I don’t actually know that much, and most of the good stuff came from the ChrisFix YouTube channel. (And Project Farm always has the best no-bullshit reviews.)
Hardware
- Detailing brushes came up and made me think I should make this list. I bought this set in 2017, labeled the big one “engine” so it never touches the interior, and they’re perfect. The bristles are just strong enough that you can dig cruft out of cracks and tight spaces, but soft enough that they’ll never scratch or damage any surfaces.
- An electronic duster can be useful for what detailing brushes can’t reach. I got this one years ago and I use it for office electronics and the car’s interior and engine bay. It’s not quite as strong as a blast of compressed air, but it’s the same idea that can run longer and you don’t need to keep buying cans.
- A foam cannon clicks onto the pressure washer to spray soap like you would at a coin-operated wash bay. I don’t know if it’s necessary, but it’s really fun and easy to get soap into everything.
- Microfiber towels are important, and I have a zillion pack from Costco because they’re cheap and some much nicer ones my wife got me from The Rag Company.
- A wheel brush can make it easier to clean the annoying angles and gaps of a wheel. I don’t usually bother with it, but my wife loves the thing.
- A flexible squeegee can remove a whole bunch of water from windows and panels and save towels. I clean it carefully, but this is contentious because some argue it’s just begging to scratch paint.
Cleaners
- Griot’s interior cleaner is the only interior spray I use at this point, because it’s not shiny and oily but it does protect plastic and clean things up nicely without residue.
- Hyper Dressing is something my wife found that’s magic. I buy concentrate and make it in bulk. It’s slightly shiny and perfect for rubber, plastics, and exterior stuff that gets wrecked by UV. I use it on our vinyl windows, an umbrella stand, a plastic deck box, and pretty much anything rubber, plastic, or powder-coated that spends time in the sun.
- Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash is usually at Fred Meyer and big box stores. No strong feelings, other than dish soap (which I grew up using) being the wrong choice.
- Rain-X window cleaner is great if you’re too lazy to apply Rain-X separately but want that glorious beading.
- I just started with this ceramic spray and it’s looking like we’re going to have a happy relationship. It’s not quite as intense as waxing, but it’s more involved than a simple detailing spray wax and so far it makes a noticeable difference where I’ve applied it to Chip. (Waiting for better weather to be more thorough.)
- I always use a spray wax like this one when I’m drying a car after the wash. No strong feelings about brand, but it’s kept things shiny and protected paint. My wife loves that “tough guy” smells are typically cherries and cinnamon.
- Any clay bar kit can be useful to lightly smooth scratches and swirl marks without having to get into sanding and clear coat application. I am not good at paint repair, but I’m comfortable using the clay bar for light improvement.