OK, I know this should be in the detail forum, but I knew it would get more attention here.

Can/do you guys use the detail sprays on cars that have not been washed? If the car only has dust/pollen, wouldn't it be ok to use it? Isn't that the purpose of it? OK on dark cars?

 

On the whole car? No.
I use it to get things like bird crap or standing water spots off early.
I wouldn't spray the whole car to remove dust or pollen though. It's easier and safer to just wash it IMO.

 

Detail sprays are very slick. You can use them to remove dust and pollen provided you use a soft cloth (ie microfiber), but I think you may get a better result using a car duster first, then applying detailing spray to give the car that ''freshly waxed' look.

 

I use a CA Dust Buster then Detail Spray.

 

No surface scratches from the CA duster?
One time I was told that by a guy who owned a car wash.
I thought the detail sprays were made for that purpose.....spray and wipe.

 

I've used detail spray (Griot's) many times to clean the whole car when it was merely dusty. Works great; no adverse effects. Car is dark blue.

 

CA duster then Griot's Speed Shine. Duster works great but only for dust or pollen...any more than that needs a wash. I wouldn't use a detail spray on a dusty car and wipe unless you want micro scratches...especially on black!

 

I would think detail spraying an entire car would take longer than to wash it. If it's just dusty to where you can use the spray, then the wash should be very quick. You'd barely have to do anything other than rinse it then dry it.

 

I do it that way in the garage, where it's impractical to wash, when it is dark or the weather is crappy outside. I wouldn't clean the whole car with detail spray when washing is an available option.

 

I wash my car in the garage a lot. Even on sunny days. When it's so hot down here, it's the best way to go.

It was a rainy day in these pics...

 

I know I've said this before, but in 2+ years the car has only been washed 3 times. Dealership and Akkurat.

All I do is Rejex every 3 or 6 months...CA Duster and Detail Spray weekly. Only takes me 10-15 minutes to clean the car. I mainly do this cause I am lazy, but it seems to work. No scratches on the car and for people who've seen the car can vouch for how clean I try and keep it.

 

I always wash in my garage, washing in the sun is a no no. As for not washing and just quick detailing your car, put your car under a halogen work lamp you will see milions of swirls and random scratchs. You need to wash, QD is not for cleaning the car, but for restoring gloss and protection after you wash.

 

I've had my car under halogen, flourecent, sun, moonlight and hardly any swirls. A few, but nothing to cry about.

 

How about, blow off the dust and then spray? The car was not rained on, and hardly driven.

 

I agree with Kirby. I have had my car for a year and a half and maybe washed it 5 times. But I wipe it every morning and sometimes at night. It does not take long if the car is kept clean. I might start with a quick Calif. duster and then use a small amount of detailer on a cloth. Occasionally I will wet a towel and go over the car if it has thicker dirt.
Always use clean micro fiber towels and do not apply too much pressure. Clay barring every once and a while makes the car show room smooth. And use good waxes. Not washing the car saves me from always retreating the rubber which if you are slow to dry will spot up.