Paint Thickness Gauge Readings: How Much Clear Coat You Have
Paint thickness gauge readings show total paint, not just clear coat. How to estimate the clear, and how thick paint should be to polish or compound.
Car detailing guides
For people who detail their own cars and people starting a detailing business. Written by someone who details cars for a living.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Mobile Detailing Business?
How much does it cost to start a mobile detailing business? About $185 to $295 for a rinseless setup, or $1,900 to $2,500 for a full rig.
Rinseless Wash vs Waterless Wash: What's the Difference?
Rinseless wash vs waterless wash: a rinseless wash uses a bucket of diluted product and no hose. A waterless wash uses no water, just spray and towels.
Can You Use Degreaser on Car Interior? (Degreaser vs APC)
Can you use degreaser on car interior? Almost never. What's in a degreaser vs an APC, the damage it does, and the safer cleaners we use instead.
How to Wash Microfiber Towels the Right Way (5 Simple Steps)
How to wash microfiber towels without ruining them: separate by job, the right detergent, warm water, no fabric softener and low or no heat to dry.
Can You Use All Purpose Cleaner on Leather Seats?
Generally, yes, you can use all purpose cleaner on leather seats if it's diluted properly, the seat isn't hot or in the sun and the leather isn't worn.
What PSI to Wash a Car? Why Low PSI and High GPM Win
What PSI to wash a car: almost any pressure washer is safe at the right distance. We recommend low PSI and high GPM because it rinses the car faster.
How Much Water Does a Mobile Detail Use?
How much water mobile detailing uses depends on your method: under 10 gallons per car with a rinseless wash, about 25 gallons with a traditional wash.
Do You Need a License for Mobile Detailing?
Do you need a license for mobile detailing? Usually yes: a local business license at minimum, plus permits, tax registration and insurance where required.
Synthetic Clay vs Clay Bar: Which One to Use and When
Synthetic clay vs clay bar: how they compare on speed, marring, cost and heavy contamination, and when each one is the right tool.
Best Dog Hair Removal Tools for Cars
The best dog hair removal tools for cars, from a detailer who has used them all: what each does well, where it falls short, and how we use them together.
How to Clean Brake Dust Off Wheels
How to clean brake dust off wheels: the cleaner and brushes we would use, the order to work in, and which wheel finishes need a gentler cleaner.
Is Mobile Detailing a Good Business? 6 Reasons It Works
Is mobile detailing a good business to start first? Six reasons it works, what it costs to start, and the honest downside, which is hard work.
Mobile Detailing Equipment List 2026: 6 Must-Haves
The core mobile detailing equipment list for 2026: water tank, generator, pressure washer, air compressor, vacuum and hose reels, sized for a van or truck.
Mobile Detailing Chemicals: The 6 You Need to Start
The mobile detailing chemicals you need to start: all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner, wheel cleaner, tire shine, car soap and leather conditioner.
DA Polisher vs Rotary Polisher: Which One Should You Use in Your Detailing Business?
DA polisher vs rotary polisher: which one to use in your detailing business. A DA handles paint enhancement. A rotary gets deeper defects out quicker.
Best Generator for Mobile Detailing Under $1,000 (2026)
Our pick for the best generator for mobile detailing under $1,000 in 2026 is a 5,000-watt model. See the watt math and how Harbor Freight and Champion compare.
Our goal
To make professional detailing knowledge open to everyone.
Every guide here comes from doing the work on real cars: daily drivers, neglected trade-ins, black paint in direct sun. If a step can be skipped, we say so. If a cheap product does the job, we say that too.
Product links may earn us a commission. They never earn a product a recommendation. Read how we write and test
Free detailing calculators
Dilution ratios, generator fuel cost and job pricing.