72% of consumers who have their cars professionally washed will only do so every couple of months, or even less. Our schedules during weekdays, or, weekends, can be absolutely crazy. If you’re looking for a way to extent the time between washes by keeping your car’s paint smooth and clean, you’ll need the best detail spray. Quick detailing sprays easily clean your ride, getting it to show car ready in minutes.
We’ve tested 20+ of the best quick detailer sprays and recommend Griot’s Garage Speed Shine as the absolute best. It’ll quickly remove dust and smudges, but gentle enough to not harm your finish. Plus, it leaves behind a super duper shine!
The Best Detail Sprays in 2020 & Reviews
1 – Griot’s Garage Speed Shine
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Griot’s quick detailing spray is a top-notch and your best bet. It’s safe for all paint types, wheels, chrome, and plastic trim. We wish we knew the exact formula because this stuff cuts through dust and light dirt fast and easy. It also leaves behind a great shine with no streaking or smearing. Mist on, one section at a time, then wipe off with a microfiber towel.
Of all our recommendations, Griot’s Garage Speed Shine is our best detail spray. It doesn’t disappoint.
2 – Adam’s Detail Spray
Adam Pitale, a perfectionist when it comes to car care, began creating his detailing products back in 2000. Adam’s Detail Spray is first-class. It’s streak-free and safe on all surfaces including trim. It cleans great and really easy to use. Plus, this detailer contains several ingredients that help extend the life of your wax or sealant. In some cases, up to 2 months of extra protection.
Oh, and it’s pink and smells like strawberries, no joke!
3 – Mequiar’s Quick Detailer Mist & Wipe
Meguiar’s quick detail spray has been around for years. As far as we know, the formula hasn’t changed much. Why would it? Meguiar’s Quik Detailer is a dependable work-horse. You can spot a bottle of this at most car shows, it’s that good.
It’s also our best budget pick for detail sprays. Meguiar’s is typically the lowest cost per oz. while doing great to remove dust and grime from your ride.
4 – 303 Speed Detailer and Spray Wax
The 303 product lines were originally developed to clean and protect aircraft. It’s a great detail spray for between washes – lifting dust and grime without damaging your paint. The 303 speed detailer also includes ingredients that protect your paint from harmful UV rays. Leaving your car unprotected in the hot sun can damage your finish over time. This detail spray can help prevent fading with it’s added protection. The clean, smooth shine left behind also makes this a great choice.
5 – Chemical Guys Speed Wipe Quick Detailer
The Chemical Guys’ flagship detail spray doesn’t disappoint. It cleans, shines, and protects in a single wipe. Its special formula takes care of fingerprints and dust while enhancing shine. It contains UV protection to help prevent fading. It’s super versatile and can be used on pretty much any painted surface – wheels, chrome, trim, etc.
The added bonus – it smells like cherries!
When to use Quick Detailer Sprays
Quick detailer sprays help remove dust and light dirt. They’re also great for fingerprints, smudges, and bird droppings. However, if your car hasn’t been fully washed in weeks, skip the detail spray. Using a quick detailer spray on a dirty car is a recipe for disaster, as the larger dirt particles could etch your paint and create swirl marks. If your ride is dirty, go ahead and wash it first. Learn how to wash your car by hand to avoid swirl marks and scratches. Don’t forget to also apply a quality carnauba wax or paint sealant. Then, you can follow-up with your detail spray to keep your paint fresh and clean.
Where to use Detail Sprays
For best results, wipe down your car in the shade. If you’re limited on time, you could apply in the sun, however, the chances of streaking increases. Your best bet is to apply to a cool surface. Also, be sure to read the directions on the bottle. Most detailers can be safely used on all surfaces, but some have synthetic ingredients which can stain certain trims.
How to use Detail Sprays
You’ll need several quality microfiber towels. Depending on the size of your car and the level of dust, you may need three or four. Remember to pull off the polyester tags from your microfiber towels – they can easily scratch your paint. Don’t worry, they’re not like mattress tags!
First, spray once or twice away from the car. This will clear out any bubbles in the bottle and avoid accidentally streaming the spray on the paint. Then, spray the quick detailer on your microfiber towel and begin wiping down one section at a time. We recommend using back and forth motions in straight lines, not circular. This will help limit your chances of swirl marks. Also, keep very light pressure on the towel and allow the detailer to do its job. Fold your towel over and wipe again to dry the section, then move on to another section. After a few short minutes, your entire car should be looking good as new!
One last tip. Get your hands on a small trial size spray bottle, anyone will do. Fill it with your favorite quick detailer spray and leave it in your car, along with a microfiber towel. You never know when you’ll need to wipe off bird droppings. They can easily etch paint if left too long. Having your small backup bottle could be a lifesaver!
