Ben's Car Blog
Ben's Car Blog Toolbox

If asked, my wife would attest that I spend an inordinate amount of time researching and cross-shopping almost everything I buy. When it comes to cars, and detailing products specifically, I've always been obsessive about finding the "next best thing".

After using so many different products over the years, I've come to appreciate the great ones: something that not only performs well, but makes the job itself easier or more fun, while still being affordable.

Because I'm just a weekend warrior/average Joe, I tend to seek out products that provide the best bang for the buck.

Below is a list are some of my favorites detailing products, camera gear, and other tools I actually use each and every day.

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Wash & Wax

Adams Car Shampoo

Adams Car Shampoo

I used to think all car soaps were the same, but boy was I was wrong! Not only is Adams Car Shampoo pH neutral (won’t strip waxes/sealants/coatings), it’s specially formulated to prevent etching and hard water stains. This alone has given me a huge amount of peace of mind when washing in the direct sunlight!
Buy from Amazon
Meguiars Wash Mitt

Meguiars Wash Mitt

Cheap, durable, and most importantly great at safely lifting contaminants away from the paint. I rotate between a few for paint as well as one dedicated wheel mitt.
Buy from Amazon
Grit Guard w/ Wash Board

Grit Guard w/ Wash Board

A must-have for anyone serious about detailing! Designed for five gallon buckets, it provides a surface to scrub your wash mitt against and release dirt/contaminants while washing. The lower guard is designed to keep the loosened dirt separated from the rest of your wash water, preventing scratches on your cars paint!
Buy from Amazon
Optimum No Rinse

Optimum No Rinse

Optimum No Rinse is a must have for anyone in a winter climate. A caps worth is enough to safely clean your paint in the winter with a single bucket and towel! See my Winter Maintenance Wash post for more on why this stuff is so awesome!
Buy from Amazon
Adams Clay Mitt

Adams Clay Mitt

For most of my life, I had cleaned cars with the standard bar of clay - a recipe for cramped fingers, messed-up fingernails, and sore arms. The Adams Clay Mitt is one of those things you buy and wonder “why didn’t I do this sooner?“.
Buy from Amazon
Adams Wheel Cleaner

Adams Wheel Cleaner

Most wheel cleaners either smell like satans jock strap or do a terrible job of breaking up caked-on wheel grime. Fortunately, not only does Adams Wheel Cleaner match or beat the competition in pure cleaning ability, but it actually smells tolerable! Check out my full review for more details.
Buy from Amazon
Adams All-Purpose Cleaner

Adams All-Purpose Cleaner

Adams All-Purpose Cleaner does what it says on the bottle! I use this on wheel wells and exterior plastic trim. It’s got the oomph to cut through caked-on dirt, but gentle enough that it won’t leave stains or damage any painted surfaces it might come in contact with.
Buy from Amazon
Adams Tire Cleaner

Adams Tire Cleaner

Much like their Wheel Cleaner, Adams Tire Cleaner is some of the best stuff I’ve used. It does a great job pulling out “blooming” (i.e. the annoying browning effect tires exhibit). This stuff is perfect for cleaning rubber floor mats too!
Buy from Amazon
Adams Wheel & Tire Brushes

Adams Wheel & Tire Brushes

A brush is a brush, right? Nope. After wasting money on cheaper alternatives, I have to say Adam’s nailed it with their wheel well and tire brushes. They’ve got stiff bristles, solid handles, and look brand new even after dozens of washes.
Buy from Amazon
AMMO Mud Tire Gel

AMMO Mud Tire Gel

I’ve used so many tire gels and have always frustrated because they were messy, didn’t last, or created shiny sidewalls that attracted dirt and dust like magnets. AMMO Mud is not only extremely easy to use, but leaves a nice, matte layer of protection. It’s honestly as good as tire gel gets, and is unbeatable bang for the buck!
Buy from AMMO NYC
Gyeon Silk Drying Towel

Gyeon Silk Drying Towel

This drying towel is seriously gigantic which translates to a lot of surface area to absorb and lift water away, while the soft fabric keeps your paint scratch-free.
Buy from Amazon
AMMO Microfiber Towels

AMMO Microfiber Towels

Larry takes his microfibers seriously, and these are seriously the nicest I’ve found. They come in a pack of six, so I’d recommend grabbing a few at a time. I’ve tried dozens of microfibers and these have remained the most versatile and durable of them all.
Buy from AMMO NYC

Power Tools & Other

Milwaukee M12 Stubby Impact Wrench

Milwaukee M12 Stubby Impact Wrench

Small but stout, the M12 Stubby Impact is perfect for changing wheels, suspension/exhaust bolts, and most everything else you’d need to loosen or tighten on your car. Its small footprint makes it great for throwing in the car on a track day or even in an roadside emergency kit!
Buy from Ace Hardware
Milwaukee M18 Blower

Milwaukee M18 Blower

If you haven’t already joined the “I dry my car with a leaf blower” club yet, I highly recommend it. It can safe a ton of headache when trying to dry handles, jambs, and trunk lids by blasting any water out before you run around with the drying towel. Not to mention less touching your paint = less scratches!
Buy from Ace Hardware
Eley Hose Reel

Eley Hose Reel

After several broken, cheap hardware store hose reels, I did some research on the best consumer hose reel available. In almost every case Eley came up, and for good reason! This is the last hose reel you’ll ever need to buy. 5+ years later and ours still looks and works like it’s brand new!
Buy from ELEY

Photography

Fujifilm X-Pro2

Fujifilm X-Pro2

The Subaru of the photography world, the quirky Fujifilm X-Pro2 is an amazing tool for casual photography. Everything about the experience of shooting with the X-Pro is FUN, and the camera itself exudes quality. Check out my full review for more info!
Buy from Amazon
Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4

One of the most popular lenses in their lineup, the XF 35mm f/1.4 lens is the Fujifilm equivalent to a “nifty fifty” on a full frame camera. Not only is this lens extremely versatile, but there’s an intangible “magic” to the images it captures. If I could only have one lens on my camera, this would be it!
Buy from Amazon
B+W Circular Polarizer

B+W Circular Polarizer

A must-have if you’re shooting cars - a circular polarizer (CPL) cuts reflections and glare on windows and body panels. A good quality one will provide a sharper image and better polarization than cheaper ones, and this B+W is a great combination of value and quality!
Buy from Amazon