I use store bought detailing spray and it works great.

I cannot accept that it is so expensive to produce. It sells for $4 - $6 for a very small spray bottle.

Are there any "home" solutions or recipes out there that work just as well?

 

Optimum no rinse can be mixed up in a quick detailer concentration and can be had in 128oz sizes for ~$30-40. Thats enough to make 20 gallons of quick detailer. Makes a great rinseless wash for use in the winter months as well

 

you shouldn't be using a lot of quick detailer if you think a bottle that cost 5 dollars is a lot. It should last awhile. You aren't suppose to substitute it with a wash or something.

 

+1 on using ONR @ QD strength. very cheap compared to any other options and works well.

 

Yes this is 100% correct.

 

I hardly ever use soap and water to wash my Z. I only use it when it is really dirty. Most of the time my car is just dusty so I just use a California duster to remove the dust then I use quick detailer to "wash" the car. I find all soaps, even car wash soaps to be hard on the wax. Quick detailer on the other hand is gentle on the wax, cleans the car well and leaves a light protecting coat. I can also clean my are without ever driving out of the garage.

Is it more expensive? Maybe a little but I think I save a lot of time. Think about what you need to do for the tradition soap and water wash. Pull the car out, fill the bucket, get out the hose, wash, rinse then dry. Then you gotta worry about water spots not only from the sun but also from those water streaks from the nooks and crannies that you did not dry.

With detailer spray, I pull out the bottle and a couple of rags. I stay in the garage so I don't worry about the sun dry the water before I get to it. Igo over the car once with the duster (2-3 minutes tops). I spray a section of the car with the detailer spray, wipe go on to the next section. Then I finish but giving the car a once over with a clean dry towel.