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I’ve picked some of the greatest washing and detailing kits for every budget. I love these kits because it’s always a good idea to get a set of detailing products from one manufacturer as they are designed to work well together.
These all in one kits make a great gift too. I for one would love to receive any of these (just in case my wife is reading).
There are a lot of products out there and trying to get everything you need in one go will save you a lot of time. It will also save your money too. Some of the Adams kits I recommend below would cost almost double the price if you bought the products individually.
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How much should I spend on a detailing kit?
If you’ve just spend thousands on your car, spending an extra couple of hundred bucks isn’t going to make much of a difference to you. That’s the way I look at these things anyway.
And when it comes time to sell your car, you know it’s going to be easier to sell it if it’s well maintained. A car dealer loves to see a gleaming car come into his dealership. It just makes his life easier and the car can be resold quickly.
If you plan to sell your car privately it will make an even bigger difference. People can’t resist shiny objects. And if someone is trying to decide between two similar cars, the one that has shiny paint and clean carpets with a nice smell definitely has the edge.
The best car detailing kit is the one that fits your situation. All of these are very good and can be found on Amazon. You might find more choice on the manufactures own site.
Adams Detailing Kits
You know I love Adams products (they’re NOT paying me to say that). They smell great for one thing, and I know I’m doing what I love best when I get the scent of Adams Detail Spray or Car Shampoo.
Adams have god the whole kit think really nailed. They offer a tone of choice. But maybe its too much choice. So here I’ll show you the ones that I think are best and what each product in the kit actually does.
There are two Adams Kits that have some of their best products. I promise you every one of these items is top notch quality. And you will use all of them. Especially if you want to keep your car in tip top shape.
Adam’s Essentials Complete Car Detailing Upgraded Kit Review
This is one of the best starter kits I could find on Amazon. If you just got a new car or a newish car then this kit has (almost) everything you need to wash it safely and protect it too. Buy this kit if you want to save a lot of time and money.
This kit comes with a good microfibre drying towel which is such an important part of car care. You simply must own one and use it to protect your car from waterspots and protect your shine.
Adams Detail Spray is included. I use this all the time. I sometimes use it to add a little shine and protection when drying the car. It’s great for removing bird poop without causing scratches too. You also get the Interior Detailer of this product which I have never tried but it seems to have fantastic reviews on Amazon so I’ve just added it to my basket.
Black plastics and rubber trim can fade quickly on cars. This is caused in part by sun damage. Adams Super VRT (Vinyl, Rubber, Tires) offers factor 35 sun protection. And it’s a great product for making trim look good again and makes a huge difference to how a car looks after a wash. It’s quick and easy to apply and dries fast.
It comes with one microfibre wash mitt. It’s a good one but I like to use multiple wash mitts if my car is really dirty so you can purchase a few more if you want to.
Adams Visco Clay Bar is included. Using a clay bar the wrong way can badly scratch your paint so be careful with it. Use plenty of lubrication, the included Adams Detail Spray is a perfect lubricant. Only use a clay bar if you need to, that is, if your paint feels rough to the touch and you plan waxing or polishing it. I’ve used Adams clay bars many times and love them. *Never buy the cheap clay bars on amazon or ebay. Stick with with big name products like Adams.
H2O Gloss Guard is an excellent paint sealant that can be applied after washing. You can spray it over every external surface and get excellent gloss. Just spray on and buff in and your whole car is done in minutes. It’s much faster than the old fashioned paste waxes. It’s protection will last months and the next time you wash your car you’ll find the dirt comes off more easily.
Most people use the two bucket method to wash their cars. This kit comes with just one bucket so you’ll need to pick up another bucket with a grit guard if you plan on using the ultra safe two bucket method.
An all purpose cleaner is great for removing stains from inside your vehicle. The Eco All Purpose Cleaner will remove stains without creating too much of smell.
For wheels, an Iron remover is great for removing bad stains. But they can be harsh and can damage delicate wheels. The Eco Wheel Cleaner provided isn’t an iron remover but its great for cleaning well maintained wheels.
Here is what you get in the Adam’s Essentials Complete Car Detailing Upgraded Kit
- (1) Single Soft Towel
- (2) Edgeless Utility Towels
- (2) Borderless Grey Towels
- (1) VRT Foam Block Applicator
- (1) 16oz Super VRT
- (1) 16oz Detail Spray
- (1) Visco Clay Bar Kit
- (1) 16oz Total Interior Detailer
- (1) H2O Guard & Gloss
- (1) 5 Gallon Car Wash Bucket with Grit Guard & Gamma Seal
- (1) 10″ Car Wash Pad
- (1) Ultra Plush Drying Towel
- (1) 16oz Car Shampoo
- (1) 16oz ECO All Purpose Cleaner
- (1) 16oz ECO Wheel Cleaner
- (1) Red Wheel Brush
Best Chemical Guys Car Detailing Kit
Chemical Guys have so many different products it can be hard to keep up. I honestly don’t know the difference between some of their products. So getting some of their best stuff in a single kit is an excellent way to get your hands on their greatest hits.
Some of the CG kits on Amazon come with either a Foam Cannon or Foam Gun. The Chemical Guys foam gun attaches to a hose and the foam canon attaches to a pressure washer. The foam gun doesn’t develop as much foam but it’s not bad. You’ll get much thicker foam if you have a pressure washer and the foam cannon.
Chemical Guys HOL132 is a nice starter kit that comes with the basics. It comes with two of my recommended shampoos Mr. Pink and Citrus Wash & Gloss. It has a nice wash mitt and excellent drying towels. Chemical Guys After Wash is a drying aid spray that adds tons of gloss in seconds. It also protects your car from scratches while you are drying it. Diablo Wheel Gel is a great wheel cleaner and needs to be diluted. So Chemical Guys have supplied a spray bottle you can use.
Chemical Guys HOL126 – 14-Piece Arsenal Builder Car Wash Kit with TORQ Blaster Foam Gun & Bucket, (5) 16 oz Bottles (Gift for Car & Truck Lovers, Dads and DIYers)
Chemical Guys HOL148MAX 20-Piece Arsenal Builder Wash Kit with TORQ Blaster Foam Gun.
Now this is a good set of products. It covers both inside and outside your car and if you really care about your car this is an excellent kit. Anyone into car detailing will absolutely love everything in this kit.
Best Polishing Kit
If you are after a Polisher you cant go wrong with this Chemical Guys Kit.
Chemical Guys BUF_209X Complete Detailing Kit is off the scale for value for money. It comes with everything needed to get started with serious polishing. Remember new cars need polishing too to keep them looking good. Torqx machines are excellent quality and many pro detailers use them. Chemical Guys pads are not just some cheap foam either. In fact they are among the best in the business.
You can use the kit with any polish. For light scratches you can use Chemical Guys VSS. If you plan on getting into some multi stage polishing action you get a handy sample pack of Chemical Guys V-Line polishes. Chemical Guys Gap_VKIT_04 V Line Polish and Compound Sample Kit (4 oz) (4 Items)