Which product to use for each car problem
Not every car problem needs the full kit. This guide works the other way round: it describes the problem first (dirty seats, a strange smell, black wheels, marked glass, fine scratches, dull tyres) and tells you which product solves each one, with the price and an alternative where there is one.
If you are looking for the right step-by-step order to wash your car, that guide already exists: the best products to wash your car at home. If you want to compare the three Redex kits side by side, there is the kit comparison. This page is for diagnosis. Find your problem, read that section.
The seats or mats are dirty or stained
Upholstery Cleaner 500 ml (€3.49) goes straight onto the stain on fabric or carpet. Spray, scrub with a cloth or with the Upholstery Brush (€3.49) if the stain has already dried, and leave to air dry.
Honest limit: a fresh stain comes out more easily than one that is months old. The longer you leave it, the more scrubbing it will take.
The car smells and washing doesn't fix it
Air Freshener 200 ml (€3.49, five fragrances) eliminates the odour instead of masking it. One spray into the air or onto the seat fabric and the scent lasts for hours. If you want to clean the dashboard and leave a fragrance at the same time, Cockpit Spray 600 ml (€5.99, five fragrances) does both in one pass.
Honest limit: if the smell comes from a specific stain (spilt food, a wet mat), the air freshener covers it rather than solving it. Treat the stain first with the Upholstery Cleaner above.
The dashboard is dusty or the finish isn't what you wanted
Detailer Interior 500 ml (€7.99) leaves a matte finish on plastics, unlike the "wet" shine some products leave on the dashboard. Apply it after wiping off the dust with a dry cloth; otherwise the product clings to the dust instead of replacing it with a finish. If you prefer a classic shine and a fragrance at the same time, the Cockpit Spray from the previous section gives that finish.
Honest limit: it is not suitable for leather or fabric upholstery. It is for plastics and hard interior surfaces.
The wheels turn black a few days after washing
That is brake dust, not ordinary dirt. Wheel Cleaner 500 ml Detail (€7.99) changes colour as it reacts with it, so you can see the cleaning happen instead of guessing. Where this product fits in the right order of a full wash, and when ordinary car shampoo is enough without it, is covered in the home car wash guide.
The glass has water marks or mists up inside
These are two different problems. Water marks and dirt on the glass, outside or inside, are solved with Glass Cleaner Concentrate 2 L (€5.99). It is diluted with an equal amount of water and the 2 L make up to 5 L of ready-to-use solution, which usually lasts for months. Misting on the inside in winter is something else: Anti-Fog 200 ml (€3.29) is applied directly to the inside of the glass and delays misting when the temperature changes quickly.
Honest limit: neither one solves the other's problem. The anti-fog doesn't clean marks, and the glass cleaner doesn't treat misting.
Fine scratches appear in the paint after washing
Run your fingernail slowly across the scratch. If you can't feel an edge, Scratch Remover 250 ml (€5.49) usually does the job: it hides the scratch rather than removing paint. If you can still feel the edge with your nail, you need Polishing Compound 250 ml (€4.99, Fine or Medium), which removes a thin layer of clear coat to level the scratch.
Honest limit: neither works miracles on a deep scratch down to the metal. In that case, the car needs a body shop, not a bottle.
The tyres look greyish or dull
Tyre Shine 500 ml Detail (€7.99) is applied to a tyre that has already been washed and dried. A thin coat with an applicator or cloth is enough for all four tyres, and it is touch-dry in a few minutes without the oily film most gels leave on the sidewall. That film is what usually runs onto the wheel at the first rain.
Honest limit: it doesn't restore a worn or cracked tyre. It brings back the black of a clean tyre, not new rubber.
Table: problem, product and price
| Problem | Product | Price | Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dirty seats or mats | Upholstery Cleaner 500 ml | €3.49 | Upholstery Brush, €3.49 |
| Strange smell in the car | Air Freshener 200 ml | €3.49 | Cockpit Spray 600 ml, €5.99 |
| Dusty or dull dashboard | Detailer Interior 500 ml | €7.99 | Cockpit Spray 600 ml, €5.99 |
| Wheels black with brake dust | Wheel Cleaner 500 ml Detail | €7.99 | no alternative |
| Water marks on the glass | Glass Cleaner Concentrate 2 L | €5.99 | no alternative |
| Glass misted up inside | Anti-Fog 200 ml | €3.29 | 500 ml, €3.99 |
| Fine scratches in the paint | Scratch Remover 250 ml | €5.49 | Polishing Compound 250 ml, €4.99 |
| Greyish or dull tyres | Tyre Shine 500 ml Detail | €7.99 | no alternative |
Prices checked on the site on 21 July 2026. Always confirm the price on the product page before deciding; figures change from week to week.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy all these products at once?
No. Each section above solves one problem. If you only have one problem (black wheels, for example), buy just the Wheel Cleaner. If you have several and want the complete system, the kit comparison shows where buying together works out cheaper.
Does the Scratch Remover actually remove scratches, or just hide them?
It hides them. It doesn't remove any paint: it fills and visually levels the fine scratch. For a scratch you can still feel with your fingernail, you need the Polishing Compound, which removes a thin layer of clear coat to genuinely level it.
What is the difference between the anti-fog and the glass cleaner?
The glass cleaner removes dirt and water marks, outside or inside. The anti-fog doesn't clean anything; you apply it afterwards, on glass that is already clean, and it delays misting when the temperature changes quickly. They are two different steps, not the same product under different names.
Does the air freshener remove the smell or just mask it?
It eliminates the odour rather than covering it up. But if the smell comes from a specific stain (spilt food, a damp mat), the air freshener won't fix that cause. Treat the stain first with the Upholstery Cleaner.
Can I use the Detailer Interior on fabric seats?
No. It is made for plastics and hard interior surfaces, not for leather or fabric upholstery. For the seats, use the Upholstery Cleaner.
Once the problem is solved, what do I need to keep the car that way?
It depends on how much you use the car and where you keep it; there is no single right answer for everyone. The home car wash guide has the full routine for regular maintenance, including when each product comes in and when you don't need it.