With spring on the horizon, many car owners are preparing to give their vehicles some well-earned attention and shine. However, the sheer variety of car care products available both in stores and online can make choosing the right one feel overwhelming.
From the detailing aisle to endless online listings, the choices seem endless, leaving many unsure of where to start.
One way to narrow the options is to look at what others are buying. VerticalScope’s Fora forum community, a massive network of over 1,000 forums with 55 million registered members and more than 100 million monthly active users, offers insights into popular car care products.
By analyzing purchases across enthusiast sites like Bimmerfest.com and GR86.org, they’ve compiled a list of products favored by highly engaged members and casual users alike, helping simplify the decision-making process.
1. Car Guys Plastic Restorer, 8 Oz Kit
Revitalize your vehicle’s appearance with our advanced plastic restorer, designed to restore the original luster and shine of black trim, vinyl, rubber, and headlights. The formula not only rejuvenates faded surfaces but also enhances their look with a rich, high-gloss finish. Its hydrophobic coating creates a durable, water-resistant barrier that repels water, dust, and dirt, keeping your vehicle looking cleaner for longer.
Suitable for both interior and exterior surfaces, this versatile product is an essential addition to any car care routine. The kit includes an 8 oz bottle and a foam applicator pad, making application quick and easy while leaving no oily residue. Unlike other products that wear off quickly, our plastic restorer delivers long-lasting protection, withstanding rain, and regular washing for several months.
Where to get it: Car Guys
2. Chemical Guys Signature Series Orange Degreaser, 16 fl Oz
Experience professional-grade cleaning with this concentrated citrus-based degreaser, designed to tackle tough dirt, grime, grease, and oil. Its powerful formula effectively removes stubborn contaminants like motor oil, coolant, hydraulic fluid, diesel fuel, mud, and road grime, making it ideal for cleaning engines, wheels, suspension components, and undercarriages.
This versatile cleaner ships at full strength, allowing users to dilute it according to their specific needs for various cleaning tasks. Formulated with surfactants for enhanced performance, it ensures thorough results while leaving a fresh citrus fragrance behind, making it both effective and pleasant to use.
Where to get it: Chemical Guys
3. Dusichin SFL-001 Foam Cannon Pressure Washer Jet
This adjustable foam cannon features a 1/4″ quick disconnect fitting and a 33 oz (1-liter) container, designed for use with pressure washers delivering at least 6 GPM and up to 3,000 PSI.
Built with high-quality brass connectors, it offers a durable and reliable performance. The variable spray nozzle allows for precise mixing and foam generation, making it suitable for both enthusiasts and professional use with its heavy-duty design.
Where to get it: Dusichin
4. Meguiar’s G7516 Endurance Tire Gel, 16 Oz
This adjustable foam cannon features a 1/4″ quick disconnect fitting and a 33 oz (1-liter) container, designed for use with pressure washers delivering at least 6 GPM and up to 3,000 PSI.
Built with high-quality brass connectors, it offers a durable and reliable performance. The variable spray nozzle allows for precise mixing and foam generation, making it suitable for both enthusiasts and professional use with its heavy-duty design.
Where to get it: Meguiar
5. Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum
The BLACK+DECKER CHV1410L 16V Cordless Lithium Hand Vacuum delivers powerful suction, thanks to its lithium-ion battery, making it an effective tool for cleaning carpets, furniture, car interiors, and high-traffic areas. Its cordless design ensures convenience and mobility, allowing for quick clean-ups without being tethered to an outlet.
Engineered for versatility, the vacuum features a rotating slim nozzle, pull-out crevice tool, and flip-up brush for easy access to tight spaces and multi-surface cleaning. With cyclonic action to maintain consistent suction power, a translucent, bagless dirt bowl, and a washable filter, it offers hassle-free maintenance and efficient debris disposal.
Where to get it: Black+Decker
6. Meguiar’s G180515 Bug & Tar Remover, 15 Oz
Meguiar’s G180515 is a professional-grade bug remover designed to tackle stubborn bugs and tar on your vehicle’s paint finish. Its heavy-duty formula utilizes powerful foaming action to loosen and rehydrate stuck-on debris, making it easier to clean without scrubbing.
The product is safe for clear coats, offering professional-strength cleaning that is tough on contaminants but gentle on paint and all exterior surfaces.
With its Xtreme Cling foam chemistry, the bug cleaner ensures extended foam time, allowing it to rehydrate bugs and soften tar effectively. The 15 oz unscented foam can be used before washing or as needed between washes to maintain a clean, well-maintained car exterior. It’s an ideal addition to your car care routine for keeping your vehicle looking its best.
Where to get it: Meguiar
7. Meguiar’s G12310 PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish, 10 Oz
Meguiar’s PlastX Plastic Cleaner, made in the USA, offers a quick and effective solution for renewing uncoated plastic surfaces without the need for replacement. This versatile cleaning gel works on a variety of surfaces, including headlights, taillights, plexiglass, and plastic soft-top windows, utilizing an invisible MDAT plastic polishing compound to restore clarity. In addition to removing light scratches, cloudiness, yellowing, and oxidation, PlastX leaves behind water-resistant polymers for added protection.
By improving the clarity and brightness of headlights, PlastX enhances nighttime driving safety, extending the effective distance of lights. With its simple, do-it-yourself application, this product eliminates the need for expensive part replacements and delivers noticeable results in minutes. It’s a practical and cost-effective addition to any car detailing kit, making plastic restoration easier than ever.
Where to get it: Meguiar
8. Meguiar’s Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer, 12 Oz
Meguiar’s Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer is a 12 oz hand-applied cream designed to rejuvenate and protect non-painted exterior plastic, vinyl, and rubber trim. Ideal for bumpers, moldings, door handles, rearview mirror housings, and windshield cowlings, this versatile product restores faded surfaces to their original appearance. Its thicker formula requires only a small, dime-sized amount per application, offering precise control and minimizing overspray on surrounding paint.
Featuring advanced UV clear coat technology, this trim restorer outlasts conventional protectants by providing long-lasting durability. Its non-greasy formula dries quickly and resists streaking even when exposed to water, ensuring treated surfaces maintain a polished look. Easy to use, simply apply, spread evenly, and wipe off excess for a like-new finish that enhances your vehicle’s exterior.
Where to get it: Meguiar
9. Mothers Car Wash Brush, Wheel and Fender Brush, 10 Inch
This ergonomic brush features rubberized contact points, including the entire underside and the outer edge of the brush head, providing two secure grip options on the handle and head. Its soft, triple-flagged bristles with enhanced density offer a gentle yet thorough scrub, maximizing coverage for effective cleaning. At 10.1 inches long, the brush easily reaches challenging areas like wheel wells and undercarriages, making it ideal for cleaning wheels, fenders, and bumpers.
Where to get it: Mother
10. Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax, 32 Oz
Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax is a 32 oz spray that provides advanced protection with no buffing or mess. Utilizing SiO2 hybrid technology, it offers superior water-beading, ceramic protection, and long-lasting durability compared to traditional wax. The easy-to-apply formula requires no rubbing or curing, simplifying the waxing process as you rinse your car. To use, simply wash and rinse your car, shake the bottle, spray on the wax, rinse again, and dry for a hassle-free car cleaning experience.
Where to get it: Meguiar
The list of top car cleaning products features well-known brands like Meguiar’s, Mothers, and Chemical Guys, alongside surprising entries such as the DUSICHIN foam cannon, reflecting the growing popularity of this innovative product category. Colum Wood, VP of Content at VerticalScope, highlights how the list showcases products with dedicated followings that stand out in a crowded market. While popularity doesn’t always guarantee quality, the list serves as a great starting point for those looking to update or expand their car care supplies, particularly for those curious about modern tools like foam cannons.
The report’s insights are based on data from sales transactions across VerticalScope’s network of 1,000 unique forums and 55 million registered members, analyzed over a calendar year. This comprehensive methodology ensures the list reflects trends and preferences among a large and diverse community of car care enthusiasts.