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 equipments 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.

1. How to choose the right car detailing equipments

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. What professional equipment do auto detailers use?

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 (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. Why professional auto detailing equipment is needed

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’s interior car care

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.

4.1 Fortador PRO Max auto detailing equipment steam cleaner with vacuum

Professional detailers all over the world have been using this machine and expanding their line of work. The 2022 Diesel Hybrid Multi Purpose Steam Vacuum Cleaner Fortador PRO Max/PRO Max Deluxe is powered by an efficient Lamborghini 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.

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 Price of a professional car interior steam detail

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. Best auto detailing equipment for the exterior cleaning

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.

5.1 Fortador PRO car detailing equipment steam cleaner

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 Price of a professional car exterior detailing

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.

5.3 Engine bay detail pricing

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. Full list of tools and supplies for a professional 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 Supplies

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.

7. Essential supplies to equip a Van or Trailer for a mobile detailing or car washing business

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

7.1 Main Equipment

• 1 x Fortador PRO Max (Fortador PRO alternative without extraction)
• 1 x Slider for steamer with ramp (no need for trailer)
• 1 x Industrial Ozone generator for odor removal
• 1 x Rigid Wet/Dry Vacuum with detailing kit (for prelimenary vacuuming)

7.2 Powersource for mobile detailing

• 1 x Powerbank 3000W or Honda generator EU2200i with oil
• 2 x Power cord extension 25 ft
• 1 x Power cord splitter

7.3 Water tank, Spray bottles for chemicals

• 1 x Water Tank 26 gal with water pump to refill steamer and washing
• 3 x Bucket 5G for Rinse, Wash and Wheels
• 1 x Set of IK Sprayers
• 6 x Fortador 32 oz spray bottles

7.4 Microfiber towels, brushes and applicators

• 100 x Multi-purpose Microfiber towel
• 3 x Premium Microfiber Towel
• 1 x Wheels woolies
• 1 x Set of brushes for interior and exterior cleaning
• 1 x Tire Shine applicator handle and applicators

7.5 Personal protection, Storage and organizing

• 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 chemicals for cleaning and protection

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.

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:

• Fortador Blue Magic Wash for clay lubing and exterior washing
• Fortador Green Magic Hand Wash and Wax for maintenance wash and protection
• Fortador Yellow Interior Cleaner for interior cleaning
• Fortador Heavy Degreaser for Engine and Wheels
• Fortador White Nano Wax for paint protection
• Fortador 50 to 1 Glass Cleaner
• Fortador LeatherVinylTrim Protectant for interior surfaces
• Fortador Paint Cleaner for paint prepping prior coating
• Fortador Tire Gel for rims and plastic
• 12 x Microfiber Towel 16″X16″ Black /Orange
• 6 x Heavy Spray Bottle 32 oz with Trigger
• 2 x Fortador Diesel Filter 60 micron
• Fortador Baseball Cap
• Fortador Face Mask

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

Commonly asked questions

Q: What do professionals use to detail a car?

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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: What tools do detailers use?

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