We get asked about products at almost every detail: what towel to dry with, what to wipe the dash down with, how to keep a coating looking good between visits. This is the list we'd hand you if we had time to walk through it at the car.
Everything here comes from Shine Supply, and we don't make a cent if you buy it. We recommend them because they stand behind their products, they keep innovating, and the owner is one of the most humble, genuine people in the industry. These are simply the products we use in our own detail services every day.
Towels: the three types you need
Using the right towel for the job does more for your paint than almost any product. Most people only need three types: a general work towel, a plush towel for protection and waterless washing, and a dedicated drying towel.
The Taddy Towel (10-Pack)
A 300 GSM terry microfiber towel built for the dirty jobs you would never put a nice towel on. It's soft enough to be safe, tough enough to get beat up, and cheap enough to keep a stack of them in the garage.
How we use it- Wheels, tires, door jambs, and engine bays
- Interior wipe downs on plastics, vinyl, and consoles
- Glass, if you don't want to invest in dedicated glass towels yet
The Cosmo Towel (5-Pack)
A 600 GSM, edgeless, tag-free microfiber and the softest towel we put on paint. The deep plush pulls dirt and buildup up and away from the surface instead of dragging it across the clear coat.
How we use it- Waterless washing: fold into quarters and flip to a clean side often
- Leveling and buffing off wax, sealants, and silica wax
- Final wipe downs on paint that is already clean
The Drying Dutchman (30x30)
A 1500 GSM twist loop drying towel that holds an enormous amount of water. One towel will dry a full size truck, which matters in a Texas summer when you need the water off before it flashes and leaves mineral spots you have to remove in an extra step.
How we use it- Lay it flat on the panel and drag it slowly toward you, or pat it down
- Work top down across the whole vehicle: paint, glass, and trim
- Skip the leaf blower. It pulls in outside air and can fire small particles across the paint at high speed, doing more harm than good
All of these towels are machine washable. Wash on a regular cycle with standard detergent, though a citrus detergent will extend towel life, and dry on delicate. Dry the Drying Dutchman by itself, since it holds so much water it won't fully dry mixed in with other towels. Pro tip: wash each towel type separately for a better clean and longer life. Cared for properly, a good set of towels should last 2 to 3 years of home maintenance.
Waterless wash
A waterless wash is the easiest way to keep a vehicle looking freshly detailed between visits, especially if it lives in a garage or only picks up dust and light grime.
Eco Shine Waterless Wash Concentrate
Our go-to for keeping a vehicle looking freshly detailed between visits. Its high-lubricity formula surrounds dust and light road grime so you can wipe it away safely, and it leaves a clean, glossy finish. Because it's a concentrate, one bottle lasts a long time.
How we use it- Mix 2 oz of Eco Shine in a 32 oz spray bottle and fill the rest with water
- Use it on paint, exterior glass, and wheels for a fast weekly wipe down
- Wipe down after morning sprinklers or a rain storm to prevent mineral etching
- Use it for light dust and grime only, not mud or caked-on dirt
- Finish with a paint topper like a silica wax or spray wax
Interior plastics and vinyl
If you maintain your interior regularly, you should rarely need a heavy all-purpose cleaner. Save that for spills or a deep clean when it's been a while since your last interior detail. For everything else, this is the one bottle we reach for.
Clean N Shine Interior Detailer (16 oz)
A one-step cleaner and protectant for plastics and vinyl. It has just enough cleaner to lift dust, light dirt, coffee spills, and light sticky messes, and it leaves a satin, non-oily finish with UV protection. No greasy feel, and your interior keeps its factory look.
How we use it- Spray onto a towel, not directly on screens or electronics
- Wipe the dash, door panels, console, and cup holders
- Follow with a dry side of the towel to even out the finish
- Use it weekly or every couple of weeks to keep plastics protected
I've used Clean N Shine since day one on my 2015 Tundra, which I bought new. The interior plastic still looks like new, with no cracks and no fading.
Leather: clean, then condition
Texas is brutal on leather. Heat dries it out fast, and everyday wear combined with body oils and summer sweat breaks it down even faster. A light clean once a month, followed by a conditioner, keeps it soft and protected.
Leather & Interior Cleaner (16 oz)
A ready-to-use, pH-balanced cleaner that lifts dirt and grime from even delicate leather. It's safe on leather, vinyl, plastic, suede, and Alcantara, and it leaves the surface prepped for conditioning.
How we use it- Spray onto a soft brush or towel and work into the leather lightly
- Wipe away the lifted dirt with a clean towel
- Clean once a month, then follow with conditioner
Leather Conditioner (16 oz)
Made with real lanolin and beeswax, it soaks into the leather to replace lost moisture and keep it soft. That matters in Texas, where heat dries leather out fast and summer sweat and body oils speed up the breakdown.
How we use it- Apply a small amount to an applicator or towel after cleaning
- Work it into the leather, focusing on seat bolsters and high-wear areas
- Buff off any excess with a clean towel
Glass
Sun Shine Glass Cleaning Kit
Our preferred glass cleaner. It doesn't flash off as fast as most, so you get extra working time in the Texas sun, and it leaves a streak-free finish when used correctly. It's ammonia free, so it's safe on tinted windows, screens, and instrument panels.
How we use it- Dilute 3 parts water to 1 part Sun Shine. Distilled water gives the best results
- Clean the glass thoroughly with one towel
- Do one more pass with a spray or two on a fresh towel
- Finish with a dry towel to remove any lingering haze
If the inside of your windshield has that foggy film, start with a magic eraser to break up the buildup, then do your normal glass cleaning. Sun Shine is also safe on screens and consoles.
Brushes
Shine Supply Brush Collection
One stop for every brush you will need, from wheel barrels to interior vents. A soft bristle brush is one of the most useful tools you can own for keeping an interior clean.
How we use it- Dry brush window switches and buttons to loosen dirt without spraying chemicals
- Clean out vents, seams, and tight areas you only notice after the car is clean
- Keep separate brushes for wheels and interiors
Everything else
For spray bottles, foam sprayers, all-purpose cleaner, wheel and tire products, and the rest of the essentials, explore the full lineup at Shine Supply.
This list is here to help you maintain your results after a professional detail. When it's time for a reset, book a mobile detail and we'll bring it back to where it should be.