What Car Detailing Products Do You Actually Need?

Jimbo Balaam on

You don’t need a wall full of bottles to detail your car. Here are the essential products that actually get results—and nothing you don’t.

What Car Detailing Products Do You Actually Need?

What Car Detailing Products Do You Actually Need?

Let’s be real—car detailing can feel overwhelming when you’re first starting out. There are shelves full of bottles, dozens of brands, and products that all sound the same.

So what do you actually need to get results?

Here’s a no-BS list of the car detailing products that matter most—whether you’re cleaning up your daily driver or just want your weekend ride to look dialed in.

1. ✅ A Safe, Effective Car Wash Soap

This is where it starts. You need a soap that foams well, won’t strip protection, and is safe on coatings, wax, and trim.

The Super Soaper works in a bucket, foam cannon, or pump sprayer. It’s touchless-friendly and designed to loosen dirt before you even touch the paint.

2. ✅ A High-Quality Drying Towel

Most scratches happen during drying. Toss the bath towel. Get a proper towel that absorbs water fast without dragging across the paint.

The Massive Drying Towel is ultra soft and big enough to dry most of your car without needing to wring it out.

3. ✅ A Spray-On Paint Protectant

Skip the paste wax. Modern ceramic sprays are faster, easier, and offer better durability. You’ll get water beading, UV protection, and shine in one step.

Tough As Shell takes 5 minutes to apply and lasts weeks at a time.

4. ✅ An Interior All-Purpose Cleaner

Don’t mess with greasy dashboard wipes or generic APCs. You want something that works on plastic, vinyl, rubber, screens, and leather—all in one bottle.

Complete Cabin Cleaner is streak-free, matte finish, and safe for every surface inside your car.

5. ✅ A Trim & Tire Dressing

Faded trim and dry-looking tires kill the detail. Use a dressing that soaks in, doesn’t sling, and leaves a clean OEM look—not a greasy mess.

All Dressed Up is perfect for tires, rubber seals, exterior trim, and even engine plastics.

6. ✅ Quality Microfiber Towels

Cheap towels are scratch factories. Stock up on quality microfiber for applying product, buffing, and interior cleaning.

Everyday Microfiber Towels are super soft, durable, and machine washable.

Optional But Nice to Have:

  • Clay mitt or bar (if paint feels rough)
  • One-step polish (like Picture Perfect Polish, coming soon!)
  • Detailing brushes (for vents, wheels, and crevices)

Want to Grab It All in One Go?

If you're just starting out or want to restock the essentials, check out our curated bundles:

Conclusion

You don’t need 20 different products. Just a handful of the right ones—designed to clean, protect, and simplify the process.

Skip the clutter. Stick with purpose-built products that actually work.

🧼 The Essential Jimbo’s Lineup:

Simple system. Real results. Built by detailers, not marketers.

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