Review: CG Pro Detailer

Sherman8r44 · 02-26-06, 05:15

Well, I just got my order from our sponsor Danase for some CG stuff. I QD'd then applied Collinite to the Lexus ES today, so here's my take on Pro Detailer.

Product Name: Chemical Guys Pro Detailer w/Carnauba

Picture and Manufacturer Claims: Here

Test Conditions: Silver Lexus ES300, in a garage but only ~35 degrees outside. Only a light layer of dust on most of the car, except for the wheels and rear.

Product Characteristics: Bottle is decent, sprayer puts down a fine mist and has the capability for a lot of volume per stroke. The description is good and the directions are clear, but it should have mentioned that Pro Detailer should be diluted 2:1 (PD:water) when used as a waterless wash. The liquid acts a lot like S&W, and the color is more purplish and less green than S&W. I can't quite place the smell, but it's delicious...like fruit-flavored candy, I guess.

Application method: Since I expected this to be a replacement for S&W, I used it like S&W...spray, wait 10 seconds, then wipe until all streaks are gone. If it continues to streak or the towel is saturated, I use the saturated side to apply and the dry side of the towel to eliminate streaks. I used a Cobra Super-Plush for QDing (it's really an amazing QD towel).

Expectations: I typically have a 2-step QD process, S&W then Mothers FX SW. I am hoping that this at least replaces S&W, and hopefully replaces the Spray Wax too...therefore, it would become a 1-step QD process.

AND NOW, TO THE MEAT OF THE REVIEW...

Ease of Application: When undiluted, it streaks a bit more than S&W, but it's not a total pain or anything to use. When undiluted, it streaks very little and it is overall a joy to use.

Cleaning Ability: this is the most important aspect to me, as I expected it to be near S&W. It worked beautifully as a waterless wash, every bit as good as S&W...even when diluted.

Looks/Slickness/etc.: PD left a decent amount of shine and slickness, and it could certainly act as a booster wax as long as you don't plan to use a sealant over it.

Compatibility: This is the one and only downfall of this product. The carnauba in the formula can inhibit the bonding of future coats of sealant. I know that it is possible to get a non-nuba version of this QD from Chemical Guys, so hopefully Bob can do that for us in the near future.

Value: At $7.88 (or $7.09 after forum discount) for 16oz., this is a decent value...especially when diluted to yield 24oz., which is what should be done for most purposes. When Bob gets in gallons of this stuff, it will be an amazing value.

RECAP:
Ease of Application: A
Cleaning Ability: A+
Looks/Slickness/etc.: A-
Compatibility: B
Value: A-

OVERALL: A-

THE PRODUCT CAN BE FOUND HERE
Thank you Bob for the great CS, prices, and selection!

Reviews coming soon (okay, eventually...it's cold up here!):
CG Liquid Extreme Shine vs. CG "gel" Trim Restorer head-to-head comparison
CG Leather Cleaner & Conditioner
CG Extreme BodyWash

Questions/comments/opinions?

atticdog · 02-26-06, 06:09

thanks for your review and comparo to s&w
I have been thinking of trying S&w to see if it was better
i also use the pro detailer as i am drying with a WW towel

Sherman8r44 · 02-26-06, 06:12

You're welcome. Do you use it undiluted when drying? What are your opinions on the level of shine/slickness after using it when drying?

RCBuddha · 02-26-06, 08:32

Sherman,

My bottle of Pro Detailer says nothing about needing to be diluted (I have the gallon size). Were you told to dilute it?

truzoom · 02-26-06, 09:05

I've had the pro detailer for about half a year now and while it is a good product, it has its downfalls as sherman stated.

I personally hate the color, the smell is even worse as it is a nauseating sweet odor.

Also the 1x carnauba may be what causes it to streak. For a waterless wash, I would prefer it just be free of anything except what's needed.

Once I use all mine up or sell it, I'll be buying a gallon of S&W.

Sherman8r44 · 02-27-06, 07:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCBuddha

Sherman,

My bottle of Pro Detailer says nothing about needing to be diluted (I have the gallon size). Were you told to dilute it?

Look at the CG site's description...it says to dilute for use as a waterless carwash.

MrLEXUS2u · 02-27-06, 07:49

Hate the "color" & the "smell"???? Are you applying it to your car or eating it

? When buying auto care products what's criteria for the color? does it have to match you eyes

?

That has to be the funniest comment I've read so far.

RCBuddha · 02-27-06, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherman8r44

Look at the CG site's description...it says to dilute for use as a waterless carwash.

Hm...didn't see it on the site originally. I'll dillute some tonight and try it out. Odd that some have been getting streaking, I've been using mine full strength w/o streaking issues.

I actually prefer Pro Detailer to Spray and Wipe; but then again, I've been using Collinite as my LSP, so the carnauba in the Pro Detailer isn't as much an issue for me.

Sherman8r44 · 02-27-06, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCBuddha

Hm...didn't see it on the site originally. I'll dillute some tonight and try it out. Odd that some have been getting streaking, I've been using mine full strength w/o streaking issues.

I actually prefer Pro Detailer to Spray and Wipe; but then again, I've been using Collinite as my LSP, so the carnauba in the Pro Detailer isn't as much an issue for me.

Same here...I actually put on a coat of Collinite after QDing with the Pro Detailer. The streaking really isn't bad when undiluted, just a little worse than S&W (which doesn't streak all that much itself).

MrLexus, we don't eat Pro Detailer, we drink it. I forgot to mention that it is my replacement for Sprite as well.

chml17l · 02-27-06, 12:25

Anybody have any comparisons between CG's Synthetic Quick Detailer (pink stuff) and the CG Pro Detailer. I'm still wondering if it's worth trying the non-carnauba detailer as a S&W replacement.

John Styrnol · 02-27-06, 01:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by chml17l

Anybody have any comparisons between CG's Synthetic Quick Detailer (pink stuff) and the CG Pro Detailer. I'm still wondering if it's worth trying the non-carnauba detailer as a S&W replacement.

The Ext Synth Slick QD is very nice, I would not use it for a waterless wash though, it's very slick and leaves the paint glossy.

The Speed Detailer Spray QD (pink stuff) is similar to Adams Detail Spray which is a very good waterless wast type product which also leave the paint nice and shiny.

Sherman8r44 · 02-27-06, 03:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by chml17l

Anybody have any comparisons between CG's Synthetic Quick Detailer (pink stuff) and the CG Pro Detailer. I'm still wondering if it's worth trying the non-carnauba detailer as a S&W replacement.

Darren, if you look at the "Quick Notes" on the chemical guys.com Pro Detailer page, you will see "The wait is over, now our customers can choose between Carnauba enhanced or wax free Quick Detail Sprays." This statement leads me to believe that there is a non-nuba version available, and hopefully Bob will order some for us. From what I've read it seems that the Extreme Synthetic detailer (purple stuff) would be better suited as a S&G or Mothers FX Spray Wax replacement. I say wait for Bob to get gallons of the non-nuba version of Pro Detailer.