What if there was a liquid that you sprayed on the car and all you had to do was wipe, and the need for a wash was eliminated? Sound too good to be true? Well, it is. Now I know there are those that will give me gripe about this, but I challenge anyone to wipe down a dusty car with a detail spray then shine a halogen light afterward. What you’ll see are the micro-scratches caused by the dust, which are microscopic rocks, being dragged across the surface. Here's a picture of a Bentley Continental GT with surface marring from improper washing and wiping.





Detail sprays have their place. The original intention of a detail spray was to wipe down paint finish in dealer showrooms, private collections, or at a Concours event. However, detail sprays are now used as an alternative to washing a car. In my opinion, there is nothing better at getting dirt off a car than washing.

Detail sprays come from many different manufacturers but are mainly of two classifications: Natural carnauba sprays or synthetics. Neither of the two is better than the other. Just as with a wax, you achieve a certain “look” by using either two sprays. The synthetics give you more shine and gloss due to their silicones and/or polymers. For example, einszett Detail is a polymer-based technology spray. It has an anti-static agent that helps repel dust. The polymer technology can be felt when you apply the spray; the silky smooth flow of the microfiber over the finish is a sign. On the other side of the spectrum, Zymol Field Glaze is a natural carnauba-based product that contains no silicone or petrochemicals. It actually contains carnauba sap instead of wax. The sap is obtained from tapping the tree just like getting maple syrup. The natural carnauba spray will give the finish more of a glow than shine. There is much more depth and it can be noticed on metallic and solid colors.

The proper way of using a detail spray is either after a wash or after dusting the finish; a finish that has surface dust in the garage from the air, not the road.

After a proper wash and dry, applying a detail spray will rejuvenate the wax helping stop rapid deterioration. This is the secret of not having to wax every other week. If applied properly and consistently, most detail sprays will enhance the appearance of the finish, giving you the same look as the day the car was waxed. If you don’t use de-ionized water, the detail spray will also take care of the pesky water spots.

You can also use detail sprays if your car is garaged and not driven too often. Say you washed the car two weeks ago and it hasn’t been driven. By simply dusting the finish with a natural wool duster, not the California duster, you remove most of the superficial dust. Then you’re ready to apply the detail spray.

Application of most detail sprays is simple. Work in small sections and don’t over-use the product. Spray about 2-4 sprays in a 3’X5’ area, and with a microfiber towel folded in half or fours, gently wipe the finish in a linear motion. Imagine you’re filling the pores of the paint with the liquid wax. For example, I would spray half the hood, usually about three sprays on a Porsche, and gently wipe from the window to the bumper. Gently work back and forth until the finish becomes transparent. Then, flip the microfiber over with the dry side, and final buff to reveal the remarkable finish. If using a high-quality microfiber towel, you’ll notice the dual-pile. One side of the towel will have a short nap, great for wiping windows, and the other side will have a long nap. Use the long nap for detail sprays and removing wax. And remember, your towel should not be wet when you are done; if so, you’ve used too much product.

I hope you enjoyed this segment. If you have further questions or need advice, please post, PM, or pick up the old phone and call direct, 949-355-4911.

Coming up:

Clay: Friend or Foe?
A proper detail: What to expect for $125, $300, $800, and up…

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Very good tips Moe. Years ago I found out about "detail sprays" the hard way. You know have a shiny finish under a small layer of dirt, in a hurry and turn a slightly dirty car into a weekend nightmare getting the swirls out. Oh and I didn't have a PC back then so it took a lot of elbow grease to get the swirls out.

 

thanks for the tips, Moe

 

Moe,

If you were in a rush, say right before a car show and you've worked all week, what about just rinsing (not washing) the car off and then following up with detail spray?

I'd assume that would take most of the dust off and rapidly speed up the quick-detail process?

JM

 

This method would greatly help and reduce micro-marring. Rinsing would take care of the superficial dust but not the dust that has adhered to the wax layer. You need a good wash with soap in my opinion. It's the soap bubbles that encapsulate the dirt particles, in non-polymerized soaps, and then the water flushes it all away. Once dry, you'll now have a clean surface which to apply your liquid wax spray on.

 

Hey Moe, What if I wash the car, and then drive it to a car show. There will obviously be some road dust, but what is the best and safest way to clean and prep the car for the show, without washing it again since I can't wash it inside convention centers.

 

Great question....in this case you would use a 100% wool duster and get most of the superficial dust off. Then, with plenty of detail spray, you'd start to gently wipe down the finish. You will be making light scratches in the finish but depending on the lighting, it shouldn't be noticeable. We saw this at Pebble this year. Most of the cars on the green had so much light swirls and scratches. I later saw why; wiping down the finish with detail and Costco yellow microfiber towels. I mean these are 7-figure cars; some were just wiped down with a towel, no detail spray. So if you have to wipe the finish down prior to a show, be gentle, use lots of detail spray, and have that lambs wool duster handy.

 

Thanks a lot, i'll be getting a wool duster now. I was already close to the advice you gave. I sprayed a lot of detailer and wiped it off lightly to get the dust off, and just spray more to take off the streaks.