Quick detailers mini test

If you want to enjoy the summer sun instead of cleaning your car every weekend, you’ll like quick detailers. These spray-and-wipe products top up the shine of already-waxed paint in minutes, and can also be used as light cleaners to remove dust and fingerprints from bodywork.

Angelwax has launched its new Quick Exterior Detailer, which it claims is the perfect solution to restoring a freshly waxed finish when you’re short of time. Our current Best Buy is Autoglym Rapid Detailer – which won our Issue 1,149 group test. Here, we compare the two.

Our test focused on removing light dirt and restoring shine, and we also compared how well they beaded water after application. Ease of use and price were considered, too.

Angelwax has returned to its value-for-money focus with QED. It’s impressive, but its trigger spray is a bit heavy-handed. So Autoglym holds on to its crown with a superior misting action and impressive protection.

Value choice: Angelwax Quick Exterior Detailer

Price: £5.99 (500ml)

Contact: www.angelwax.co.uk

Rating: ★★★★

Applying with the spray cap is trickier than Autoglym – QED squirts out a load of formula on to the panel, but the pattern isn’t very wide. This means you need to turn the cloth more regularly to avoid smearing when wiping, but it was great at removing dust and fingerprints.

It beaded well when we sprayed on water, but not as well as the section treated by Rapid Detailer. Still, QED is good value and a great debut into this competitive market.

Our favourite: Autoglym Rapid Detailer

Price: £8.50 (500ml)

Contact: 01462 677766, autoglym.co.uk

Rating: ★★★★★

There was no smearing when wiped with a cloth, and it removed the dust and fingerprints. It beaded water well, too.

The only real concern is value – Rapid Detailer doesn’t come with a microfibre cloth, and it’s £2.50 more expensive for a 500ml bottle. But as you use less, this isn’t a huge issue – plus you can also use it as a lubricant with a clay bar.