Exterior

The products here cover the paint, wheels, tyres and glass, from the first pre-wash to the last coat of protection. The most popular are the Stjarnagloss and Autobead citrus pre-washes, Autobead Pure Shampoo and the Stjarnagloss Hjul fallout wheel cleaner.

How to choose

• Wash & Pre-Wash: snow foam and citrus pre-wash loosen dirt before you touch the paint; shampoo does the contact wash.
• Decontamination: iron, tar and bug removers and clay for what a wash leaves bonded to the paint.
• Wheels & Tyres: wheel cleaners for brake dust, tyre cleaners and dressings, and wheel sealants that make the next clean easier.
• Glass Care: glass cleaners, glass polishes and rain-repellent sealants.
• Paint Protection & Finish: waxes, sealants and ceramic coatings to protect the paint, and quick detailers to keep it clean between washes.

Good to know

• Clean the wheels first so brake dust and dirty water do not splash onto freshly washed paint.
• Work in the shade on cool panels: most exterior products dry too quickly on hot paint or glass and leave marks.

What are the stages of detailing a car?

Wash, decontaminate, correct and protect. A pre-wash and a contact wash take off the loose dirt, iron and tar removers and clay lift what is still bonded, paint correction polishes out swirls where the paint needs it, and a wax, sealant or coating protects the finish. Do the wheels first.

Related: Interior, Washing, Drying & Microfibres, Pressure Washing & Water Systems, Paint Correction. Popular brands here: Infinity Wax, CarPro, Autobead, Stjarnagloss.