What do I actually need for basic detailing?

[deets? not?]

I'm new detailing and trying to build a starter setup for my 2020 Civic. Welp. What did I expect, I got stuck right off the bat... There's just way too many choices. Every step seems to have five versions now. For example, is a rubber-specific cleaner really worth it? Why not stick with an all purpose cleaner? I'd love to hear what everyone considers their must-haves to keep a car clean without going full nuts.

 

[coffee-table355]

Yeah, starting out can be cofnusing sometimes! For your Civic, a good starter kit could include pH-neutral car wash soap, microfiber towels, all-purpose cleaner and a spray wax or sealant like Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic. Do you plan to clean weekly or just when it looks dirty?

 

[merryman]

@coffee-table355 that's a nice start, but I think even for a beginner setup he'll need more. For the exterior I'd recommend a wash mitt to get out the grime. You'll also want some wheel cleaning solution along with some brushes to get the dirt and brake dust off. For the interior you may need two solutions, dependsin on which materials it has. Some are universal, but I'd like to get specific ones and of course, microfiber.

 

[minister P]

For a starter setup, you really don't need every specialized product. A good all purpose cleaner, microfiber towels, and a quality car wash soap cover most basics. Rubber specific stuff is nice if you want perfect trim, but you can skip it at first and see if you even notice the difference