The Core Products and Tools that Will Help You Detail Like a Pro
By Michael Mankarious
Car detailing doesn't have to be overwhelming. With a simple system in place, even beginners can tackle it with ease.
In the world of car detailing, it's essential to understand that there are core products, and then there's the supporting team. Core products tackle primary tasks, including washing, paint treatment, and vinyl, rubber, and plastic treatment – the products we mentioned in the 'Detail Like a Pro' Guide. The multitude of other products is the supporting team that helps you tackle unique challenges or help you take detailing to the next level.
The same goes for tools. There are the core tools and the supporting team tools. In both cases, we want to focus on the core products and core tools because these are the ones that will yield the most significant results immediately.
Forget about dishwashing soap and laundry soap. You're not cleaning the dishes, and you're not doing the laundry. You're cleaning a car, and you need a soap specifically designed for car cleaning. Just like you don't use hand soap or hair shampoo to wash your dishes, you shouldn't be using any soap other than car wash shampoo to clean your car.
A good car wash shampoo, like Nextzett Auto Glanz Shampoo or Nextzett Lotus Ultra Power Foam Shampoo, cleans road grime and film build-up, bugs, and sap – but you don't want it so strong that it also strips or dulls the coating or wax protection you took the time to apply. So don't go for the lowest-cost, bulk size. They use cheap detergents. They're better than dish soap, but not by much. Additionally, they're so diluted that, on a cost-per-wash basis, they're more expensive than a quality shampoo that appears to be more expensive.
Choose a quality hand wash shampoo and skip the foam cannon shampoos for now. They have their pluses, but it is not necessary right now.
The hand wash shampoo you use should have the following qualities: easily tackle road grime, make the water slick so it acts as a lubricant between the wash mitt and the paint surface, won't dull the paint finish over time, and be gentle on your skin (a good indication that it's not going to be harsh on your paint). A quart size will average between $15 and $20 and will last you about 30 washes.
A high-quality microfiber wash mitt, like the Autofiber wash mitt pads, is an essential tool in your car detailing arsenal. It holds a generous amount of shampoo solution, ensuring a thorough and effective cleaning process. Importantly, it won't scratch the painted surface, providing peace of mind and a professional finish.
To dry the surface, use a quality microfiber drying towel, such as Autofiber's Dreadnought microfiber towel. It holds a lot of water, allowing you to dry your car quickly and efficiently. Importantly, it won't scratch the surface, ensuring a flawless finish. To maintain its effectiveness, wash it with a cleaner for sensitive fabrics, such as Woolite or Nextzett Blitz APC, and it will last you years.
Note: Car shampoo can be used to clean all exterior surfaces, including your wheels. So, you can skip the wheel cleaner for now unless you have brake pads that cause your wheels to turn black quickly. We'll discuss wheel cleaners in the future and their place in your detailing arsenal.
In our 'Detail Like a Pro' Guide, I mentioned that polishes and waxes are two separate and distinct products, despite the terms being used interchangeably as if they were the same thing. Polishes clean and condition the paint, preparing the surface for protection with a wax, sealant, or ceramic coating. A wax, sealant, or coating doesn't clean or condition the paint. They protect.
However, I recommend a one-step polish and wax here, as it's a great way to start your detailing regimen without committing to multiple products.
How can a product be both a polish and wax in one? It does it by sacrificing the benefits of a full-scale separate polish and a sealant protectant. They usually don't remove fine scratches and imperfections in the paint. Still, they do a chemically deep clean of the paint, revealing its true gloss that washing the car can't achieve. They condition the paint so the paint lasts for years and won't flake or suffer from paint failure.
They protect, but only for about a month or so – not months or even years like a sealant wax or ceramic coat, respectively, can do. Nextzett's No.3 Polish & Wax is one such example.
Application Tool: Microfiber Applicator Sponge
A microfiber applicator sponge, such as our Deluxe Applicator, will evenly and effectively apply polish and wax products without scratching the surface, providing excellent results.
A quality microfiber towel, unlike a terry cotton towel, does not shed or scratch the surface. It's at least 80% polyamide. You'll be using the microfiber towel to buff off excess polish residue. When you're done, wash it with a cleaner for sensitive fabrics, such as Woolite or Nextzett Blitz APC, and it will last for many uses. When it begins to get matted, then toss it. A great example is Autofiber brand microfiber towels.
Exterior plastic trim, such as the cowl (the plastic trim under your windshield) and your tires, takes a beating from the sun and with daily exposure to various weather conditions. They turn gray and fade over time. The plastic trim can begin to crack and disintegrate. However, with regular treatment using a Vinyl and Rubber Protectant, you can keep the trim looking brand new, and your tires won't develop that brown discoloration.
Here's the key: the VRP you use should be a long-term treatment, not a dressing. It should be waterproof and offer UV protection. It should not be greasy; therefore, it should be water-based. You don't want a VRP that immediately runs off after the first rainstorm or one that attracts dust and road grime. Nextzett Vinyl-Rubber Protectant is primarily a treatment that happens to leave a like-new finish. It will restore the color to faded trim in one to three applications, depending on the extent of the fading on the surface.
When applying a VRP product, such as Nextzett Vinyl-Rubber Protectant, use a foam applicator sponge like the Autofiber Tire Saver Applicator. This is the easiest and fastest way to apply the product, ensuring an even and thorough coverage. Simply apply a small amount of the VRP to the sponge and spread it evenly over the surface. These sponges are inexpensive, effective, and can be used multiple times before needing to be disposed of.
You spend most of your time inside the car, so it should be the place you want to be. You'll want to clean all areas that attract dust, such as the dashboard, as well as all touchpoints (steering wheel, shift knob, and armrests). Use a cleaner and protectant that doesn't leave a shiny, slippery finish (because that's dangerous) and treats the surface – not a dressing. Nextzett Cockpit Premium will do all this and leave an anti-static finish so it stays cleaner longer.
Once again, you'll want to use a quality microfiber towel. One dedicated for use in the interior only – don't cross-use your polish or wax towels with your interior towels.
Detail Brush
In detailing, the details matter. You'll want to get into all the crevices, such as the space between your seats and center console, inside the door handles, and the air conditioner vents, to remove dust and debris. Use a detail brush with soft bristles to get in those crevices without scratching the surface.
A Handheld Vacuum
This will do wonders for cleaning up the spaces, especially after you've loosened the dust and dirt with your brush.
There you have it. Your core products and tools that help you set your car apart from the rest. Just by carrying these items in your arsenal, you're already many steps ahead of everyone else in getting that showroom finish for your vehicle.