Car Care & Detailing

Cleaners, Protectants and Touch-Up Paint

A truck picks up things a car does not: mud in the wheel wells, bug residue baked onto a bumper, the gray film a gravel road leaves on everything. This group is for cleaning that off and putting something back on afterward, plus touch-up paint for the marks that will not wash out.

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WeatherTech accounts for most of the section with cleaners and protectants. There are also care products from Bestop, touch-up paint from WEATHER GUARD, and single items from Go Rhino, Agri-Cover, Borla, Extang, Kleinn Automotive Accessories and LUVERNE.

That list of names is not an accident. They are the brands that also build covers, tops, steps and exhaust, and they tend to sell care products meant for their own materials. Worth knowing, because a cleaner that is fine on paint is not always fine on vinyl.

Order matters. Clean first, let it dry, then protect, because a protectant applied over grit seals the grit in. And check the label before taking any polish or compound near paint protection film.

Common Questions

What is the difference between a cleaner and a protectant?

A cleaner lifts dirt off. A protectant leaves something behind, a layer that slows down sun damage, water spotting and staining. They are two steps rather than two options, because putting a protectant over an unwashed surface traps whatever is under it. Clean the panel, let it dry, then protect it, and the second one lasts longer.

Do I need a cleaner made for my cover or top?

Often, yes. Vinyl, canvas, textured plastics and painted aluminum all react differently, and a household degreaser strong enough for a wheel can dull or dry out a soft top. That is why several of the brands that build covers and tops also sell care products for them. If you are unsure, check the label against the material.