Product Review: Chemical Guys After Wash
by Kevin GeorgeFor those of us with hard water, washing and drying a car without getting water spots can be quite the task. People use many different products as drying aides, from quick detailers to spray waxes. I have always used a quick detailer, which has worked quite well for me. I was optimistic when I saw Chemical Guys After Wash would be any different than what I normally use. I was pleasantly surprised just how well the product worked, which has me second guessing my decision of using a quick detailer.
As with all my product reviews here is the product description as provided on Detailed Image.
From The Label
Product Description:
Chemical Guys After Wash is an advanced paintwork optical gloss enhancer and moisturizer designed to aid the drying process. The innovative paintwork drying aid provides lubrication when drying any vehicle. After Wash is used after you wash your car to create a streak-free shine when drying the surface. Hydrophobic drying technology aids in drying any surface using a premium microfiber towel. After Wash releases water from the surface for a smooth finish after a wash. The unique spray formula enhances any wax or sealant coating using synthetic polymers for a brilliant shine. The advanced hydrophobic technology forces water away from the surface while allowing microfiber to absorb the maximum amount of moisture. Discover the most effective way to dry any vehicle with Chemical Guys After Wash.
Directions:
- Wash vehicle
- Rinse using clean water
- While the vehicle is wet, spray Chemical Guys After Wash directly onto the surface to release moisture.
- Dry using a premium microfiber towel
- Enjoy a streak-free shine.
For this example I used my daily driver, which I just finished giving a quick wash. The car currently has a paint coating, already making the washing and drying process a pretty simple task.
While I would typically use my Metro Blaster Car Dryer to blow most of the water off the vehicle, for demonstration purposes I will use a high quality waffle weave towel like the DI Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel. You will want to use a good quality towel when drying your vehicle to reduce the risk of causing any damage to the finish. The image above shows the nicely beaded water after finishing the wash process on the hood.
You can see the effects of what a few mists of After Wash has. You can see in the picture above how the beads of water will instantly start to react to the product, as it seems to increase the hydrophobic properties of the surface. At this point you will to take you clean folded waffle weave towel and gently go across the surface in one direction. I typically make my towel damp before the first use. While it is hard to show just how easy it is to dry using this product with pictures, I can honestly say that it makes the process much easier.
Below is a quick video showing the process and you can see for yourself just how easy this product is to use.
I can honestly say that I will no longer be using a quick detailer as a drying aide after trying this product. While I may not use this product all the time it will certainly be a product I will reach for when not using air for drying a vehicle.
After being dried you are left with a very glossy and slick finish with no ugly water spots. After Wash does have a gloss enhancer which does seem to give the paint that extra little pop. If you’re looking to make you drying process even slightly easier, give Chemical Guys After Wash a try as you won’t be disappointed.
Hey Kevin,
Thanks for the review. Have you noticed your drying towels getting loaded up with the product and reducing the towels drying abilities, ie any special towel washing procedures?
Thanks!
Steve, I have noticed that the towel will absorb a good amount of product, but I don’t believe it really reduced the drying abilities. However it really does not take much product when being used. Really it only takes a few lite mists when being used. I have not used any special washing procedures for my towels after using this.
I have used a 50\50 mix of Meguiars Last Touch and M135 and got the same effect plus it is very slick. Also adds to the protection. I would like to try Meguiars XPress Spray Wax as a stand alone. How does M135 compare to XPress? Same hydrophobic properties?
I have not used M135 so I can not really comment on how the two would compare. I would say that M135 would compare more to a product like Carpro’s Reload as it is a sealant and not a spray wax. I have used Last Touch as a drying aid for quite a while. I know that Zach McGovern uses Xpress Spray Wax quite a bit as a drying aid and really like that. I am planning to order some and try out also. This product does also contain synthetic polymers which would add some protection along with enhancing gloss. Any of the products you mentioned should work good as a drying aide.
So do you think it is more beneficial to use M135 as I have been doing or should I use by itself so it lasts longer?
With M135 being a sealant should it be used less than XPress because Xpress is a spray wax?
I am not going to tell you that you can’t use it. But using M135 is a bit of an overkill in my opinion if you are using after every wash. I would stick to something like Xpress for a majority of your washes as it is a far more affordable option and should last between washes. A spray sealant like M135 should last you a few months, so there is no need to keep applying it regularly. If you have good protection on the vehicle already I would honestly stick to using Megs Last Touch as a drying aid and every 5th wash or so use M135.
Alright thanks Kevin.
I’ve been using AfterWash ever since it was introduced and I have been very happy with it. Water just runs away from the stuff and then it leaves some slickness behind. Good washing and drying techniques are the keys to reducing swirls and scratches and this products fills a need very well.