Essential Detailing Equipment Set: A Complete Guide for Mobile Car detailer

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Updated on:

February 5, 2024

Choosing the Right Detailing Equipment and Professional Auto Detailing Tools Set: A Buyer's Guide

In order to have a successful auto detailing business, you need to have the right auto detailing tools. The right detailing tools do not just include microfiber towels, soap, and wax, there are certain things you need to perform to do a good job for your car wash.

Detailing industry is swarming with a huge selection of new car detailing equipment that might not always work as advertised. Below you will find a guide to have the right car detailing equipment for your mobile and stationary auto detailing business.

Key Takeaways:

  • Choosing the right auto detailing equipment is essential for a successful detailing business.
  • Professional auto detailers should have a range of tools, including pressure washers, steam cleaners, carpet extractors, and a variety of chemicals.
  • Professional-grade auto detailing equipment saves time, produces high-quality results, and allows for a wider range of services.

Download full list as PDF (with hyperlinks to products)

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full set of detailing tools and supplies

1. How to Choose the Right Car Detailing Equipment: A Comprehensive Guide

In order to not spend too much money on things that you might not end up using and just get the right equipment, they key is to ask yourself these questions:

Am I going to be detailing cars on the inside, outside, or both?

Am I going to going to hire a car polisher or learn how to polish a car myself?

Am I opening up a stationary car wash, a mobile auto detailing business, or both?

2. Professional Auto Detailing Tools: Car detailing must haves for Auto Detailers

As said before, the new technology in our world has been providing a huge selection of more and more accessories and car detailing equipment. Here are some things that every professional detailer should have in their arsenal:

  • Pressure washers
  • Steam cleaner
  • Cold Water or Hot Water Carpet extractors
  • A selection of chemicals
  • Car detailing brushes
  • Set of microfiber towels for glass, wax, interior cleaning and wash mitts.(new for applying of wax and interior jobs, old for working on rims and engine bays)
  • Washer/sanitizer bucket
  • Car polisher and polishing pads

3. The Importance of Professional Auto Detailing Equipment

The best automotive detailing equipment is critical to achieve a successful result beyond simply washing the car. Nevertheless, if you are looking to take your business up a notch with providing professional detailing. It saves time and makes any vehicle look great or even new.

Purchasing professional car detailing equipment can separate you from others for the completion of the project. When it comes to exterior maintenance it is important that we focus on interior and exterior care.

4. Best Auto Detailing Equipment for Car Interior Care: A Complete Overview

If you are not sure on where to start when purchasing tools and chemicals, there is one machine that you will definitely need: Fortador PRO Max steam cleaner. This machine alone features many different types of cleanings you will be able to perform for an exceptional car care for your clients.

steam cleaner with vacuum ortador pro max

4.1 Fortador PRO Max Auto Detailing Equipment: Steam Cleaner with Vacuum for Superior Results

Professional detailers all over the world have been using this machine and expanding their line of work. Diesel Hybrid Multi Purpose Steam Vacuum Cleaner Fortador PRO Max/PRO Max Deluxe is powered by an efficient Lamborghini diesel burner.

Giving both a steam cleaning and washing function, with the ability to provide two different detergents for remove stains at the same time steaming from up to 4 guns (optional) and extraction gun.

vacuum steam extraction

Aside from the steamer, you will also be getting the tools you need for successful detailing job, like the extractor gun, steam gun, and a service kit in case your machine will need a fix in the future.

The steam pressure of 20 Bar or 295 PSI, for use for Car Washing, Car's carpet and upholstery shampooing, vacuum and much more. All enclosed in a single casing with strong wheels, of modern design and made of ecological and corrosion free resistant aluminum alloy.

Having a steam cleaner as part of your detailing equipment already separates you from other professional detailers.

If you would like to know more about pricing and specs of the Fortador business, you contact their team or browse their site.

4.2 Professional Car Interior Steam Detail: Pricing and Benefits

Depending on the location of your business, a steam detail can range in price. However, to give you an estimate, it would cost about $85 for a 30 min interior detail and a regular wash and spray wax outside in Miami. If you were to shampoo a car, it would start anywhere from $200.

5. Top Auto Detailing Equipment for Exterior Cleaning: Achieving Flawless Results

There are many ways to do a detail on the exterior of a vehicle. Besides a simple wash with soap, you can also clay the car paint or buff it. Depending on the wants of your customer, you can also offer to apply ceramic coating on the exterior.

If you are thinking of providing the most with your detailing equipment, you will need a good source of light to be able to see even the tiniest pieces of dirt on the car.

diesel steam cleaner fortador pro

5.1 Fortador PRO Car Detailing Equipment: Advanced Steam Cleaner for Exterior Care

Steam cleaners like the Fortador PRO, which is one of the other models from the Fortador line have a 3 steam mode system: wet, dry and detergent steam.

Wet steam produces more water particles, ideal for cleaning the outside of cars.

Steam is a very efficient cleaning tool that will make any job easier for auto detailers. The steamers cost a lot of money, but you end up making it back in the span of the year with services you provide.

5.2 Professional Car Exterior Detailing: Pricing and Services

Detailing the car on the inside can be a longer process, depending on what you are doing for the exterior. Exterior detail can take anywhere from 30 mins to a 1.5 hr.

If you are a mobile detailing business, you will probably end up using steam on both the car's interior and exterior, which will be a fairly long job. In Miami, the cost for just the exterior would start at $95 for the outside.

heavy degreaser for engine cleaning

5.3 Engine Bay Detail Pricing: Enhancing Performance and Aesthetics

Aside from steam cleaning the outside of the vehicle, you can also steam the engine bay of the car. That process alone can start from about $75.

6. Complete List of Tools and Supplies for a Mobile Auto Detailing Business

Mobile detailing supplies may differ from your regular auto detailing equipment. Instead of your usual detailing products, it is important to have many different types of chemicals that would fit in your van for a proper car care for your clients.

6.1 Key Auto Detailing Suppliers for Mobile Operations

Essential things to have in a mobile auto are a water tank, set of microfiber towels, a compact pressure washer, small bottles with chemicals for easy transporting.

If you want more in depth information on how to build a mobile auto van for your business, here is a guide from our website.

6.2 Car and Truck Accessories for Mobile Detailing Efficiency

If you need extra storage space for organizing your tools and supplies consider to install roof rails and side storage boxes to move extra tools for your detailing and car washing business.

7. Essential Supplies for Equipping a Van or Trailer for Mobile Detailing and Car Washing

Here is an example of mobile detailing supplies we used to build a Mobile Auto Van for our client's exotic car washing business.

Download as a PDF with links to all products
mobile van for auto detailing

7.1 Main Detailing Equipment for Mobile Operations

generator for mobile ato detailing hnda eu2200i

7.2 Power Sources for Mobile Detailing and Car Wash

26 gal water tank with pump 12v

7.3 Water Tanks and Spray Bottles: Crucial Tools for Mobile Detailing

microfiber towels

7.4 Microfiber Towels, Brushes, and Applicators: Ensuring Quality Results

Learn more about microfiber towels you will need to detail your car
Learn more about microfiber towel washing right way
storage bins for detailing supplies

7.5 Personal Protection, Storage, and Tool Organization: Maintaining Efficiency and Safety

  • 1 x Protective Gloves (50 pcs)
  • 1 x Trash bags (100 pcs)
  • 3 x Storage box medium for clean/used towels, bottles with chemicals
  • 1 x Storage box large for canisters
  • 2 x Storage box small for extencions and brushes
  • 1 x 2G fuel tank for Diesel
  • 1 x 1G fuel tank for Gasoline

8. Auto Detailing Materials: Cleaning and Protection Essentials

If you are a new detailing business and do not know what chemical to get car guys is a trusted shop that sells chemicals for fair prices. They have a selection of soaps, sealants and waxes as well as refills.

The car industry is full of new technology for the best and essential supplies, with many different types of accessories depending on your approach. One thing to not forget is no matter how expensive the chemical supplies you are buying are, make sure the dirt will come off with its use.

detailing cleaning chemicals

8.1 Fortador detail chemicals set

If you are looking to get a steam cleaner as well, Fortador has an online shop with their own line of chemicals and tools like brushes for your car detailing needs. The kit includes:

full set of detailing chemicals

You can shop for all those supplies online or using our shop app. for IPhone or Android

minivan for auto detailing with wrapping

Commonly asked questions

What do professionals use to detail a car?

A: Pro Detailers use a lot of tools to clean a car, download this full list

How long does it take to detail a car?

A: For exterior detail 30-45 minutes, including wash, clay bar and wax. for interior 45-60 minutes without stains removal and up to 3 hours for deep interior cleaning

What tools are needed to detail the inside of a car?

A: You will need vacuum, brushes, steam cleaner and ozone generator to detail car interior

What tools do detailers use?

A:  Detailers use a lot of tools to clean a car, download this fulllist

About the Authors

Darren Priest
Proud owner of AutoFetishDetail, where the emphasis lies in the finer points. Passionate about instructing, guiding, and providing expert consultation for all things related to meticulous detailing.
Sabrina Tretyakova
In the world of cleanliness and hygiene, Sabrina Tretyakova stands as a beacon of expertise and dedication. As an ISSA-certified cleaning technician, Sabrina brings a wealth of knowledge and three years of unwavering commitment to her profession. Having served a staggering 1,200 clients

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