Car Detailing Equipment:
Darren's list of "Must Haves"
Endless Opinions. Endless Voices. Sound Familiar?
When it comes to car detailing equipment, everyone’s got an opinion — and most of them are loud.
One guy swears you need a $600 polisher. Another says you can’t live without a $2,000 carpet extraction system. And somewhere in the middle, you’re left wondering if you even need half this stuff to get started.
Welcome to the world of auto detailing — where passion meets paralysis by analysis.
The Truth About Detailing Equipment
I see it all day long: guys chasing the next big tool, convinced they need to “go level 10” right out of the gate.
But here’s the truth — you don’t.
I’m not a fan of what I call the herd mentality. Marketing has trained us to believe that bigger is better and more is always best. So we follow along like good little sheep, filling our garages with equipment we’ll barely use.
But detailing doesn’t reward excess — it rewards understanding.
You don’t need a warehouse of gear to make your car shine. What you need is the right car detailing equipment — chosen with purpose and backed by experience.
My Philosophy: Give more, get more
In business and in life, I live by one simple rule:
“The more I give, the more I get.”
Most people do the opposite — grab as much as they can before someone else does.
But here’s how I see it: if I overdeliver — for my customers, my readers, my viewers — everyone wins.
So when I share my recommendations for detailing equipment, it’s not about pushing high-ticket items or following trends. It’s about helping you win — whether you’re detailing your personal ride or starting your own side hustle.
What I’ve Learned Over the Years
After decades in the professional detailing world, I’ve noticed a few universal truths:
- Most beginners have more passion than money.
- We all fear the unknown — especially when we don’t know what “good” looks like yet.
- And most of us are juggling real life: rent, car payments, jobs we don’t love, and time that never feels like enough.
That’s exactly why my goal is simple:
To help you avoid the expensive mistakes and find gear that gives you the most results for the least investment.
Because in detailing — just like in business — you can be busy, you can be profitable, or you can be both.
I want to help you be both.
Keep It Simple, Shine Smarter
“Detailing is not easy — but I can show you a simpler way.”
Below you’ll find my handpicked list of car detailing equipment — the same tools I rely on in my professional business.
These aren’t random Amazon gadgets or influencer trends. They’re proven, reliable tools designed to make you better, faster, and more profitable — whether you’re detailing your first car or your hundredth.
Ready to Stop Chasing Opinions and Start Seeing Results?
Take a look at the detailing equipment I recommend below.
Every item has been chosen from experience — not hype — and each one will move you closer to the results —and the satisfaction— that made you fall in love with your car in the first place.
Professional Car Detailing Equipment
Upholstery Steam Cleaner:
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- Learn to ask the right questions before you buy
- Answers to questions you didn't know to ask
Upholstery Steam Cleaner:
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- My VX5000 steam cleaner
- One machine. So many uses
Car Steam Cleaner
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- Learn the difference between a steamer, carpet cleaner, and a pressure washer
- Help in deciding which machine is best for you
Car Engine Steam Cleaner
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- See what home steam cleaner can be used to steam clean a car engine
- See why Darren thinks a steamer is the wworst way to clean a car engine
- See if the steamer fits into your arsenal of car detailing equipment
Interior Detailing Brushes:
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car detailing brushes- My list of essential detailing/dusting brushes.
- No one single brush will be enough.
- Find the winning balance between soft and firm.
Husky Bucket Jockey:
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- My complete interior detailing kit.
- Compartments to fit and organize all my cleaners, tools, and accessories for complete efficiency and effectiveness.
Garden Pump Sprayer:
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- One of my "tricks" of efficiency.
- One of my must have's that promises to make your life easier.
Ridgid Detailing Vacuum:
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- The actual vacuum I use professionally.
- Going level 10 with a vacuum just isn't necessary.
- Will deliver years and years of dependable service.
- A definite must for your car detailing equipment arsenal.
Detailing Water Hoses:
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Many of you know through my YouTube channel that I don't operate my mobile auto detailing business like most others. In the name of keeping things simple, practicable, and profitable, I don't carry a huge water tank and pressure washer. So having reliable, professional grade water hoses that are both user friendly and reliable is critical to efficiency and profitability.
You might think I am over-dramatizing the moment, but think again as experience has taught me the hard way of buying cheaply made hoses, or the battle you can have with a single 100' hose to wrestle with everytime you go to work. For these reasons I carry both the hoses pictured above.
Rolling Creeper
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- Your back and knees will thank you.
- You will thank you.
- You will thank me.
- A seriously well built tool.
- Not just a sit down creeper, but you can raise up onto your knees and still remain low to the ground.
- A definite must for your car detailing equipment arsenal.
Auto Detailing Cart:
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- Actual cart I use professionally.
- Heavy duty construction.
- Wish I had gotten one of these decades ago!
- One further step to becoming more efficient and therefore more profitable.
Car Polisher:
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- Trusted equipment from a trusted name in car care.
- Will and can be the last buffer you will ever need.
- Can perform to the top 93% of car polishing enhancement or paint correction.
- As safe as safe can get.
Pad Washer:
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- A must have if you plan on doing professional detailing.
- If you are a driveway detailer; great if you have the money, but not an absolute requirement.
- You just can't beat clean polishing pads during the actual car polishing process; this is the professional way!
- Will extend the life of your polishing pads dramatically.
Detailing Air Blower:
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- Cheap air at your command; electricity and extension cord is all you need.
- I still use one professionally.
- Forget about the bulky air compressor and hoses.
- So many uses to help you become more profitable by keeping it simple and efficient.
- A definite need for your car detailing equipment arsenal.
(use this link to take you there)
- The 9th wonder of the world!
- Take your cleaning efforts to a whole new level of performance and results!
- A must have for anyone who is dedicated to delivering true professional level results.
- Not for anyone on a tight budget.
Pet Hair Removal Brush
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- The choice of professionals.
- There is no magic answer; but this is a close second.
- A definite need for your car detailing equipment arsenal.
3M Eraser Tool
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- The professional way for removing decals, vinyl graphics.
- Ideal for removing double sided tape when debadging your car.
- Completely safe for mast any surface.
- Attaches to any traditional drill motor.
NOCO Portable Battery Jumper
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- It's all about being prepared.
- Don't get caught with a dead battery in your customers car.
- As versatile as it comes.
- Jump start a car battery.
- Power/charge your personal devices.
- Handy LED flashlight also.
- Part of my detail emergency kit.
Pay it Forward:
Best Car Detailing Equipment
Final Thoughts: Build the Life You Want, One Detail at a Time
My ultimate goal isn’t just to help you pick the right car detailing equipment — it’s to help you build a skillset and a mindset that can change your life.
Whether you’re doing this as a passion project, a side hustle, or a full-blown business, the same rule applies: keep it simple, stay consistent, and focus on delivering real value.
If the recommendations on this site help you take that next step — whether it’s detailing your own car with pride or launching your own detailing career — then I’ve done my job.
You can help me pay it forward by sharing this page with another car enthusiast, a forum, or your favorite social media group.
As I always say:
“Help, and be helped.”
And if you haven’t already, be sure to check out my YouTube channel — linked at both the top and bottom of every page — for step-by-step tutorials, product reviews, and real-world detailing advice straight from my garage to yours.
Sincerely,
Darren Priest
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Thank you for your support of my website. I spend massive amounts of time bringing you my best car care tips that I bring from my 30+ years of experience as a professional detailer.
Sincerely,
Any time you use one of the Amazon links on this website and make a purchase, I earn a small commission (very small). This does not change the price you pay at Amazon, it simply means I earn a commission.
I hope you come back whenever you have any additional questions!