PRODUCTS WE TRUST
MULTI-PURPOSE CLEANER
Tuff Stuff
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Been using Tuff Stuff for 25+ years. I use this all-purpose cleaner on plastics, vinyl, and cloth to handle some of the toughest dirt, stains, and gunk build up. Spray the foam cleaner, let it sit for about 30 seconds and wipe away with a microfiber towel to get the best results.
GLASS CLEANER
Sprayway
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Been using Sprayway to clean glass for 25+ years. It cleans well, minimizes streaks, and is safe for tints. You can even use it on anything making it great to keep in car for any quick detailing needs. Best used with a good waffle weave microfiber.
WHEEL CLEANER
Sonax
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Sonax's Wheel Cleaner is extremely effective at separating the dirt and grim from the wheel and making it so much easier to get a wheel looking brand new after miles of driving. Make sure to pair this with a good tire brush and pressure washer.
CAR WASH SOAP
Sonax Profiline
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Sonax's Car Detergent does a great job of lifting dirt and making it easy to rinse off after a simple pass with a wash mitt – plus it smells amazing which makes the whole process that much more enjoyable. Make sure to pair this with a good pressure washer and wash mitt to get a perfectly clean exterior with as little effort as possible.
WET SPRAY WAX
Sonax Spray & Seal
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This product is great at keeping dirt and water spots off your vehicle. Spray this on the entire car while it's still wet after a wash and rinse, then dry the car. It usually lasts around 3 months, when you can apply it again during another wash.
DETAILING SPRAY
Sonax Detailer
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If you're looking for a simple detailing product, Sonax's product is a great option. Spray it on your car when it's dry and just wipe with a good, paint-safe microfiber to get your car looking good for a car show or Sunday drive.
SPRAY TIRE GLOSS
Griot’s Garage
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Been using Griot's Garage Tire Gloss for years as the final touch to all of my details. It quick and easy to apply and lasts for a few days to keep a car looking fresh until next week's wash. If you want something more long lasting, here's a great kit.
TIRE GLOSS COATING
Dura-Dressing Kit
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One of the best kits I've found for getting your tires shiny and having them stay shiny for longer than a few days. This product applies more like a harder coating for your tires compared to a simple spray on shine. Here's a more traditional tire gloss spray if you're interested.
HIGH-PILE MICROFIBER
Rag Company
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The Rag Company has been my go to for years with their high pile microfibers which I use for any exterior detailing because of their softness when using them on paint and clear coat. I'm partial to the red, but there are other color options as well.
MEDIUM-PILE MICROFIBER
Kirkland Towels
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Nothing beats the value of Kirkland microfiber towels. I have been using them since I started detailing 25+ years ago for interior detailing. That said I always recommend a higher-pile microfiber when working on painted surfaces.
LARGE DRYING TOWEL
SHSCLY Towel
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Never overlook the drying step of a wash, minimizing water spots is how you keep a car looking perfect once you're done washing it. I've used these SHSCLY Microfiber Drying Towels for years – this larger one is great for covering a lot of surface on the top of the car, hood, and top of trunk.
SMALL DRYING TOWEL
SHSCLY Towel
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Never overlook the drying step of a wash, minimizing water spots is how you keep a car looking perfect once you're done washing it. I've used these SHSCLY Microfiber Drying Towels for years – this smaller one is great for doors, bumpers, and around the wheels so the bottom of the towel doesn't drag on the ground.
GLASS MICROFIBER TOWEL
POLYTE Waffle
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Waffle weave microfibers are best used for glass or anything shiny that you want to avoid streaks on. Using a good glass cleaner paired with these towels will make it a lot easier to have streak-free detailing.
MICROFIBER WASH MITT
Detailer 365 Mitt
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I've always used microfiber mitts when washing cars and these don't break the bank and do the job well. Highly recommended basic tool you should always have on hand as a detailer along with good car was detergent.
PORTABLE SHOP VACUUM
Craftsman Vac
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A good vacuum is a clean car's best friend. Having a vacuum that is both easy to use, able to handle wet and dry, and isn't too loud is great and this Craftman checks all the boxes for me. Pro tip: get a remote trigger so you can turn it on and off from a far.
AIR COMPRESSOR
California Air Tools
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While not cheap, California Air Tools compressors are widely trusted for being quiet, reliable, and well-built. I recommend a 4-gallon tank or larger, and aim for a quiet one if you’ll be running it everyday.
WATER RESISTANT SNEAKERS
Vessi Weekend
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I have been using these shoes everyday I detail for the past few years and I gotta say they really stand the test of time. They look good, are really comfortable, and the water resistance is something I can't live without given all the washing I do every day.
CLAY WASH MITT
Nanoskin Prep Mitt
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Using a clay bar is great but the amount of time needed to work with clay isn't. A few years back I found this prep wash mitt advertised as replacing clay. After testing it on my own vehicles, being impressed, and now using it for years it gets a huge recommendation from me.
WHEEL BRUSH
Speed Master
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This brush stays in it's original form longer than any other brush I've used - instead of the bristles compressing over time The tip is rubber so you won't scratch a wheel, and it's flexible to reach around to the back of a wheel.
DETAILING & WHEEL BRUSH KIT
SPTA 8pc Kit
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If you are looking for a good starter kit that covers basically everything you would need for a reasonable price, this is the best I've tested. It'll cover interior and exterior including wheels. Only thing I would replace is the wheel wheel barrel brush.
PRESSURE WASHER
Active 2.0
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As far as good pressure washer without breaking the bank, this is the best I've seen that is reviewed well, lasts a long time, and will be up for any task whether you're just cleaning your own cars or starting up a detailing business of your own.
BUCKETS
Chemical Guy
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You need buckets, at least two – one for wheels and one for paint. I've been using Chemical Guy buckets ever since I started detailing and they have never failed me. Just make sure to get a good grate guard and bucket dolly to make working with buckets more effective and easy.
CONTAMINANT REMOVER
Sonax Fallout Cleaner
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Helps lift the metals and anything else that adheres to the clear coat. This is a way to avoid using clay to keep a touchless wash.
INSECT REMOVER
Sonax
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Pretty straightforward, helps get all the bugs that are stuck to your grill off. Also works well with tar.
REMOTE TRIGGER
120v Wireless Switch
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Having a way to turn on and off your vacuum without having to be next to the vacuum itself is a huge quality of life improvement. This way you don't need the vacuum making noise while you're not using it and you can stay focused on detailing.
TORNADO AIR BLOWER HEAD
SPTA Blow Gun
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This tool does a really good job at making your air compressor much more effective as an agitator during a detail. It's a simple product that works really well.
COILED AIR HOSE
Hromee 1/4” x 30ft
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This one is pretty straight forward, just an air hose for your compressor that coils out of the way if that's the type of hose you prefer. If you want a straight hose I got you covered.
STRAIGHT AIR HOSE
Hromee 1/4” x 50ft
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This one is pretty straight forward, just a straight air hose for your compressor if that's the type of hose you prefer. If you want a coiled hose I got you covered.
AIR COMPRESSOR FITTINGS
WYNNsky 1/4”
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I recommend these, I've used them for a while and they're super durable, and I use them commercially – at home they should last forever. Makes quick releasing air tools possible.
BUCKET WHEELS
Grit Guard Dolly
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Wheels on a bucket makes it so much easier to use.
BUCKET DIRT GUARD
Bucket Insert
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Bucket grates are super important – they help keep all the dirt on the bottom of the bucket and guarding brushes and mitts from picking up that dirt.
PRESSURE WASHER GUN
McKillans
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A short pressure washer gun is a lot easier to work with when detailing compared to the longer wands. This one is great because you can keep your nozzle attachments on the gun so you aren't losing stuff. It has the quick release for the different heads.
INTERIOR DETAILER
Sonax
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Although it’s a newer product, it’s from a reputable brand. The time I have been using it I can say it does the job well and makes the inside of your car smell like summer.
ROLLING MECHANIC CHAIR
Vyper Auto Chair
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Bending up and down sucks, get a chair with wheels for cleaning the bottom of a car and especially wheels and tires.
WATER FILTER SYSTEM
CR Spotless
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Been using Tuff Stuff for 25+ years. I use this all-purpose cleaner on plastics, vinyl, and cloth to handle some of the toughest dirt, stains, and gunk build up. Spray the foam cleaner, let it sit for about 30 seconds and wipe away with a microfiber towel to get the best results.
GARAGE FLOORING
Ribtrax PRO
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Installed this in my shop, it does a great job at allowing the water to flow through and it's easy to clean.
SHOP LIGHTING
LED Garage Lights
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Everyone in a garage knows good lighting makes a massive difference. These lights have never failed on me and I've had them for 5+ years. Plus they look cool which always makes for good photos and videos.
FOAM CANNON
Bear Force Cannon
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Use a good car detergent, helps with a touchless wash, gets soap on the car faster and soaks better.
CAMERA
DJI Pocket 3
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Great camera that makes filming easy this way you can show off your work and get more customers based on your previous work.
“The products on this page have been put through the ringer every day at my shop. Some have stayed in my tool kit for 25+ years, others are recent additions that knocked veterans off the shelf.
This page is my way of turning my years of experience into value for a car guy or gal looking to take care of their prized possession — or looking to get into car detailing themselves.”
A WORD FROM JUSTIN