The Right Way to Use a Quick Detailer (With FAQ)
A detailer spray is very easy to use. Just spray on and wipe off easily without the need for too much buffing. Here are typical instructions.
- Wash your car first if it’s very dirty
- Shake the bottle well.
- Use a high-quality microfibre cloth such as the Eagle Edgeless 500.
- Mist onto one section of your vehicle at a time.
- Quickly spread the product with a clean microfiber towel.
- Turn to a clean, dry portion of the microfiber towel for the final wipe
How to prep a car for a quick detailer
All dirt and dust are abrasive when wiped into your paint. So I would be even more careful when I’m dusting off my car. If it’s very dusty I might use a leaf blower or car dryer first to take some dust off. But usually, the dust is stuck on there.
I will then examine the surface again. If I think it’s too dirty I will get the hose out and lightly spray water on the car to remove more dust. Water should sheet off the car because it was sealed or waxed only a few days earlier. I will then use the spray and microfiber towels to wipe down the car as outlined in these instructions.
Using a quick detailer after washing your car.
If I’m using the quick detailer after a full wash I will do things slightly differently. I will fully dry the car with a detailer spray and microfiber towels. I don’t always use a detailer spray after I wash by the way. But if I know the sun is coming out I like to give that extra shine.
The important thing to remember is that you should only put very light pressure on the microfiber towel. If you need to put a lot of pressure on then you WILL scratch your paint and start to introduce swirl marks which will lead to faded paint, especially on black. Please read my blog posts on how to wash a car without scratching it.
READ MORE: What’s the difference between a Quick Detailer and a Waterless Wash
How to use a quick detailer to clean off bird droppings.
There are few things more annoying to a car enthusiast who has just detailed his or her car than a gigantic bird poop landing on the bonnet. It’s as if they were waiting until you had finished before they let go. But modern tools are here to help.
It’s important to get bird poop off quickly because the acid in there can burn through your car’s clear coat and leave a permanent mark. Especially noticeable in dark or black cars.
Park in a shady spot if you can. Spray some detailer on a microfiber towel so that it gets good and damp. Spray some onto the bird droppings. Place the microfiber towel on top of the bird droppings for a few minutes to allow them to soften. Getting it soft is the key because you don’t want to scrub the nasty stuff off. This will cause scratches.
If you find that the paint seems stained after you clean off the bird poo you might need to use a polish to remove the stain. You can just apply a small amount of polish to the affected area if you don’t want to do the whole car. Be careful with polishes and compounds as they can damage paint if not used correctly. Read my blog post on compounding and polishing if you want to know more.
Quick Detailer Tips and Tricks
- If you are using a quick detailer on a dusty car, always wipe in straight lines and put very little pressure on the microfibre cloth. After your initial wipe, you can buff off with a clean side of the cloth.
- Keep a quick detailer in your car with a microfiber towel and use it for bird poop emergencies.
- Most quick detailers can be used on any part of your car. Even the inside. They’re usually safe to use on glass, plastic, rubber, and metal trim.
- Don’t expect the shine you get from a detailer spray to last too long. They are usually not known for their durability. For durability, you will need to use a wax, sealant, or coating.
- If your car has more than light dust on it you might need to wash it or use a waterless car wash which I talk about below.
Quick Detailer FAQ
Q. Which quick detailer should I buy?
A. Check out my list of the best quick detailers I have tried.
Q. What is a quick detailer spray?
A. A quick detailer is a spray used by car detailers when detailing their vehicles.
Q. What does a quick detailer spray do?
Answer…
- A quick way to top up shine and protection after a wash.
- Remove light dust.
- Remove fingerprint marks.
- Remove fresh bird droppings.
- Clean and shine glass.
- Top up wax or sealant.
- Top-up ceramic coating.
- Remove dust inside the car.
- As a drying aid.
- As a clay bar lubricant
- Remove water spots after washing.
Q. What’s the difference between a detail spray and a quick detailer?
A. Nothing. A quick detailer and a detail spray are the same things.
Q. How do you use a quick detailer?
Answer…
- Shake well.
- Mist onto one section of your vehicle at a time.
- Quickly spread the product with a clean high-quality microfiber towel.
- Turn to a clean, dry portion of the microfiber towel for the final wipe
- Some quick detailers can be applied to a wet car.
Q. How do you prepare a car for a quick detailer?
A. If your car is dirty wash it to remove as much dirt as possible. A QD can be used on a wet or dry car as long as it’s not too dirty.
Q. Is it safe to use a quick detailer on black car paint?
A. Yes, it’s safe to use a QD on a black car that has just been washed.
Q. Can you use a quick detailer spray on plastic and rubber trim?
A. Yes, you can use a quick detailer on plastic and rubber trim.
Q. Do quick detailer sprays scratch cars?
A. No, quick detailer sprays won’t cause scratches. Especially if using a good quality microfibre towel. But using a quick detailer on a dirty car can cause scratches.
Q. What’s the difference between a quick detailer spray and a spray wax?
A. A spray wax will give longer-lasting protection but will require more buffing.
READ MORE HERE: What’s the difference between quick detailer and spray wax?
Q. What’s the difference between a quick detailer and a waterless wash?
A. Read this post: What’s the difference between a Quick Detailer and a Waterless Wash
Q. Can quick detailer spray cover scratches?
A. No, a quick detailer spray will not cover scratches.
Q. Can you wash a car with a quick detailer spray?
A. No, if your car is dirty you should wash it with the two-bucket method or another safe method to avoid causes swirls and scratches.
Q.Can you use a quick detailer spray on a dirty car?
A. No, a quick detailer spray should not be used on a dirty car. Use the two-bucket method or a waterless wash to reduce the number of swirls and scratches you can cause.
Q. Can you use a quick detailer spray on a new car?
A. Yes, you can use a quick detailer spray on a new car that has been washed. It’s a quick way to add gloss and protection.
Q. Can you use a quick detailer as a topper?
A. Yes, a quick detailer spray makes a great topper. Use it on top of wax or sealant or ceramic coatings.
Q. Can you use a quick detailer spray on a ceramic coating?
A. Yes, a quick detailer spray can be used on a ceramic coating to boost its hydrophobic and water-beading abilities.
Q. Can you use a quick detailer spray on PPF?
A. Yes, quick detailer spray can be used on paint protection film.
Q. How to use a quick detailer spray to clean bird poop from a car.
A. 1. Park the car in the shade and allow the area to cool.
2. Spray plenty of quick detailer spray on the bird poop.
3. Spray plenty of quick detailer on a microfibre towel.
4. Cover the bird poop with the towel for 5 minutes to soften.
5. Gently wipe with a microfibre towel.
Q. Can you apply wax on top of a quick detailer?
A. The quick detailer spray might prevent the wax from fully bonding. Use the wax first.
Q. Can you apply a ceramic coating on top of a quick detailer?
A. No, you should not apply a ceramic coating on top of a quick detailer spray because the ceramic coating needs a bare surface to bond. Use an IPA wipe to prepare the paint for ceramic coating.
Q. How do you remove a quick detailer?
A. polish or compound will remove a quick detailer. An IPA wipe or panel prep wipe like Carpro Eraser will also help remove it.
Q. How can I make my own quick detailer spray?
A. the cheapest way to make a quick detailer spray is with a product like Optimum No Rinse or ONR. It can be diluted with water to make a detail spray.
Q. Does a quick detailer spray remove wax?
A. No, quick detailer sprays will not remove wax. Use polish or compound to remove wax. An IPA wipe can also be used. Some All Purpose Cleaners help remove wax.
Q. What happens if you use a quick detailer on a dirty car?
A. You could cause swirls and scratches on your paint. These can be fixed by polishing.
Q. How long does a quick detailer last?
A. The shine you get from a quick detailer will last a few weeks.
