5 Essential Vehicle Detailing Products For 2025

Keeping your car looking its best isn’t just about pride - it helps maintain its value and protects the paintwork from the elements. Whether you’re a seasoned vehicle detailing pro, or just starting out, having the right products and accessories in your arsenal makes all the difference. 

Here are five essential car wash products that we feel every car enthusiast should own.

1. A Top Quality Snow Foam

A snow foam pre-wash is essential for any car enthusiast. Snow foam breaks down dirt and grime before you even touch the car, reducing the risk of scratching your paint during the main wash. Simply apply the snow foam using a foam lance, let it dwell for a few minutes, and rinse away the loose dirt.

Why You Need It:

• Safely lifts and softens dirt

• Minimizes the risk of inflicting swirl marks

• Reduces the chance of scratching paint

Use a pH-neutral snow foam such as Squid Ink Froth on regular maintenance washes or well looked after cars. This will protect layers of existing wax or sealant already on your vehicle.

Use our stronger alkaline based Alkafroth snow foam for heavier cleaning ability, or when you'll be adding a new finishing product / LSP (last step product).

👉 Pro Tip: If you need a top quality snow foam cannon, check out our Snow Pro 2 and receive a FREE bottle of snow foam this month.

2. Wheel Cleaner

Wheels take a beating from brake dust, road grime, and winter salt. A dedicated pH neutral wheel cleaner safely dissolves these deposits and keeps your rims looking pristine without damaging the finish.

Why You Need It:

• Breaks down stubborn brake dust

• pH neutral products are safe for alloys, chrome, and painted wheels

• Restores the original wheel finish

• Blue Lagoon Wheel Cleaner is ideal for use on all delicate finishes

👉 Pro Tip: Use soft-bristle wheel brushes to agitate hard-to-reach areas and achieve a deep clean. Squid Ink Detailing Sea Hog Brushes are ideal for this job.

3. pH-Neutral Vehicle Shampoo

A high-quality, pH-neutral car shampoo is essential for a thorough and safe car wash. Unlike household detergents, which can strip protective coatings, a dedicated vehicle shampoo gently cleans while preserving waxes and sealants. Vehicle shampoos are also extremely slick so will lubricate the panel.

Why You Need It:

• Gentle on paintwork and coatings

• Provides lubricity to prevent scratches

• Leaves a streak-free finish

👉 Pro Tip: Use the "two-bucket method" to prevent dirt from returning to your wash mitt and causing scratches. Our HD Pure and HD Gloss shampoos are both PH neutral, foamy and extremely slick.

4. Twisted Loop Drying Towel

Say goodbye to water spots and streaks with twisted loop microfibre drying towels. These towels are soft, edgeless, hugely absorbent, and safe for delicate paint finishes.

Why You Need It:

• Absorbs water very quickly and efficiently

• Reduces the risk of micro-scratches compared to outdated chamois leathers

• Minimizes streaks and smears

👉 Pro Tip: Pat the car dry instead of dragging the towel across the paint to minimise friction. Squid Ink Detailing offers small, large and XL twisted loop drying towels.

5. Hydrophobic Paint Sealant or Quick Detailer

A paint sealant or quick detailer is perfect for adding the final layer of protection and boosting your car’s shine between major detailing sessions. These products are easy to apply, will repel water, dirt, and road contaminants.

Why You Need It:

• Massively enhances gloss and shine

• Provides a hydrophobic layer for water beading/sheeting

• Protects paintwork and makes it easier to clean

• Quick and easy application

Squid Ink Fortress or Ultimate QD are both perfect to use as finishing products / Last Step Products.

Fortress is ideal for extreme gloss, potent hydrophobics, and durability. This product needs to be applied in small sections, so will take a little more time to use compared to a quick detailer.

Our Ultimate QD is perfect for ease of use, high levels of gloss, and adding an easy layer of wax protection.

👉 Pro Tip: Apply a quick detailer after every wash to maintain that freshly-detailed look. Our Ultimate Quick Detailer is also perfect to use at car shows or meets, when the journey may have dirtied it slightly.