If I Had to Start My Detailing Business Over, I'd Buy These 6 Things First

If I Had to Start My Detailing Business Over, I'd Buy These 6 Things First

Author: Jimbo Balaam interviews guest like Barry Meguiar, Jason Rose, Yvan Lacroix, July 22, 2026 Duration: 25:50

What are the best detailing tools to buy if you're starting from scratch?

If I had to rebuild my detailing business today, these are the six tools I'd purchase before anything else. After more than 20 years in the auto detailing industry, I've learned that having the right tools matters far more than having the most tools.

In this video, I break down the essential detailing equipment that has had the biggest impact on the quality of my work, the speed of my workflow, and the overall enjoyment of detailing. From a deionized water system and pressure washer to a foam cannon, Tornador-style air tool, quality microfiber towels, and a simple chemical system, these are the products I genuinely couldn't live without.

Whether you're a beginner looking to build your first detailing setup or an experienced detailer trying to simplify your garage, this video will help you spend your money on the upgrades that make the biggest difference.

In this video:

  • Why deionized (DI) water is my #1 detailing upgrade
  • Why every detailer should own a pressure washer
  • How a foam cannon makes washing safer and easier
  • Why Tornador-style air tools are a game changer for interiors
  • The importance of investing in quality microfiber towels
  • Why a simple chemical system beats having dozens of products

If you enjoy real-world detailing tests, honest product reviews, detailing tips, and educational content, be sure to subscribe for new videos every week.

PRODUCTS TALKED ABOUT: 

Wax 'n Relax: https://jimbosdetailing.com/WnR - Use code RELAX for 20% OFF

Bundles: https://jimbosdetailing.com/collections/bundles

The Gloss Boss: https://jimbosdetailing.com/TGB

Tough As Shell Ceramic Spray: https://jimbosdetailing.com/TAS or on Amazon https://amzn.to/4r5UxYr

The Super Soaper: https://jimbosdetailing.com/TSS or on Amazon: https://amzn.to/49KEM2d

Picture Perfect Polish: https://jimbosdetailing.com/PPP or on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4sQWpWu

Microfiber towels: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/orange-wash-microfiber or https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/everyday-microfiber

Cut & Finish Pad: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/cut-finish-pad or on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LsxJ69

Finishing Pad: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/black-finishing-pad or on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJNDCPTG

SHOP ALL JIMBO'S DETAILING ON AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3LX3mVE

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Hosted by Jimbo Balaam, The Auto Detailing Podcast digs into the craft, business, and culture of making cars look their absolute best. This isn't just about a quick wash; it's a deep, practical conversation for anyone whose passion or profession involves paint correction, ceramic coatings, and everything in between. Jimbo connects with legendary figures and working pros-voices like Barry Meguiar, Jason Rose, and Yvan Lacroix share their hard-won knowledge directly. You'll hear specific techniques for achieving flawless finishes, discussions on streamlining a detailing operation for profit, and honest talk about products and processes that actually deliver. The dialogue is grounded and focused on real-world results, whether you're perfecting your own vehicle in the driveway or scaling a full-service business. Each episode of this podcast builds on a simple idea: there's always a better method to learn, a smarter tool to use, or a fresh perspective to consider. The focus stays on actionable advice and efficiency, cutting through the hype to talk about what truly works. For enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike, the podcast serves as a reliable workshop, offering a blend of inspiration and nitty-gritty detail that can be applied immediately. It's about the pride in the work and the community built around it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Auto Detailing Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Why You Should Ceramic Coat Your Car [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:34
Ceramic coatings get talked about like they're complicated, intimidating, and only meant for professional detailers. I don't think they need to be. In this video I talk about the real reason I think most people should ce…
Does ph Even Matter? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:55
Does the pH of a car soap actually matter as much as people think? I've been getting questions about this for a couple years now because Super Soaper has been tested straight out of the bottle at a much higher pH than wh…
Ceramic Coating vs Ceramic Spray vs Wax—What Do You Actually Need? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:30
Should you use a traditional ceramic coating, a ceramic spray coating or a wax? The correct choice depends on how long you want the protection to last, how much preparation you're willing to do and how you plan to mainta…
The 10 Most Common Detailing Questions I Get Asked [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:02
In this video, I'm answering 10 of the most common detailing questions I get from customers, YouTube viewers, podcast listeners, and people using Jimbo's Detailing products. We're talking about things like: Does thick fo…
5 Ceramic Spray Mistakes That Ruin Your Results [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:03
Ceramic spray protection should be easy to apply, but small mistakes can cause streaking, uneven coverage, poor water behavior, and disappointing durability. In this video, I demonstrate the five most common mistakes peo…
Why Simple Detailing Products Feel So Confusing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:52
The detailing industry has a directions problem. A lot of products are not actually that hard to use, but the directions, product names, dilution ratios, and marketing make them way more confusing than they need to be. I…
What the Detailing Industry Got Wrong About Wax [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:52
Wax is not dead. The detailing industry just got it wrong. For years, brands tried to evolve car wax by making it last longer, act more like a ceramic coating, or compete with ceramic sprays. But I think they missed the…
How To Wash, Clay & Protect Your Car In Direct Sun [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:12
Most people think you can't wash a car in direct sunlight without causing water spots, streaks, or frustration. That used to be true. In this video, I show you how to wash, clay, and protect your vehicle outside in direc…
You Really Only Need 7 Products To Fully Detail A Car [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:40
Detailing has gotten way too complicated. A lot of people think they need 25 or 30 different products just to properly detail one car. Wheel cleaner, tire cleaner, bug remover, foam soap, contact wash soap, drying aid, g…
The TRUTH About Low pH - High pH Wash Systems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:39
Recently, acid-alkaline wash systems (sometimes called "exothermic washes") have become one of the hottest topics in the detailing industry. These systems can deliver incredible cleaning power by combining acidic and alk…