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Car Detailing Supplies Checklist
The exterior and interior supplies for a full hand detail, from wheel cleaner to glass cleaner.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
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Most of the shops here split detailing into exterior and interior. This list follows that split. Prices run from a few dollars for applicators to several hundred for cordless polishers, so a basic hand-wash kit is a different shopping trip from a paint-correction setup. Your wallet will notice. This one covers a hand wash, protection and an interior clean, and treats machine polishing as optional. Product names come from the shop pages and are examples, not recommendations.
Why these items are on the list
- Wheel and tire cleaner. Shops list it as its own category, separate from car wash soap. P&S Brake Buster comes in pint and gallon.
- Wheel brush or mitt. Shops sell wheel brushes and mitts apart from the mitts used on paint.
- Car shampoo. Some, like P&S Pearl, are sold as concentrates, so check the label for dilution.
- Rinseless wash (optional). Listed alongside regular shampoo. P&S sells one in a 32 oz bottle.
- Wash mitt. First Choice lists wash mitts from $7.99 to $14.95, including a chenille style.
- Foam gun or sprayer. Shops carry foam guns and sprayers next to snow foam soaps.
- Microfiber towels. Car Supplies Warehouse lists a Rag Company all-purpose terry towel in a 25-pack, 16 by 16 inches.
- Drying towels. Car Supplies Warehouse lists drying towels as a separate category from general microfiber.
- Iron remover. P&S Iron Buster is sold in 16 oz bottles.
- Bug and tar remover. P&S Bug Off insect remover comes in a 32 oz bottle.
- Clay bar. First Choice sells clay bars in a three-pack and files them under exterior care and polishing.
- Spray sealant or wax. Shops list waxes and sealants as exterior protection, with quick detailers and spray sealants nearby.
- Ceramic coating (optional). The Rag Company says P&S Stout ceramic coating lasts approximately 5 to 7 years. That's a vendor claim.
- Tire dressing and applicator. Tire dressing applicators run about $2.50 to $9.95 at First Choice.
- Glass cleaner. Superior Products lists glass cleaners for inside and out. P&S True Vue is ready to use.
- All-purpose interior cleaner. P&S Xpress Interior Cleaner comes in pint and gallon sizes.
- Carpet and upholstery cleaner. P&S sells Carpet Bomber for carpets and Terminator as an enzyme spot and stain remover.
- Interior scrub sponge. A single sponge is about $4.50 at First Choice. Autofiber sells a three-pack.
- Small detailing brushes. First Choice lists 3-inch detailing brushes from about $14 to $18.
- Leather cleaner and conditioner. First Choice lists these separately from vinyl, rubber and plastic protectants.
- Air freshener or odor remover. Superior Products groups fragrances and deodorizers under interior products.
- Polisher and pads (optional). Car Supplies Warehouse lists cordless polisher kits at $672.99 and $742. Pads start near $6.
Keep it open on your phone in the garage and tick as you go. The exterior-interior split makes it easy to stop halfway and pick up later.
When to use it
Use it before a full hand wash and interior clean, or when you're stocking a garage shelf.