Kit Bag Essentials To Jumpstart Your Detailing Journey

The Essential Products For Any Level Of Detailing Experience

When it comes to creating the ultimate detailing kit, we’ve got you covered with everything your car could possibly need. From cleaning and correction to finishing, we stock the very best products for every step of the process. But if you're new to detailing, what should you have in your Auto Finesse Detailer's Kit Bag or Crew Bag? What essentials should you start with on your journey toward detailing excellence?

We’re here to help. We've handpicked eight of our most popular products that are perfect for beginners, yet also a staple for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Whether you're building your kit from scratch or simply ensuring you're packed with the essentials, this collection of all-time favorite products will get you off to the right start this season.

Imperial - Wheel Cleaner

Every experienced detailer will tell you that cleaning your wheels and tyres should always be the first step. Since they’re the only parts of the car that actually make contact with the road, they tend to accumulate the most dirt and grime. The key is to avoid transferring this heavy grit to the rest of the bodywork—especially after you've already cleaned it!

Alloy wheels, in particular, require strong chemical cleaners to remove the tough contaminants that typically build up. Take brake dust, for example: it's composed of metal shards and ceramic materials that become airborne, heat up, and then stick to the surface, often embedding themselves into the wheel. To dissolve and lift these contaminants, you need a more powerful cleaner than car shampoo can provide. However, it's crucial to choose a product that’s safe and gentle, as most alloys are either painted or powder-coated, and harsh industrial chemicals can cause lasting damage.

Imperial Wheel Cleaner is a highly effective, acid-free formula that’s safe for all common wheel finishes. Simply spray it generously onto your wheels, and watch as it breaks down and lifts away contaminants. Once the cleaner has done its job, just rinse away the debris. For heavily soiled wheels or more intricate designs, you can use a Barrel Brush to agitate the cleaner in tough-to-reach spots and follow up with a Detailing Brush or dedicated wash mitt to clean the faces of the wheels.

Citrus Power - Bug & Grime Remover

To avoid light scratches and swirl marks during the wash, performing a thorough pre-wash is crucial, especially during autumn, winter, and spring when road salt, grit, and other harmful contaminants are more prevalent.

The purpose of a pre-wash is simple: clean your vehicle before physically touching it. This helps remove the toughest contaminants, preventing them from being dragged across the surface during the contact wash and potentially causing damage.

At a minimum, always rinse your vehicle from top to bottom with a pressure washer. However, the most effective method for removing grime is to use a dedicated pre-wash cleaner that breaks down the dirt, allowing it to be rinsed off without coming into contact with the paintwork.

Our Citrus Power Bug & Grime Remover is safe for all exterior surfaces and quickly dissolves dirt with a single application. It's gentle enough for regular pre-washes and safe for vehicles with waxes or sealants, ensuring that your protection remains intact.

Lather - Car Shampoo

Achieving a swirl-free wash is simpler than you might think, especially when you know the right approach. The key is selecting the right cleaning product, as your shampoo needs to serve as both a cleaner and a lubricant to minimize the risk of swirls. Our citrus-infused Lather Car Shampoo does exactly that. It breaks down and lifts grime while also lubricating larger particles, allowing them to slide off the paintwork instead of causing damage.

Lather is a powerful, concentrated cleaner that doesn’t contain any waxes or gloss enhancers, meaning it won’t interfere with other stages of your detailing process. It's also pH neutral, so it won’t strip away any protective layers you've applied, making it ideal for every wash.

For an even swirl-free wash, we recommend using the two-bucket method: one for your diluted Lather Car Shampoo solution, and the other for plain water to rinse your mitt before dipping it back into the soapy water. Always start at the top of your vehicle, wash in straight lines, and clean the less dirty areas first. This prevents transferring grime from the dirtier sections to the cleaner ones.

Aqua Deluxe - Drying Towel

We can't stress this enough – always, always dry your car after each detail. The reason? Tap water, commonly used with pressure washers, contains minerals that leave deposits if allowed to air-dry. This issue worsens in hard water areas.

The good news is that our Aqua Deluxe Drying Towel (and the larger Aqua Deluxe XL Drying Towel) is the perfect solution. Designed to quickly dry your vehicle without leaving scratches or swirls, these towels are made from ultra-soft, deep-pile 1200gsm microfibre. Their superior absorbency allows them to soak up moisture directly from the surface, avoiding the risk of pushing water around and causing defects that could require additional correction later.

Tripple - All-In-One Polish

When it comes to deep-cleaning, enhancing, and protecting your paintwork, Tripple All-in-One Polish is unbeatable. Designed to tackle all three tasks in one simple application, it provides the ultimate one-step solution for stunning results on any color in no time.

Tripple can be applied by hand or machine and features special diminishing abrasives that effectively clean the paint, removing light defects and oxidation. Packed with swirl-filling glazes, it’s also enriched with Carnauba wax, leaving behind enhanced paintwork and a protective layer that lasts for over a month. Perfect as a standalone finishing product or as an ideal base for additional wax protection, Tripple delivers outstanding results every time.

Radiance - Carnauba Crème

Protecting your paintwork is one of the most crucial aspects of detailing—after all, how can you preserve all your hard work once you've polished your car to perfection? A solid layer of protection not only shields your finish but also defends against the elements, preventing premature corrosion and paint oxidation. And let's not forget the enhancement it adds to your vehicle's overall appearance.

While there’s plenty of debate in the detailing world about which products offer the best shine, durability, and protection—whether waxes, paint sealants, or ceramic coatings—one thing remains timeless: the luxurious shine of a wax. A perfect starting point is our Radiance Carnauba Crème. This non-abrasive formula delivers the deep, glossy finish characteristic of Carnauba-based hard waxes, but in a convenient and easy-to-use cream form.

Designed for effortless application and removal, Radiance can be topped up with each maintenance detail and provides up to 3 months of durability.

Crystal - Glass Cleaner

Never underestimate the importance of a high-quality glass cleaner, as nothing detracts from an otherwise flawless detail like streaky, smeared glass. It’s a common mistake that can easily be avoided, and Crystal Glass Cleaner is here to make this step easier than ever.

This potent, concentrated formula uses distilled solvents to quickly break down grime, fingerprints, and greasy residues, allowing them to be effortlessly wiped away. Crystal guarantees a crystal-clear finish on both exterior and interior glass surfaces, making it an essential final step in any detail. It's also incredibly useful between washes, helping to remove light soiling and ensuring optimal visibility at all times.

Finale - Quick Detailer

Whether you’re wiping away smears and fingerprints, using it as a drying aid to eliminate lingering moisture after a wash, or giving your vehicle a quick touch-up to remove watermarks, light dust, or leftover compound, polish, and wax residue, Finale Quick Detailer is the ultimate multitasking solution. It’s a must-have addition to your detailing kit.

This non-streaking, water-based formula is safe for use on all surfaces, including paint, glass, plastics, and brightwork. Plus, its delightful maraschino cherry scent adds a touch of enjoyment to the final stages of your detailing process.

Infused with carnauba, Finale not only perfects and enhances your finish but also provides an impeccable protective layer—all with a simple spritz and wipe.