Review: Dodo Drying Detailer & Dodo Protection Detailer

[ahaydock]

Just thought I would share some thoughts on the upcoming Dodo Juice ‘Drying Detailer’ and 'Protection Detailer'.

Please note these thoughts are only based upon my 1st use so more detailed conclusion will come once I can try them out on a few more cars.

1. ‘Drying Detailer’.

Normally I use Megs Last Touch when drying down a car, and I actually found the Dodo ‘Drying Detailer’ to be more effective. Basically this Drying Detailer has been designed to decrease the surface tension of ‘sitting water, increasing its surface area and therefore making drying easier, with reduce chance of watermarks. It also contains agents that inhibit the effects of lime scale (which is great if you live in a hard water area like me), which means it helps to make water marks less noticeable. To use it, it is quite simple – just spray onto a wet panel and then dry with your dying towel. I tried it on a car this weekend that had little LSP remaining, so it may be my findings are different when I come to wash my own car next weekend. However I washed the car using the 2BM, then rinsed and sheeted the water off. I then sprayed the Drying Detailer on to a wet panel, and dried with my Sonus Der Wunder drying towel. At first I found it to be a bit smeary, but then it was only 5C so that may have something to do with it, that said it soon evaporated into nothing leaving a nice dry finish. The pictures below show it sprayed onto a wet panel:

This products has hydrophilic properties which means it reduces beading from waxes, however this is what will increase the surface water area of the sitting water, thus making drying easier. From reading through other posts, it would appear that this ‘lack of beading’ would last about a week.

All in all this drying aid impressed me, and it did its job very well. It also smells rather nice and reminded me of the Born to be Mild shampoo.

I will use it again next weekend on mine (currently with BoS on it) and my GFs car (currently with SN V2 on it) so will report back when I have had more time to play.

2. QD Sealant/Protection Detailer

Right so using the same car, once dried off I gave the car a quick going over with Need for Speed using my G220 and a Megs Polishing Pad, as I wanted a nice surface with some LSP on it to give a good base. Again simply spray on and wipe off. So I sprayed this onto the panel, and thought I would take some pictures for you guys, but in that time the it had started to ‘cure’ and was a slightly hard to remove. However with another quick spray and this time an immediate wipe - easily removed leaving a nice ‘wet’ finish. Here is a picture of the QD on the panel.

So lesson learnt I continued to do the rest of the car in that fashion other than lower half of the near side. This stuff does give a great finish, leaving a lovely wet look and once I had got the hang of it very easy to use also. I would say it is easily up there with Zaino Z8 – TBH it is hard to say whether it is better or not as the finish is very subjective – I think this is where the pricing strategy will come in.

The reason I left half of the lower near side was to see how will it repelled the dirt – and guess what. – it did a top job when compared to the lower half that was not done. It was obvious which side was treated and which hadn’t been. In fact given the state of the roads I would have expected more dirt on the car than what is actually sat there.

Again this product impressed me, but I am keen to try it on both mine and the GFs car next weekend.

And the finished results:

Thanks for reading and watch this space for more updates as I try it on more cars

[steelwind101]

Hi!

Looks like intreasting products, having two that do a similar job reminds me a bit of Poorboys World, i think they have 3 designed at different jobs now!

Does having to do both 2 steps only increase your chances of adding micro marring twice? If there shampoo or waxes contained polymers they might not have so many trying issues (j/k).

My only fear is that like all they other DoDo Juice products they will asking to much money for a product that really isnt better, if even as good as those that cost less.

It will be fun to see how the "protective detailer" fairs on a car with low protection with regard improving looks and adding protection. Also, have you dried there m/f mitts/clothes yet?

Keep us posted, atleast the weather held out for you to get some detailing done!

Cheers

Geoff

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Two interesting products. I personally don't fully understand why a 'drying' detailing spray is required. A good rinsing wax does pretty much the same job with less contact (Autoglym Autogloss or Demon Shine by Carplan). However, I nearly always follow the drying stage with a QD to enhance looks.

The finish it provided to your cab looked excellent. I am currently quite keen to try some Z8 but the price is a bit off putting - particularly this time of year when the roads are so salty & dirty. However, I will bite the bullet.

The other QD which leaves protection behind is Megs UQD. It would be good to know which QD is the most durable as this time of year. I would like a product which would protect my LSP a bit more from road salts. Maybe Dodo will be the one?! Thanks for the write up

[ahaydock]

I'll keep this up to date - plan to get them on our cars at the weekend with some 50/50s.

Why do you ask about the cloths Geoff?

I think the Drying Aid will only appeal to certain people.

As with most things, the price needs to be right for these to succeed

[steelwind101]

Why do you ask about the cloths Geoff?

I think most of there products are price fixed if recall a post on here i a while back from some of the vendors but i saw a nice deal for two on Ebay but wanted to know what they were like before buying.

[ahaydock]

I think most of there products are price fixed if recall a post on here i a while back from some of the vendors but i saw a nice deal for two on Ebay but wanted to know what they were like before buying.

Oops my bad, I thought you meant what were my cloths like after I used the products with them lol. I was just using the MFs I got from Elite a while back - not sure what the Dodo cloths are like - I would expect them to be good though

[wyliss]

Oops my bad, I thought you meant what were my cloths like after I used the products with them lol. I was just using the MFs I got from Elite a while back - not sure what the Dodo cloths are like - I would expect them to be good though

For leaving a tadge of protection behind I've used Poorboys QD+. Its a great QD !

Nothing like Quikshine or FK425 for an amazing look in the summer though...

[ahaydock]

I really fancy trying the Poorboys QD+ and FK

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

On the subject of QD, i gave my work car a qood spritzing of Quikshine after the drying stage last week. I've covered almost 300 miles on filthy salty motorways and the water still beads and runs off the windscreen despite salty wiper action. It's obviously still there in some capacity doing 'something'. I was quite amazed by this!

Does the Poorboys QD offer any kind of protection?

[steelwind101]

Hi TT

Yes it is that Quickshine!

Poorboys Spray and Wipe = No protection, just a dedicated cleaning QD.

Poorboys Spray and Gloss = No dedicated protection. Like QS you might get some added beading etc.

Poorboys QD+ = YES! Lots its very warm, deep QD, based around there not very popular Quick Wax+ product. If you have ever heard of Nattys paste waxes, i have done some pics of them then QD+ is like a spray version of Nattys wax for top ups! It is my Winter QD, Poorboys say it can be applied to a wet car with no final buff required.

I read the other day you were looking at Zaino Z8, i was going to say go look at Autopia and see the comparisons to this to a product called Aqua Wax from Duragloss.

Z8 gives a very reflective look, you have to apply it to a dry car and it isnt all that cheap.

Having used Z8 many years ago and more recently Duragloss Aqua Wax (same makers as DG90X car wash) the looks are almost no different and Aqua Wax has more benefits.

Duragloss Aqua Wax is in a 22OZ bottle IIRC, costs about £11. Its a mini spray sealant that adds gloss and causes dense beading, it lasts about 2-3 weeks after application.

Unlike Z8 it can be applied, and has no negative effect being applied on a WET car as a drying aid and a one step QD to finish.

Duragloss Aqua Wax works on Nuba and Sealants. Obviously read up about them first but the Duragloss is almost indistinguishable when applied IMO. Infact, the Duragloss sealants last just as long as Zaino, some times they look as good, sometimes not. But 90X car wash shampoo is very similar to Z7 car shampoo from Zaino, but again cheaper.

Geoff

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Thanks for this information Geoff - very useful to compare the properties of products like this side by side.

I'm a bit torn between the Aquawax & the Z8 now. Perhaps I should indulge in both! :D

With the amount of salts being thrown on the roads already this winter I think a QD with some protection could be the way to go.

Phil

[ahaydock]

So following my little write up from using these upcoming Dodo QDs, here are some more thoughts from using them on my own car and my GF’s car this weekend.

Drying Aid

I have come to the conclusion that this is the most effective QD I have used in terms of drying. It seems to disperse the water very well and as per my previous comment, and I’m not sure whether this is to do with it being cold at the moment (about 7 degrees today), but the product appears streaky however this soon evaporates in to a perfect dry finish – so no problems.

This was the bonnet before the Drying Aid, just a bit of surface water left from the rinse (not sure why the beads look flat, as the LSP is still holding up well – the beads after the rinse were much ‘beadier’):

Then a spray of the drying aid – water dispersed:

The a nice dry panel:

I was intrigued about the hydrophilic properties of this QD so I sprayed some onto half of my roof and dried the panel, but left the other panel untouched then rinsed again.

A spray of the Drying Detailer:

Here is the panel that used the Drying Detailer:

Here is the other half, that I didn’t use the Drying Detailer on:

So as you can see there is a clear difference in the beading on the half that the drying aid has been used.

Protection Detailer.

So once I had washed and dried the cars, it was time to treat them to some Red Mist.

Here is mine after a ‘going-over’ with the Protection Detailer, and as last week one or two sprays saw a panel good (depending on its size):

I have deliberately left half my rear bumper and ‘strips’ on the lower O/S rear and N/S front to see how it repels the dirt compared to treated areas (updates to come).

[ahaydock]

Here are a few before and afters of my GFs car:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

A few more afters:

My car only saw a coat of BoS about 2 weeks ago, and whilst I felt the Protection Detailer did add to the looks on my A3 it wasn’t as noticeable as when I applied it to my GFs VW Fox, which saw a coat of SN about 6 weeks ago (it is due a polish soon anyway). All in all this product has really impressed me, and price correctly I think it will do very well indeed.

More updates to follow and hopefully some beading pics

[steelwind101]

Thanks for this information Geoff - very useful to compare the properties of products like this side by side.

I'm a bit torn between the Aquawax & the Z8 now. Perhaps I should indulge in both! :D

With the amount of salts being thrown on the roads already this winter I think a QD with some protection could be the way to go.

Phil

Go for it!

Ahaydock, those cars are looking good! Its meant to warm up a bit this week, finally!

Looking forward to seeing how the protective detailer pans out, anything that gives a bit of easier washing in this weather is a bonus! It seems like you end up with alot of water on your car after you rinse but it seems to distribute it quite well. I suppose you dont need to take off the p/w after for rinsing and flood.

Geoff

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

That protection detailer definitely seems to add some wetness. How easy was it to use in those low temperatures. I find most QD's can sometimes be a little tricky below about 6 degrees, particularly if the air is a little damp.

It will be interesting to see how much this QD sells for and when it will be available to the general public.

[ahaydock]

Go for it!

Ahaydock, those cars are looking good! Its meant to warm up a bit this week, finally!

Looking forward to seeing how the protective detailer pans out, anything that gives a bit of easier washing in this weather is a bonus! It seems like you end up with alot of water on your car after you rinse but it seems to distribute it quite well. I suppose you dont need to take off the p/w after for rinsing and flood.

Geoff

Normally I 'sheet' the water off Geoff but I didn't for the purpose off this test.

[ahaydock]

That protection detailer definitely seems to add some wetness. How easy was it to use in those low temperatures. I find most QD's can sometimes be a little tricky below about 6 degrees, particularly if the air is a little damp.

It will be interesting to see how much this QD sells for and when it will be available to the general public.

No problems at all in the cold

The QD is due early Jan IIRC, and pricing is as follows (in the words of Dodo):

"The pricing is yet to be confirmed (as we are in final stage testing so things may yet change), but we will probably do these products at RRPs of:

RED SPRAY SEALANT QD

250ml - 9.95 GBP

500ml - 18.50 GBP

LILAC DRYING DETAILER QD

250ml - 6.95 GBP

500ml - 12.95 GBP

CLAY LUBE

500ml dilution in spray bottle - 6.95 GBP

250ml concentrate (dilutes 10:1 so this makes 2.5 litres of lube) - 6.95 GBP

500ml concentrate (as above, makes 5 litres of lube) - 12.95 GBP

We have tried to make these competitive with similar products, and better value in some cases. For example, even Last Touch can't compete on price with our clay lube as it has a 1:1 dilution ratio compared to ours is 10:1. But you could always dilute Last Touch more. We are really just bringing out a range of specific products to cover individual applications and tasks... as although some people like 'jack of all trades' products which are very handy to have around, others want something that's a bit more specialist."

[ahaydock]

Right here a is a slight update:-

Firstly here are a few pics from this morning showing the Protection Detailer repelling the dirt. As you can see the area from the wheel arch to a couple of inches to the right of the door has been treated and it is clearly cleaner than the areas either side that only have the BoS:

Here are a few beading pics from the Fox also:

More updates to come...

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Hmm, £18.50 for the 'Protection Detailer' is a little pricey in my opinion. From your reports and also those from others on DW, it appears to do what it is supposed to, but at the end of the day it is not as proven / established as say Z8 for example.

I guess I was hoping it would be brought to market as a mid / high level product at say £13 - £14 for 500ml.

Am I alone with this thought?

[steelwind101]

Ouch! That is expensive, the photos look good and as TT says the product seems to do it thing.

TT i do share your same opinion and indeed, it was the fear i had as soon as i heard this product. Its probably no better (i havent tried it) then many other products yet the price is $$ and all accept the Supernatural this seems to be pretty much the DoDo way. For myself atleast, its hard to justify the costs.

It might work out better for someone who has less cars and there for less expense and is happy to pay X for product X rather then look around for other products.

The market is SATURATED with products that are almost no different except for smell or colour. Its nearly always price that makes once worth it and one not.

[ahaydock]

Here are a couple more pics of the area that has been treated between the arch and door - you can see quite clearly how well it has repelled the dirt (camera pics sorry):

[ahaydock]

I am keen to see how durable Red Mist is so using my neighbours car which hasnt had any LSP since I used Dodo NFS on it during the summer, so no protection on it now. I gave it a good wash with a strong solution of APC (2BM of course), a quick clay with Sonus Green, then used Lime Prime and a Megs Polishing Pad with my G220 to prep the paint. Then gave it a good wipe down with the Red Mist. Certainly looks great for a quick tidy up and I do hoenstly think the Red Mist added something over the Lime Prime.

So here are a couple of before and afters, and now all I need to do is keep an eye on it to see how it holds up. I will report back:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Watch this space...