The Beginner’s Buying Guide

Summary: The best part of any hobby is getting new gear and toys to play with. Detailing can empty your wallet as quickly or slowly as you choose.

The best part of any hobby is getting new gear and toys to play with. Detailing can empty your wallet as quickly or slowly as you choose. Some of us love dropping a ton on chemicals while others are more shoestring budget. This covers washing and cleaning with a rinseless method, not paint correction or polishing. There are other ways to clean a vehicle but the rinseless method is highly recommended for newbies to keep costs down and make it easy!

You can order online to get all your products in one place or visit a car shop (like AutoZone in the US) to avoid having to wait for shipping. It’s an easy way to pick up a few things to try out the hobby and see how well you can clean your own car.

Tools and Chemicals

What brand is best? There isn’t a universal “best”. Everyone has their favorites. When you use up one product, buy it again if you liked it or use the opportunity to try a different one. Check out the Recommended Kits page for a list of community favorite products and brands, which includes many of the products on this page.

Wash Gear

• 1 five-gallon bucket from a hardware store (usually available in the store’s brand color)
• 10 all purpose microfiber towels
  • Creature Edgeless from The Rag Company
  • Cost What Edgeless Microfiber Shop Rag from Autofiber
• 1-2 drying microfiber towels
  • The Gauntlet from The Rag Company
  • The Amphibian from Autofiber
• If you do several cars at once, it’s recommended to pick up a dirt lock (not a grit guard) and a rinseless sponge such as the Ultra Black Sponge or Big Red Sponge from Optimum
• Choose a rinseless wash from the shelf in front of you at the store or use the list below for ideas. Many rinseless washes can also clean the interior and glass, which saves having to deal with multiple chemicals.
  • Optimum No-Rinse
  • P&S Absolute Rinseless Wash
  • McKee’s 37 N-914 Rinseless
  • DIY Detail Rinseless Wash

Prewashing is a way to make your wash safer and easier – if you have any additional money to spend, this would be the area for investment. Check out our Prewashing Guide!

Caring for Microfibers

Microfibers will stay fresh and fluffy for a long time if you take good care of them. Pick up a detergent that has no fragrances, perfumes, or softeners. Here are our suggestions:

• Rags to Riches from The Rag Company
• Micro Restore
• 3D Towel Kleen Microfiber Detergent
• All Free & Clear detergent (often available in the laundry aisle)

Check out our in-depth Microfiber Care Guide.

All Purpose Cleaners

These are used for cleaning stains, removing gunk, and dissolving whatever’s in your cup holders. Diluting is always done with water, so 1:10 means 1 unit (ounces, dL, whatever) to 10 units (same) of water.

• Bilt Hamber Surfex HD – This can be used from neat (for extreme dirt) up to 1:100 for very dirty interiors. A good starting point on the exterior is 1:20. Not safe on Leather but very safe otherwise and also doubles as a great wheel cleaner.
• Optimum Power Clean
• Sonax Multistar – Easy to obtain internationally

Paint Protectants

The age old-questions of spray versus paste, wax versus ceramic, and other debates can throw newbies into analysis paralysis when looking at products. Check out the New Car Detailing page for more information about paint protection options.

• Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic Detailer – This is often available to purchase in local stores and it’s an easy-to-use spray option.
• Griots 3-in-1 Wax – The radioactive green bottle sticks out! It’s very easy to apply and smells great.
• Turtle Wax Ceramic Wax 3-in-1 Detailer – Especially good over decals and stripes. Safe for plasti-dipped vehicles.
• Sonax Ceramic Spray Coating – Great option across the globe, especially in Europe. It easily lasts for three months.

Additional Resources

If your vehicle still has contamination such as tar or water spots, check out our Paint Decontamination Guide, then afterwards check out the Claying Guide.

If you want to remove surface damage such as swirls and scratches, check out our Paint Correction Guide. Need help identifying what’s on the paint? The Surface Damage Field Guide is for you.