The best Detailing Tools: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Car detailing cleaning putty should do it! Inexpensive and totally worth having. Great for computer keyboards too!

It’s a synthetic clay.

AUTOSCRUB Fine Grade Sponge [AS-019] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CUAWJ6G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Mx3gFbP1K5215

They do have a whole mitt version too. But I’ve found for sedans this is good enough

cleaning gel like this

Cleaning Gel for Car, Car Cleaning Kit Universal Detailing Automotive Dust Car Crevice Cleaner Auto Air Vent Interior Detail Removal Putty Cleaning Keyboard Cleaner for Car Vents, PC, Laptops, Cameras https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081T7N948/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_AEP1BFA4KDM89JK65BH2

Does the brand of wax clay bars really matter? I'm looking at these but I'm not sure if they're worth it

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.com/IPELY-Detailing-Magic-Cleaner-Clean/dp/B0753FSQN6&ved=2ahUKEwjL9fWD6ubqAhUhhuAKHdDjBkUQFjAAegQIAhAC&usg=AOvVaw3py8pqNRjfH75ujuTU0C_W

Has anyone used these? Thanks

Love it, i also own the Death Star and the dust is annoying. If you are interested in dusting I found this stuff on Amazon and it is a life changer. https://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-Universal-Detailing-Automotive-Interior/dp/B081T7N948/ref=asc_df_B081T7N948/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416671567896&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9253053599926371966&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1023769&hvtargid=pla-881164615179&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=96944448234&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=416671567896&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9253053599926371966&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1023769&hvtargid=pla-881164615179

I’ve found this stuff recently and it actually works great in getting rid of the crumbs in my cup holder that I couldn’t reach. Cleaning Gel for Car, Car... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081T7N948?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I like to use automotive quick detailing spray and a clean microfiber towel on everything but the strings. Don’t use abrasives or caustics.

Any brand detailer will do. Meguairs makes a nice one.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-A3332-Quik-Detailer-Mist/dp/B0009IQXAE

Assuming that other than the spot you're going after it's otherwise clean, a quick detailer spray. I used to use this brand before I moved to an area surrounded by trees and gave up trying to keep my car perfectly clean.

Not sure about sprite since that’s gunna be sticky…but this putty works wonders on dust/debris

Get some cleaning slime for your Friday night.

That brush is fine to get into the barrel of the wheel, but you want to use a small detailing brush like this for the face, spokes, and any other detailed part of the wheel.

I would keep some of this on hand as well.

Meguiers is awesome. I use this when I do my truck 3x a year: https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G3500-Action-Power-System/dp/B009OBVRY4/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=meguiars+wax+tool&qid=1632866465&sr=8-2

I do however use Chemical Guy's butter wet wax, and prefer it over Meguiers fwiw.

gel cleaner? TICARVE Cleaning Gel for Car Detailing Tools Car Cleaning Kit Automotive Dust Air Vent Interior Detail Detailing Putty Universal Dust Cleaner for Auto Laptop Car Slime Cleaner https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VCBQ6KF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_A7QR8J8Y3TT8KR3S6AQ1

i recently did this for the first time on my truck to deal with some scratches.

started out doing it by hand in a test location with a little handheld foam applicator and while the results were ok, it was tough to be consistent and took quite a bit of time.

planning to but haven't done the entire vehicle yet. after looking at the options, i settled on meguilars da drill attachment instead of getting a cheap dedicated DA polisher mainly because the ones i looked at all had terrible reviews too and weren't really that cheap either. i already have a good corded drill with a low RPM range and i won't be using it more than once a year, so i figured this would be a better option.

biggest thing to keep in mind (esp with the cutting compounds) is that you're stripping clear coat off doing this, so don't use any pressure and be as consistent as possible.

On second thought, try synthetic clay. It works just as well, if not better, than real clay and it will last much longer: AUTOSCRUB Fine Grade Sponge [AS-019] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CUAWJ6G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_0PXB1YM4J7MRVXMZ2Q08

Basic Info:

Product name: Chemical Guys Acc_S90 The Goat Boar's Hair Detail Brush

Features:

• Gentle yet effective - will not scratch surfaces
• Long-life chemical resistant handle made of metal
• Versatile cleaning tool
• Great for both interior and exterior detailing
• Can be hung for easy storage
• Smooth power delivery and start up function. O.P.M: 1,500 4,200. Voltage: 120 Volt

Product image

Price History:

Highest price ever: $14.26

Lowest price ever: $4.71

Average price: $8.35

Previous price: $7.30

Current price: $4.66

Last price change: -37%

Price change from average: -44%

Price change from all-time low: This is the lowest price ever!

The item was in stock as of 28/04/2021 19:13:58 (UTC)

View the item on Amazon

I like the nano skin clay sponge and love it. I might try the not or towel, but the sponge kicks ass.

AUTOSCRUB Fine Grade Sponge [AS-019] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CUAWJ6G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YigJFbTHD9735

Just saw this and really interested. I have a black IS that the paint looks rough on...is something like this the clay bars that you would us? IPELY 4 Pack 100g Car Clay Bar Auto Detailing Magic Clay Bar Cleaner for Car Wash Car Detailing Clean https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0753FSQN6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_EQKIFbP72T4H1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CUAWEUM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I would swap that clay mitt for this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CUAWJ6G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

When using a clay bar alternative like this, do you apply it the same as you would a clay bar? Wet the surface with an auto detailing spray, then gently pass back and forth with the bar until it slides smoothly?

I was honestly going to go for an offbrand claybar on Amazon since it’s fairly well reviewed, like this one. Seems like its good bang for the buck. Have you tried something like this?

Also, not sure if you’ve encountered this on your white paint, but do you think a claybar would get rid of this?

https://i.imgur.com/fzkOYWh.jpg

It’s the offwhite colored patch I described above which I honestly don’t know where it came from. Won’t come out with a normal wash. Feels a bit rougher than the regular paint work.

Can you feel anything when you move your fingers over it? It may be worth asking r/AutoDetailing. Another option is to use a nanoskin which works like a clay bar.

Sounds great! Added the 500 to cart.

Which clay bars would you recommend without breaking the bank? Would something like this be just fine paired with ONR or diluted dish soap as lubricant?

Here is the detailer and was looking at clay bars and found this. Now I am no means a good detailer but that worked for me! And this solution is pretty damn cheap too.

-edit

Matt got there before me but yeah I am sure it won't matter what brand you use!

I have a few small scratches and many swirl marks on my instrument cluster cover (Jeep Grand Cherokee). I have tried to buff them out by hand, which helped with the big scratches, but not the swirl marks. I know the DA Power System Tool attachment isn't popular around here, but it fits my budget well, and I think it would work well for removing those swirls. What do you guys think of that tool, with PlastX, to clean up the instrument cluster? (https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G3500-Power-System-Tool/dp/B009OBVRY4/ref=sr_1_8?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1523631233&sr=1-8&keywords=DA+polisher)

Thanks guys!

For applying wax, a microfiber applicator or any soft foam pad is all you need. You can definitely apply by hand; I still prefer to do it that way. I would switch to a sealant (Powerlock, Collinite 845, and Blackfire Wet Diamond are all good ones) though; not much of a reason to use wax nowadays IMO.

The Iron X will work well for the rims, and you can use diluted all purpose cleaner for the tires.

As for swirls, you'll need to pick up a dual action polisher, pads, and compound/polish.

Edit: Looking at your list, there are a couple things I would change. Instead of paying $13 for a single brush, you can get a pack for a couple bucks more. Use one for the lug nuts, one for the interior and one for badges/crevices.

I'd change out the Chemical Guys Miracle Dryer for a Rag Company Pluffle as well, and either grab a 10 pack of The Rag Company's low GSM all purpose towels or some Kirkland Signature ones from Costco. You don't want to use those nice Eagle Edgless towels on wheels/heavy dirt.

Don't use a carwash was that uses those rubbery bands that slide across your car. Those cause micro scratches that can easily be seen on a black car. Take your car to a carwash that hand washes the car or you can use the two-bucket method to wash the car yourself.

Between washes (black cars get dusty quick!) I take my car to an automatic carwash that uses just a water spray and dry it down carefully with quick detailer and good quality microfiber cloth.

To add to this, I took off the "stage 1" part of my intake (MK6) and removed the battery. I wrapped the end of the "stage 2" intake tube with plastic from grocery back and used a rubber band to secure it. I also used the plastic to wrap the battery terminals and any other connectors that I could see. I used foil to wrap the alternator as I wasn't able to get a plastic bag securely around it. I removed my engine cover and cleaned that separately.

To get everything wet, I used the mist setting on my hose nozzle. I used Chemical Brothers Signature Series Orange Degreaser to spray everything down. If it was really dirty, I used various sized brushes with soft bristles to agitate and sprayed more degreaser as necessary. To rinse it off, I used the shower setting on my hose nozzle and held it at a good distance so it wasn't forcing water into unwanted spots. I then used air nozzle attached to my air compressor to blow out as much water as possible. My engine bay was really dirty so I did the cleaning process again. Once the second round was done, I wiped everything down with dry cotton towels to dry it off and remove any remaining dirt.

Wrapping the fuse box may be a good idea but I didn't do it and when I was done, there was no water on the inside. I did make sure that the fuse box cover was on securely before I started getting everything wet.