Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
A mobile detailer needs a water and power plan before anything else, then a polisher, a vacuum and the chemicals for the packages you sell.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-action polisher | Paint correction and one-step polish | $155 (Chemical Guys TORQX random orbital polisher, Chemical Guys) |
| Foam cannon | Pre-wash that cuts swirl marks | $100 (Chemical Guys Big Mouth Max Release foam cannon, Chemical Guys) |
| Pressure washer, electric or gas | Washing and wheels | Varies by brand |
| Wet and dry vacuum with crevice tools | Interiors | Varies by brand |
| Microfiber towels in quantity | Drying, buffing and glass | Varies by brand |
| Wash buckets with grit guards and mitts | Safe hand washing | Varies by brand |
| Brushes for wheels, tires and interiors | Detail work | Varies by brand |
| Spray bottles and dilution labels | Mixing chemicals right | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most auto detailers buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Water tank and pump | Mobile work without the customer's spigot | Varies by brand |
| Generator or battery power station | Power on site | Varies by brand |
| Hot water extractor | Carpet and seat shampoo | Varies by brand |
| Cordless polisher | No cords on the paint | $450 (Adam's cordless 12mm Swirl Killer polisher, Adam's Polishes) |
| Steam cleaner | Interiors without harsh chemicals | Varies by brand |
| Paint thickness gauge | Safe paint correction | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- Car shampoo, wheel cleaner and tire dressing. Every wash.
- All-purpose cleaner and interior cleaner. Interiors.
- Compound, polish and pads. Correction jobs.
- Sealant or wax. Protection packages.
- Glass cleaner and clay bars. Detail steps.
What a auto detailing kit costs
The 2 starter kit items we could price add up to $255 at the maker's listed price, out of 8 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
The 1 pro kit items we could price add up to $450 at the maker's listed price, out of 6 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
The water tank, power and van setup swing the total most for a mobile detailer. A shop detailer spends that on rent instead.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most auto detailers buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our auto detailing suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the auto detailing services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Chemical Guys: Chemical Guys TORQX random orbital polisher, checked October 9, 2026
- Chemical Guys: Chemical Guys Big Mouth Max Release foam cannon, checked October 9, 2026
- Adam's Polishes: Adam's cordless 12mm Swirl Killer polisher, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.