Mobile Detailing Equipment List: What to Buy First and What Can Wait

The biggest difference between a mobile detailer and a weekend car washer is the setup. You need to bring water, power and the right products to every job. Here is what most detailers start with, and what can wait until the bookings are steady.

Water and power

• Water tank (often 50 to 100 gallons) secured in your vehicle, or a hose reel if you will always use the customer’s spigot
• Electric pressure washer for rinsing. You do not need extreme pressure for cars, and too much can damage paint.
• Quiet generator or power station, unless every job has an outlet
• Hose reels and extension cords long enough to reach around a vehicle

Some cities restrict runoff from car washing into storm drains. Check your local rules. Waterless and rinseless wash products are a common way around both water access and runoff problems.

Interior equipment

• Shop vacuum or a strong portable vacuum with crevice tools
• Carpet and upholstery extractor for shampooing seats and floors
• Detailing brushes for vents, seams and cupholders
• Steam cleaner, useful but optional at first
• Air compressor or blower for blowing out tight spaces

Exterior supplies

• Foam cannon and pH-neutral car shampoo
• Two buckets with grit guards
• Wash mitts and wheel brushes
• Wheel and tire cleaner, tire dressing
• Clay bar or clay mitt
• Spray wax or sealant
• Plenty of microfiber towels, sorted by job

Interior chemicals

• All-purpose interior cleaner
• Upholstery and carpet shampoo
• Leather cleaner and conditioner
• Glass cleaner safe for tint
• Odor eliminator

Upgrades for later

A dual-action polisher, paint correction pads and compounds, and ceramic coatings open up the highest-priced services. They also take practice. Most detailers add them once basic details are booking regularly, after practicing on their own cars.

Organize your vehicle

Shelving, bins and labeled bottles make setup and teardown fast. Ten minutes saved on every job adds up to an extra job a week.

Get the booking site with the starter kit

Our mobile car detailing starter kit includes a package pricing page, booking with address and vehicle type, a before-and-after gallery and a review request flow. See our guide to mobile car detailing prices, then vote for the detailing kit. Voters get 20% off at launch.