Spray wax vs spray detailer

[craig_t]

Can anyway explain the difference between the 2?

[stealthwolf]

There's a difference between wax and detailing spray. Hint is in the product. Once you've washed and polished the car, you'll want to wax it. A solid wax is IMO better than a spray wax, but the latter is good for topping up wax coats. A detailing spray tends to have lubricants/cleaners/wax to help maintain the finish whilst removing dust, fingerprints etc without the need for rewashing the car.

A typical cleaning regime might be:
- polish the car every six months
- wax the car every month
- wash the car weekly, dry, and buff up the shine with quick detailer.

[stealthwolf]

I should also add that some detailing sprays have other uses eg clay lube, rinse or drying aid, prepping applicators for wax or sealant, prepping pads for polishing etc

Spray waxes can't do any of this.

[david proctor]

Spray Wax: A product containing protective properties to protect and beautify the surface that it's designed to be applied to (ie: paint). A spray wax (sometimes referred to as a "spray sealant") is designed to be applied to paint that's squeaky clean and free of any dust, dirt, or contaminants. A quality spray wax will easily yield 3-4 months of stand-alone protection. A spray wax (spray sealant) is often used as a "booster" over an existing wax, sealant or coating.

Quick Detail Spray: Just as the name implies, a quick way to touch up your vehicle's finish. A quick detail spray often contains carnauba or polymers (some contain both!) to spruce up your vehicle's appearance. A quick detail spray is often used after a wash to boost the shine. Most quick detail sprays can also be used to remove light dust (don't worry, we'll get more into that later). While a quick detail spray can contain carnauba or polymers, they don't provide too much paint protection, like a spray wax does. Lubricants ensure you don't scratch the finish as you wipe away dust.