Shine Armor Fortify Quick Coat Review: A Quick Shine, Not a Coating
Our Verdict
A waterless wash with SiO2 added, sold in an 8-ounce bottle and safe on paint, glass, chrome and plastic. It's quick, needs no hose and leaves a glossy, beading finish on a lightly dusty car. It is not a ceramic coating in any lasting sense, the bottle is small, and it shouldn't be used on heavy dirt. Good for touch-ups only.
The words “ceramic coating” on the label set an expectation that Shine Armor Fortify Quick Coat was never built to meet. Read the rest of the label and the product makes more sense. Shine Armor describes it as a 3-in-1 waterless wash, shine and protect formula: a blend of soaps, surfactants and wetting agents with SiO2 added. Judged as a waterless wash with some ceramic-style beading, it's a convenient product. Judged as a coating, it falls well short.
What you get
An 8-ounce spray bottle. Shine Armor says it is safe for paint, glass, chrome and plastic, and that a whole car can be treated in under 15 minutes. You need a supply of clean, plush microfiber towels, which are not included and matter more here than with almost any other product on this page.
Application
Spray a section, wipe gently in one direction with a folded microfiber towel to lift the dirt, then flip to a dry side and buff. Change towel faces often. On a lightly dusty car, or one that was washed recently, this leaves a slick, glossy finish with noticeable water beading. It also works as a quick topper over an existing sealant or coating between washes.
Where it falls short
Three things. First, durability: this is a maintenance spray, and its protection is short-lived next to a real spray coating such as Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating, let alone a bottle coating. Plan to reapply regularly. Second, waterless washing has limits. Wiping a properly dirty car with any spray drags grit across the paint, so gritty or muddy cars still need a real wash. Third, 8 ounces is a small bottle, and a waterless wash uses product quickly.
Who it's for
Apartment dwellers without hose access, people who want a fast touch-up before a drive, and anyone curious about ceramic sprays who wants an easy starting point. If you're shopping for this type of product, compare it against the options in our quick detailer guide first. Check price on Amazon.
Pros
- Cleans, shines and protects in one step
- No hose or bucket required
- Safe on paint, glass, chrome and plastic
- Works as a topper between washes
Cons
- Short-lived protection; not a true coating
- Small 8-ounce bottle runs out quickly
- Unsuitable for heavily soiled paint