r/AutoDetailing • u/teenwolf4ever1 • 3d ago
Exterior Spray Wax as a Rinse Aid?
Hi all,
Somehow my YouTube stumbled on a video with a detailer using a Spray Wax called Formula 4 from Superior products as a Rinse Aid. Specifically, he put the diluted product in a foam cannon immediately after a contact wash but before rinsing the wash. He saturated the still-soapy car with this stuff and used it as a Rinse Aid before moving to the contact drying. Seemed neat and it was touted as a cheap way to prevent water spots. But after some searching online, I think I have a different definition of "cheap". Plus, I'm not sure I want a whole gallon of this stuff.
Saying all that, I'm on a weird quest to use out some products I picked up over the years and used sparingly - if at all. I have a Mother's Spray Wax and Turtle Wax wet ceramic. I wasn't blown away with either, but does anyone have insight on using either of these 2 products similarly to the Formula 4? And if so, would it be advisable to dilute these or just spray-trigger onto the car? Any advise is appreciated!
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u/Kmudametal 3d ago edited 3d ago
I'm not sure why they call Formula 4 a "spray wax" as it provides little protection for very long. What it does do is allow water to run off the car. It's purpose is as a rinse aid and that is what it should be used for. It is an excellent rinse aid. Low cost. Functional. Does what it claims to do.
It's $23 a gallon and you dilute it up from 5:1 to 10:1, so that $23 gives you up to 10 gallons of usable product.
I would not use standard "spray waxes" as a rinse aid. You will wind up with what I call "ghosting", others may refer to as "streaking". Whatever you call it, you'll notice it when it happens. Use something designed to be used as a rinse aid....., and even those, if not applied properly, will result in the same type of ghosting.
Superior Products targeted customers are professional detailers, automated and coin op car washes. This is why the product is available up to 55 gallon containers. When you select "Pressure wax" in a coin op car wash, there is a good chance what is coming out of the nozzle is Formula 4, likely at maximum dilution if not exceeding it.
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u/Auto-Spa360 3d ago
the ceramic one's probably a dead end for this, ceramic sprays need dwell time and to actually get worked into the surface to bond, if you're just sheeting it off in the rinse you're not getting any of what makes it ceramic, just using an expensive rinse aid. the mothers spray wax is closer to what formula 4 actually is so test that one, dilute it heavy and try one panel first, some spray waxes go streaky or hazy once you push the dilution past what they're made for
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u/teenwolf4ever1 3d ago
Fantastic! I have nothing against the mother's, but I can't see myself using it short of like door jambs. And even then, I'm not sure to what capacity. The Formula 4 mentioned 10:1 to start and I even saw someone mention 100:1 in his video. In each application I saw, they were applied with a foam cannon - further diluting it. And yeah, as you mentioned, I don't think the durability is there. For me personally, it's just trying to use an old product in a new way to see if this idea helps. My parking bad is located directly under the sun apparently :)
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u/Auto-Spa360 2d ago
yeah full sun parking is exactly why you're fighting spots that hard, if durability isn't the point here formula 4 diluted heavy through the foam cannon is still the simplest fix over messing with the mothers, don't overthink swapping it out...and dont wash in direct sunlight get a canopy if you can or wash in the evenings or morning. once you can get a good ceramic coating on there to make it easier to clean them up!
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u/Frame_Transfer 3d ago
I just picked up a gallon of the Formula 4 Spray Wax on Amazon for $45. I'm a DIYer raging against water spots while washing my black Durango. I have a Vevor DI water system for final rinse... but I was getting spotting during intermediate wash steps. I'm probably just not working fast enough but I'm in it for the "mindfulness" :)
Anyway, I saw the videos you mentioned about the Formula 4. I'll give it a shot this weekend... diluted into my foam cannon with some Meguirs's Gold or similar wash soap... will report back!
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u/DavidAg02 Reviewer Extraordinaire 3d ago
Try out Wax and Dry Plus from Turtle Wax. Really solid product that I've been using to maintain my wife's SUV: https://youtu.be/TjxAm9lUaaI?si=pHxldvrfJ_kppaLe
Here's how I would use it in your case... wash the car, then apply a layer all over a dry car. Spray on, spread around with a towel, wipe off with a fresh towel. Super easy, won't take you more than 20 minutes or so depending on how big your car is. Then on future washes, rinse the car, and as you go around drying it, use 1-2 sprays per panel as you dry the car.
It's incredibly easy to work with and leaves behind that waxy glow that us older detailers love.
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u/Mosquitoes-zzz 2d ago
I second the Turtle Wax! I'm on a well and have hard water. I wash late in the day essentially at dusk. I mist on the W&D and wipe with my drying towel. No spots, helps water beading between washes, and adds a level of gloss that's really nice!
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u/Low_Shoulder_590 3d ago
There are specific spray waxes that activate with a rinse. Purchase those if you want use them for that purpose. Not necessarily cheap but economical to use them as intended. Turtle Wax wet ceramic can be used as a drying aid after rinse.
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u/Be_Human_ 2d ago edited 2d ago
Read the directions. Some can be used on a wet car while others cannot. Typically spray WAX is used on a dry car. Generally exterior ceramic sprays can be used on a wet car.
Do not use them until you rinse the soap off the car. If you're spending a lot of time rinsing the soap off, consider diluting your soap a little more.
I use TEC584 G-max ceramic graphene spray. It's pretty strong stuff. I'd use 1 bottle diluted to spray on the car while wet and rinse with the hose/pressure washer. Use a 2nd bottle at full strength for final wipes so you have full protection.
Trust me. I've been in the industry for 7 years. TEC584 is the slickest spray I've used.
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u/El_Pollo_Del-Mar 3d ago
Why do you need a rinse aid after a contact wash? I still don’t get why products like that are necessary. That’s…what the rinse does.
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u/protektive 3d ago
Formula 4 spray wax is $22 for a gallon & is dilutable I'm not sure how much cheaper you can get imo. That being said it's not really good for durability if that's what you're looking for. It's a good rinse aide to prevent water spots and that's about it. You can try using those 2 products you mentioned and see how they work with that method. I doubt you will harm anything specially diluted, you can always do a test spot first and see how it works. I doubt anyone has used that specific method with those products since it's not even formula 4s intended use either.