When is it acceptable to use a quick detailer?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Hey

I'm going to a car show Saturday that's about 2 hours away by car. I would like to be there and my car be pretty spotless.

The plan was to clean the car Friday night then park it in the garage until I'm ready to leave. And then when I arrive there, a quick detail around the car.

Now my question is, are quick detailers made for this or quick detailer would be more for much less dirtiness, for example just fingerprints? Also, should I follow up with my usual LSP (beadmaker) after the quick detail? I'm just not to sure where a quick detail sits compared to a waterless wash/rinseless wash.

Also FYI, my quick detailer is optimum no rinse dilluted 1:16.

[Bruno Soares]

2 hours is a lot of driving for just a quick detailer. Do a waterless wash with ONR since you already have that. Just might be different dilution ratio and technique.

[WillSports3]

ONR dilute it to waterless wash ratios and use that. People ruin their finishes at car shows with detailing spray what is essentially a wash worth of dust.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Okay thanks guys, in this case I think I'll just leave it be. I don't want to bring a bucket for a ONR wash. I'm already bringing a BBQ and a big cooler in my coupe so won't have much space lol.

[limited0602]

What about something like this? Waterless wash in a bottle: Meguiars Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere, waterless wash

[Mike Phillips]

Standard answer,

Light dust
Fingerprints
Smudges


Anything dirtier - use a waterless wash.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Standard answer,

Light dust
Fingerprints
Smudges


Anything dirtier - use a waterless wash.

Understood.

But then, a quick detailer on it's own becomes useless if a waterless wash in a bottle exists no? Since the waterless wash will do both safely?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

What about something like this? Waterless wash in a bottle: Meguiars Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere, waterless wash

I was liking it but saw it had a LSP in it (wax). Rather not apply different LSP than my base Powerlock and the beadmaker over it that I use when I dry the car usually weekly. I'll see what other Waterless wash in a bottle there is to buy and see if I'll get it in time I guess.

[acuRAS82]

Understood.

But then, a quick detailer on it's own becomes useless if a waterless wash in a bottle exists no? Since the waterless wash will do both safely?

In my eyes, good QDs give more pop than WWs. That would be their sole advantage when using on a barely dusted vehicle, or as a drying aid.

WWs are obviously more functional and way cheaper when bought in concentrate.

When it comes to smudge spots, it really doesn’t matter IMO since the little extra bling won’t be noticeable on a small area.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

In my eyes, good QDs give more pop than WWs. That would be their sole advantage when using on a barely dusted vehicle, or as a drying aid.

WWs are obviously more functional and way cheaper when bought in concentrate.

When it comes to smudge spots, it really doesn’t matter IMO since the little extra bling won’t be noticeable on a small area.

But isn't "pop" determined basically by how defect free the paint is and the LSP? How can a quick detailer on it's own provide like, additional visual enhancement other than making the area clean?

Anyway, my car when is cleaned looks amazing as it is. But maybe it's because I always top with the beadmaker! All I really want is to clean it. I might try and fit a bucket somewhere in my car with some ONR...