From the moment a pollen-heavy breeze shakes the branches of the tree we try our very best not to park under, our instinct tells us to whizz over to the carwash.
Rather than risk letting natural materials slowly erode the perfect paint job on our precious cars, we’d rather spend our hard-earned cash on an automated car detailing machine at the local garage in order to leave our windscreens and wheels gleaming. But those car wash bills tend to rack up, especially for those with cars parked on leafy suburban streets – leading us to believe that there simply must be a better way.
Investing in an at-home car wash kit allows vehicle owners to remove dirt and muck without spending a small fortune every few months, but how exactly should they be used? We spoke to Jamie Louram, Car Cleaning, Oil & Winter Buyer at Halfords for some expert advice on car detailing.
What is car detailing?
“Car detailing is a thorough cleaning and reconditioning of both the interior and exterior of a vehicle. Unlike a basic car wash, detailing involves meticulous attention to detail, focusing on every nook and cranny of the car to restore its appearance to near-showroom condition,” Louram explains. “This process includes washing, waxing, polishing, and applying protective treatments to the car’s surfaces, as well as cleaning the interior components, such as seats, carpets and trims.”
How often should car owners fully detail their vehicles?
“The frequency of car detailing depends on various factors, including how often you drive, where you park, and the local climate,” says the car cleaning expert. “Generally, it’s recommended to fully detail your vehicle every 4-6 months. However, if you drive in harsh conditions or park outside frequently, more regular detailing might be necessary to maintain the car’s appearance and protect its surfaces.”
What are the most important products to have in a car detailing kit?
According to Louram, “A well-rounded car detailing kit should include the following essential products:
- Wheel Cleaner: A high-quality wheel cleaner like the Halfords Advanced Reactive Wheel Cleaner helps remove grime and brake dust from your wheels.
- Pre-Wash: A snow foam, such as Halfords Advanced Snow Foam, to pre-clean the car and reduce the risk of scratches during the wash.
- Shampoo: A pH-neutral car shampoo like the Halfords Advanced High-Performance Shampoo for the contact wash.
- Ceramic Sealant: For providing a protective layer on your paintwork.
- Quick Detailer: To keep the paint looking freshly washed.
- Tyre & Trim Gel: For restoring the appearance of tyres and exterior trims.
- Interior Cleaner: For cleaning and protecting interior surfaces.
- Upholstery Cleaner: For removing stains and odours from fabrics.
- Glass Cleaner: For streak-free windows and mirrors.”
What are your top tips for proper car detailing at home?
- “Start with the wheels: Always begin with cleaning your wheels, as they usually have the most dirt and grime. The Halfords Advanced Reactive Wheel Cleaner is an excellent choice for this step, especially with its colour-changing technology that indicates when the dirt is fully dissolved.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Detailing your car in direct sunlight can cause products to dry too quickly, leaving water spots and streaks. Choose a shaded area or detail during cooler parts of the day.
- Protect the paintwork: After washing, apply a ceramic sealant like Halfords Advanced Ceramic Foam Sealant. It not only enhances the car's shine but also provides a durable protective layer that lasts for months.
- Don’t forget the interior: A clean interior is just as important as a gleaming exterior. Use the Halfords Advanced Interior Quick Detailer for plastics and the Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner for fabrics to keep the inside of your car fresh and clean.”
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best car detailing kits below.
Scotts Ultimate V6 Car Cleaning Kit
We’ve yet to come across a car detailing kit with as expansive an offering as this one from Scotts. The complete interior and exterior cleaning must-have even includes a leather cleaner, cockpit spray and a fantastic de-icer for when the mercury begins to drop below zero.
Whether you’re a first-time car owner or a seasoned vehicular veteran, it makes for a brilliant boot companion for all weather conditions, terrains and adventures – especially since it comes with a first aid kit.
Buy now £69.99, Amazon
Gtechniq Essential Maintenance Kit
The Essential Maintenance Kit by Gtechniq does exactly what it says on the tin. Crafted to keep your car looking showroom-new, Gtechniq was founded in 2001 by a quantum physicist and is the market leader in cleaning solutions which use nanotechnology. Not too bad for a sub-£100 car detailing kit.
The set includes Gwash (500ml), Quick Detailer (500ml), G6 Perfect Glass (500ml), W6 Iron and General Fallout Remover (250ml), T2 Tyre Dressing (250ml), W8v2 Bug Remover (250ml), two premium MF1 ZeroR Microfibre Buff Cloths and a MF2 Zero Scratch Microfibre Drying Towel.
Buy now £85.00, Amazon
Halfords Car Cleaning Bucket Bundle
Unobtrusive, uncomplicated and highly effective, we’re big fans of Halford’s own value-for-money car cleaning bundle. Priced at just £25, this do-it-all collection includes a brilliant colour-changing wheel cleaner, interior and exterior glass cleaner, car shampoo, an interior cleaner with added anti-bac, a medium chamois, wash mitt, heavy-duty bucket and an alloy cleaning brush. Rather than spending a small fortune on a kit that only promises to clean the outside, this is a brilliant and versatile option for those with less high-maintenance vehicles.
Buy now £25.00, Halfords
CarPlan Demon Gift Pack
Likely a staple at your local car wash, CarPlan’s Demon cleaning range is a tried-and-true favourite. The expansive set is perfect for those new to the world of car detailing thanks to the easy-to-use, colour-coded products and versatile included accessories. Each of the seven cleaning products is housed in an impressive one-litre bottle, making this kit a budget-friendly investment in car maintenance.
Buy now £26.47, Amazon
Car Gods Ultimum Perfectum Detailing Kit
Beloved by luxury car owners up and down the country, the Car Gods Ultimum Perfectum Detailing Kit is a sure-fire investment in maintaining your vehicle’s bodywork no matter the season. The set includes eight of the brand’s most popular detailing products and covers your entire car detailing journey, from shampooing and waxing to polishing. Not only are the products designed to protect your paintwork, but they also enhance it.
Buy now £74.90, Amazon
DetailedOnline Car Valeting Pack Interior Exterior Detailing Kit
For a full interior and exterior valeting kit, look no further than DetailedOnline’s brilliant bucket. The set includes everything from iron fallout remover to a high-quality PTFE hybrid glaze. We’re also big fans of the fact that it all comes packed in a durable wash bucket, perfect for diluting the included shampoo to ensure the product can truly go the distance.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Autoglym Deluxe Exterior Collection
A luxurious kit complete with everything you could possibly need to detail the exterior of your car at home, Autoglym’s deluxe collection includes seven different premium products, three cleaning accessories and a handy carry case. Designed to add months’ worth of protection to your bodywork no matter the weather, key products include the cult-favourite Autoglym Magma wheel cleaner, Rapid Ceramic Spray, Super Resin Polish, Instant Tyre Dressing and so much more.
Buy now £84.99, Halfords
CarPro Cleaning Kit
The Aesop of the car detailing world, CarPro’s latest car cleaning kit is as aesthetically pleasing as it is effective. This collaboration with Slim’s is housed in a brilliant, embroidered bag which will fit perfectly in your car boot. It’s capable of holding up to six different 500ml bottles safely and securely with no spillages, and has two spacious pockets to house your favourite bottles, waxes, and cloths. Our favourite product is the EliXir High Gloss Quick Detailer for speedy touch-ups on the go.
Buy now £79.95, Slim's
Verdict
With such a vast selection of car detailing products offered at such an astoundingly good value price, our top pick goes to Scotts. CarPlan’s Demon Clean comes in at a close second, given it’s the brand that the vast majority of local car washes tend to use. If you’re not willing to spend an arm and a leg on aesthetic maintenance, we highly recommend Halford’s own-brand bundle.
