Sherman8r44
New member
I think I can help you out. The CG website gives too much information and is rather contradictory, but I have tried out all three now, so here are MY brief overviews and the situations in which each should be used:
SYNTHETIC DETAILER: This has some cleaning ability, but it is certainly no waterless wash. It is more of a gloss QD, like PB S&G, 4* Pro 4-90 Spray Wax, etc. It leaves a fair amount of slickness and gloss, but don't expect it to last long. It works well as a drying aid, and adds a little POP, but again it is just a quick QD not spray wax. Super easy to use, doesn't streak...but if you use it on a surface that is too dirty for it to clean, you will experience "dragging" of the MF towel. Like the other two CG QD's, it is anti-static. Smell is like Lemon Pledge. My least favorite of the three CG QD's, but then again that's not saying much
Use: when you already have a wax or sealant on the car, a relatively clean surface, and you want a quick boost to shine and slickness. It also works well while drying to lubricate and enhance shine. I like spray waxes (Mothers FX comes to mind) better for these uses, but at least this stuff has a little cleaning ability.
PRO DETAILER: My favorite QD ever. This stuff cleans even a little better (if that's possible :cooleek: ) than PB S&W and CG Speed Wipe. It also leaves a really slick and glossy surface (almost as good as Synthetic IMHO) thanks to the carnauba. Easy to use, excellent lubricity. Streaks at full strength, but dilute it 2:1 (QD:water) and it'll be as streak-free as the other two QD's. Even better, the dilution doesn't seem to have much effect on cleaning ability or gloss/slickness, which makes it super economical!!
Use: Whenever you need a QD for any purpose, this should be the one to reach for. The only exception is that polymer sealants will not bond over the carnauba content in the formula, so if you plan to put down layers of sealant after QD'ing then get SPEED WIPE.
SPEED WIPE: I recently bought a gallon, and I think this stuff is excellent. It cleans as well as PB S&W, a superb waterless wash. It also leaves a nice amount of slickness, like Adam's DS. Easy to use, doesn't streak, anti-static. Smell is like strong bubblegum or cotton candy, I can't tell. This is just a great workhorse QD for use anytime over anything.
Use: in between washes to clean off dust, dirt, and grime (to a certain extent of course). Works great over both sealant and 'nuba surfaces, but if you have nuba down or you're going to wax with 'nuba next, stick with PRO DETAILER...IMO that's a superior product as long as you don't try to put a polymer sealant over it. If you're only looking to get one product, though, stick with SPEED WIPE because it's so versatile.
EDIT--just FYI everyone, Pro Detailer has been reformulated. I haven't used the actual new product, but I tried a beta sample and it is like the current version except absolutely ZERO streaking.
SYNTHETIC DETAILER: This has some cleaning ability, but it is certainly no waterless wash. It is more of a gloss QD, like PB S&G, 4* Pro 4-90 Spray Wax, etc. It leaves a fair amount of slickness and gloss, but don't expect it to last long. It works well as a drying aid, and adds a little POP, but again it is just a quick QD not spray wax. Super easy to use, doesn't streak...but if you use it on a surface that is too dirty for it to clean, you will experience "dragging" of the MF towel. Like the other two CG QD's, it is anti-static. Smell is like Lemon Pledge. My least favorite of the three CG QD's, but then again that's not saying much
Use: when you already have a wax or sealant on the car, a relatively clean surface, and you want a quick boost to shine and slickness. It also works well while drying to lubricate and enhance shine. I like spray waxes (Mothers FX comes to mind) better for these uses, but at least this stuff has a little cleaning ability.
PRO DETAILER: My favorite QD ever. This stuff cleans even a little better (if that's possible :cooleek: ) than PB S&W and CG Speed Wipe. It also leaves a really slick and glossy surface (almost as good as Synthetic IMHO) thanks to the carnauba. Easy to use, excellent lubricity. Streaks at full strength, but dilute it 2:1 (QD:water) and it'll be as streak-free as the other two QD's. Even better, the dilution doesn't seem to have much effect on cleaning ability or gloss/slickness, which makes it super economical!!
Use: Whenever you need a QD for any purpose, this should be the one to reach for. The only exception is that polymer sealants will not bond over the carnauba content in the formula, so if you plan to put down layers of sealant after QD'ing then get SPEED WIPE.
SPEED WIPE: I recently bought a gallon, and I think this stuff is excellent. It cleans as well as PB S&W, a superb waterless wash. It also leaves a nice amount of slickness, like Adam's DS. Easy to use, doesn't streak, anti-static. Smell is like strong bubblegum or cotton candy, I can't tell. This is just a great workhorse QD for use anytime over anything.
Use: in between washes to clean off dust, dirt, and grime (to a certain extent of course). Works great over both sealant and 'nuba surfaces, but if you have nuba down or you're going to wax with 'nuba next, stick with PRO DETAILER...IMO that's a superior product as long as you don't try to put a polymer sealant over it. If you're only looking to get one product, though, stick with SPEED WIPE because it's so versatile.
EDIT--just FYI everyone, Pro Detailer has been reformulated. I haven't used the actual new product, but I tried a beta sample and it is like the current version except absolutely ZERO streaking.
