some will disagree but they still make some very good products.
Isn`t stjarnagloss dodo juice in disguise anyway?

Yes, there are loads of products in the market, pay your money and take your choice.

I haven't used much Stjaragloss stuff myself, just their Forst citrus pre-wash, which can remove tar, among other things, although it is pretty alkaline, so can be a little harsh if not rinsed thoroughly.

If you want a QD, Koch Chemie FSE is good for water spots, but for quick spot cleaning between washes, I'd be tempted to go for a rinse less wash like Optimum No Rinse, which can be used for many different duties at different dilutions (including as a QD).

You can definitely do worse than Autoglym stuff too! Their intensive tar remover is pretty good and contains emulsifiers to help with rinsing it off.

[Regbuser]

For QD


For tar spots - petrol and rag

[Belle427]

Sonax BSD has generally been the favourite quick detailer around for years and has great durability too so that`s a good suggestion.
Koch Chemie FSE is very good for water spotting and is not a bad quick detailer either.

[vikingaero]

Googling the address of Stjarnawhatever also shows other brands such as Dodo Juice etc.

[JRC1]

Thanks all. Sonax BSD seems to have excellent reviews. And it’s fine to apply this to paint that has dust or water spots etc present? I assume you would just use a damp cloth or damp microfibre along with the spray.

I forgot that I have a brand new bottle of Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Spray Detailer which I won in a raffle sat in my shed
This appears to be a similar product, but I’m tempted to try the Sonax as well.

[Frankthered]

vikingaero said:

Googling the address of Stjarnawhatever also shows other brands such as Dodo Juice etc.

Yes, sorry, meant to mention this in my earlier post, the Stjarnagloss brand is wholly owned by Dodo Juice - I think they established it mainly for some fresh marketing. So the products are going to be the same or very similar.

There again, there are only a handful companies that actually make these chemicals, so lots of brands are selling the same stuff with different labels and maybe at different concentrations; in some cases there could be different blends too.

[Belle427]

JRC1 said:

Thanks all. Sonax BSD seems to have excellent reviews. And it s fine to apply this to paint that has dust or water spots etc present? I assume you would just use a damp cloth or damp microfibre along with the spray.

I forgot that I have a brand new bottle of Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Spray Detailer which I won in a raffle sat in my shed
This appears to be a similar product, but I m tempted to try the Sonax as well.

Not really ideal to do that even though I have done it in the summer when the car does not really need a wash, it will inflict some micro scratches.
I would try the Megs as its a similar product.
Optimum no rinse is worth considering as its a useful product.

[JRC1]

Belle427 said:

Not really ideal to do that even though I have done it in the summer when the car does not really need a wash, it will inflict some micro scratches.
I would try the Megs as its a similar product.
Optimum no rinse is worth considering as its a useful product.

Thanks - appreciate the help. I thought a QD like the Megs product or the Sonax BSD could be used on dusty or lightly contaminated surfaces, but I must admit, I would also be hesitant about applying it straight over the top of dust etc. Sometimes it's frustrating when the car is clean other than some sahara dust or rainspots overnight and it seems excessive to re-wash the whole car. Maybe that's where the Optimum no rinse product comes in that you've recommended.

Would you typically apply the Megs/Sonax after rinsing but whilst the car is still wet, or after drying? Seems to be a mix of opinions on this.

[Frankthered]

JRC1 said:

Belle427 said:

Not really ideal to do that even though I have done it in the summer when the car does not really need a wash, it will inflict some micro scratches.
I would try the Megs as its a similar product.
Optimum no rinse is worth considering as its a useful product.

Thanks - appreciate the help. I thought a QD like the Megs product or the Sonax BSD could be used on dusty or lightly contaminated surfaces, but I must admit, I would also be hesitant about applying it straight over the top of dust etc. Sometimes it's frustrating when the car is clean other than some sahara dust or rainspots overnight and it seems excessive to re-wash the whole car. Maybe that's where the Optimum no rinse product comes in that you've recommended.

Would you typically apply the Megs/Sonax after rinsing but whilst the car is still wet, or after drying? Seems to be a mix of opinions on this.

Have you got some protection on the car? Like a ceramic coating, spray sealant or good old-fashioned wax?

If you haven't, then if you want to use the Megs or BSD, I would suggest you do the whole car with it after you've washed and dried it, except for the windscreen. (Also check if you can use on plastics / rubber etc. - probably ok, but alway best to check!) That will get you a base coat on the car that should last a few weeks. Once you've got that on, next time you wash the car, you can spray it onto the wet car (as a drying aid) and wipe off to top up the finish.

You don't need to do the spray on to the dry car bit, but if you do, the protection the products put down will probably last longer, especially if you do top it up.

[Belle427]

Most of them specify if they can be used on a wet car, can't remember if bsd can.

[Frankthered]

Belle427 said:

Most of them specify if they can be used on a wet car, can't remember if bsd can.

Yes it can!

Yes, I checked.

Yes, I am that sad!

[JRC1]

Thanks all for your help, much appreciated

[SteBrown91]

For small areas I ve always liked Autoglym intensive tar remover but its no good if the bottom half of your car is covered like mine usually is from our lovely roads as it comes in a small bottle to be poured onto a cloth.


I use Autosmart Tardis. It comes in a metal container and is pretty strong stuff. I decant it into a chemical resistant spray bottle and use it that way.

I think you are meant to dilute it but I have always used ir neat but sprayed on to a wet car.

Only thing is you have to be careful with black plastic trim as it can strip the coating if left too long.