Detailing Brush Cleaning Tips

At Auto Finesse, we believe detailing is truly an art form. And just like any artist, a true enthusiast needs the right tools. That’s why we’ve developed a range of advanced brushes designed for upholstery, interior details, and even wheel barrels. But on a more basic level, simply having a good brush can make a huge difference in your cleaning routine. That’s why our Set of 3 Detailing Brushes remains one of our most popular products—they offer various sizes, allowing you to tailor each brush for specific areas of your vehicle.

The reality is, brushes are essential tools. They reach areas that other detailing products simply can't, and are key for mastering those professional-level techniques that often go overlooked. When it comes to using brushes, there are just two rules: pair them with the right product for the task, and, of course, make sure you have a solid collection of them! Our Detailing Brushes are incredibly versatile, but here are six of the best professional tips and tricks to help you achieve perfection with just a few strokes.

Fuel Caps & Flaps

What's the first thing a skilled detailer does before starting any wash? They open the fuel flap. It may seem like a small detail, but it's one many overlook. Inside the flap and around the fuel cap is a major dirt trap—one that becomes especially noticeable when rinsing with a pressure washer. As clean water dislodges grit, grime, and fuel residues, it often ends up sliding down your freshly washed paintwork. Fortunately, the fix is simple: our scratch-free, pure bristle Detailing Brushes are safe for painted surfaces. When paired with a suitable cleaning solution like Citrus Power or Verso All Purpose Cleaner, these brushes gently lift away dirt with minimal effort.

Door Shuts & Sills

Cleaning the dirt and debris trapped inside door shuts and sills is a task most people tackle during both decontamination and maintenance washes. However, many forget to clean the inside of the actual doors themselves. Our Detailing Brushes, paired with Verso All Purpose Cleaner, are ideal for these areas and become especially essential during a full detail. This combination ensures a thorough, comprehensive clean.

Weather Strips

Thoroughly cleaning weather strips and window mouldings is not only about achieving a pristine appearance but also about preserving the rubber and preventing common scratches on the window glass. Over time, rubber weather strips can degrade, compromising the seal between the door and glass while collecting harsh grit and road grime. By properly maintaining them with a brush to agitate and remove contaminants during the wash stage, you help prolong the life of the rubber and reduce the risk of scratching the exterior glass when windows are opened or closed. This process can be done before the pre-wash with Verso All Purpose Cleaner during a full decontamination wash or by gently "brushing in" Avalanche Snow Foam during regular maintenance washes.

Engine Bays

Even the dirtiest engine bays, particularly the tight spots around shuts, slam panels, headlights, and the underside of the bonnet, can be restored with just a detailing brush and a good spray of our high-foaming Eradicate Engine Degreaser. The key to unlocking the full cleaning power of this solution in these hard-to-reach areas is agitation. Using a dedicated detailing brush is the most effective method for tackling stubborn grease and baked-on grime.

Interior

We all know that when used dry, bristles are perfect for dusting hard-to-reach areas like buttons, heater vents, and steering columns. However, it's important to remember that daily-driven vehicles can be just as dirty on the inside as they are on the outside, even if it’s not immediately noticeable. Plastics and trim often collect dead skin, natural oils, bacteria, viruses, and even makeup, along with general grime. To effectively remove these contaminants, a thorough deep clean is necessary. By spraying a product like our Wipe Out Interior Disinfectant or Total Interior Cleaner directly onto your brush, you can easily lift dirt off surfaces and wipe it away with a clean Work Cloth. This ensures that your interior is not only clean but also safe and hygienic.

Brake Calipers & Wheel Faces

Our Barrel Brush, paired with a bucket of Revolution Wheel Soap, is the most effective way to deeply clean the inside of your alloy wheels, removing harmful brake dust and road grime. However, for more intricate areas around centre caps, wheel nuts, and brake calipers, a smaller detailing brush loaded with Revolution Wheel Soap or Imperial Wheel Cleaner makes the job easier. This allows you to work the product into those hard-to-reach crevices, where grime tends to build up and can eventually damage your wheel finish.