5 Reasons Chemical Guys Products Leave Detailers Disappointed
Ask any pro detailer who's used Chemical Guys products for a while, and you'll probably hear the same thing: “I liked them at first—but something felt off.”
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Chemical Guys has built a massive brand on hype, not performance—and in this post, we’re going to break down the most common reasons detailers walk away from CG and what they’re using instead.
1. Products Look the Same But Do the Same
Chemical Guys has dozens of nearly identical products with slightly different labels. Inner Clean, Total Interior, Inner Space… what’s the difference?
Problem: You’re buying the same thing three times.
Fix: Complete Cabin Cleaner does it all—screens, leather, plastics, vinyl, and more—with zero streaks and a matte finish.
2. Scent > Performance
Lots of CG products smell amazing—but that doesn’t clean your car. Many users report weak cleaning power hidden under strong fragrance.
Problem: It smells clean… but doesn’t look clean.
Fix: The Super Soaper provides real cleaning power with thick foam and zero scent gimmicks. Clean doesn’t need to be candy-coated.
3. Ceramic Sprays That Don’t Last
HydroCharge sounds great… until it streaks, fails in a month, or becomes impossible to level. HydroSpeed? It beads for a week—maybe.
Problem: You think you’re protected, but the elements break through fast.
Fix: Tough As Shell gives 3–6 months of real-world durability with a simple spray-and-wipe formula. No curing stress. No fake claims.
4. Confusing Polish System with Inconsistent Results
V32, V34, V36, V38… it’s overwhelming and doesn’t work well on modern clear coats. Many detailers end up chasing results that never quite look right.
Problem: Too many steps. Too much dust. Not enough clarity.
Fix: Picture Perfect Polish is a one-step compound + polish that cuts fast and finishes beautifully. Less dust. More gloss. All in one.
5. You’re Paying for Marketing, Not Materials
CG pours money into influencer campaigns, social media, and gimmicks. What’s left in the bottle? Often, it’s watered-down formulas with inflated price tags.
Problem: You’re spending more for less performance.
Fix: Every product from Jimbo’s Detailing is made for real detailers—not influencer content. High-quality chemistry, tested by pros, priced fairly.
Explore the Full Jimbo’s Product Line Here
Final Thought
If Chemical Guys felt like your entry point into detailing, that’s totally fine—it was for a lot of us. But once you start valuing performance over packaging, you’ll quickly see why so many are switching.
Fewer products. Better results. Built by detailers. That’s Jimbo’s Detailing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Chemical Guys have so many similar products?
They build overlapping SKUs to fill shelves and create perceived variety, but many products are extremely similar with small tweaks.
Are Chemical Guys ceramic sprays any good?
HydroCharge is difficult to apply, and HydroSpeed lacks durability. Tough As Shell provides real ceramic performance without the drama.
Why do pros avoid CG polishes?
Their multi-step polish system is dusty, inefficient, and doesn’t finish well on modern clear coats. Most pros prefer one-step options.
Is Jimbo’s Detailing a better value?
Yes. Fewer bottles. Better chemistry. No overpriced branding or fluff. Just pro-grade performance made simple.
