Picture the scene - you've washed and dried your car and want to quickly add some protection and top up the gloss. Which Quick Detailer Spray do you choose?
Do you choose the new kid on the block? The one named 'Standout Product of 2023' by YouTuber, Podcaster and Detailing expert Paul Dolden, namely Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer Spray?
Or do you stick with a faceless, big brand like Meguiars and their NXT Generation Speed Detailer? Can Gloss Fuel be considered the best alternative to Meguiars? In this 'Battle of the Brands' new UK brand Gloss Fuel goes up against the biggest in the USA - Meguiars.
Meguiars NXT Generation Speed Detailer 'vs' Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer
Meguiars
Founded over a century ago as a furniture polish manufacturer, Meguiar’s is now an internationally renowned car care brand. With the arrival of the first automobiles, Frank Meguiar Jnr, founder of Meguiar’s, turned his attention to the revolutionary horseless carriages. The bottles of furniture polish were quickly repurposed and helped to protect the wooden components of those early cars.
As the automobile developed, so did the Meguiar’s brand and product range. Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze polishes and waxes were initially used by manufacturers, car dealerships and body shops. As car shows became more popular, so did the high-gloss show car shine, and so did Meguiar’s products.
Barry Meguiar, grandson of Frank, describes the Meguiar’s brand in simple terms. “We are car guys who happen to be in the car wax business. The ultimate experience for us comes when our two passions merge in the exhilaration of “Best of Show” winners who regularly use our products.”
Gloss Fuel
The Gloss Fuel brand was conceived in 2022 and launched onto the UK detailing scene one year later in 2023. Founded by two lifelong friends with a shared passion for motorsport - especially the World Rally Championship - and car detailing. With backgrounds in automotive engineering, design and marketing, they created the brand to combine high performance-level car care with sustainability.
Noticing a gap in eco-conscious solutions within the car care industry, they developed products that reduce plastic waste, including innovative “Refuel Packs” and 100% recyclable packaging. Gloss Fuel caters to all levels of car detailers, offering effective, affordable, and environmentally friendly solutions. Their message: reuse, refill, and refuel.
Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer Spray Overview
How to Use Gloss Fuel QDS as a Traditional Quick Detailer Spray
Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer Spray is a traditional, non-ceramic, gloss enhancing Quick Detail Spray. You spray this Last Stage Protection (LSP) product onto your vehicle, after the contact wash, then buff off with a short pile microfibre towel, to reveal a high-gloss, wet-look shine.
Before using Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer, gently shake the bottle to ensure that the ingredients are properly mixed. Liquid detailing products like Quick Detailer Sprays can occasionally suffer from chemical separation if left to stand for a period of time. Mixing the chemicals will help you to achieve the best results when using the product.
It can be used on both waxed, protected or un-protected cars, on wet or dry paintwork, and can be used as a drying aid.
How to Use Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer as a Drying Aid
To use Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer Spray as a drying aid, complete the safe wash process and rinse the car. Then apply a couple of sprays of Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer Spray and dry each panel with a soft, clean microfibre drying towel. The quick detailer will serve two functions if used in this way.
Firstly it will add extra lubricity as you dry the paintwork, helping to minimise swirls and micro-marring which can be induced from towel drying. Secondly, it will add some gloss and protection as well as reducing the chances of water spots being left behind.
Ease of Application of Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer
Whether you’re using Gloss Fuel QDS as a drying aid or regular QDS, it’s super easy to use on any vehicle. It is incredibly slick to apply, spreading easily and evenly and we’ve seen no streaking or smearing. This is despite applying it directly onto dark coloured, warm body panels, in less than ideal conditions.
For best results, work one panel at a time, misting two or three sprays onto a clean microfibre towel or spraying directly onto a cool, clean body panel. Spread the product evenly over the panel with the microfibre. Then flip the towel to a dry side, or use a fresh towel, then buff to remove excess product.
Benefits of Using Gloss Fuel QDS
Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer Spray adds an extra layer of wet-look gloss to your paintwork and trim. As a traditional Quick Detailer Spray it can also be used to remove water marks, light dust and finger prints. Gloss Fuel QDS also adds some light, hydrophobic protection, though this won’t last as long as a traditional wax or sealant.
In terms of the amount of gloss that Gloss Fuel QDS adds, it’s very noticeable. We rate it very highly, amongst the very top products in its class. This quick detailer spray also adds a superior level of slickness to the touch.
Another benefit of this traditional Quick Detail Spray from Gloss Fuel, is that it is safe to use on top of waxes. You can safely use Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer Spray on top of pre-existing or fresh layers of wax like the Gloss Fuel Hybrid Ceramic Wax.
Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer Spray can be used as a drying aid. Following our ‘How-To’ application guide above, apply Gloss Fuel QDS after your regular wash routine, before towel drying. Not only will it add lubricity, but it will also leave behind extra gloss which helps to improve the look of your car.
Value for Money of Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer Spray
Gloss Fuel QD is great value for money, with the cost of a typical application (based on 25-35ml of product) of around £0.75 per car. Gloss Fuel QDS is available in both 500ml trigger spray bottles and 1000ml eco-friendly ‘Refuel Packs’. When your 500ml trigger spray bottle is empty, simply top it up from a handy Refuel Pack.
Cons of Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer
If you have a ceramic coated car, then this Quick Detailer is probably not the best choice. It won't damage the ceramic coating and it will still add gloss and shine. This is a traditional synthetic polymer based quick detail which hasn't been specifically formulated to compliment and 'top-up' a ceramic coated vehicle.
Nor is it suited to a matt wrapped, or matt painted vehicle. Again, it won't damage the wrap or paint, it's just not suited for use on these types of surfaces.
Meguiars NXT Generation Speed Detailer Overview
Ease of Application of Meguiar’s NXT Generation Speed Detailer
It’s slick to apply and we’ve seen no streaking or smearing, despite applying it in less than ideal conditions.
We always advise working one panel at a time, misting two or three sprays onto a clean microfibre towel or spraying directly onto a cool, clean body panel. Spread the product evenly over the panel with the microfibre, then flip the towel to a dry side, or use a fresh towel, then buff to remove excess product. It’s that simple!
Benefits of Using Meguiar’s NXT Generation Speed Detailer
The main benefit of this quick detail spray is that it works perfectly in conjunction with the other NXT Generation products. You can use Meguiar’s NXT Generation Speed Detailer on top of NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0. It’s perfectly paired with both the paste wax version and liquid wax version. By using NXT Generation Car Wash, you can maximise the longevity and protection offered by this range of products.
Meguiar’s NXT Generation Speed Detailer adds gloss and protection to your paintwork. It can be used to remove water marks, light dust and finger prints. NXT Generation Speed Detailer adds protection to your car, though this won’t last as long as a traditional wax, sealant or coating.
Value for Money of Meguiars NXT Generation Speed Detailer
Meguiars NXT Generation Speed Detailer spray is good value for money. With the cost of a typical application (based on 30-40ml of product) of around £0.85 per use. Meguiar’s NXT Generation Speed Detailer is available in a 710ml/24fl trigger spray bottle which retails for around £15.00.
Cons of Meguiars NXT Generation Speed Detailer
Like the Gloss Fuel product, Meguiars NXT Generation Speed Detailer spray is not specifically formulated for ceramic coated cars, or those with matt wraps or matt paint. It has been specifically formulated to compliment the other NXT Generation products from Meguiars. If you're not using those you will see a benefit in using it, but perhaps not as much as if you are.
Meguiars NXT Generation Speed Detailer or Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer: Which should you choose?
With decades of experience in the car care sector, Meguiars have been a staple of the detailing scene and for many, their first step on the detailing ladder. Now owned by multi national 3M, perhaps their focus is on driving shareholder revenue, instead of the ordinary, every day driver's pride and joy.
That said, their NXT Generation Speed Detailer is a solid product. Having been formulated to compliment the wider NXT Generation product range is great if you're all in on that particular car care system. But what if you're not?
The Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer Spray is a traditional, water based, hybrid polymer quick detailer and gloss enhancer. It’s simple to apply and extremely effective as a standalone product. It has a pleasant, sweet scent, is easy to apply and gives instant results. The 'Refuel' system means it's cost effective to refill and better for the environment, with minimal plastic waste. Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer is a brilliant alternative to the Meguiars Quick Detailer.
Its no coincidence that YouTuber, Podcaster and Detailing expert Paul Dolden stated that Gloss Fuel Quick Detailer was his 'Standout Product of 2023' during his end of year podcast 'Specky & Paul Talk Detailing'. When seasoned pro's like Paul are recommending a product from the new kid on the block, the big box brands better watch out!
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Disclaimer: Both products tested were purchased and tested back-to-back by the reviewer. The review published here is the honest opinion of the product reviewer. All information and prices quoted were deemed to be correct at the time of publication. To notify us of any updates and/or corrections, please contact Gloss Fuel.
