I love hydro, and its by far the best spray wax I have used but I need to find something cheaper. Anyone have any alternatives? I went to place a gallon order and $78 after shipping (w/ 15% sale right now) turns me away...

 

That gallon should last you a year so, like many higher-end detailing products, it turns out to be very economical.
I do my MINI and our Pilot every week and I buy a gallon every +/-9 months.

 

My last gallon lasted me over a year, but I still could not stomach it this time. I just placed an order for some Chemical Guys Pro Detailer with great reviews. Less than half the cost so I will see how it works.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/ProductD...C_114&CartID=1

 

No!

Its Hydro or nothing.

I heard hand lotion 50:50 with water works exactly the same.

 

Does it work the same as Hydro, as in do you apply it on a wet car, then dry, or is it just a QD?

Mark

 

Eagle One Wax as You Dry is a cheaper alternative but it's not as good as Hydro. It goes on the same while the car is wet but as you dry the car it looks streaked and hazy. As it evaporates off the haze disappears and it shies quite nicely and lasts about 2-3 weeks. The only problem I found with it is I wiped the glass with the same chamois and apparently it coated the glass too, I couln't see it until it rained when it caused the windshield wipers to streak badly and leave a line where they stop. Since I've started wiping the body panels with one chamois and the windows with another that never touches the "wax". Never had that problem with Hydro.

 

For me Hydro is simply the very best detailing product I've ever used, when purchased on sale, by the gallon and you consider the time savings, it's also the best value today!

Hydro rules!!!

 

Meguair's Quick Wax works well, so does RainX's Fast Wax, MQW can be applied both Wet and Dry, RainX's too...just my .02!!

 

But do NOT get MQW on your black trim! Holy crap, I accidentally did that like 3 years ago and I'm STILL trying to get it all out!

 

Never used it on my MINI, it didn't hurt the Black Trim, Running Boards, and Steps on my '96 Chevy 1500 Extended Cab Stepside P/U. Had 175,000, Sold it for $6,000!!

 

I tried out the Pro Detailer with carnuba spray wax. It works and looks great. I have no way of comparing it objectively to Hydro but I am very pleased with the product. IMO it gives just as good a result as hydro does at a fraction of the cost. When used on glass you can see the protective layer of wax just like you can with hydro. Then I buffed it out just like I do with hydro. The paint is slick as can be when finished.

 

Cool that PD works great! Strange comments about Hydro though. I've never had to buff it at all. Just spray on and wipe off. I've also never seen Hydro leave a protective layer on glass. Maybe its just me.

 

Unless Meguiar's has reformulated their QW, it's always been a spray on, wipe evenly, let dry, buff off process.

Hydro is...spray on wet or dry paint and wipe off. Much simpler, no residue left behind process. Not sure how we can compare Hydro to typical spray waxes. I much prefer to use Hydro on wheels and door jambs and places I really don't want to leave residue behind or have to wipe over and over again.

To the OP, yes there are less expensive alternatives to Hydro. Hydro is a premium type of enthusiast product. There are many spray wax alternatives but few if any that work as well or simply as Hydro. Hydro is different for obvious reasons. I buy it in gallon form for my personal use.

Richard

 

As to the glass comment. If you use hydro full strength it leaves streeks of wax visible from the inside which buff out easily.

 

Maybe I don't use enough Hydro every time, because I get a year out of a gallon, easy. I use it on our 2 MINIs that are washed at least weekly, plus other cars I work on.

As to the glass issue, I've never had a problem with Hydro on the glass. I do buff/rub the glass more than the painted surfaces, but I'm sure it is on there as water beads up, and the wipers work better.

Mark

 

I'm with you Mark -- I can't imagine going thru a whole gallon in a year, even for two MINIs. I use it after just about every wash, and my local MINI-mates would tell you that I'm a bit **** when it comes to exterior cleanliness... I also have no issues with it on the glass.

One or two spritzes per panel. Using more doesn't seem to add value to the resulting shine.

 

The glass is not a problem. Its an observation that a film is left on from hydro and after a quick buffing its gone and slick as can be.

Also, as far as a gallon lasting more than a year. I fully agree. My last gallon of hydro lasted over a year and a half. But it is still $80 for that gallon. This gallon of product was $30 and will also last 1.5 years and seems to be just as nice. However, I appreciate the need for a premium product like hydro and there will be a day again in which I don't care about the price. Right now I do.

 

This can never be said enough about detailing, if your happy with the results, that's all that matters

Mark