Detailing Supplies

Let it Shine

In my opinion nothing improves the look of a car as much as a beautifully detailed finish. Engine, suspension, brake and other performance mods are great, no doubt. They are the basis of a nicely customized car. But if your wonderfully modded GT's paint doesn't shine it simply isn't all it can be. So why a detailing supplies list in the Customizing section, you ask? Well, to me a finely detailed exterior and interior is a "mod". If you see two identical GT's parked together and one has a candy apple shine and the other looks dull which car looks better? The answer is obvious.

Member F1guy68 has graciously put together a list here of some of the basic products needed to get that "better than showroom" show car look. Anyone who has seen his black GT knows how incredible his car's shine is.

Basic Detailing Kit

by F1guy68

1. Wash bucket / Sponges /Auto wash detergent

Recommended auto wash detergent brands include Mothers and Meguiars.

2. Any brand Soft brush for wheels and tires

Great help when the wheels and tires are really dirty. Get one small enough to fit inside your wheel wells also! It's tight, but that area should be cleaned as well.

3. Meguiars Synthetic Chamois

Used for drying. Also try Waffle Weave Microfibre towels. Despite what people say real chamois will pull wax and oils right off your paint, leaving a dull and matted finish on your car!

4. Mothers Pre-Wax Cleaner

This product is very effective at removing surface oxidation that washing your car alone will not remove.

5. Mothers Clay Bar

An excellent product that when used correctly with plenty of lubrication (Mother's Instant Detailer) will remove almost all contamination in your paint such as rail dust, paint overspray etc. Used correctly, this product alone will provide you with paint that is smooth like glass!

6. Mother's Sealer & Glaze

Another great product from Mother's that will cover up most scratches and swirl marks! It's purpose is to seal the "pores" in your paint and provide a high gloss reflection that will really enhance the finish of your paint! Easy to use and a definite asset to a brilliant shine.

7. Mothers Pure Carnauba Wax or Meguiars Gold Class Wax

These products are what protects your paint from the elements. Sealer and Glaze's offer some protection, but they should be followed up with a quality wax. These are nice products that offer great protection, and enhances the shine on your vehicle. Applied over the sealer/glaze will offer amazing results. I prefer the Gold Class Wax for dark colors. Really nice results!

8. Mother's Showtime Instant Detailer

An absolute must in any detail kit. It doesn't matter if it's Mother's or Meguiar's or anyone else's brand. This stuff is simply amazing, and reduces the amount of time that is needed to maintain a great shine! Just spray...wipe and shine! The bonus of this product is it can be used on a vehicle that is just "lightly dusty" meaning that you really don't even need to wash the vehicle first. Remember..."lightly dusty"... NOT DIRTY! Works great to remove bird droppings, tree sap, fingerprints etc. A definite must have!

9. Zymol Liquid Auto Polish

A new product in my kit and it's here to stay! This can be used in place of the sealer/glaze as it provides even more of the essential results. I like this product very much. It is water based, so it dries quickly, so you have to work quickly and in smaller areas but the results are amazing. Better than I ever imagined! Apply in small areas, massage into the paint in linear motion, and wipe the excess off. For added drama and effect...lightly mist the car with water after applying this product and buff again...your eyes will be delighted. It smells great as well!

10. Meguiars Endurance Tire Gel

A long lasting product that keeps your tires looking new. Easy to apply with a sponge or rag, and then just wipe off. For added shine, just add a second coat and leave it on. Seems to last for weeks with me, which is great! I can go three to five washes before having to re-apply!

11. Black Magic Wheel & Rim Cleaner

This product helps to loosen dirt and grime and brake dust from your rims and wheel covers. Simple to use: Spray on... let soak for recommended time and rinse off! For heavy dirt, a scrub brush will help achieve a better result. Having said this, I never let my car get to the point that I need to use this product. Most times just soapy water and a sponge will do the job!

12. Eagle 20/20 Window Cleaner

(Non Ammonia for tinted windows) A quality Glass Cleaner that provides streak free windows and is safe for tinted glass. Never use ammonia based products on tinted glass. Use with either paper towel or a microfibre cloth. For those who are more inclined to be environmentally friendly, you can use a water dampened microfibre cloth and another one to dry with. Either way... you get clean and streak free windows.

13. Sundance (Or other Brand) Foam Wax Applicator Pads

I like these better than using cloths to apply wax. Clothes tend to remove as much as you apply of your products, where the sponges give you better coverage and workability, and you will use less product than with a cloth. I use a different sponge for each one of my products. Never use the same sponge for different products. It's counteractive, and you won't get the same end results! Also. keep your sponges clean of debris. Should you drop your sponge on the ground... rinse it really good or throw it away. Grit will get trapped and you will get a nasty scratch or swirl marks!

14. Microfiber towels ( 5 minimum)

These clothes are the absolute in detailing. Never has removing wax or cleaning a car become so much easier and safer. They trap dirt and grit, and hold it up and away from the surface of the cloth. Make sure that you get the "plushest" microfibre that you can, as it will make a big difference. Wash them often in hot water and hang to dry! Never use fabric softener with these cloths. It will stop them from being effective and absorbent!

15. Tannery Leather Cleaner/Conditioner

This company has been around for a long time and make an excellent product for leather. Simple to use as well, and really adds a nice suppleness to leather, and restores that nice leather scent. I apply with a sponge and use a microfiber cloth to buff off. Always test a small area before use. Some leathers change color slightly with the application of these products!

16. Any Brand Terry Towel Cloths

I use these towels for the "dirtier" areas on my car such as door jambs, door sills, under the hood, wheels etc. Rather than abuse a more expensive microfibre cloth, I use these instead! As with microfibre... the plushier the better. Wash the same as microfibre, with the exception that I dry them in the dryer. NO FABRIC SOFTENER!

17. Mothers Back To Black Trim And Molding Care Product

A great product for items like door molding and mud flaps, wiper arms, grills, front fascia's, trim around windows etc. Wipe on with a terry towel or sponge, and wipe off. Really restores the blackness of these trim pieces! Works really well on flat paint as well.

18. Black Magic Dashboard & Trim Wipes

Not sure what to really say about these type of products. I personally do not like to use them inside the vehicle! They work well, but I don't like the shine or "slippery" look of any of the interior detailing products!  Nine out of ten times I just use a damp cloth to wipe my interior and dash. I only use this product once or twice a year to just put a little shine and protection onto the dash. I like the Black Magic because of the low sheen, less slippery factor and the nice citrus fragrance!

19. Shop Vac or useful vacuum cleaner with brush/crevice tool

Lot's of choices here. What I don't like to see is people struggling with an upright vacuum and hose trying to clean the carpets and seats! It's body damage waiting to happen! There are so many little vacuums with great suction that would be suitable for the job! Do make sure you have a brush attachment for the carpets and seats and a crevice tool for the hard to reach areas. I also recommend putting some sort of towel over the sills to protect your paint as you move the hose back and forth. I use pipe insulation foam on mine. Works great. Slips on easy and is flexible as well!

20. Soft bristle Brush for Air Vents and cracks and seams

Camel Hair or even a brush to clean your camera lenses will do fine. I even use a shaving cream brush for the job! Small and compact with long bristles... These tools are the difference between clean and very clean! It's a small detail that makes a huge difference!

21. Low Tack Masking Tape

People really need this product! Use the low tack tape to cover your door moldings or any other porous surface on your cars where you don't want to get wax on. It's a little time spent now before the wax job... or a lot of time later trying to remove the wax from these surfaces. Ask anyone who knows... it's a real pain in the butt to clean the wax off!