Har-ray

If you keep enough quick detailer on the paint, and often enough; would you still need to wax the car?

Fcal

I use ICE Spray Wax and ICE Detail Spray.
Both of these are very easy to use.

roadbike56

I use ICE paste wax. I tried the detailer only route (Mequiars) , but I could feel that the paint surface was not smooth. I've tried ICE on several other cars we own and like it best compared to other waxes/polishes. The only major I haven't tried is Adams.

ricks327

Try using a clay bar to remove any contamination,ie; tree sap, hard water spots, bird crap, etc. Last year I did the clay bar on my 67, which was not exposed to many elements/contamination and it was amazing on how smooth the surface ended up.

vbdenny

Yes. The detailer works great on waxed vehicles and also keeps car cleaner. Of course select your wax carefully and don't use the cheap wax over your dirt. Car need to be...
1. Washed and rinsed
2.Detailed with claybar
3. Polished with detailing spray and microfiber towel
4. Waxed with heated good wax (I use Collinite #845 Insulator Wax) but others good
5. Apply a second coat, same deal
6. Finish with microfiber and quick wax

Using only the spray doesn't protect much for long. Get wax, microfibers, and beer and you're good to go. Perfect "sick day" activity.

DON'T wax if you don't claybar.

Steve Garrett

^^^ Thank you for finally answering the OP's question.

Grzldvt1

I am a pro detailer, and it depends on the quick detailer product. Some are nothing more than heavy Silicone Oil that give a great shine, but absolutely zero protection.
What product are you using?
With the plethora of products and techniques, and vbdenny has it nailed for the basics.
Wax/Polish opinions are like politics, everyone has an opinion on the best.

You need to do a little research and figure out what kind of look you want and how much effort you want to put in.

RiCorvette

I like Chemical Guys Hybrid V7
I wash using a variation of Garry Dean Wash method and finish up with CG V7

amphora001

I daily mine. Need to clean my car every 2 weeks. There's no way I'm cleaning, claying, and waxing the car every time. I only clay my car once every maybe 6 months to a year, or when i can feel the car has rough surface by running my finger along the body. I always put a layer of wax tho. Having an infant means I don't have a lot of time to pamper my car, so I sometimes use a liquid wax instead of carnauba wax. Often I compromise and use the carnauba on the front hood and fender, and the rest of the car gets a quick liquid wax. It helps get rid of dirt easier, otherwise more dirt sticks to the surface and it gets harder and harder to clean. It may not be ideal, but it's better than not cleaning the car at all.

I guess I should also confess that I commit the sin of using a drive through car wash, but it's a soft cloth kind. I do the drive through car wash, then wax it at home. I know it scratches the surface, but I got no time. And it's just a car.

My vote for OP's question would be YES, even if it's a liquid wax, which takes the same amount of time as a detailer spray.

Patman

I think the OP would like Meguiar's new Ultimate Fast Finish, as it's a sealant that comes in an aerosol can, and you use it similar to a detailing spray but it provides an actual layer of protection when you're done. I just started using it a couple of weeks ago and it's much faster to use than a normal LSP where you need to wait 20min for it to dry and then buff off the hazy residue. It behaves similar to a ceramic coating too, in that the paint stays cleaner looking after driving in the rain and seems to attract much less dust too. I even applied it to the neglected paint on my 11 year old Civic and without any prep work beforehand as well and I can see a noticeable difference in the shine. The stuff is cheap too, I got it for $12.97 at Walmart! I've done three cars with it so far and the can still feels full. I bet I will get at least 10-12 coats out of one can. It really seems to be one of the best ways to protect your paint without spending a ton of time on it. (they do recommended claying the finish before, but I didn't bother on any of my cars and still see great results)

Meguiar's does claim that it protects for one full year, so this stuff definitely provides more protection than a spray on wax. I think one year for any product other than a coating is not realistic though but even if this stuff lasts 2-3 months that's still cool since it's so easy to add a fresh layer of protection you won't want to wait a full year.

lavla

This is the greatest detail/wax spray that I've ever used, and my cabinet is full of them!

vbdenny

Guess I should qualify. Don't wax if you haven't maintained the finish until you claybar. You only need to claybar if you haven't waxed prior.

Har-ray

Meguiar’s Ultimate Quick Detailer
I daily 33 mi. to and from work and remove any bird poop and spots at the end of the day. If it rains, I go over the entire car w/the detailer. There is definately something wrong w/me; but it only takes 10 min. I will NOT have dried water spots!!!

DALE#3

After applying a good wax your paint should be Non Grabbing your Micro-Fiber towels.On daily no rain drives the car gets a look over when parked.All marks be dead bugs etc get removed then.
Tried a detailer.Maguiers,Didn't like the way it grabs the MF.If it grabs it SCRATCHES the Clear Coat.
I touch-up area's that need attention with a spray-on Wax.Wax is protection.Wax slides the MF.Less scratching the Clear.

Krystal

Clay bar.......NOPE!

You're doing it the hard way with a Clay bar.....that's very yesterday.

What you want to look at for an easier way to go comes along at the 3:50 mark in this 23 minute video with more in it than just the clay bar alternative.



As for wax though....... the companies that sell it talk about the shine......but the real reason to use IMO..... it is found in how it amounts to suntan lotion for your paint.

dvilin

Detail Spray alone will not protect the paint, you need to apply a coat of wax at least once every six months.

chronage

Skip the wax and go with a sealant for lower maintenance imo. Optimum Opti-seal. Wash, spray on, wipe.

Kracka

I use Meguiar's Ultimate spray detailer and spray wax regularly with no complaints. Both are very quick and easy to use. I use their paste wax typically twice a year so the spray wax acts like a nice booster. I've claybar'd the car once and it didn't pick up much (likely because these cars are all fully wrapped while in transport).

JimNeedsC7

Really - I was just starting a count to see how long it would take before that happened - amazing!

dbaker

Everyone has a fav.....these are mine & why.

1:Rejex on the front nose,hood & windshield.Makes bug guts removal EZ.Learned this with my 1st plane.

2:Collinite for remainder of car,including glass.

3:After every drive,a quick wipe down with Megs Ultimate Quik Detailer.

I clay each car (4) every spring and do steps 1&2 twice a year.
Just my routine.

\db2