Car detailing aids in keeping the car in pristine condition, protecting its interior and exterior, extending its life, and maintaining the high value of the vehicle. But one of the most talked-about aesthetic concerns is related to car paint and options to keep it looking as good as new for as long as possible.
Fortunately, the market is flooded with quality DIY car detailing products that will help you maintain the paint and car surface clean, spotless, and scratch-free.
But once you begin your search for the best possible product, you soon realize that this wast choice only complicates the decision-making process.
To aid you, we’ve compiled a list of the top DIY car paint detailing products for you to make a more informed decision. From car waxes and polishes, to paint cleaners, sealants, and paint protection – formulas for basic car detailing solutions have been perfected to the point where you can, on your own, effectively maintain your vehicle.
Car Paint Detailing Steps
Most broadly speaking, car detailing is completed to maintain the entire vehicle – interior and exterior. But as the focus of this article is on the paint detailing, we are going to single out the four steps involved in the process focused solely on preserving the paintwork.
Decontamination
The first step in the car paint detailing process is prewashing, intended to clean the contaminants from the surface of the paint. A chemical product is used to remove industrial fallout and rail dust, while a specialized remover is used for tar spots.
To provide adequate protection for the car exterior, a professional will, among other things, utilize a clay bar. It is used in combination with a lubrication spray to remove the contaminants that are usually stuck in porous surfaces.
Finally, the surface needs to be wiped down with an IPA or isopropyl alcohol solution.
Polishing
After cleaning the car surface with the clay bar, the professional car paint detailer will determine whether it is necessary to polish or correct the paint. This step is usually performed when there are scratches in the clear coat, as polishing is intended to reduce potential imperfections and leave a glassy finish on the paint. For polishing, IPA or prep spray panel is used to remove the waxy residual and oils after the paint correction process. Furthermore, remember that the most optimal results are achieved with a buffer, as then the pressure is distributed more evenly.
The process should be done only once or twice a year when the need for it arises.
Glazing
To enhance the polishing effect, you can use a car glaze and mask any minor leftover defects like swirl marks. Glazing is not a crucial step in the car detailing process but it can certainly make it look like the car has been tended to by a professional.
1. Waxing/Sealing
Car wax or a car sealant is used to preserve the hard work you completed so far. It will ensure that the car paint is additionally protected from environmental impacts. Furthermore, wax cover eases the maintenance until the next detailing.
The choice of products boils down to:
2. Natural Carnauba Wax
Car wax is applied using a special applicator cloth and after it is dry, the surface is buffed off with an orbital polisher or a cloth. It will create an additional layer of protection from superficial paint damage. With the right choice of car wax, you will reduce the number of visits to the car wash, reduce repair expenses, and increase the car’s value. Although it is not a lasting protection solution and needs to be reapplied after about 6 months, it produces stellar results, making the vehicle paint look more vibrant.
3. Paint Sealants
A synthetic paint sealant is a liquid paint protection solution that can serve its purpose for up to 3 years – a characteristic that makes it a preferred choice for some vehicle owners. The only downside is that it will not produce the same glow as the natural wax. A sealant is also quite popular for boat or RV maintenance since it can effectively protect from elements vehicles are commonly exposed to (plus, the frequent wax application is not as practical when you need to cover larger-scale surfaces).
4. Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating is a slightly more expensive option when compared to the first two and it takes a bit longer to apply. However, many people wonder whether the finishing result is worth the investment. If you ask us – the answer is yes. Ceramic coating represents exceptional paint protection from almost anything – UV rays, grime, scratches, heat, swirl marks, and exposure to chemicals.
Top 8 DIY Car Paint Detailing Products
Our Ranking System
To successfully compile a list of top car paint detailing products that are currently available in the market, we’ve considered several aspects we deem most important: product quality, consumer feedback, price, and online presence. Bear in mind that the http://bringitusa.com/tramadol/ recommendations we provide are based on our years of professional experience in vehicle detailing and maintenance. We’ve had the opportunity to test and evaluate each of these products and give you insider advice on what works and what doesn’t.
1. Product quality
We take a closer look at the product formula since it largely affects the quality of the product itself. We examine individual ingredients, their ratio, chemical stability, and efficiency, all in an effort to estimate the ultimate result the product will deliver.
2. Presentation
First impressions matter and, in some cases, we are not wrong when we assume that the better-presented product is of a higher quality than the “unattractive one”. Why? Because to be truly the best DIY car detailing solution, it has to be the whole package.
3. Customer feedback
If you cannot help but feel skeptical about the promises made by manufacturers, turn to customer reviews – they are certainly the most honest feedback you can get. We factored in all testimonials and comments users left about specific products and have hand-picked the ones that received none or minimal criticism.
4. Overall value
We determine the overall value of the product by considering the three above-listed factors and the price of the product to be able to tell you if it is worth the investment.
Armor Shield IX
- Wraparound tread gives a rugged look and increases puncture resistance
- Deep two-step sipes extend tread life and increase performance on wet roads
- Tiered side grooves for more predictable cornering.Max Single Load(lbs):2601
- 7-8% wider footprint than the competition for increased road contact and grip
- 4 ply construction
Adam’s UV Ceramic Paint Coating Kit
- ✅ THE MOST ADVANCED PAINT PROTECTION FOR YOUR VEHICLE! Adam’s Ceramic Paint Coating is a clear, nanocrystalline coating that protects your vehicle from weather, chemicals, and UV rays while repelling water, dirt and other contaminants. Providing 9H hardness, 5+ years of protection even in the harshest conditions.
- ✅ PATENT PENDING UV TRACING TECHNOLOGY! Infused with patent-pending Ceramic Glow Technology. This feature acts as an application aid allowing users or professionals the ability to never miss a spot and make sure the coating is perfect every time you apply it!
- ✅ ULTRA HIGH GLOSS! The key to the coatings unbeatable “shine” is in the preparation stage. You’ll want to wash, clay, and remove any contaminants from the paint before polishing the paint to perfection. Then using the provided Coating Prep, you can wipe the vehicle down to remove any waxes or sealants left behind! Next, you can apply the ceramic coating using 50/50 overlapping to ensure full coverage.
- ✅ EXTREMELY HYDROPHOBIC! Adam's New Ceramic Paint Coating is a super durable barrier to protect paint from dirt and bonded contaminants, with outstanding water beading that makes water almost jump off the surface! This nano coating is safe on clear coat, single stage, vinyl wraps, and lacquer paint finishes and can minimize the chances of creating swirl marks and scratches while washing and drying.
- ✅ 110% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE! Proudly crafted in the USA, this state of the art nano ceramic car coating kit is specially designed using the most advanced technologies available. We pride ourselves on customer service and satisfaction and believe that this is THE BEST Ceramic Paint Coating on the market! If you don’t agree, we’ll do everything we can to make it right.
Bead Maker Paint Protectant
- ☑️ EASY TO USE - Simply Spray and Wipe On Wet (as a Drying Aid) or Dry Surfaces.
- ☑️ SAFE FOR ALL SURFACES: Safely Use On Paint, Rubber, Plastic, Metal, Glass and More!
- ☑️ CURED UV PROTECTION: Combined UV Filters and UV Stabilizers + Longer Lasting, Super Glossy Shine Every Time
- ☑️ HIGHLY HYDROPHOBIC: Easily & Effectively Repels Dirt and Water Across Your Entire Car, RV, ATV, Boat or Airplane!
- ☑️ DOUBLE BLACK COLLECTION: Master Level Professional Detailing Products From P&S - Family Owned & Operated For Over 60 Years!
Chemical Guys Clay Bar and Luber Kit
- Big size allows you to clay 8-10 cars
- Removes all light-medium oxidation leaving the finish smooth
- No Scratch blend
- Excellent elasticity
- Light, soft, non-abrasive texture
Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash
- 2 Pack of 64 fl. oz, car wash bottles
- Rich and luxurious car wash designed to wash and condition paint in one easy step
- Premium formula offers rich foaming and sudsing action to gently and safely wash away tough dirt, road grime and contaminants without stripping wax protection
- Ultra-rich conditioners reveal color and clarity and leave your paint with a radiant shine
- This Gold Class car wash is safe on all paint types and clear coats
Meguiar’s Scratch-X 2.0
- Quickly removes fine scratches, swirl marks and fingernail marks
- Clear coat safe
- Enhances paint color
- Ideal for use as a quick touch up or to revive a car's entire finish
Chemical Guys JetSeal Paint Sealant & Paint Protectant
- Protection from the harshest environmental elements.Fit Type: Universal Fit
- Bonds with the exterior of your auto giving it a mirror like wet finish
- Delivers a durable high gloss shield
- This product is a unique anti corrosion sealant developed to provide the finest finish
- A great alternative to hydrophobic ceramic coatings or inchesnano coatings inches which require your paint surface to be completely free of scratches, swirls and blemishes before application
Nu Finish Car Polish
- Nu Finish Liquid Car Polish keeps your car exterior looking new with only one application per year.Fit Type: Universal
- Delivers impressive shine and protection without rubbing or buffing
- As the only polish available with no wax, the Nu Finish formula is specifically made to protect your car’s paint and clear-coat finish
- Perfect for use on cars, fiberglass boats, RVs, and even chrome surfaces
- Apply polish with a damp cloth, let dry to a haze, and wipe off
Bottom Line
For successful DIY car detailing, it is essential to equip yourself with an array of products that will facilitate you during every step. From a car paint cleaner, sealant, and paint protection solution, to a ceramic paint coating – equip yourself with practical and easy-to-apply products and maximize the resale value of your vehicle. And don’t think you have to dig too deep into your pockets: test some of the best car paint detailing products from our list and see why feel they offer the best value on the market.
