Spring Detailing

A “Detailed” Spring Cleaning

Story by Zalutko Business Services, Inc., photos courtesy of the manufacturers

Despite last year’s ripple effect on the automotive industry, aftermarket brands dodged a number of market curveballs and entered 2021 with exciting new product lines and noticeably revamped fan-favorites. The $1.85 billion car-care segment, in particular, “performed extremely well” in a volatile year, finishing with “above-average growth rates,” said RJ de Vera, global customer engagement leader at 3M CHIM Division - Auto Care, in a recent key performance indicator report for The SHOP Magazine.

With more customers opting to tackle car care needs at home, de Vera said his company – and many others – saw a bright opportunity for product innovation and consumer engagement, choosing to “re-evaluate how to develop, launch and market new and existing product lines.”

Meguiar’s heeded the call, expanding its Hybrid Ceramic line with a Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax and a new DIY Hybrid Paint Coating Kit. The company also updated formulations in its Ultimate Line and made time to expand its Ready-to-Use Professional Series with a DRTU Last Touch Detailing Spray.

The crossover space between “hot rod owners” and “auto enthusiasts” is as large as it is varied, noted SEMA in its most recent 2021 Vehicle Landscape Report. From vintage metal to modern performance, this segment of the car-loving public is keen on accessorizing, and rarely hesitates to pamper their rides. As such, quality cleaning and wax products continue to emerge as perennial favorites – and are headlining many enthusiasts’ shopping lists this spring. Those owners eager to turn the corner on a long, cold winter may find the following all-star detailing lineup a useful place to start.

Chemical Guys HydroInterior For the past few years, ceramic paint sealers have dominated product lineups across all car-care manufacturers. Celebrated for their ability to chemically bond with a vehicle’s painted surface, ceramic coatings are often touted as the ultimate exterior protection. Auto detailing company Chemical Guys aims to bring that performance inside with its HydroInterior ceramic quick detailing spray.

Those car enthusiasts recoiling in horror at the thought of buffing carnauba wax on a dash can rest easy. HydroInterior does not use greasy finishes, instead relying on a specially-engineered formula of advanced interior cleaning polymers and SiO2infused chemistry to deliver a mattefinish ceramic treatment.

A beginner-friendly application, HydroInterior requires no surface prep and is formulated for plastics, painted plastics, vinyl, imitation leather, plastic vinyl, door panels and more. Promising to clean and protect in one simple step, HydroInterior also helps repel dust and shield against harmful UV rays.

Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Streak-Free Mist Interior Detailer Car owners famous for over-applying product may find better cleaning support (and some money-saving results) with the new Hybrid Solutions Streak-Free Mist Interior Detailer from Turtle Wax. The product’s innovative Flairosol sprayer head ensures an even application, emitting a fine mist that easily clings to interior surfaces without dripping or streaking. Formulated for non-upholstered surfaces, the detailer is ideal for high-traffic touch areas like the dashboard, console, steering column and door panels. Natural enzymes help to prolong cleaning action and fight odors, while a non-greasy formula protects against fading.

Chemical Guys White Car Specialty Kit Apparently, the world does see things in black and white – at least where automotive paint is concerned. According to a 2019 iSeeCars.com study of over 9.4 million vehicles, grayscale colors account for 77.1% of all vehicles on the road, with White taking the largest piece of the pie.

It can be easy to overlook the unique demands of a vanilla exterior. White paint is particularly sensitive to stains, spots and road grime, as well as swirls and scratches from poor wash habits. Chemical Guys’ White Car Kit combines a citrus-based hyper-concentrated shampoo, premium gloss enhancer and sealant, smooth liquid crème wax and high-gloss detailing spray to leave a long-lasting finish that brings out the naturally brilliant shine of a white paint job. A two-pack of premium grade microfiber sponges and a three-pack of microfiber towels are included in the kit for easy application.

The Last Coat The Last Soap While all-in-one products are often met with a skeptically raised eyebrow, the chemical engineers behind The Last Coat are confident they have bottled the ultimate shampoo. Dubbed “The Last Soap” because the company believes it is the last soap a car owner will ever need, the product promises to not only clean and detox a vehicle’s surface, but also lay down a thin layer of protective, hydrophobic coating to seal and even revitalize the exterior.

The formula is super concentrated, requiring only 1-3 ounces per wash, and can be used in a foam cannon or traditional wash buckets. The Last Soap is also pH neutral, so it can be safely applied to glass, chrome, vinyl wraps, paint protection film and ceramic-coated vehicles. The Last Coat products are made in the USA and come backed by a 365-day money-back guarantee.

AMMO NYC Brute Wheel Soap and Mud Tire Gel Detailing aficionados are largely familiar with AMMO NYC, as the brand’s product lines celebrate a level of specificity geared toward true car fanatics. Matching product to cleaning need, the company offers two innovative chemicals popular with fans: Brute Wheel Soap and Mud Tire Gel. The former is specifically designed to tackle stubborn brake dust and road grime that builds up on rims, without requiring an afternoon of elbow grease, while the latter targets dull-looking tires to deliver a complete head-to-toe shine.

Nexgen Advance Ceramic Spray Ceramic coatings are popular for a reason – they work. Nexgen is a well-known brand in the carcare segment, and the company’s ceramic spray is known for packing a punch. The professionalgrade sealer creates an impenetrable layer of protection on a vehicle’s exterior, repelling dirt and contaminants, increasing paint luster and creating a long-lasting shine. Nexgen’s hydrophobic formula also works to repel water on any surface it is applied to including metal, paint, glass, plastic and chrome, preventing streaking and extending a vehicle’s paint job.