100 Detailing Tips You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

This is it—post number 100! After thousands of cars, hundreds of tests, and way too many towels, I’m sharing the top 100 tips that make detailing faster, safer, and better.

Some are quick hacks. Some are pro-level strategies. All of them will help you detail smarter—not harder.

🧽 Washing & Drying

1. Always pre-soak—don’t rinse before you foam (The Super Soaper is perfect for this)
2. Use a touchless wash method when possible
3. Avoid washing in direct sun—work early or late
4. pH-neutral soap is your friend, even on coated cars
5. Foam cannons don’t need expensive soaps to work well
6. Wash top to bottom—dirtiest stuff lives low
7. Use a dedicated wash mitt for lower panels
8. Don’t skip drying—it prevents water spots and streaks
9. Use a plush drying towel to soak up water without marring
10. Blow dry mirrors, emblems, and trim to avoid drips

🧼 Paint Decontamination & Polishing

11. Clay after pre-soaking—not before
12. Use soapy water (Super Soaper) as clay lube
13. Don’t overwork clay—let it glide
14. Pad choice matters more than polish (see post #97)
15. Do a test spot before polishing the whole car
16. Switch pads before they get too hot
17. Use microfiber for more cut, foam for more finish
18. One-step polishing is often all you need (Picture Perfect Polish coming soon)
19. Polish headlights, taillights, and piano black trim too
20. Wipe down with a clean towel between passes

🛡️ Protection (Ceramic, Wax, Sealant)

21. Apply protection immediately after polishing
22. Tough As Shell works on paint, trim, glass, and wheels
23. Layer ceramic sprays every few washes to boost longevity
24. Ceramic coatings work great in winter (see post #99)
25. Use a clean microfiber towel to level—don’t overapply
26. Spray coatings work better on warm, dry panels
27. Always apply protection to the back of mirrors and license plates
28. Don’t forget the B-pillars—they fade fast
29. Touch-up after every 2–3 washes
30. Protection beats perfection—always seal your work

🛞 Tires, Trim & Plastics

31. Degrease before applying dressing
32. Use a stiff brush and Super Soaper to clean tires
33. Rinse until foam is white—then dry fully
34. All Dressed Up is water-based and dry to the touch
35. Don’t over-apply—less is more
36. Use a foam applicator, not a rag
37. Level the dressing with a towel for even finish
38. Don’t apply on hot tires or sunny panels
39. Reapply after every rain or wash
40. Engine bay plastics love All Dressed Up too

🧼 Interior Cleaning & Detailing

41. Move the seats forward and back—clean under them
42. Use Complete Cabin Cleaner on literally everything inside
43. Don’t forget the headliner—spot clean with a towel
44. Always brush mats before vacuuming
45. Use a Scrub Buddy pad for textured plastic
46. Clean screens with a soft towel and gentle pressure
47. Apply interior cleaner to the towel—not the screen
48. Don’t neglect door jambs—they matter
49. Spray dressing into a towel—not directly on trim
50. Use compressed air to lift crumbs and dust in tight spots

💡 Tools, Towels & Efficiency

51. Use different color towels for different jobs
52. Don’t use your drying towel for polish or dressing
53. Wash towels in dedicated microfiber-safe detergent
54. Foam cannons are more efficient with warm water
55. Pump sprayers save time and soap
56. Use a Ryobi blower or forced air to dry trim and wheels
57. Organize tools by zone (interior, paint, wheels)
58. Rotate pads every panel to avoid overheating
59. Don’t skimp on towels—have backups ready
60. Prep your full setup before you start to save time

🔥 Pro-Level Secrets

61. Don't chase perfection—chase efficiency
62. Use pre-soak instead of pre-rinse for safer washes
63. Avoid the two-bucket method if you're using modern tools
64. Test everything on your own car before a customer’s
65. Start polishing at lower speeds and increase gradually
66. Don’t compound unless you have to
67. Use trim tape to protect edges when polishing
68. Heat up a stubborn label with a heat gun, then peel
69. Apply dressing to door seals in winter to prevent freeze
70. Clay glass for insane slickness

🧪 Pro Product Formulation Tips

71. Not all soaps are safe for coatings—check pH
72. Water-based dressings look more natural and don’t sling
73. Some “ceramic” sprays are just glorified detailers—read the label
74. Foam doesn’t always mean more cleaning power
75. A good polish should be pad-dependent and zero dusting
76. Layering ceramic sprays builds better protection
77. Less is more—especially with protectants and dressings
78. Test new products on one panel first
79. A product that saves time is worth paying more for
80. Purpose-built products (like Jimbo’s) outperform all-in-ones

📦 Storage, Maintenance & Long-Term Tips

81. Store towels and pads in sealed containers
82. Keep detailing chemicals out of direct sunlight
83. Shake every bottle before use—even if you think you don’t need to
84. Label your towels and pads by use
85. Keep a trunk kit: towels, Cabin Cleaner, Tough As Shell
86. Reapply protection before road trips and winter
87. Touch-up tire shine before a show or event
88. Check your towel edges—bad stitching = scratches
89. Wash brushes and pads after every job
90. Take before/after photos for every major detail

🎯 Mindset & Business

91. Good lighting = better results and fewer mistakes
92. Keep learning—products and techniques evolve
93. Systemize your process to save time
94. Don’t chase every trend—stick to what works
95. Build trust by showing your process (not just results)
96. Video sells better than photos—start filming
97. Reinvest in good tools—they’ll pay for themselves
98. One great towel beats five cheap ones
99. Use products that actually make your job easier
100. At the end of the day: clean is clean, shiny is shiny, and protection is king.

Thanks for Reading Blog Post #100 🎉

Whether you’ve read 1 post or all 100—thank you. This list is built from experience, testing, feedback, and years of real-world detailing.

Want to try the products mentioned here?

• The Super Soaper
• Tough As Shell
• Complete Cabin Cleaner
• All Dressed Up
• Everyday Microfiber Towels
• Massive Drying Towel

Here’s to the next 100 posts—and even cleaner cars.