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.https://allthingsdetailing.com/https://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/fingernail-test-car-scratch/https://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/fingernail-test-car-scratch/If your fingernail catches in a car scratch, it's too deep to buff out. How to do the fingernail test and what to do when a scratch fails it.Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/business/paint-thickness-gauge-readings/https://allthingsdetailing.com/business/paint-thickness-gauge-readings/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.Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/business/mobile-detailing-startup-cost/https://allthingsdetailing.com/business/mobile-detailing-startup-cost/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.Sat, 17 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/business/rinseless-vs-waterless-wash/https://allthingsdetailing.com/business/rinseless-vs-waterless-wash/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.Sat, 17 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/can-you-use-degreaser-on-car-interior/https://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/can-you-use-degreaser-on-car-interior/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.Sat, 17 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/how-to-wash-microfiber-towels/https://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/how-to-wash-microfiber-towels/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.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/all-purpose-cleaner-on-leather-seats/https://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/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.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/what-psi-to-wash-a-car/https://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/what-psi-to-wash-a-car/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.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/business/how-much-water-does-mobile-detailing-use/https://allthingsdetailing.com/business/how-much-water-does-mobile-detailing-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.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/business/do-you-need-a-license-for-mobile-detailing/https://allthingsdetailing.com/business/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.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/business/synthetic-clay-vs-clay-bar/https://allthingsdetailing.com/business/synthetic-clay-vs-clay-bar/Synthetic clay vs clay bar: how they compare on speed, marring, cost and heavy contamination, and when each one is the right tool.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/best-dog-hair-removal-tools-for-cars/https://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/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.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/how-to-clean-brake-dust-off-wheels/https://allthingsdetailing.com/diy/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.Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/business/is-mobile-detailing-a-good-business/https://allthingsdetailing.com/business/is-mobile-detailing-a-good-business/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.Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/business/mobile-detailing-equipment-list/https://allthingsdetailing.com/business/mobile-detailing-equipment-list/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.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/business/mobile-detailing-chemicals/https://allthingsdetailing.com/business/mobile-detailing-chemicals/The mobile detailing chemicals you need to start: all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner, wheel cleaner, tire shine, car soap and leather conditioner.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/business/da-polisher-vs-rotary-polisher/https://allthingsdetailing.com/business/da-polisher-vs-rotary-polisher/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.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://allthingsdetailing.com/business/best-generator-for-mobile-detailing/https://allthingsdetailing.com/business/best-generator-for-mobile-detailing/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.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT