Skip to Main Content

Mothers 08216 California Gold Showtime Instant Detailer - 16oz, 6 Per Case

Brand:
Mfr. Model #:
08216
KR Part #:
MD08216
Weight:
7.72 lbs
GTIN:
10078175082166
In Stock
MSRP
$65.93
Now Only!
$37.95

Trust the car care brand professional detailers have used for decades! To add the perfect final touch with unmatched speed, use Mothers California Gold Instant Detailer! This easy to use 2-in-1 detailer and clay lube spray is designed with color enhancers and shine fortifiers to achieve a freshly detailed look. It quickly removes fingerprints, smudges, dust, and light debris to leave a sparkling finish. Simply spray on and buff off with a dry, lint-free towel. Case of six 16-oz spray bottles. In stock and ready to ship - purchase in bulk today at a low wholesale price!

Product Description

Bulk Mothers California Gold Instant Detailer

Great for professionals and enthusiasts alike to get cars ready to show off! From the makers of your favorite car care products, Mothers California Gold Instant Detailer is the original Showtime formula that's perfect for quick touchups and maintenance between washings. Plus, it's safe and effective for all types of paint and clearcoats, adding depth and clarity in seconds! Instant Detailer is a unique formula with color enhancers and shine fortifiers that leave a natural, flawless appearance. Virtually effortless to apply, it swiftly swipes away light surface dirt, smudges, and minor imperfections. Add depth and clarity in seconds while removing surface dirt and debris - it’s that easy! Showtime Instant Detailer is what the pros reach for to obtain that last minute striking shine.

This product comes in a bulk case of six 16-ounce spray bottles for detailing professionals, dedicated car lovers, and retail resellers. Buy now!

Specifications at a glance

  • Sold 6 bottles per case
  • Convenient 16 oz. spray bottles
  • Neutral 7 to 8 pH is safe for almost any surface
  • Clear liquid applied as a misting spray
  • Sweet perfume scent
  • Contains color enhancers and shine fortifiers
  • Brings out a deep, rich gloss
  • Rids surface of fingerprints, smudges, and dust
  • Also serves as an excellent lubricant for clay bars
  • Mothers SKU: 08216
  • This product is also available in a small 3.4oz bottles size for car washes who wish to offer it as vending option for customers.

Bulk Purchasing Benefits

Buying these bulk cases is helpful to pro detailers, car washes, and car enthusiasts for a couple different reasons. First, you can restock your inventory quickly by simply adding this product to your cart and placing your order. The bottles are packed securely in the case, ensuring that you're getting the most economical shipping rate. Since warehouse staff is dealing with one simple case rather than six individual bottles, the chance of one being forgotten or misplaced is eliminated. Second, by buying in a larger volume you save on your per unit cost. As a business, you're ordering a lot of product, so finding those small discounts amounts to large savings over time!

Why Mothers is a Trusted Name in Car Care

Mothers is trusted by professional detailers and car washes for its high-quality, rigorously tested surface care products. Known for innovative formulas and clear usage instructions, Mothers delivers consistent, professional results for all levels of experience. Their wide range—from instant detailers to specialty cleaners—ensures effective, easy-to-use solutions for vehicle appearance, helping operators save time while meeting demanding standards.

How to use Mother's California Gold Instant Detailer

Follow these simple instructions carefully to get the best results with your detailing spray! You can also watch Mothers Lead Chemist Craig Burnett going through this process in this demonstration video!

  1. Spray the product lightly onto a small area using a sweeping motion. Ideally, you should work in 2-3 square foot sections.
  2. Use a lint-free and scratch-free microfiber or terry cloth towel to distribute the product gently and evenly over the wet surface.
  3. Flip the towel to the dry side and buff dry. For this step, it may be necessary to change to a completely new towel if your first one becomes too dirty or saturated.
  4. If the Instant Detailer dries before you can buff it off, reapply and go through the steps again.

Reviews from the Mothers Official Website

Reviews for California Gold Instant Detailer on the Mothers official website are very favorable for this product, with the vast majority of customers giving it a 5/5-star rating. Reviewers tend to be folks who take meticulous care of their vehicles and prefer to maintain a constant flawless appearance between full polishes and waxes. Many specifically mention that California Gold Instant Detailer is the best instant detailing spray that they have ever used, even after trying out a large variety of other products. Several note that they have used it for years and it consistently works well for their needs. Additionally, reviewers point out that the spray is quick and easy to use.

Mothers vs Meguiars Testimonial on Ramblin' Garage

Ramblin' Garage is a YouTube channel that showcases the hosts cars that he regularly takes to car shows. He also provides helpful tips and honest product reviews right in his own garage. In this video, he compares Mothers Instant Detailer and Meguiar's Quick Detailer to figure out which product works best for his needs. He applies both on the hood of his Chevy C5 Corvette within minutes of each other, documenting his thoughts along the way. Interestingly, he admits that he generally prefers Meguiar's products but does like Mothers for certain applications. After testing both, he determined that California Gold Instant Detailer was the product he preferred.

Reasons he favored the Mothers product:

  • Wetness: The Mothers detailing spray seemed to stay wet longer while the Meguiar's seemed to dry quickly. This allows him to spread the Mothers product further.
  • Towel Feel: He pointed out that the towel maintained a light feel versus a heavy feel with the Meguiar's spray. This allowed him to glide the towel more easily, aiding in the speed of application.
  • Smell: He noted that the Mothers spray had a pleasant, sweet scent that he liked. He did not comment on the smell of the Meguiar's product.
  • Depth: He found that the Mothers spray added more depth to the painted surface of the vehicle, adding that this was something he really desires when taking his Corvette to car shows.

Comparative Analysis: Mother's Instant Detailer vs. Other Detailers

Here are some of the ways California Gold Instant Detailer stacks up against competing detailing sprays:

  • Superior Cleaning Performance: Mothers Instant Detailer is specifically formulated with advanced surface-cleaning agents and color enhancers, which allow it to quickly lift dust, fingerprints, and smudges while adding noticeable gloss and vibrancy to automotive paintwork.
  • Effortless Application: The spray-on, wipe-off process is straightforward and time-saving, making it ideal for busy car wash operators and detailers who need effective results in minimal time.
  • Clay Bar Lubricant Dual-Use: Unlike many detail sprays, Mothers can be used as both a quick detailer and a clay bar lubricant, reducing the need for multiple products and streamlining inventory for automotive businesses.
  • Natural, Streak-Free Finish: Users report that Mothers provides a high degree of clarity and depth without leaving streaks, film, or residue, making it suitable for both touchups and final stage detailing before vehicle delivery or exhibition.
  • Versatile Surface Compatibility: Mothers Instant Detailer is safe for use on all exterior vehicle surfaces, including paint, clear coats, trim, and even glass in a pinch, supporting diverse detailing operations.
  • Comparison with Meguiar’s: While both products remove surface contaminants, reviewers consistently note that Mothers remains wet longer for easier application, allows towels to glide smoothly, and delivers a pleasant scent, while Meguiar’s may dry more quickly and be less forgiving for extended application time.
  • Finish Types: Mothers restores a natural, showroom-quality shine instead of a slick, ultrawet look—a feature some professionals prefer for authentic vehicle presentation, whereas alternative detailers may create a synthetic gloss that appeals to different aesthetic preferences.
  • No Added Protection: It’s worth noting that unlike ceramic or synthetic polymer detail sprays, Mothers Instant Detailer is designed for cleaning and surface enhancement only and does not add a protective layer. If long-term paint protection is a priority, ceramic-infused products within the Mothers range may be more suitable.
  • Reliability in Professional Settings: Many shops and detailers choose Mothers over other brands due to the consistent quality, ease of use, and trusted brand heritage, ensuring repeatable, high-level results for each use and minimizing product-related downtime.

Natural Finish vs Slick Finish Explained

One of the few complaints that some customers have about Mothers California Gold Instant Detailer is that it does not provide the slickness they desire. Instant Detailer cleans and restores the vehicle to a natural shiny finish, but it doesn't add an extremely glossy wet look. Additionally, it doesn't offer future protection to the paint - it's only used to clean. If you want your touchup spray to provide an incredibly glossy liquid-like finish, consider using Mothers Ultimate Hybrid Ceramic Detailer. The addition of cutting-edge nano quartz ceramic (SiO₂) technology in the product also offers some paint protection after application. However, for rapid touch-ups between full washes, the original Instant Detailer remains a top choice due to its ease of application, streak-free performance, and suitability as a clay bar lubricant. Ultimately, selection depends on whether the priority is a quick, reliable clean with a natural finish or a product boasting longer-term paint protection and extreme gloss—Mothers delivers solutions for both needs.

What Does an Instant Detailer Do?

First, it's crucial to understand that an instant detailer is NOT a replacement for a full wash. Instead, an instant detailer is a specialized spray solution designed to quickly clean and refresh a vehicle’s exterior between traditional washes. Typically, it removes dust, fingerprints, light smudges, and minor surface contaminants from paintwork, glass, and trim without the need for water or a rinse. This makes it an extremely useful option for professional detailers and car wash operators looking to maintain a clean and polished appearance for customer vehicles, even during peak business hours. Instant detailers also enhance the existing shine and depth of automotive paint by utilizing lubricating agents, color enhancers, and gloss fortifiers to produce a natural, showroom-quality finish in just minutes. Furthermore, many instant detailers—such as Mothers California Gold Showtime Instant Detailer—serve a dual purpose as an effective clay bar lubricant, streamlining detailing procedures by reducing the number of products businesses need to keep on hand. Consequently, instant detailers can improve workflow efficiency, helping operators deliver consistently impressive results with minimal downtime. With regular use, these products support both vehicle appearance and customer satisfaction, making them a valuable addition to any detailing supply inventory.

Is Mothers California Gold Instant Detailer pH Neutral?

Yes, Mothers California Gold Instant Detailer is a balanced formula with a neutral pH of 7-8. That means it's safe for virtually any automobile surface. However, it's important to understand that Mothers California Gold is not a specific product. Rather, it's an extensive car care product line with a variety of options that have significant differences in how they function. Many of the products in the California Gold line are pH balanced, but some are not. Always read product details closely and consult safety data sheets for detailed chemical information. Here some other examples from the California Gold line:

pH Neutral

Not pH Neutral

Check out the entire California Gold line HERE!

Why pH Neutrality is Important for Vehicle Cleaners

A solid understanding of pH is essential for anyone involved in vehicle cleaning, whether you operate a car wash, manage detailing services, or maintain your personal vehicle. The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a product is, with a value of 7 considered neutral. Cleaning agents with extremely high or low pH values can be effective at removing specific contaminants, but they may also risk damaging delicate automotive surfaces, such as paint finishes and clear coats, if not used correctly. Conversely, a pH-balanced formula—such as Mothers California Gold Instant Detailer, which falls within a neutral pH range of 7 to 8—offers the safety and versatility operators seek for everyday use across various surfaces. Utilizing pH-balanced products minimizes the potential for etching, discoloration, or premature wear, thus protecting both painted and plastic components. Furthermore, selecting the correct pH ensures that cleaning remains effective without stripping away protective waxes or sealants that safeguard the vehicle’s appearance. Therefore, routinely using pH-appropriate products not only achieves optimal cleaning results but also helps maintain the long-term value and aesthetics of customer vehicles, an important consideration for professional car washes and detailing operations.

Using Instant Detailer as a Clay Bar Lubricant

If the surface of your vehicle is rough, even after washing, there are probably small stubborn contaminants on the paint that may not even be visible to the eye. In this case, you'd want to use a clay bar to remove those pesky particles. Mothers California Gold Clay Bars are an excellent option, and Instant Detailer is fantastic as a lubricant while using them. Here are instructions on how this process works:

  1. Remove the clay bar from the wrapper.
  2. Knead and flatten the clay in the palm of your hand to create a manageable pad.
  3. Make sure the working surface is clean and cool.
  4. Lubricate a 2-3 square foot area with Instant Detailer product.
  5. Lightly glide the clay across the lubricated surface. You may feel an initial resistance and even hear the contaminants being removed.
  6. Continue gliding the clay across the surface until it feels smooth and the clay glides easily.
  7. As you're working, knead and fold the clay bar into itself as it collects particles. This is done to refresh the bar and make sure that the section touching the car surface is clean and contaminant-free.
  8. Using a scratch-free microfiber towel, dry off any excess Instant Detailer and move to a new section.

Does Instant Detailer Scratch Paint?

Instant Detailer is a non-abrasive formula that will not scratch the paint on your car or truck. However, you should always be sure that the towel, mitt, or pad you're using to apply the product is soft and designed to avoid scratching.

Dealing with Existing Scratches

If light scratches or spider-webbing are present on the vehicle surface, Instant Detailer will not help with these issues. Instead, you should use Mothers California Gold Scratch Remover. This product makes it easy to remove surface scratches from all types of automotive paint and clear coats. It is ideal for surfaces that experience frequent contact and are vulnerable to scratches, including door handles, trunk and hatch lids, hood latches, and other commonly touched areas. If the vehicle’s finish is mostly in great shape, this scratch remover offers a quick way to repair specific spots without a full paint correction, helping you speed up the detailing process and save time. You'll find information, usage instructions, and the opportunity to purchase on our product page.

It's important to note that deep scratches require more intensive paint correction work, reapplication of clearcoat, and even repainting. A simple method to assess the depth of a scratch, as recommended by Mothers, is to run your fingernail over the scratch very lightly. If your nail catches on the scratch, it is likely too deep to be removed with Mother Scratch Remover and may require alternative, more involved techniques.

Updating...
Loading...