Best Car Care Products for New Detailers

What to Wash Your Car With

If you’ve never detailed your car before, just the thought of it might be a little intimidating. Fear not, with the right car care products and detailing resources you’ll be on your way to becoming an expert detailer in no time. If you’re reading this, you’ve already found the resources… so you’re already a step ahead. But maybe you haven’t found the products yet. All brands aside, take a look at what I consider to be the the most important car care products for new detailers.

Car Wash Soap

Whether or not you’ve ever had the pleasure of washing your car by hand, the best way to buck up your detailing skills is with a good old fashioned hand car wash. If nothing more, it’s a great way to get to learn the curves and lines of your car. Not to mention you’ll start to see really just how dirty your car is, what areas need the most help, and maybe even catch a glimpse of how great it can look when it’s cleaned properly. Aside from a pH balanced car wash soap, you’ll need a bucket, mitts, and some microfiber towels – waffle weave towels work best for drying.
Read: How To Properly Hand Wash Your Car.

Carnauba Wax

As you may know, wax is protection for your paint from environmental contaminants such as debris, dust, acid rain, UV rays, and more. Additionally, waxes have a more beauteous side whose shine can stop you dead in your tracks. For new detailers, carnauba wax is a gateway into the world of paint sealants, bond times, layering, and more (all of which you can learn about on Behind the Detail). I recommend trying a liquid carnauba car wax at first, as this is a great product to use as you get comfortable with the application process and ready for higher quality waxes and sealants that may be just a bit more complicated.
Read: 5 Reasons To Wax Your Car.

Polishing Glaze

The idea behind a glaze is to finish off your polishing procedure. What most people don’t know is that a finishing glaze can work wonders when used alone, too. They’re much easier to apply and remove than a traditional polish, and the best part is you can’t mess up. If you jump into polishing too soon, it can get a bit confusing. Basically every time you polish you’re being abrasive (some more than others) with the paint, but with a glaze you’re filling imperfections to create a smooth surface. When used together they perfect a polishing procedure, but using a finishing glaze by itself is a great way to get introduced into the world of polishing.
Read: What You Need To Know About Glazes.

Tire Conditioner

Deep, rich looking tires can make your car look younger, cooler, and more expensive. Plain and simple, nobody wants dried out and cracked up tires. Better yet, no body wants to look at them either. A tire conditioner will deliver nutrients to feed the surface. Unlike a dressing, a tire conditioner will actually begin to remedy any signs of aging rather than covering them up. This alone is one of the best ways to make your car look better on the road, plus it’s quick, easy, and can last a long time.
Read: Conditioner vs. Dressing.

Detail Spray

Last but certainly not least, one of the first car care products every new detailer should buy is a detail spray. Basically this product helps to clean up dist, finger prints, bird droppings, streaks, and more from your paintwork while adding a great shine. Put simply, it’s one of the easiest ways to keep your car cleaner longer, and there’s nothing complicated about using one; just spray and wipe. Keep it in the trunk with a couple of microfiber towels and you’ll be ready to handle anything.
Read: Solving the Bird $#%@ Problem.

Beginner or not, the detailing products you use to care for your car with really make a difference. As a new detailer, starting off with the proper car care mindset and the right car care products will lay a great foundation for what is sure to be the making of a master detailer. If you’re really feeling up to a challenge, work your way up to getting certified by the IDA. Anyway, if you have any questions at all, be sure to let us know in the comments or on facebook. Our team is always happy to help!

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