Startup equipment

Choose your work. Build your kit.

Three equipment plans for your first detailing jobs. Compare the services, remove what you own, and shop the matched products together.

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One clear starting point

Choose the setup that fits your first jobs.

Each tier groups the equipment, services, and first-month actions into one plan. Start small, then add only what the work requires.

Your Starter plan

Build your cart around what you own.

Enter the number of each item you already have. We will show only the quantity still needed for this tier.

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Equipment list

Everything in this tier

Select an item below to see its source and shopping option.

Optimum Hyper Foam wash and sponge kit

Matched

32 oz. wash and Big Red Sponge kit · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

Includes the wash sponge. Use Hyper Foam for washing, glass and light interior cleaning at the label dilution for each task. Pre-rinse heavy dirt. Do not use the wheel towels on paint.

Open source reference

Chemical Guys All Clean+ Citrus

Matched

1 gallon bottle · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

For wheel, tire and suitable interior cleaning. Use the surface-specific dilution on the label and test first. Use Hyper Foam for glass and light interior cleaning.

Open source reference

Adam's Polishes wash buckets and grit guards

Matched

Bucket with grit guard · 2 required for Starter

Still needed: 2 · Buy: 1 pack (2 units per pack)

Source and product notes

Two 3.5-gallon buckets with grit guards per pack. Replaces the separate 5-gallon buckets and guards in the source sheet. Mark wash and rinse buckets.

Open source reference

Hefty Ultra Strong waste bags

Matched

40-bag pack, 13 gallon · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

Keep separate labeled bags for used towels and ordinary dry waste. Keep customer belongings separate. Dispose of chemical waste as required locally.

Open source reference

Autofiber Dreadnought XL

Matched

Single large drying towel · 2 required for Starter

Still needed: 2

Source and product notes

20 x 40 in, 1100 GSM. Keep a clean spare towel.

Open source reference

TRC Creature Edgeless — black

Matched

Single utility towel · 5 required for Starter

Still needed: 5 · Buy: 1 pack (10 units per pack)

Source and product notes

10 towels per pack, 16 x 16 in. Keep these black utility towels for wheels and dirty work, separate from paint and interior towels.

Open source reference

TRC Edgeless 300 — light blue

Matched

Single interior towel · 30 required for Starter

Still needed: 30 · Buy: 3 packs (10 units per pack)

Source and product notes

Ten towels per pack. Keep separate clean groups for glass, interior and paint. Mark their storage with the included labels. Keep black utility towels for wheel and tire work.

Open source reference

Chemical Guys labeled dilution bottles

Matched

Single 16 oz bottle · 6 required for Starter

Still needed: 6 · Buy: 2 packs (3 units per pack)

Source and product notes

Three graduated 16 oz bottles per pack. Measure using the bottle marks. Label each bottle with its product, dilution and hazard information. Follow chemical compatibility instructions.

Open source reference

Ansell AlphaTec Solvex 37-175 gloves — Medium

Matched

3-pair pack, size 8 (M) · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

Medium is the selected pack size. Change size on Amazon if needed. Reusable nitrile gloves for chemical handling; follow each product safety data sheet and glove care instructions.

Open source reference

3M 91264 chemical splash goggles

Matched

One pair · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

Indirect vents and an adjustable strap. Fit the goggles before mixing or spraying chemicals. Follow the product safety data sheet.

Open source reference

RIDGID 4000RV dry vacuum

Matched

Vacuum with dry filter · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

Professional 4-gallon wet/dry vacuum, model 50313. Replaces the unavailable WD4070. Use a dry filter for dry debris. The detailing hose kit is a separate line.

Open source reference

RIDGID VT2534 car accessory kit

Matched

Hose and tools kit · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

Use the included orange hose with the RIDGID vacuum. Kit tools do not directly fit the original hose. Do not buy this again if your vacuum already includes the kit.

Open source reference

oesee three-piece wheel brush kit

Matched

One 3-brush kit · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

Use the large brushes for wheels and tires. Reserve the small detail brush for the interior. Keep wheel tools separate from paint tools.

Open source reference

Flexzilla 50 ft. hose and nozzle kit

Matched

One hose and nozzle kit · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

5/8 in. hose with SwivelGrip ends, nozzle and quick-connect kit. Connect its garden-hose thread directly to the washer inlet; use the nozzle for hand rinsing.

Open source reference

IRIS WeatherPro 44 qt. storage bins

Matched

2-bin pack with gasket lids · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

Use one covered bin for clean towels and one for clean tools. Keep chemicals upright and separate. Secure bins for travel.

Open source reference

Rhino USA ratchet tie-down set

Matched

4 straps and 4 soft loops · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

1 in. x 15 ft. straps, 607 lb working load per strap. Use rated vehicle anchor points and follow the load-securing instructions. Not for lifting.

Open source reference

P&S Rags to Riches

Matched

One bottle · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

32 oz bottle. Follow the towel care and detergent instructions. Do not use fabric softener.

Open source reference

Waterproof labels and marker

Matched

320-label pack with marker · 1 required for Starter

Still needed: 1

Source and product notes

Write product names and dilutions on bottles and label storage by use. Add the hazard information required by each chemical. Replace labels if damaged or unreadable.

Open source reference

Use the same equipment

Turn this tier into your first month.

Your equipment list and business plan stay together. Use the work below to decide what to offer and what to prepare before you book.

Services to start with

  • Rinseless wash and dry
  • Wheels, tires and glass
  • Vacuum and wipe interior surfaces

Before you book

  • Confirm customer water and power.
  • Practice the wash process and test each surface.
  • Arrange insurance, local permissions and waste disposal.

First month actions

  • Define one clear wash and interior service.
  • Time a practice job, including travel, setup and laundry.
  • Enter actual equipment quotes and job costs in the sheet.
  • Complete your first bookings and compare actual hours with your estimate.
Copy the business-plan sheet

Equipment for other work

These items are outside the three packages. Add them only when your services or work site require them.

Rinseless wash concentrate

Use the label’s dilution and a suitable wash method

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Portable water containers

Choose capacity you can safely lift and secure

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Soft and medium interior brushes

Keep brushes separate by task; test delicate surfaces

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Bags and containers for belongings and debris

Separate customer belongings from waste

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Applicators and dedicated buffing towels

Follow the selected protection product’s instructions

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Iron remover, clay media, and lubricant

Only for confirmed contamination; all three supplies may be needed

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Pad set in usable quantity

Confirm diameter and pad system; buy enough to change pads

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Compatible one-step polish

Test the pad and polish together on a small area

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Reliable inspection light

Check defects under more than one light angle

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Masking tape for trim and edges

Check the tape’s surface and removal instructions

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Short-nap inspection towels and panel prep

Use separate towels for inspection and polish residue

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Portable power station or generator

Check continuous and startup loads; use fuel generators outdoors away from openings

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Baffled water tank and delivery system

Confirm full water weight, vehicle payload, mounting, pump, and fittings before buying

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Free Google Sheet

Your equipment. Your business plan.

Compare all three tiers in one sheet. Enter what you own, current product quotes, your job costs and working hours. See your startup budget and break-even point.

Make a copy in Google Sheets

Free to copy. A Google account is needed to save your copy. Shopping links and product notes stay in the sheet.

Plan around your services and budget with the Setup Builder →