In this article you will learn:
So, you’ve decided to give your car a little TLC and save a small fortune by detailing it yourself? That’s outstanding. Welcome to the world of DIY auto detailing. We hope you’ll enjoy working on your own car as much as we do.
You may be wondering where to start and what supplies you’ll need. Good questions. As you gain experience with your own detailing work, you’ll likely develop favorite products, accessories and techniques, but, for now, we recommend getting an all-in-one car cleaning kit. These are a great solution for making sure you have everything you need while getting a good value with all the products in one purchase.
You can find kits for specific jobs like washing and drying, paint correction or waxing, but you’ll likely find the easiest solution is a kit that can help you with the entire detailing project—or, at least, the exterior detailing portion.
From our Turtle Wax line, we often recommend our Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Collection Kit. We developed each product in this kit to be simple to use and to deliver high-end, professional results. And, as a bonus, you get superior paint protection thanks to the integrated ceramic technology.
Ceramic Wash & Wax: Because every detailing job starts with getting your car clean, you’ll need a quality pH-balanced car wash shampoo. This one is also formulated with a ceramic wax that repels water for faster drying and fewer water spots.
Ceramic Polish & Wax: Once you’ve thoroughly washed your car, you’ll almost certainly need to correct the clear coat finish. Essentially, this means removing any scratches, swirls or oxidation from the finish. Our combined polish and wax formula restores your paint to showroom condition and protects that shine with a ceramic coating, all in one, simple application.
Ceramic Spray Coating: After your car looks showroom-new, it’s time to keep it looking that way. Ceramic coatings are some of the longest-lasting forms of protection for your car’s finish, and we’ve developed a way for you to get professional-grade results at home. This spray-and-wipe ceramic coating delivers up to 12 months of chemical resistance, protection against UV damage and hydrophobic performance.
Ceramic Wet Wax: While ceramics are all about protection, wax is all about that deep, shiny gloss. Our Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wet Wax is the perfect way to top off your ceramic-coated finish. With a mix of carnauba wax and integrated ceramic technology, it adds brilliant sheen and boosts the protection of the underlying ceramic layer.
The Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Collection Kit also includes a range of accessories for total exterior detailing:
Each product in the Ceramic Collection Kit comes with its own set of detailed instructions on the product package; however, here’s an overview so you can see just how simple detailing can be.
Step 1. Rinse your car and fill a bucket with a mix of Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wash & Wax and water. Dunk the wash mitt into the soapy solution and wash your car from the top down. Dunk the mitt frequently into the bucket to rinse away dirt and pull more suds into the mitt. As you rinse the mitt, the Grit Guard insert allows dirt from the car to settle to the bottom of the bucket, separating it from your soapy solution. Continue washing until you’ve worked your way around the car, finishing at the lower rocker panels. Rinse clean, again from the top down, and dry by hand with a clean, microfiber towel.
Step 2. Check for embedded contaminants. Place your hand into a zippered plastic bag and slide it lightly over the surface of your car. Do you feel any grittiness? If so, your clear coat is contaminated with tiny particles that will impact the effectiveness of your detailing work. We recommend using a detailing clay bar and clay bar lubricant (not included in the kit) to remove these embedded contaminants. Follow the package instructions, rinse the car clean and then wipe dry with a microfiber towel.
Step 3. If you’re a beginner, you probably don’t own a machine polisher. That’s okay, polishing by hand will give you great results, too. Squeeze a 2.5 cm drop of Hybrid Solutions Polish & Wax onto a foam applicator. Or, if you are using a DA polishing machine, apply 4 drops of polish, about 2 cm each, to the included orange foam cutting pad. Buff the polish onto a 60 cm x 60 cm panel of your car to remove any imperfections. Wipe away the polish with a folded microfiber cloth and buff to a beautiful shine. Continue around the entire car, one section at a time.
Step 4. Spray a 60 cm x 60 cm section of your car with a light mist of Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating. Wipe the coating evenly across the entire section with a clean, folded microfiber cloth. Continue this application method, working around the car in sections until finished. For the utmost protection, apply a second coat after 24 hours.
Step 5. Touch up your pro-level detailing job with the incredible glow of Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wet Wax! This wax works perfectly at the end of your regular car wash to renew that deep, glossy finish. Wash and rinse your car thoroughly, then apply a 2.5 cm drop of Wet Wax onto a microfiber cloth. Spread it evenly across a 60 cm x 60 cm section of the clear coat and buff the surface to an incredible shine. Continue waxing and buffing, section by section, until you’ve waxed the entire car.
That’s it! From start to finish, one simple process with one simple, all-in-one kit!
Subscribe for your newsletter and the rewards will be in your inbox before you even get there
News, events and insights from Turtle Wax® worldwide
Exclusive offers and discounts on Turtle Wax® products
Regular treats and surprises for all subscribers