The best detailing brushes for your car

Written by Ryan Gilmore Published: 22 August 2022 Updated: 30 November 2023

Detailing brushes may sound like something reserved for the experts, the types that maintain high-end classic cars and a little overkill for cleaning your car. But in fact, a good collection of detailing brushes can not only help when it comes to cleaning your car but will make the job a good bit easier. With varying bristles and handles, not all detailing brushes are the same. Corse, often-nylon bristles are perfect for mucky alloy wheels but don’t use them on your interior unless you like scratches. Likewise, ultra-soft brushes are great for interior surfaces but lack the power to tackle exterior mud.

Pretty quickly, you’ll realise how important detailing brushes are for keeping your car clean. On the exterior, they can agitate surfaces and help remove caked-on mud, and they can get into those little nooks on the interior without damaging anything. We recommend getting a couple for the interior and exterior, and to help, we’ve chosen our favourites below.

The outside of your car will be cleaned best if you use a tougher bristle to help cut away at mud without marring your car’s paintwork. The benefit of using a brush on your bodywork is that it will help dislodge pieces of dirt that you may miss when using a wash mitt. They’re particularly useful for grilles and cleaning other intricate areas of your car.

The best detailing brushes shortlist:

Best exterior detailing brush (Editor’s choice): 26JPN Ultra-Soft Detail Brush – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best wheel detailing brush: Autoglym Hi-Tech Wheel Brush – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best budget detailing brush: ValetPRO Brush – Buy now from Amazon UK

The best detailing brushes

Best detailing brush for your car’s interior:

Your interior is full of fabric, switchgear and small crevices that love to collect bits of dirt and debris. A softer detailing brush will allow you to sweep away with ease, removing that dirt without having to resort to the vacuum cleaner every single time you eat a bag of crisps in your car.

The best methods for using car detailing brushes:

Car detailing brushes are essential tools for achieving a thorough and precise cleaning of both the interior and exterior of your vehicle. Here’s how you can effectively use car detailing brushes for different parts of your car:

Interior:

Dashboard and Console: Use a soft bristle brush to gently remove dust and dirt from dashboard surfaces, air vents, and console buttons. A smaller brush with finer bristles can help reach tight spaces.

Seats and Upholstery: For fabric seats and upholstery, use a brush with medium bristles to agitate the fabric and loosen dirt. For leather seats, opt for a soft-bristle brush to prevent scratching. Remember to use a suitable cleaner based on the material.

Crevices and Gaps: Utilize smaller brushes with fine bristles to clean crevices, gaps, and seams between panels, doors, and buttons.

Carpet and Floor Mats: A stiff-bristle brush can help loosen and remove dirt from carpets and floor mats. Vacuum afterwards to collect the dislodged particles.

Pedals and Footwells: Use a small brush to clean pedals, footwells, and other hard-to-reach areas.

Trim and Embellishments: Employ a soft brush to clean intricate trim pieces and decorative elements without causing scratches.

Exterior:

Wheels and Tyres: Use a dedicated wheel brush with stiff bristles to clean brake dust and grime from the wheels. A tyre brush can help scrub tyre sidewalls effectively.

Grille and Vents: A soft brush can gently clean grilles, vents, and other delicate exterior parts. A good car shampoo will help with lubrication.

Badges and Logos: Detailing brushes with soft bristles are perfect for cleaning around badges and logos without damaging the paint.

Exterior Trim and Seams: Utilize a brush with fine bristles to clean tight seams, trim pieces, and other nooks and crannies.

Door Jambs and Hinges: A smaller brush can help clean door jambs, hinges, and other hidden areas where dirt and grime can accumulate.

Convertible Tops: For convertible tops, use a soft brush and a suitable soft top cleaner to gently remove dirt and stains. Follow manufacturer recommendations.

Glass and Mirrors: Detailing brushes with fine bristles can clean tight spots around windows, mirrors, and windshield wipers.

Remember these general tips when using detailing brushes:

• Always start with the gentlest brush and cleaner appropriate for the surface to avoid causing damage.
• Work in a systematic pattern to ensure you cover all areas.
• Regularly rinse brushes to prevent dirt buildup and avoid cross-contamination between surfaces.
• Use a gentle touch and let the brushes do the work to avoid scratching or damaging surfaces.
• If the brushes become too dirty, clean them thoroughly before continuing to use them.
• Always follow manufacturer instructions and guidelines for both the brushes and cleaning products.
• By using the right brushes and techniques, you can achieve a professional-level detailing job on both the interior and exterior of your car.

Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.

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