Back to Basics: ValetPRO’s Essential Car Cleaning Products
Deciding which products to use for vehicle cleaning should be simple. But with the market constantly expanding and new options appearing all the time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we’re going back to basics. We’ve handpicked a few essential ValetPRO products designed to help you achieve great results when cleaning your car’s exterior—without demanding too much of your time or budget.
Breaking Down the Steps of Exterior Car Cleaning
1. Wheel Cleaning
Keeping on top of brake dust makes a big difference to the overall appearance of your wheels. Dragon’s Breath offers a safer, more versatile option. It’s tough on brake dust and grime but gentle enough for use on all exterior surfaces and wheel types. Dragon’s Breath can be used to remove Iron Contamination from your vehicles paint surfaces too.
2. Prewash
Some people skip the prewash stage, but taking a little extra time here can save you effort later on. A high-performing, pH-balanced snow foam like Foamula 1 is a great choice. It can be diluted and applied via a foam lance or pump sprayer.
For heavily soiled areas, Citrus Prewash is an ideal companion to Foamula 1. Diluted and applied via a spray bottle, it helps lift grime before the contact wash stage. A thorough prewash reduces the chance of dragging grit across your paintwork—helping to prevent marring or scratches.
3. Contact Wash (Shampooing)
All you need is a clean wash mitt, shampoo, and a bucket. (We won’t get into the two-bucket method here, but check out our separate blog HERE if you’re curious.)
If your vehicle has a matte or satin finish, Concentrated Car Wash is a great choice—it’s effective and won’t add unwanted gloss.
If you prefer or already have a glossy finish, Ceramic Shampoo is ideal. It not only cleans but adds a layer of protection and gloss to your paintwork, saving you time during future washes.
4. Adding Protection
If your shampoo doesn’t already provide protection, it’s worth adding this as a separate step on shiny cars. Protective products help maintain your car’s finish and make it harder for grime to stick between washes—saving you time and preserving your paintwork.
To add protection to glossy paintwork, simply apply Snow Seal via a foam lance or pump sprayer—spray on, rinse off. It couldn’t be easier.
5. Drying
Drying your vehicle helps prevent unsightly water spots. Invest in a good-quality drying towel and ensure it’s clean before use. If you do ever notice water spots, don’t worry—Classic Quick Detailer has you covered.
6. Finishing Touches
This is where your efforts really come together. Adding tyre dressing like Maximum Shine, a quick wipe of your glass with our newly improved Glass Cleaner, and applying trim dressing such as Black To The Future can make a dramatic difference to the overall appearance of your car.
Average Costs Per Wash
Tips:
- Investing in larger sizes of products will reduce your average cost per wash significantly
- Ensuring you don’t under dilute products will not only save you money, but will ensure you get the most vehicle cleans out of your products. Check out our Dilution Ratio Blog HERE
**Other products such as Wash Mitt’s, Buckets, Applicators, Microfibre Cloths, Drying Towel or Brushes, haven’t been factored into the Cost Per Wash. Prices displayed are correct as of April ‘25**
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