Spray wax vs detailers recommendations

[queens guy]

Hi I have a new car and looking for recommendations on 2-3 things. Car is volvo 2022 and paint is pretty good condition, no swirl marks or anything. I am looking for something I can apply to the car after washing that is quick and easy yet lasts about 1-2 months protection. I plan on doing a complete detail after winter so need recommendations on the following?

1- What is the difference between a spray wax vs Detailer and what can I use on biweekly basis to maintain protection ?
2- After winter I will wash, clay, compound (if needed), Polish and then use a paste wax.. I don't have the garage or time to seal go back and finish.. Am i missing something either before or after polish? or is wax good enough ?
3- I see some quick detailers get diluted, can I use this with a clay bar? would this also be good to use after a wash to protect just like a wax?


Here is a list of spray waxes I have been looking at.

BLACKFIRE Carnauba Spray Wax
Pinnacle Souveran Liquid Spray Wax
Meguiars Ultimate Quick Wax
Griots 3-1
Blackfire SiO2 Spray
Optimum Car Wax
Turtle Wax Hybrid Solution Wet Wax (Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wet Wax 26 oz.)
Blackfire Carnauba Spray Wax
Griots Best of Show Spray Wax
BLACKFIRE Synthetic Spray Wax

[mc2hill]

A detail spray is just for shine, while a spray wax will have some protection. With the advances in technology the spray waxes are lasting longer and longer.
I have not tried the spray waxes you listed (I used Optimum Spray Wax as part of a rinseless wash in the past), but like what I hear about Griot's 3-in-1 Spray Wax (https://www.autogeek.net/griots-ceramic-3n1-wax.html), and will be recommending that for my brother-in-laws new black Ram Crew Cab.

I am interested to see what other recommend.

[Uncbrs]

Others can give you a lot more advice but I notice one of those is a SiO2 spray. I actually use a spray and seal or touchless seal on a Volvo. Paint is in decent shape and I have only done an iron remover before a wash and spray seal myself. I should do more as it hasn't always been cared for properly but what I do is good enough for now and should last months as it sits garaged and driven pretty minimally.

The spray waxes aren't likely to last as long and you'll reapply pretty regularly. The SiO2 stuff should get you more miles. I've been using:

Wolfgang SiO2 wash and Meguiar's Hyper Wash for regular washes (switch between these)

303 Touchless Sealant or Sonax Spray + Seal

To maintain between you can use something like a detail spray such as Sonax Brilliant Shine or maybe something with a small infusion of SiO2 if you go that route.

Again, others will be around to share better and more complete ideas but thought I'd throw out what I use on a similar vehicle.

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[PA DETAILER]

Give the TW HS Wet wax a look. Use this as a drying aid after a wash. Been using it for a long time now. Fantastic looks and real protection. After one use you will see what i mean.

[Bruno Soares]

Of that last you were considering, I think Griot's 3-in-1 would work great as your protection during winter and then you can do a detail in the Spring.

[BlackCarBlues]

1- What is the difference between a spray wax vs Detailer and what can I use on biweekly basis to maintain protection ?
2- After winter I will wash, clay, compound (if needed), Polish and then use a paste wax.. I don't have the garage or time to seal go back and finish.. Am i missing something either before or after polish? or is wax good enough ?
3- I see some quick detailers get diluted, can I use this with a clay bar? would this also be good to use after a wash to protect just like a wax?


Hey there, I'll try to answer these 3 questions you have, and to keep things simple I'm just going to suggest Griot's Garage products since they work great and many are available at your run of the mill auto parts stores... I promise I'm not a Griot's shill, I just like them and haven't been disappointed by them yet!

1: Detailer (Griot's "Speed Shine") is used to clean your car when it has LIGHT DUST like from just sitting outside for a day... not to be confused with a waterless wash (Griot's "Spray-On Car Wash") which can be used on a dirtier car that might have some road-film or is a bit more dirty. Spray wax (Griot's "Spray-On Wax" or "Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax") is only used when the car is already clean (no dust, no road film, etc). The spray wax will add protection. Think of detailer as a baby wipe and spray wax as baby oil... you wouldn't clean the baby with the oil. I recommend to keep a detailer in your trunk with some all-purpose microfiber towels for bird droppings and quick clean ups.

2: If you protect the car and don't do anything stupid like to go a drive-thru car wash, you shouldn't need to compound in the spring. For your spring detail, I would wash and clay as you mentioned and then I would recommend Griot's "Ceramic All in One" which is a liquid (apply by hand or with a DA polisher) and will be out in January 2022 and sounds very promising. It will take care of light swirls you pick up during the winter and also leave behind a layer of ceramic wax protection. To maintain this, you can use Griot's "Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax" which is a spray product that I mentioned earlier... I would also recommend you use this 3-in-1 spray wax before winter to apply some protection.

3: As for clay lube, I use Griot's "Speed Shine" just as it comes in the bottle. As I mentioned before, detailer generally doesn't apply protection... you'll want to use that Griot's "Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax" every couple months or so. I would recommend Griot's "Spray-On Wax" to be used as a drying aid.

Hope that sticking with one brand's products helped to give you an idea of the processes and product type differences... I seem to bounce back and forth between Griot's and Meguiars pretty often since I can just buy them at AutoZone and they work well. I have been dipping my toes into some of the more boutique products that you can find on autogeek recently too, but my detailing is really going to slow down during winter.

[Eldorado2k]

A detail spray is just for shine

Really?

[Kamakaz1961]

I have had great success with the Blackfire Spray wax. I can't say for the others as I have not used them. One thing I like about Blackfire..NO STREAKS!

[Uncbrs]

I have had great success with the Blackfire Spray wax. I can't say for the others as I have not used them. One thing I like about Blackfire..NO STREAKS!Reminds me... I've used the BF Detailer as well. Infused with carnauba wax itself and very slick to hopefully prevent scratches. Not a bad option for a detail spray.

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[Bosko]

I would put 2 coats of 3 in 1 on and keep it topped off with their ceramic speed shine....

[Larry A]

I like TWIce spray wax,DG Aqua WAX, TW Seal and Shine, DG Fast Clean and Shine, and Eagle One Wipe and Shine. Some day ill try Groits 3 and one.Even though Eagle One Wipe and Shine is a detail spray it does last a long time.

[theory816]

Wax makes water not want to stick to paint, which makes it easier to clean.

Spray detailer is meant to be a light cleaner. After every drive, you'll accumulate a bit of dust.

If you want something that last a long time, I recommend Adams Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating. Others have tested it for longevity and it holds up pretty well(99 washes). It does basically the same thing as wax.

[queens guy]

Oh Boy soo many products to choose from..thanks all for the feedback. really appreciate it.

[RPPM]

I would put 2 coats of 3 in 1 on and keep it topped off with their ceramic speed shine....

This!

[psnt1ol]

I am not going in to the detailer vs spray wax/sealant discussion since I think others had already answered it.

I think what product to use for protection is dependent by your regiment and your surrounding environment. For example... I use my 2020 Crosstrek for work and it never spent a day or night in a garage...ever. I travel between 3 states (California, Nevada, Utah) for work. I can only wash the Crosstrek once a month. From all the traveling I do... the vehicle is pretty nasty by the time I get to it. Bug Splatters and water spots are my worst enemies.... fortunately my car is white so water spotting is not that bad of an issue. I am a fan of coating but I like trying out new products way too much so a long term coating is just not in the cards for me. My vintage garage queen is another story. lol

I find waxes does a better job of preventing water spots and bug splatters from becoming a nightmare situation but I do like the durability of SI02 as well. The crosstrek has a base layer of 303 Graphene and I would add a layer of Carpro Reload every time I wash. I also put a layer of Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Graphene Paste Wax on the front bumper and mirrors to deal with the bugs. This combo has been working for me.

Everyone's situation might differ so you have to prioritize what's important to you.