We get asked about products constantly. At every detail, someone asks what soap we use, how to maintain the coating at home, or what to wipe the dash down with. This is the list we'd hand you if we had time to walk through it at the car.

A few things to know upfront: we're not paid by any of these brands, none of these are affiliate links, and we don't recommend products we haven't used personally for at least a year. We update this list when something better comes along.

Quick note on coated vs. uncoated cars

Some of these products are specifically for vehicles with a ceramic coating. We'll label those clearly. If your car isn't coated, the alternative is noted.

Rinseless / Waterless Wash

Optimum No Rinse (ONR)

This is the product we recommend most. Mixed at rinseless dilution (1–2 oz per gallon), it lubricates the paint surface enough that a microfiber glides over light dust and road film without scratching. Mixed stronger, it works as a full-contact wash solution.

It's safe for coated and uncoated vehicles, doesn't leave residue, and a single bottle lasts a very long time. Available on Amazon, at most detail supply shops, and increasingly at auto parts stores.

How to use it: Spray on panel, fold a plush microfiber into quarters, wipe in straight lines (not circles), flip to a clean side every panel. Don't let it dry on the paint — work one panel at a time.

Drying

The Rag Company Dry Me Crazy or Spectrum towel

Drying is where a lot of people introduce swirls without knowing it. A low-pile, twisted-loop, or waffle-weave microfiber makes a real difference over a standard towel. The Rag Company makes consistently good drying towels that don't shed and hold a lot of water.

Have at least two — one for body panels, one for glass and trim. Wash them separately from other laundry, without fabric softener (it fills the fibers and makes them less absorbent).

Ceramic Booster / Topper (coated vehicles)

CarPro Reload or Gyeon Q2M Cure

If your vehicle has a ceramic coating, a booster applied every 2–3 months extends the coating life and restores the hydrophobic beading. These spray-and-wipe products bond to the existing ceramic layer — they're not waxes, so they won't interfere with the coating.

Apply to a clean, dry panel. Spray a few mists, spread with a clean microfiber, and buff off after 30–60 seconds. The whole car takes about 15 minutes.

Spray wax or paint sealant (uncoated vehicles)

If your car isn't coated, a spray wax like Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Wax applied after washing gives you 4–6 weeks of protection. It's not a substitute for a proper wax or sealant every few months, but it's a good maintenance layer between full applications.

Interior — Dashboard and Trim

303 Aerospace Protectant

This is the only interior protectant we recommend consistently. It provides UV protection without the greasy shine that most protectants leave — that glossy look on dashboards is actually bad for driving visibility and tends to attract dust.

303 dries to a matte or satin finish, protects against UV fading and cracking, and works on vinyl, rubber, leather, and plastic. Apply with a clean microfiber, wipe off the excess. Don't spray directly onto the dashboard near the driver — apply to the towel first.

Glass

Sprayway Glass Cleaner

For exterior glass, water and a clean microfiber after a wash is usually enough. For interior glass — which fogs and hazes from plastic off-gassing — Sprayway is what we keep in the truck. It doesn't streak, dries fast, and doesn't leave a film that makes glare worse.

Avoid ammonia-based glass cleaners (like regular Windex) on tinted windows — they can break down window tint over time.

Leather

Leather Honey or Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner

Leather in Texas takes a beating. UV exposure dries it out faster than most climates, and once it starts cracking, the damage is hard to reverse. A conditioner applied every 3 months keeps it supple.

Clean first with a pH-neutral leather cleaner, let it dry fully, then apply conditioner with an applicator pad or microfiber. Let it absorb for a few minutes, buff off the excess.

What to skip

A few things we see frequently that we'd recommend against:

  • Armor All — the original formula is very greasy, attracts dust quickly, and the shine looks cheap. Their newer products are better, but 303 is still the call.
  • Turtle Wax spray wax — not a bad product, but the liquids formulation is inconsistent. If you're going to use a spray wax, Meguiar's or CarPro handles better.
  • Gas station car wash soap — no real way to know what's in it, and some formulas are too alkaline for regular use on coated cars.
  • Paper towels on paint — always microfiber. Paper towels have wood fibers that scratch clear coat.

If you have questions about a specific product or what to use on your exact coating, text us. We'd rather answer a quick question than have someone undo a fresh detail with the wrong soap.