Top 10 Auto Detailing Essentials
Car lovers unite! This list is for anyone and everyone obsessed with DIY car care, including car washing and auto detailing. We’ve got a list of ten essential car care tools you need to have to keep your vehicle bright and shiny for years to come. Don’t forget to Grab your QuickJack car lift to make your work even easier!
1. Buckets
If you’re sick of fighting dirt stains, water swirls and paint scratches, you need a pair of quality car washing buckets, each with dirt a screen that traps dirt and grime in the bottom of the bucket. These screens prevent little dirt pieces from sticking to the sponge and scratching up your car paint. Furthermore, most car guys and gals will want to use the two-bucket car wash system when auto detailing. Plus, your car lift—as long as you choose QuickJack—is completely waterproof, so raise up your car and have at it!
2. Car wash hand mitt
Can’t forget about the obvious! Big, squishy car wash mitts are essential to auto detailing. They’re non-abrasive, super-absorbent and they make that great THWAAP when you slap them on your hood. Straight-line cleaning motion ensues, and all feels right in the world.
3. Applicators and brushes
There are hundreds of uses for these brushes, and they come in many different types and sizes. They also come in different grades of coarseness, so the brush you use to scrape dirt off your tire will be different than the one you use on your paint. A must-have for car care.
4. Foam cannon
If you want to be as thorough as possible when auto detailing, a foam cannon is a sure-fire way to cover the most surface area in as little time as possible. They get your vehicle shampooed front-to-back, so you can sponge them down quickly. Not to mention, they’re fun to use and will impress your friends (or the cute neighbor). Don't have access to running water? Consider the AMMO NYC AERATOR.
5. LED auto detailing light
Detailing vehicle interiors and engine compartments can be a struggle in low light. LED lights are specifically made to clamp or magnetically attach to your vehicle. Detailing is precision work, and low light is your enemy. Get an LED lamp for the perfect clean. Consider the LITESTIX™ by BendPak
6. Vacuum and blower
These dirt-removing tools are standard auto detailing equipment. Before you wash or wipe down your interior, you need to clean the interior of all that crud. A portable vacuum/blower will do you wonders, and they’ll get all the stuff that a simple sweeping will miss, especially on vehicle carpet. While you don’t need a car lift for the vacuuming portion of your work, the QuickJack is so stable, it’s perfectly safe to maneuver in your vehicle with it hoisted 21" in the air. Nifty, huh?
7. Plastic razor blades
Steel razor blades are fine for removing old stickers from glass, but they can damage paint and chrome. Plastic blades are the craftsman’s choice for auto detailing. Never risk scraping, scratching or damaging any part of your vehicle ever again. These plastic blades are cheap and long-lasting too.
8. Drying tools
At the very least, a good car wash requires a good drying. Chamois is a fabric preferred by many experienced DIY’ers because it’s an absorbent material that won’t leave streaks or residue. At the very least, you’ll want to use a microfiber towel in order to prevent water stains; these seemingly innocent-but-ugly stains contain trace amounts of mineral deposits that can corrode paint if left unattended.
9. Auto detailing belt
One of the perks of DIY work is that you look busy enough doing something you love that people will leave you the heck alone. Stop getting pulled away to do boring activities with people you don’t want to hang out with and get busy! Get an auto detailing belt and stuff it full of your tools. It’ll make your work faster, easier and more ergonomic, and no one will confuse your important detailing and washing for mere time-wasting.
10. Rolling creeper work seat
Your choice of creeper seats is critical. It should be adjustable-height, comfortable and easy on your back. You’ll have your vehicle lifted up on your car lift, no doubt, so your rolling seat will give you easy access to the wheel wells, brake rotors/pads, hard-to-reach parts, etc. Consider BendPak's Ergochair ERGO-RS for maximum comfort and stability.
