Latest news with #detailing
Times
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Times
What's the best way to clean a car? (You need two buckets)
Q. Is there such a thing as the perfect way to clean a car and how do I do so without leaving smears or scratches? Also, is paying for hand wash better than going to an automated car wash? TR, Richmond upon Thames To minimise the risk of scratched paintwork you should adopt the 'two bucket' method: one bucket for diluted shampoo and a second full of clean water, along with a microfibre mitten or cloth, as opposed to a cheap cellulose sponge. After rinsing the car with a hose to soften the dirt and get rid of mud, clean one section of paintwork, then rinse the mitten in the clean-water bucket to avoid putting dirt from the car into the shampoo bucket. Then back it goes into the shampoo to clean the next section of bodywork. Use a car shampoo, not washing-up liquid or household detergent. There are a couple of reasons. First, washing-up liquid is a strong detergent, designed to get rid of grease and fat. It will do a good job of cleaning off the dirt but it will also clear away any trace of polish, so unless you polish or wax the car after each wash, the paint surface will not be protected and eventually go rather dull. Second, car shampoo normally contains a lubricant to enable the washcloth to slide over the paintwork with much less risk of tiny scratches from the dirt you are washing off. Avoid washing the car in sunshine or the water will dry quickly, leaving spots and smears. Choose a cloudy day or shaded area and dry the car with a chamois leather or microfibre towel. Modern water-based paints used by car manufacturers are also more susceptible to corrosive damage from bird droppings, especially if they are left in place for a long time, so try to clean them off the same day, even if you don't wash the whole car. A hose is ideal, or a watering can and soft cloth, but clean gently; overenthusiastic scrubbing can inflict damage to the paint underneath. Tree sap can be a nuisance as well but a decent shampoo will get rid of it after two or three wipes. Again, be gentle. Products containing shampoo and wax — 'wash/wax shampoo' — leave a trace of wax on the car after rinsing, but the best protection from dirt, sap and bird droppings is washing followed by a polish and wax every so often. • Car Clinic: Does changing my car's wheel size affect the speedometer? Car detailing or valeting aficionados will, quite correctly, tell you that polish and wax are two different things. Polish is a mild abrasive designed to remove or minimise swirls and slight imperfections, whereas wax leaves a smooth glossy layer to enhance the shine and give added protection. The best natural wax is carnauba, obtained from South American carnauba trees but there are many resin products which do a similar job. All leave a protective layer over the paint to protect it from sunlight, droppings and road dirt. Car detailing enthusiasts swear by washing the car, drying it, applying polish, buffing the polish off, then waxing the car and buffing it to a better-than-showroom finish. If, on the other hand, you feel you have better things to do than spend the entire weekend cleaning the car, you can achieve an impressive finish with less effort by using products that are both polish and wax or resin. They contain a very fine abrasive to smooth the surface and fill scratches, and a wax to leave a good shine. Typical products are Autoglym Super Resin Polish, Turtle Wax Carnauba or Simoniz Liquid Diamond. All of these will remove or reduce slight swirling and leave a wax or resin coating. The coating will be quite thin and won't last as long as a thorough carnauba wax, but the finish is easily good enough to please most car owners. It will last a reasonable time. Treating the car three or four times a year is usually sufficient, and you can tell when the next polish is due because rainwater will not 'bead' on the paint surface. For some of us, cleaning the car thoroughly is a therapeutic activity; it's not mentally demanding and the results are instant and very visible. Of course, not everyone feels that way and many will simply want someone else to do what they regard as a chore. And why not? For the price of a couple of coffees (or one very posh coffee) you can get a perfectly acceptable job done. But, do you use the automatic machine or go to the disused garage forecourt where a small army of cleaners will descend on your car with sprays, buckets and cloths? • Car Clinic: Can I change my car's wheel if I've lost the locking wheel nut key? I've been to lots of hand carwashes and I've never seen any of them adhere to the two-bucket method, but then I pay only about £7 to £10 for a wash and dry. A typical handwash service may foam the car then jetwash it, and then use a cloth from a big shampoo bucket to clean the dirt off. This does risk rubbing the grit and dust from your car, and possibly previous cars, over the rest of the paintwork, causing those swirly scratches. The jet washers they use to soak and rinse the car shouldn't be a problem provided the doors, bonnet and boot are closed properly, although they have been known to dislodge balance weights from alloy wheels. If the car suddenly starts to vibrate at speed after a carwash, that's probably why. You'll almost certainly get a better result from a specialist valeting service, but you'll pay much more for the extra time it takes. An automatic car wash is certainly quick and easy; just drive in, let the brushes and driers do their work then drive out. However, an automatic car wash will not clean hard-to-access areas or wheels as well as a hand wash. If the car wash is well maintained, the brushes should thoroughly rinse themselves after each car, but not all are cared for so well. If the paint does become dull after a few years you can restore the showroom, swirl-free finish by having the paintwork machine-polished by a good car valeting service. The swirls are typically about 1.5 to 2 microns deep and a machine polish will remove the top 2 to 3 microns, but obviously you can do this only a limited number of times before the clear coat — a clear, glossy top coat applied on top of the coloured base layer — gets too thin to give proper protection. Alternatively, you could get the car treated with a ceramic coating. A ceramic coat is tougher than the clear coat or wax but the car will need a bit of preparation and the overall cost will be about £350 to £500. Afterwards it should be showroom-shiny, much more resistant to swirl marks and the coating should last a few years. DIY ceramic coatings are cheaper, typically £70 to £100 for a kit, but they are thinner so won't last as long. But do be aware of one potential drawback with DIY ceramic coatings. Unless you thoroughly prepare the paintwork first, you will effectively seal in any imperfections, leaving them visible and very difficult to remove until the coating wears off. That's why a professional treatment will remove contaminants with a clay bar, then polish it with a machine to free the surface from any blemishes before the ceramic coat is applied. That's what you're paying for. Bear in mind that if a scratch or contaminant has gone through the clear coat and the base coat, the only solution is touch-up paint; if you can see the light-coloured primer, no amount of polishing will restore the finish. Touch-up paint to match the original is widely available and often in pen form, which many people find much easier to use than a brush or spray. If you are getting ready to hand back a leased car with a peppering of stone chips on the bumper, a mobile chip-painting service might be less expensive than the lease company's penalties. Modern car paints do chip and scratch more easily than the finishes of the 1970s and 1980s. That's because carmakers switched from largely petroleum-based paints to water-based paints, which are softer, for environmental and health reasons. That means modern paintwork more easily accumulates swirl marks — visible as circular fine lines if you look at the paint at an angle under sunlight or a bright light. • Car Clinic: Does a car's colour affect its resale value? Car paint consists of three layers: a primer, a coloured base coat, then a clear coat to give shine and to protect the coloured base coat from fading in sunlight or being damaged by contaminants such as bird droppings, tree sap or traffic fumes. The clear coat is usually between 50 and 100 microns thick and is tougher than the coloured base coat, but 'tough' is relative. The international standard for defining paint hardness is to determine what grade of pencil will scratch it. Pencil grades go from 9B as the softest, through HB, typical for writing, up to 9H, which only gives a faint line, but stays sharp for ages. The clear coat on most cars is about 3H to 4H, meaning a 5H pencil used on the surface will leave a scratch. The trouble is, this is softer than most of the tiny particles of dust, grit or brake dust that make cars dirty. As the car is washed, these particles tend to cause tiny scratches, which is why using a specialised car shampoo containing a lubricant is important. An automatic carwash should rinse the brushes after each wash to get rid of dirt particles, but even if the brushes start out completely clean, dirt picked up from your car can stay in the brushes and inflict tiny swirl marks on the paint. A good handwash will use thoroughly rinsed cloths for each car, but again, residual particles or dirt picked up from your car can leave swirl marks and eventually a duller finish on the paint. There are two academic papers supposedly proving that handwashing causes more damage than an automatic car wash, but bear in mind that one was sponsored by the International Carwash Association, supporters of carwash machines, and both compare carwash machines to DIY handwashing, not a professional or two-bucket Shallcross, independent expert Post your motoring questions below or send to carclinic@
The Drive
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Here Are the Best Car Care Deals on Amazon Prime Days
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Over the last couple of days, I've spent a few hours scouring Amazon Prime Days deal listings for the best scores on car care, cleaning, and detailing products. I'm not just talking about cheap things—we're only bothering with brands that I use personally or have had specifically recommended to me by someone that I trust. There are thousands of car cleaner items on sale, but the ones on this list are going to be the most worthwhile. First up is my favorite tree sap remover—the goofily named 'Tarminator' from Stoner. I have tried many different sap removers and techniques, but this one in particular has been the quickest and most effective for me by far. I grabbed a can off the shelf randomly at an auto parts store once, and now I'll always have at least one ready to go in my garage at all times. A little dab on a rag, and this thing picks up sap off my BMWs like nothing. Word to the wise, though—heed the directions carefully and don't let this stuff sit on your paint any longer than it has to. It's safe to use correctly, but it's aggressive. Stoner also sells an all-purpose water-based cleaner that's on sale for Prime Days. I have not used this one yet, but I really like having a multi-surface-safe squirt bottle around for touch-ups and detailing. At 15% off, I say this is worth trying. For those of you who like to clean your tires, this Cerakote tire protectant is 19% off. This brand does a great job cleaning anything black—I've used its trim restoration wipes and been shocked at how well they restore old plastic. Speaking of black plastic trim treatments, Cerakote's is not on sale, but this one from Adam's Polishes is. A few friends in a car club I'm in are big fans of this brand. You can sometimes find it on the shelf at AutoZone, but a three-pack is 20% off on Amazon right now. Adam's Polishes also has a great deal on a ceramic coating kit (39% off) and a huge supply of wheel cleaner (40% off). If you're looking to get even more serious about your car detailing loadout, Adam's is also doing 25% off on its Air Cannon drying blower. That unit's normally over $300, so the Prime Days deal saves you quite a few bucks. Air drying is a great way to clean up crevices, and it can be safer than a towel. If that's still too expensive or you just don't have room for it, a much more compact version is also on sale (35% off). For cleaning cars the old-fashioned way, with a simple pair of buckets and water, I recommend a jug of Meguiar's wash and wax soap, which is only $11 (32% off) right now. After drying, you can hit your car with some of Meguiar's ceramic coating spray, which is also on sale (19% off). And if you're looking for a one-stop shop kit that's a little more comprehensive, this 16-piece cleaning arsenal set from Chemical Guys is down to just $127 (20% off) Most of the interior plastic cleaners Amazon's running deals on are kind of mid, but two leather cleaners I like a lot are on sale. Lexol's Two-Step Leather Regimen is nicely discounted at 23% off, and includes everything you need (including applicator) to give leather a nice cleaning and conservation treatment. To care for leather that's already clean, Leather Honey Conditioner is a great option, and that's deeply discounted right now by 39%. Finally, I found some deals on generic cleaning gadgets that are worth looking at while you're stocking up on detailing supplies. I don't know these brands, but when it comes to cloths and brushes, I personally don't think it matters all that much. So save your money where you can. Interior Detail Brushes—3-Pack for $11.99 (33% off) Glass Cleaning Cloths—2-Pack for $7.99 (33% off) Windshield Cleaning Tool for $7.99 (20% off) Microfiber Cloths—12-Pack for $9.49 (21% off) Our team's hard at work, testing tools, parts, and shop equipment. Let our trials and experience be your guide to mastering The Garage.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I Tested the Top Car Scratch Removers—Here's What Actually Works
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." ✍️ Editor's note: We will update this article in the coming months to reflect new products and feature updates. Scratches happen, whether they're from rogue shopping carts or keychain swings, or simply from years of haphazard washes finally catching up with your vehicle. Scratch removers promise instant paint miracles, but not all of them deliver. To help out first-time users and seasoned detailers alike, we used our twentysomething Porsche Boxster as a guinea pig and broke down which car scratch removers work best for each skill level. If you're looking for quick fixes or professional-level corrections, these are the products that have earned a spot on our list. Choosing the perfect scratch remover comes down to matching the product to your scratch's depth, how much effort you're willing to commit, and your paint's condition. For light swirls, a polish remover like Chemical Guys VSS or Carfidant works well, while surface scratches might need a beginner-friendly compound or kit like Meguiar's Quik Scratch Eraser. If you're looking to tackle bigger dings and need something more aggressive, look to one-step compounds like Mothers Ceramic Paint Correction. We tested four of the highest-rated scratch removers in the best way possible—on a 986 Boxster with real scratches. We're not talking about staged scuffs or test panels, either; we mean deep hood scratches, rogue branch scrapes, and key marks under the door handle. Each product got a shot at these surface-level imperfections so I could see how they performed side by side, with my co-tester, Justin, providing the product-swirling elbow grease. (He was also an excellent extra set of eyes.) Marking the scratches all over the Boxster with painter's tape helped us see what worked and what excelled. It was an experiment that was easy to replicate; no degree from M.I.T. required. No matter your skill level, this isn't an intimidating process. We kept the method consistent for each product: same cloths, same panel prep, and same consistency of pressure (buffing each out by hand to show anyone can use these). While these aren't miracle workers for deep gouges, a few of them seriously impressed us when it came to reviving certain spots. We also learned that the sooner you can address a scratch or ding, the better. Growing up with older cars taught me that every scratch and ding tells a story, but keeping those marks to a minimum is key to preserving a car's character and value. I've seen firsthand how a little care can make an aging ride not look worn out. That's why I'm passionate about easy, effective ways to protect cars from the everyday scratches that pile up over time. It doesn't have to be complicated; the right products and a bit of know-how can keep you cruising smooth and scratch-free. 💡 Expert Tip: Before using a scratch remover, assess the scratch depth, choose a product suited to your skill and comfort level, and always test on a small, inconspicuous area to protect your Quik Scratch Eraser Kit promises a fast fix without the need for a polisher for light scratches. We gave it a shot on the rear of the car near the taillight, where Justin pointed out a few scratches that would be good to test. Spoiler alert: The stuff works—with a few caveats. The kit includes a small drill attachment pad, a bottle of Meguiar's ScratchX 2.0 compound, and a microfiber towel. It's meant for light, surface-level blemishes, and I found it works best on those annoying swirl marks and random grazes from vehicle wear and tear. It only lightens deeper scratches, and not that much at that. Justin dabbed the compound on the cloth and gently buffed the Porsche's hindquarters. (The consistency isn't so thick that he needed to really work the product in.) The process took maybe five minutes, and the results were honestly impressive for a kit under $20. The paint looked glossier as well. Lighter scratches were significantly reduced, and it didn't destroy his arms. If you opt for the drill attachment, we recommend using the low speed and not pressing too hard, lest you haze your paint. It's best for touch-ups, not entire panels. But for what it is, it is a good, budget-friendly, beginner-safe clear-coat fixer. This kit deserves a spot in any DIY detailer's collection. $15.08 at If your paint is looking a little tired—think fine swirls or those mysterious marks after washing—Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl Remover promises to bring back the shine without requiring a full multistep correction routine. We put this one-step polish to work on a pretty deep scratch on the rear of the Porsche. Right out of the bottle, VSS felt like a good middle ground: not too gritty, not too oily, and with just enough bite to tackle moderate imperfections. It has an almost spongelike consistency and a pleasant, if inscrutable, scent. (Neither Justin nor I could identify it, but hey, it smelled good!) It noticeably improved the clarity of the shine and knocked out a surprising amount of paint defects on a rear panel in just one pass with minimum pressure. But let's manage expectations: VSS is a polish-compound hybrid, so it won't erase deeper scratches like a true heavy-cut compound. I'd caution against expecting miracles if you have a longstanding gash. But for single-stage paint correction, quick enhancement jobs, or prepping for wax or sealant? It's a time-saver. Chemical Guys VSS is a solid solution for anyone wanting to boost gloss and erase light to moderate imperfections without getting into multistep madness. $19.97 at The Carfidant Scratch and Swirl Remover shows up with glowing reviews and big promises: Fix swirls, scratches, oxidation, and make your paint shine like new! Naturally, we were skeptical. Our test area was a deep scratch near the trunk opening. First impressions? The formula is more polish than compound—thick but easy to apply by hand. You do want to work it in, as the consistency is thicker than the others we tested. There is the possibility of some residue of the product remaining if not properly rubbed in. On a mildly swirled trunk, it noticeably reduced haze and light scratches, even with just a cloth. It also added a nice gloss that we weren't expecting. It's worth noting that this won't touch deeper clear-coat damage or scratches you can feel. It's not a cutting compound, and if you're hoping to remove deep defects or heavy oxidation, you'll be disappointed. But for little dings, it definitely works. Carfidant is great for casual detailers or anyone looking for a low-effort way to clean up small scratches here and there. It's not pro-grade, and it won't outshine a true multistage polish, but for a well-priced product, it gives decent results. $21.97 at Mothers California Gold Ceramic Paint Correction compound claims to be a one-two punch, getting rid of swirls and leaving behind true ceramic protection in a single step. Naturally, we were curious (and a little skeptical), so Justin pointed out a rather prominent triangle scratch on the hood to put it to the test. This stuff pulls its weight—and then some. First off, the cut is surprisingly good for a hybrid polish. It attacked moderate swirls like a compound, but finished smoother than expected. We saw noticeably improved clarity and gloss after just one pass with a cloth, and it left a slick, ceramic-like finish. The application was very smooth and wipe-off was easy. This is something we appreciated, especially for use in a home garage. And while the ceramic content adds a nice slickness, it's more of a topper than a full coating—think weeks of added protection, not months. Mothers Ceramic Paint Correction is a smart choice for fixing light-to-moderate imperfections with added protection thanks to the ceramic element. It's approachable, effective, and smells way better than it needed to. Not bad for something that is very affordable and leaves your paint looking nice and shiny. $15.45 at Scratch removers can work well for minor issues when used correctly and with appropriate products, but their effectiveness may be limited when it comes to deeper scratches. Some products work better than others, and choosing trusted brands like Chemical Guys or Meguiar's can lead to better results. Fine abrasives are crucial for smoothing the scratched area without worsening the problem. Polishing agents can help restore gloss and clarity. Additives that help protect after scratch removal provide extra protection against future mishaps and unpredictable weather. Some products are made specifically for certain finishes, but most are universally safe. Any pH-balanced formula is less likely to harm the paint or clear coat. Definitely. If you have the patience, orbital or dual-action polishers are great ways to really work scratch removers in. They are a much less exhausting avenue, and they ensure a more even finish. They can also cover a much larger area in less time. Yes, but that depends on several factors: the depth of the scratch, the remover quality, where you live, and even if the vehicle was left outside. A lot of scratches can be out of your control, but regular touch-ups, avoiding harsh conditions, and washing your ride regularly can keep a noticeable scratch's appearance at bay longer. Only on very light or superficial scratches. Toothpaste isn't strong enough to have a lasting effect, but non-gel ones can help with a minor blemish until a more suitable product is purchased. Regular washing and waxing with top protective products certainly makes a difference. Paint protection film (PPF) helps protect against scratches, dings, and chips. A ceramic coating offers long-lasting protection too, especially against chemicals and UV rays. Professional detailing now and then can also help prevent & Track relies on decades of experience in the automotive space to help you make informed purchasing choices. The team's product selection and gear recommendations are editorially independent and based on hands-on testing, personal experience, and knowledge—not hype. Road & Track has a strict policy against accepting payment for links or product placement in articles. We won't recommend something we wouldn't buy ourselves, and we'll never claim to have used or tested something we haven't. We're more concerned with our readers' trust than our bottom line. We've evaluated dozens of product categories, like dash cams, jump starters, and battery maintainers. Read more about our product testing process here. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
CNN
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- CNN
The best car wash kits to get your ride squeaky clean, tried and tested
The best car wash kits we tested Best car wash kit: Adam's Polishes Basic Essentials Detail Kit Best budget car wash kit: Griot's Garage Wash and Detail Sampler Kit The best car wash kits are equally effective at wiping away layers of pollen as they are at freeing tires from caked-on dirt. They create a protective layer against the perils of the outdoors and can even minimize the appearance of imperfections in your car's paint job. Forget about streaky windows or water spots. And aside from being a must-have for car cleaning, a well-stocked kit is a downright blast to use because you get to take control of the sudsy, soaked car wash at home. What belongs in a car wash kit, though? If you've never washed your car yourself, are there techniques you have to know about? I posed these questions to an expert detailer, then took his advice and applied it to my car (and my friends' and family's cars, much to their delight) by testing five different car wash kits and a selection of other detailing products. I've already dug into the best car vacuums to spruce up my interior, but the results of this testing turned me into a detailing hobbyist who gives a hoot about how my car looks on the outside. These two winning kits might do the same for you. Adam's Polishes Basic Essentials Detail Kit You won't need to purchase anything more than this all-encompassing kit unless you become a detailing savant. With effective cleaning solutions, a useful foam gun and several high-quality brushes and towels, it's a one-stop shop for cleaning your car. Griot's Garage Wash and Detail Sampler Kit This sampling of essential cleaners and basic supplies makes a great intro to washing your own car. If you like it, you can invest in useful add-ons — like a foam gun and beefier microfiber towels — down the road. Anyone venturing into the world of cleaning their car will get the results they want from the Adam's Polishes Basic Essentials Detail Kit. It includes effective cleansing agents for each step in the process and nearly every tool you need to get the most out of them. Working through a wash routine step by step is the best way to illustrate the fullness of this Adam's Polishes kit. The wheels, often the dirtiest part, came first. This kit included two brushes: a tougher one for the tires and another with longer, softer bristles for the wheels. The latter was the best wheel brush I tested, getting into cracks and crevices with ease. Spraying on and scrubbing in the wheel and tire cleaner created a frothy mixture that wiped out dirt and brake dust that hadn't been taken care of in who knows how long. Cleaning the body of the car followed, and the Basic Essentials Detail Kit has an effective system that totally refreshed my ride after it hadn't been properly cleaned in months. The pH-neutral, concentrated car shampoo was the driving force behind the job. First, I mixed it into a foam gun to loosen up dirt on the surface of my vehicle. Next, I combined it with water in the included bucket, equipped with a grit guard to create a sudsy solution that I could wipe across the entire exterior with a microfiber wash sponge. Once the whole car was mopped down, I moved to drying with the other microfiber towels included in the kit, all while misting on a detail spray to create a shiny top coat. The result was stunning, a finishing touch that took the look of my car to a new level and will help it stay that way until I wash it again in a few weeks. Raindrops have beautifully beaded on the paint ever since. The rest of the kit's chemical cleansers have smaller roles but still play a part in making the Basic Essentials Detail Kit a winner. In between washes, the CS3 spray can handle lighter cleaning tasks to maintain freshness. To make my tires really pop, I put on the vinyl, rubber, trim and tire dressing with the foam block applicator. Then the blueberry-scented interior cleaner cleared my windows and dusted my dashboard. It's rare that an all-in-one solution like that works well on different surfaces, but this one was gentle enough to pull it off. Prev Next This kit occupies a middle tier among Adam's Polishes' introductory offerings. Ditching the bucket and the foam gun for the Starter kit will save you about $40 (I wouldn't recommend it unless you already have the essential tools it requires). On the other end, throwing in a second bucket, a stronger foam cannon, a wash mitt and additional towels will bump you up $30 with the Complete kit. They're worthy upgrades if you can afford it. And if you just need refills, that's an option too. Those other kits notwithstanding, the 17-piece kit is the sweet spot. Even if it's billed as the 'basics,' it's a comprehensive, effective kit that won't have you yearning for upgrades anytime soon. If you're hesitant about spending money on a more decked-out car wash kit, this sampling from Griot's Garage has trial-sized bottles of essential chemicals and enough equipment to get you started on your first few washes. Mini bottles of Griot's Garage's flagship formulas come with the Sampler Kit. First up is the Brilliant Finish Car Wash, then sprayers of tire cleaner, tire dressing, interior cleaner, glass cleaner and ceramic speed shine, a great finishing touch or spot cleaner between washes. The Foaming Glass Cleaner was a top performer in my eyes. My favorite element of the Griot's Garage Sampler Kit was the words of wisdom included on each product. This package is geared toward beginners, and considering what's at stake — you don't want to hurt yourself or your car with any chemicals — the 'tips of the trade' on each label were a big help. On the glass cleaner, for example, the guidance read, 'For optimal performance, use a two-towel method. Use one microfiber for initial cleaning, and use a second microfiber to fully dry, preventing streaks. Wipe interior and exterior glass in opposite directions to easily reveal any missed areas.' You might not know to do that if you're simply used to spraying Windex on a mirror. The tools in this kit were not robust, but I wouldn't expect them to be at this price. It comes with a large microfiber cloth for washing and three smaller microfiber rags for drying and additional wiping. They're adequate, though buying a few extra microfiber cloths or mittens wouldn't hurt and would still keep you priced well below the other kits I tested. I didn't expect the wheel wash mitt to hold up against the dirty wheels I scrubbed, considering most kits included a tougher handheld brush, but I was pleasantly surprised by how the mitt helped me fit into the gaps and creases in my wheels' designs. The Griot's Garage Wash and Detail Sampler Kit knows its role and excels at it. Don't confuse it with a forever purchase that will keep you stocked for years. It's not. Rather, it's a wise value purchase and the perfect introduction for anyone on the fence about ditching the car wash to do the job yourself. As I assembled and tested these car wash kits, the following criteria guided my selection process and evaluations. Contents Essential cleaners/chemicals: Before getting into the specifics of chemical products that go beyond a simple wash, I looked at kits that covered the basics. They needed to have an easy-to-use concentrated body wash, plus a tire and wheel cleaner. Detailing basics: While I didn't award kits for simply having a long list of contents, I did appreciate those that gave a peek into the world of detailing without getting too complicated and intimidating. Waxes, sealants, dressings, correctors and interior cleaners were among the categories I explored. Accessories and tools: If you want your car wash kit to be a one-stop shop, it needs to have the tools to make use of the chemicals. Mitts, towels, foam cannons and applicator pads were the most important items I looked for here. Organization: Space is precious in your garage, so a car wash kit that can remain organized and accessible is key. Typically, this means all pieces can fit in a bucket that's included in the kit. Application Guidance: Because of some of the formulas included in car wash kits, using each product correctly is important for both the health of your car's surfaces and your own safety. I assessed the instructions and warnings included in each kit and individual product, valuing those that clearly explained how to use the product and what to avoid in the process. Ease of use: Reading the directions won't actually clean your car, so I evaluated how each kit lent itself to usability. Are there spray bottles for products that require one? Is the wheel brush comfortable to hold? How quickly can you dry the car with the included microfiber towels? Results: This stuff had to actually work. Because I did my research and only sought kits from reputable brands, there were no duds in this group. But I made note of which products seemed to have less of an effect compared with the others, while highlighting the solutions that made my car sparkle. Value Price: Sticking it in neutral and floating through a car wash can be both convenient and entertaining, but the best kits I tested made the hobby a compelling — and value-driven — alternative to outsourcing the job. Refills: Those buckets and towels won't be any good if you don't have any more chemicals with which to clean, so I assessed how accessible and expensive it would be to restock each kit. A proper car wash kit will cover each of the high-level steps of washing your car: wash, rinse, dry and protect. Below are some additional products I tested that can supplement your car wash setup and help round out some of the less robust kits mentioned throughout this guide. These are broken down into three main categories and also include insights from Shad Stoker, former president of the International Detailing Association. The right chemicals A concentrated pH-neutral body wash is the MVP of any car wash kit. It's the sudsy, all-over solution you think of when car washing comes to mind. Typically, Stoker said, it will need to be diluted at a 1:128 ratio, so about 5 ounces in a 5-gallon bucket of water. (A small measuring cup will help; forgoing it during testing led to some of my solutions being too watery. Once you start using it, wipe in sections from the top of your vehicle to the bottom, rinsing after each panel. But before going for the bucket, clean your wheels and tires. They tend to be the dirtiest parts of the car because they're closest to the ground and create a static charge while spinning. To clean, rinse each wheel first, then spray on the cleaner, which should be slightly a more aggressive formula than your body wash, somewhere between 10 and 12 pH. Then get to work with a brush. 'You want to work one wheel at a time,' Stoker said. 'The reason is, typically those tire wheel cleaners are a little bit more aggressive. So, if it's hot or you let them sit too long, they can, like anything, cause damage.' While not mandatory, applying a sealant or protective layer after you've washed and dried your car can add longevity to its fresh look. Water will bead; the shine will stay. And while carnauba wax has traditionally been the norm in the industry, Stoker prefers SiO2 solutions that are easier to apply. You just spray 'em on, then buff off. 'Prevention is the best medicine,' Stoker said. 'When you apply a proper sealant or SiO2 ceramic spray … you're not only protecting your paint but you're creating [a] hydrophobic barrier between your paint and the elements. When you go to wash it again, those elements, because of the contact angle, don't stick to the sealants like they do your paint. So it stays cleaner longer, but it also comes cleaner a lot easier.' Malco Ultra-Violet Premium Wash 'N Wax This is a concentrated wash solution from one of Stoker's go-to brands. I washed my friend's SUV with this, and though we didn't think the car was that dirty beforehand, the shine this product delivered told us otherwise. Chemical Guys Diablo Gel Wheel Cleaner This bubblegum-scented foaming wheel cleaner really impressed me during testing. Keep in mind it is sold as a spray or a dilutable gel. Mothers California Gold Ceramic Spray Wax I tested this new release from a longtime presence in the industry, Mothers. It's an affordable final layer to protect your freshly cleaned car from the elements. Essential tools Most kits arrive in a bucket that is great for storage, but that container is also the foundation of any wash. If you already have a bucket, using both a dirty bin and a clean reservoir of water is a common approach. But one small accessory, a grit guard, can upgrade a solo bin into a pseudo-filtration system. Whenever you soak your sponge or mitt in cleaning solution, the grit guard screens dirt so it doesn't transfer back onto the mitt — and your car. 'It creates a little bit of a barrier between the clean water and the dirty water,' Stoker said. 'They're super inexpensive, but they're just pertinent, in my opinion, for properly washing your vehicle without just stressing the heck out of it.' Of course, you'll need a hose to fill that bucket. The hose will come in handy during the entire process too because spraying the car is a wise first step to cool it down and start to loosen any dirt. Then once you've washed it, you'll want to spray again to rinse. After that comes drying, a key step that prevents water stains from tarnishing all that work you just did. In my opinion, this is often where a drive-through car wash comes up short. Microfiber towels are the solution, as they're absorbent yet gentle on your car's exterior. Don't use the same towels you have in your kitchen and bathroom. 'I still drive through my neighborhood and I see people out there with their bath towel drying their car out, and it just makes me cringe because I know what they're doing to their paint,' Stoker said. The Original Grit Guard Bucket Insert Most of the kits I tested came with some version of this bucket insert. If you already have a bucket, it's a must for maximizing the effectiveness of your wash. Flexzilla 50-Foot Garden Hose If you don't already have a hose, or if the one you bought in the previous millennium has seen better days, this popular option will do the trick. Shelling out extra for a pressure washer isn't worth it for beginners. Mothers Professional-Grade Premium Microfiber Towels, 12-Pack This batch of microfiber towels came in clutch during testing because I always seemed to need one or two more towels than what was included in the kits. Difference-making extras Here's where things get fun. Pre-rinsing your car before a wash works fine, but if you really want to get down and dirty, dressing your whole ride in soap works wonders. Because you can't lift your car into a 5-gallon bucket (even you, Mini Cooper drivers), a foam gun or cannon should be your weapon of choice. It's like real-life Splatoon. Blasting an initial layer helps break down the dirt, just as you'd soak a greasy pan into a soapy water before scraping off the gunk. 'When you're just taking a sponge or washing it from the bucket directly to the paint, even if you pre-rinse it, that body wash does not have time to emulsify and break that dirt up,' Stoker said. 'What you're doing is just basically scratching it off the surface. So by retreating with a foam cannon — you can get foam cannons that hook right up to your garden hose — you allow that cleaner to do what it's designed to do, and that's emulsify and encapsulate the dirt, so when you actually hit it with your wash mitt, all you're doing is removing it instead of breaking it free. You cause a lot less damage and you get a [much] cleaner vehicle.' Just as microfiber towels are the safest drying mechanism, microfiber mittens are the best washing mechanism. Most of the kits I tested included one, but if your kit has a thicker sponge or several cloths instead, swapping for a mitt is a decision rooted in convenience and precision. Adam's Polishes Foam Gun A huge part of what put my favorite kit over the top, this foam gun lathers suds all over your car and easily attaches to a standard garden hose. The Rag Company Cyclone Ultra Wash Mitts, 2-Pack Using a wash mitt is the most efficient and thorough way to wipe down your car during a wash. This set is an upgrade option if you want to wash with a friend. The Rag Company has a more affordable pair too. Chemical Guys HOL126 14-Piece Arsenal Builder Car Wash Kit The strongest runner-up for one of my top spots, Chemical Guys' Arsenal Builder, is only missing a few items you might already have sitting around anyway. It delivered impressive results for a great price. Chemical Guys sells a wide range of washing and detailing supplies that are easily accessible at major retailers like Walmart and Amazon. I got great results washing with this kit, even if it didn't emerge as my top pick. The contents here cover a lot. You have an easy-to-use foam gun, a grit guard and a microfiber wash mitt — all key to putting a car wash kit over the top. The cleaning solvents (concentrated wash, wheel cleaning gel, wet wax, glass cleaner and plastic/vinyl cleaner) give new users what they need without getting too complicated, and the price is appropriate, coming in just below the cost of my top pick costs with refills available under the same listing. My gripes with this kit were minor. It didn't include a spray bottle, even though the wheel cleaner needed to be diluted in one, so luckily, I already had one I could use. An additional wash mitt would have been a nice touch too, though only the pricier Griot's Garage Weekend Therapy Kit included more than one. Griot's Garage Weekend Therapy Kit If you opt for my budget pick from Griot's Garage, this monster of a kit is the logical next step should you get hooked on detailing. A few obvious exclusions kept it out of the winner's circle for beginners. Weekend Therapy is a fitting name for this kit that doesn't skimp on chemicals or applicators to bring your car to a mesmerizing shine. You could spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon digging into the contents here, as it has more than any other kit I tested. Unfortunately, it lacks a few pieces I came to value during this process — namely, a bucket and a foam gun. That said, anyone who dips their toes into the detailing waters by starting with my budget pick from this same brand should circle back to the Weekend Therapy kit if they find success. Traditionalists will be happy with the included paste wax, and the tools, such as the tire-scrubbing brush and extra-large drying towel, worked very well. Pair that with the built-in refill you'd be getting from the larger chemical bottles, and it's a sensible upgrade once you're committed and already have the tools. Jay Leno's Garage Jay's Essential Detailing Bucket Kit With the only glaring omission being a wheel brush, this kit from Jay Leno's garage — yes, that Jay Leno — is a decent option if you already have some of the tools I recommend. Former late-night host Jay Leno has turned his passion for cars into a line of car washing and detailing products. After testing this introductory kit, I can report that what you might assume to be a total gimmick is far from it. These products are legit. I washed my sister-in-law's car, which has its fair share of bumps and bruises, with this kit. It came out looking pristine. I had to borrow a few tools from other kits to complete the job (there's confusingly no wheel or tire brush included), but I still came away impressed with the products. The Bucket Kit packs tire, wheel and glass cleaners, a concentrated wash solution, wet wax and a 'quick detailer' to deploy between full washes. The best part of this kit, though, was the oversized drying towel. When drying cars with the microfiber towels included in the other kits I tested, I typically had to swap out for a fresh towel once or twice per vehicle. Not here. The Twist-Tech Edgeless Drying Towel was probably the best towel I tested for this guide. The following FAQs have been answered by former president of the International Detailing Association Shad Stoker and include reporting by associate testing writer Joe Bloss. What products should be included in a car wash kit? What products should be included in a car wash kit? A car wash kit should include a bucket, a pH-neutral car wash solution, a slightly more aggressive wheel-cleaning solution, a wheel brush and microfiber towels/mittens for washing and drying. The best kits include those basics but also throw in a grit guard, which keeps dirt separate from the clean water in your bucket, and a foam gun, which helps soap up your car for a more thorough clean. Surface-specific cleaners, like those for plastic and glass, are also useful for those who want more than a basic wash. Finally, those who want to wade into detailing should seek kits with a protectant or sealant such as carnauba wax or an SiO2 spray. Those will keep your car protected against the elements until your next wash. Can I use dish soap to wash my car? Can I use dish soap to wash my car? No. Dish soap, such as Dawn, is not made for car paint. 'The surface of your vehicle is a lot more delicate than a dish,' Stoker said. 'So, Dawn dish soap will actually cause damage over time because it dehydrates the paint.' Stoker emphasized that using car-specific products is crucial because fixing paint can be one of the most expensive problems a vehicle owner can encounter. What's the difference between car washing and car detailing? What's the difference between car washing and car detailing? 'When you're car washing, you're just using what you have or you're using a [single] product to do all the things,' Stoker said. 'That's car washing. Detailing is when you're using specific applications and processes for each surface, because every surface is different.' How often should you wash your car? How often should you wash your car? Conditions tend to be the greatest factor in how often you should wash your car, as a vehicle that sits in a garage won't need the same treatment as one that just explored a national park. A general rule of thumb is to try to wash your car every two weeks. But even I will admit that keeping up with that pace is not doable for everyone. Is it cheaper to wash your car by yourself? Is it cheaper to wash your car by yourself? In the long run, yes. Even if you only go to a car wash once or twice a month, the cost will add up. With a car wash kit, you get the hardware for good and only need to pay for refills on chemicals. It's a larger investment up front that pays off over time. For this article, we consulted the following expert to gain their professional insights. Shad Stoker, former president of the International Detailing Association and tech specialist at Buddco, a detailing supplier in Salt Lake City, Utah CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors with many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, associate testing writer Joe Bloss did his family a huge favor and tested five car wash kits on their fleet of vehicles. Bloss has written many automotive product testing articles for CNN Underscored, including guides on the best emergency car kits, the best car vacuums and the best car phone holders.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Why an unexpected $20 Kmart car buy is selling out across Australia this week: 'Please gatekeep this one'
An Australian car cleaner has triggered a mass rush to Kmart this week after stumbling across a $20 foam car wash gun in store and singing its praises to millions. Delicate Detailing, a professional mobile detailer based in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, urged followers to 'go down to Kmart' in a series of TikTok videos showing off the tool's 'insane value'. The budget buy, which is designed to be used with a pressure washer, blasts foam evenly across the car and is the ideal solution for a long-lasting, effective and sparkling clean. 'The point of foam is so you can use soap to pull as much contaminants, grime and dirt off the paint [as possible] before hand washing,' the company's founder explained, admitting the tool works 'as well as my $150 Snow Cannon'. 'This is for people wanting a similar experience [to high-end options] for a fraction of the price. The expert connected the Anko foam gun to his Karcher K2 pressure washer with an UberFlex hose. 'I'd recommended buying a UberFlex hose to hook to your pressure washer and a quick connect adaptor to easily plug guns/cannons in,' he advised. 'You can get [a pressure washer] from Bunnings for like $90. You may need to purchase additional adaptors though to connect things.' Delicate Detailing , a professional mobile detailer based in the Hunter Region of New South Wales , urged followers to 'go down to Kmart' in a series of TikTok videos showing off the tool's 'insane value' The no-nonsense DIY specialist filled his gun with 70mL of Vyking Force Snow Foam from Autobarn and water and reminded fans that they can use many different options from Supercheap Auto, Autobarn and Repco. Regular car wash works just fine, he added, but much more would need to be used in one session than dedicated foam soap. 'For $20 with a gun included it's quite a bargain,' he said, reacting to a small group of car-mad sceptics in his comment section. 'If you have a pressure washer go grab one.' Interestingly, while he always recommends hand-washing, he admitted the gun could (in some cases) be used as a stand-alone method. 'There isn't really a way to wash your car properly without a hand wash. It's a step included with all my details. [But] if the car is ceramic coated you can at times just snow foam and pressure wash it clean without the need of hand washing,' he said. And while some raised their eyebrows at the foam gun's 'too good to be true' price, others were sold on the buy - so much so that the tool has sold out in hundreds of stores Australia-wide. A quick glance at the Kmart website will highlight which stores have the gun in stock; at the time of publishing a fair few are still reporting decent numbers on shelves. 'I bagged the last one on the shelf at Kmart and you my friend were the reason I raced there to buy it! Now I have to wait a full week until the rain buggars off to wash my car,' a thrilled fan wrote. 'Heading to Kmart now... I swear Anko has everything,' another wrote. 'I swear Kmart always works magic,' one more added. It's not the first car-related buy to grip bargain hunters this year, with a $6 pop-up bin from the retailer flying off shelves in May. Similarly, the 'genius' $5 mini rubbish bin for the console was an instant hit in April, with the tiny design dubbed 'the one item everyone needs but most don't have'. Both landed as part of a wider car range, which includes a $5 car safety pack and a $5 car snack holder among other handy creations to make life just that little bit easier
