DFB5.0
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I came across a question recently regarding how a Quick Detailer compares to Drying Aid. At first, I thought that was an easy question to answer, but in reality, it’s more complex than you would expect.
The use of a Drying Aid became a thing about 10-15 years ago, a term used to describe a product used to provide lubrication while towel drying your car, in theory reducing the possibility of micro marring and “love marks”. This process is relatively universal, in that you spray the product onto the paint before you start wiping with the towel. The side bonus is you also improve the gloss and, in some cases, the protection as well. While the process is universal, what product you use is where people tend to get hung up.
So, what can be used as drying aids? Well, within reason, any high-lubrication liquid can be used, be that a Spray Wax, Spray Sealant, Quick Detailer or Detail Spray. So, the question is, how do these differ, and why would you use one over the other.
Note: there is a lot of mixed interpretation as to what categorizes some of these products. Some products are pure spray waxes, some are a blend of wax and polymers, some are Si02 based, some are Polymers with some Si02 added. I'll try and put products into what I consider them to be, but that can be fluid.
Quick Detailers / Detail Sprays –
These products have been used for decades but have sort of gone out of fashion in recent times. For most part, a Quick Detailer will provide the necessary lubrication for use as a drying aid or clay lubricant. They also have some mild cleaning ability to deal with light dust and fingerprints. The result is a slick, high gloss finish. You will also find Quick Detailers supremely easy to use, with little to no streaking, and can be used on all surfaces, from paint to glass to trim. Often accompanied by a sweet, fruity scent.
However, the effect is short lived. In general, a Quick Detailer will be removed at the next wash or when it rains. That lack of longevity is why I think Quick Detailers have been shunned for Spray Sealants in recent years. This can be good or bad depending on how you like to detail. Let’s face it, most enthusiast detailers have so many layers of “protection” already on their car that it really doesn’t matter if the product washes off. In fact, that can be a good thing as it can prevent excessive build up and streaking caused by the “protection for the protection for the protection” phenomenon. In fact, it can be good practice to alternate your drying aid between a QD and the more trendy Spray Sealants.
I actually really like using Quick Detailers, they are so easy to work with and deliver the gloss, slickness and lubrication that I’m aiming for. If it’s removed at the next wash, who cares, I’m going to be replacing it when I dry the car anyway.
All detailing brands offer some form of Quick Detailer, and to be frank, they are hard to screw up. So, pick one you like the smell of and go for it. I really, really like P&S Paint Gloss, but have used a number of Quick Detailers over the years including Meguiar’s Final Inspection, Meguiar’s Last Touch, Stjarnagloss Silke and Bowden’s Boss Gloss.
Spray Wax –
These were all the rage in the 90’s and early 2000’s and dominated by brands like Meguiar’s, Turtle Wax and Mothers. In general, these are runny liquid waxes that provide some short-term protection, while providing excellent lubrication and slickness.
For me, Spray Waxes are the hardest to use of all potential drying aids. I have always found them "stickier" underneath the towel and more prone to streaking. Some of the older products were not multi-surface compatible, meaning you would likely cause staining on rubber trim. Also, Spray Waxes don’t play well with ceramic coatings, delivering a smeary, greasy appearance.
I have used a few Spray Waxes over the years, but none of them I truly loved. These days, a lot of Spray Waxes are now blended with Si02, in theory to improve longevity and user experience. Of the ones I have tried, they still have that slight tacky feel during application, which in turn requires a little more attention to get a streak free finish. The only standout to me would be Carpro ECH20, the wax adding lubrication, while the Si02 providing the gloss. Carpro Release is nice too.
Spray Wax examples include Optimum Car Wax, Meguiar’s Quick Wax, Turtle Wax Express Shine.
Hybrid Waxes include Ethos Dry & Seal, Carpro ECH20 and Carpro Release.
Spray Sealants –
This is where it gets tricky because there are soooo many interpretations as to what a Spray Sealant is. Very loosely explained, there are two basic variations here, Polymer or Synthetic Sealants, and Si02 (ceramic) Spray Sealants. In both cases, you are adding protection to the car when using these as drying aids, the products cross linking and bonding to the paint or existing LSP. This aspect also means they can be used as standalone protection. While a Spray Wax drying aid is not always compatible with a ceramic coating, a polymer or Si02 Spray Sealant will pair well with existing waxes, sealants and ceramic coatings. Like a Quick Detailer, they can also be used across all surfaces, paint/glass/rubber/plastic/chrome.
The downside to these products is the above mentioned “protection for the protection” problem, where excessive use can build up and cause streaking over time. Also, these products have been known to clog up towels if not laundered straight after a detailing session. In both cases, these issues are easily dealt with.
Examples of polymer sealants would include P&S Bead Maker, Obsessed Garage Drying Aid, Adam’s Slick & Slide.
Examples of Si02 spray sealants include Carpro EliXir, P&S Defender, NV Boost v2, Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Detailer, Gyeon Ceramic Detailer, Shine Supply Punch It.
Conclusions -
No product here is a wrong choice, they all lead to the same goal, taking a slightly different path to get there. In which case, you are choosing between specific "feel" when applying.
The phrase "chose something you like and use it often" rings true here. Find that product that works for your method of drying, that product you enjoy using, that product that makes you go WOW!
Despite having a cabinet full of different products, there are a few I return to the most here. Bead Maker is one of them, easily the slickest, glossiest things you can put on your paint. Longevity is minimal, but who cares. OG Drying Aid delivers that added longevity with nearly the same gloss and slickness and an easier application. NV Boost v2 is great too, as is the excellent Meguiar's HCD (stupid RRP though), I would dare say it's Meguiar's best product. I also love using P&S Paint Gloss, so easy to work with and a great fragrance.
https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...1&_sid=1de6e87ac&_ss=r&variant=18494712414265
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/obsessed-garage-drying-aid?_pos=1&_sid=3e36ab342&_ss=r
https://www.waxit.com.au/products/nv-boost-v2?_pos=1&_psq=boost&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=40116450164825
https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/meguiars-meguiars-hybrid-ceramic-detailer-768ml/593526.html
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/p-s-paint-gloss?_pos=4&_sid=e3feba880&_ss=r
The use of a Drying Aid became a thing about 10-15 years ago, a term used to describe a product used to provide lubrication while towel drying your car, in theory reducing the possibility of micro marring and “love marks”. This process is relatively universal, in that you spray the product onto the paint before you start wiping with the towel. The side bonus is you also improve the gloss and, in some cases, the protection as well. While the process is universal, what product you use is where people tend to get hung up.
So, what can be used as drying aids? Well, within reason, any high-lubrication liquid can be used, be that a Spray Wax, Spray Sealant, Quick Detailer or Detail Spray. So, the question is, how do these differ, and why would you use one over the other.
Note: there is a lot of mixed interpretation as to what categorizes some of these products. Some products are pure spray waxes, some are a blend of wax and polymers, some are Si02 based, some are Polymers with some Si02 added. I'll try and put products into what I consider them to be, but that can be fluid.
Quick Detailers / Detail Sprays –
These products have been used for decades but have sort of gone out of fashion in recent times. For most part, a Quick Detailer will provide the necessary lubrication for use as a drying aid or clay lubricant. They also have some mild cleaning ability to deal with light dust and fingerprints. The result is a slick, high gloss finish. You will also find Quick Detailers supremely easy to use, with little to no streaking, and can be used on all surfaces, from paint to glass to trim. Often accompanied by a sweet, fruity scent.
However, the effect is short lived. In general, a Quick Detailer will be removed at the next wash or when it rains. That lack of longevity is why I think Quick Detailers have been shunned for Spray Sealants in recent years. This can be good or bad depending on how you like to detail. Let’s face it, most enthusiast detailers have so many layers of “protection” already on their car that it really doesn’t matter if the product washes off. In fact, that can be a good thing as it can prevent excessive build up and streaking caused by the “protection for the protection for the protection” phenomenon. In fact, it can be good practice to alternate your drying aid between a QD and the more trendy Spray Sealants.
I actually really like using Quick Detailers, they are so easy to work with and deliver the gloss, slickness and lubrication that I’m aiming for. If it’s removed at the next wash, who cares, I’m going to be replacing it when I dry the car anyway.
All detailing brands offer some form of Quick Detailer, and to be frank, they are hard to screw up. So, pick one you like the smell of and go for it. I really, really like P&S Paint Gloss, but have used a number of Quick Detailers over the years including Meguiar’s Final Inspection, Meguiar’s Last Touch, Stjarnagloss Silke and Bowden’s Boss Gloss.
Spray Wax –
These were all the rage in the 90’s and early 2000’s and dominated by brands like Meguiar’s, Turtle Wax and Mothers. In general, these are runny liquid waxes that provide some short-term protection, while providing excellent lubrication and slickness.
For me, Spray Waxes are the hardest to use of all potential drying aids. I have always found them "stickier" underneath the towel and more prone to streaking. Some of the older products were not multi-surface compatible, meaning you would likely cause staining on rubber trim. Also, Spray Waxes don’t play well with ceramic coatings, delivering a smeary, greasy appearance.
I have used a few Spray Waxes over the years, but none of them I truly loved. These days, a lot of Spray Waxes are now blended with Si02, in theory to improve longevity and user experience. Of the ones I have tried, they still have that slight tacky feel during application, which in turn requires a little more attention to get a streak free finish. The only standout to me would be Carpro ECH20, the wax adding lubrication, while the Si02 providing the gloss. Carpro Release is nice too.
Spray Wax examples include Optimum Car Wax, Meguiar’s Quick Wax, Turtle Wax Express Shine.
Hybrid Waxes include Ethos Dry & Seal, Carpro ECH20 and Carpro Release.
Spray Sealants –
This is where it gets tricky because there are soooo many interpretations as to what a Spray Sealant is. Very loosely explained, there are two basic variations here, Polymer or Synthetic Sealants, and Si02 (ceramic) Spray Sealants. In both cases, you are adding protection to the car when using these as drying aids, the products cross linking and bonding to the paint or existing LSP. This aspect also means they can be used as standalone protection. While a Spray Wax drying aid is not always compatible with a ceramic coating, a polymer or Si02 Spray Sealant will pair well with existing waxes, sealants and ceramic coatings. Like a Quick Detailer, they can also be used across all surfaces, paint/glass/rubber/plastic/chrome.
The downside to these products is the above mentioned “protection for the protection” problem, where excessive use can build up and cause streaking over time. Also, these products have been known to clog up towels if not laundered straight after a detailing session. In both cases, these issues are easily dealt with.
Examples of polymer sealants would include P&S Bead Maker, Obsessed Garage Drying Aid, Adam’s Slick & Slide.
Examples of Si02 spray sealants include Carpro EliXir, P&S Defender, NV Boost v2, Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Detailer, Gyeon Ceramic Detailer, Shine Supply Punch It.
Conclusions -
No product here is a wrong choice, they all lead to the same goal, taking a slightly different path to get there. In which case, you are choosing between specific "feel" when applying.
The phrase "chose something you like and use it often" rings true here. Find that product that works for your method of drying, that product you enjoy using, that product that makes you go WOW!
Despite having a cabinet full of different products, there are a few I return to the most here. Bead Maker is one of them, easily the slickest, glossiest things you can put on your paint. Longevity is minimal, but who cares. OG Drying Aid delivers that added longevity with nearly the same gloss and slickness and an easier application. NV Boost v2 is great too, as is the excellent Meguiar's HCD (stupid RRP though), I would dare say it's Meguiar's best product. I also love using P&S Paint Gloss, so easy to work with and a great fragrance.
https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...1&_sid=1de6e87ac&_ss=r&variant=18494712414265
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/obsessed-garage-drying-aid?_pos=1&_sid=3e36ab342&_ss=r
https://www.waxit.com.au/products/nv-boost-v2?_pos=1&_psq=boost&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=40116450164825
https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/meguiars-meguiars-hybrid-ceramic-detailer-768ml/593526.html
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/p-s-paint-gloss?_pos=4&_sid=e3feba880&_ss=r
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