Discover the detailing tools that car enthusiasts swear by.
Detailing cars is a practice that takes skill, patience, and an eye for, well, detail. Make no mistake, it's not something you just throw a bunch of money at to master. That said, just like any other profession, it does rely heavily on having the right tools. If you're serious about taking your detailing skills to the next level, you’ll want to know what they are.
That's what we're here for. At Parts Via, we've spent enough time with professionals (and the industry at large) to know what equipment the average enthusiast needs to transition to a full-on detailing savant. We're going to run through 10 items you should have in your car cleaning kit, so you have the arsenal you need to take your detailing skills to new heights.
Random Orbital Polisher
What's any list of tools without power tools? A random orbital polisher is on the top of the pile for many detailers, so it's only fitting to put one on the top of our list.
These tools, paired with the right polishing compounds and pads, are how detailers can quickly cut through swirls, scuffs, and other minor imperfections to a layer of fresh paint that totally restores the appearance of a car. Random orbital polishers are also very useful for paint correction steps that require touchups, as the new layers of paint can be leveled with the existing paint for a seamless repair. No matter what level of detailer you consider yourself, this is a great investment to have on deck.
Pressure Washer
Some detailers get nervous about recommending a pressure washer for car care, and that's fair. Using something that's too powerful can easily damage the car, as misuse can lead to stripped decals and trim, even chips in the paint. Still, pressure washers can be incredibly helpful when removing stubborn crud and road grime.
Look for one with an operating pressure in the 1,200-2,200 PSI range, as this is safe for use with cars. It’s strong enough to blast through stuck-on debris with little risk of harming anything important, so long as you mind your angles as you spray. Adding a pressure washer to your car cleaning kit will speed up your washing process and can be invaluable if you choose to take on detailing professionally.
Steam Cleaner
A steam cleaner isn't the Average Joe's car detailing tool, but it's certainly a worthwhile investment for anyone who's serious about cleaning. These pieces of equipment will take your skills to the next level as they quickly and safely soften up stains in any interior. They're also very useful for leather, as they help open up the pores, allowing for a much deeper, more effective cleaning.
Steam cleaners can be costly, but you don’t need a commercial piece to get started. Even affordable compact models make it possible to take your car's interior back to that showroom finish you simply haven't been able to achieve with normal cleaners and techniques.
Carpet Shampooer
A wet/dry vac is an essential part of every workshop and was likely the first thing you purchased to start cleaning cars, but they can only accomplish half the job when it comes to deep cleaning carpets. A shampooer works over and lifts stains and dirt in the fibers of the carpet that a vacuum and elbow grease simply can't master.
Thankfully, car shampooers have exploded in popularity recently, with compact models now more readily available. Though slightly larger than a typical car vacuum, they’re still easy to maneuver around the cabin interior and can even be stored in the trunk for safekeeping. A shampooer is not the first tool you’ll buy to handle interior jobs, but is definitely worth adding alongside your vacuum and steam cleaner purchases.
Foam Cannon
Ever wonder how pro detailers always seem to get a heavy, sudsy layer of soap on the surface of their cars? They use a foam cannon. There's more to this tool than simply making bubbles, though. The heavy layer of soap helps loosen up gunk on the surface, expediting the washing process to a significant degree. Foam cannons may not always eliminate the need for a hand wash, but they will always speed up the process – and you’ll be happy once you add one to your car cleaning kit.
Wheel Brushes
Wheels require a lot of effort to detail properly. While you can let cleaners sit on the surface and loosen up stubborn deposits, that will only get you so far. Eventually, you will need to work that road grime and brake dust over by hand. That's where wheel brushes come in.
Specifically designed to cut into the buildup typically found on wheels, these brushes also help place you at an effective working angle. They are far superior to general cleaning brushes that will drive you nuts as you try to get into the many tight surfaces on a wheel.
Clay Bar
A clay bar is an underrated tool for the casual detailer, but it's the missing link often standing between a typical DIY polish and a jaw-dropping revitalization of the paint. Clay bars are used prior to polishing to lift small, stuck-on bits of dirt and gunk on the paint that are easily missed by the naked eye.
By going over the surfaces you intend to polish, you can ensure those little bits of gunk don't get picked up by the pad and dragged across the paint, working against the effects of the polisher. Clay bars are cheap consumables but make a major difference in how deep and rich the paint will look once you're done with your polishing process.
Interior Brushes
The interior of your car is loaded with porous surfaces that love to suck stains, grease, and dirt down deep within. Getting all of that grime out takes more than a quick pass with a towel and some cleaner. Quality interior brushes are what you need to really get in there and pull those deposits out. When used in tandem with the right cleaners, tools, and towels, these car detailing tools will go a long way in reaching the pro-level clean you're after. No detailer’s tool kit is complete without them.
Scuff Pad
The mighty scuff pad sees far too little exposure. It's almost like a well-kept secret amongst serious detailers. These tiny abrasive pads are meant to work through stubborn stains on interior surfaces, and they do a wonderful job of it. The catch is that you need to work carefully, so as not to damage the surface you're working on. They take a bit of skill to master, and you won't use them every day, but you will be happy to have them in your car cleaning kit because of how well they work when they are needed.
Microfiber Towel
Would a list of detailing tools really be complete without mentioning the microfiber towel? Absolutely not. In fact, squeezing all microfibers into just one subheading is something of an injustice when describing their usefulness. Special microfibers are available for general detailing, drying the car off, and even for glass. No matter what stage of the cleaning process you're in, you'll have one on hand to get the job done.
If you've simply been using them as a multipurpose rag without understanding all the different types that are out there, we highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the many variants of microfibers and implementing them into your cleaning process. You'll be amazed at how much these seemingly simple towels will elevate your working abilities.