How to use the Detailing Chemical Mix & Cost Calculator

Mix every bottle right and know what products really cost per vehicle, by size. Here's every step, with screenshots from the real spreadsheet.

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Version 1.1 · 6 tabs · Excel and Google Sheets · Free Lifetime Updates

At a Glance
StepHow long
1Before you start1 min 2Enter your products10 min, once 3Mix a bottleSee step 4See your cost per vehicleSee step 5Reorder before you run outSee step
Messages explainedSee them →

Before you start

The one rule: yellow cells with blue text are yours to fill in. Gray cells calculate on their own and are locked, so you can't erase a formula by accident.
  1. Your download is a zip with two files. Double-click it to open it. Start with the one marked with examples to see how everything works, then use the blank one for your business.
  2. Open the file in Microsoft Excel. Using Google Sheets? Upload it to Google Drive, then open it with Google Sheets.
  3. Start on the Start Here tab. It has the same steps, right inside the file.
  4. The sample data is there so you can see how everything works. Type over it with your own when you're ready.

Here's how to enter your products once, then mix bottles and check product costs whenever you need them.

1Enter your products (one time, about 10 minutes)

Detailing Chemical Mix & Cost Calculator Products tab in Excel and Google Sheets. Products, where you enter cost, size, dilution and how much each vehicle size uses.
Products, where you enter cost, size, dilution and how much each vehicle size uses.
  1. Open Settings. Enter vehicles per week, your size mix and towel and pad cost per vehicle.
  2. Open Products. Enter container size, cost and dilution ratio. Type just the X in 1:X.
  3. Enter how much mixed product each vehicle size uses and what share of jobs use it.

2Mix a bottle

Detailing Chemical Mix & Cost Calculator Dilution tab in Excel and Google Sheets. Dilution gives exact concentrate and water for any bottle, plus a quick mix chart.
Dilution gives exact concentrate and water for any bottle, plus a quick mix chart.
  1. Open Dilution, pick a product and bottle size. It shows exact concentrate and water.

3See your cost per vehicle

Detailing Chemical Mix & Cost Calculator Cost Per Vehicle tab in Excel and Google Sheets. Your real product cost for each vehicle size, plus a monthly and yearly budget.
Your real product cost for each vehicle size, plus a monthly and yearly budget.
  1. Open Cost Per Vehicle. The top row shows product cost for each size, plus your monthly budget.
  2. Use those numbers in the Auto Detailing Quote Calculator so every price covers them.

4Reorder before you run out

Detailing Chemical Mix & Cost Calculator Reorder tab in Excel and Google Sheets. The reorder list shows what's running low before a job.
The reorder list shows what's running low before a job.
  1. Open Reorder. Everything at or below its reorder point is listed with how many to buy.

What the messages mean

The tool watches your numbers and tells you in plain words when something needs a look. Here's every message you might see.

Add size
What it means: The container size is blank or 0.
What to do: Enter the container size.
Ratio: type just the X
What it means: The ratio was typed like 1:10.
What to do: Type just 10.
Reorder
What it means: On hand is at or below your reorder point.
What to do: Order more.

Using Google Sheets or your phone

  • To use Google Sheets, upload the file to Google Drive, then right-click it and choose Open with, then Google Sheets.
  • Dropdowns, colors, and every calculation work the same in Google Sheets.
  • On a phone, the Google Sheets and Excel apps work for quick changes. For setup and printing, a computer is easier.
  • Want to start fresh? Type over the yellow example cells. Don't delete rows, since other tabs may be reading them.

Ready when you are

That's the whole thing, nothing held back. See pricing and screenshots for this tool, or compare every auto detailing tool side by side. There's also a free calculator if you just need one number right now.

Common questions

Is this safety advice?

No. Always follow product labels and safety data sheets.

Quick reference from the Start Here tab

Welcome

Concentrates are cheap per car, if you dilute them right. This calculator mixes every bottle to the correct ratio, shows what your products really cost for each vehicle size, and tells you what to reorder before you run out mid-job.

Setup (About 15 Minutes, One Time)

1

Open 'Settings'. Enter your vehicles per week, your vehicle size mix and your towel and pad cost per vehicle.

2

Open 'Products'. Add each product: container size, what you paid, and the dilution ratio from the label. Ready-to-use products get a ratio of 0.

3

For each product, enter how many ounces of mixed product you use per vehicle for each size, and what share of jobs use it.

4

Enter how many containers you have on hand and when you want to reorder.

Every Day

1

Mixing a bottle? Open 'Dilution', pick the product and bottle size. It tells you exactly how much concentrate and water.

2

Check 'Reorder' once a week. Anything at or below your reorder point shows up with how many to buy.

What It Tells You

'Cost Per Vehicle' shows your real product cost for each vehicle size, your average using your size mix, and your monthly product budget.

Use those numbers in the Auto Detailing Quote Calculator so every price covers your products.

Handy Tips

A ratio of 1:10 means 1 part concentrate to 10 parts water. Enter 10.

Use the same unit everywhere. The examples use fluid ounces.

Not sure how much you use? Fill a bottle, do five vehicles of one size, and see how much is left.

Using Google Sheets? Upload this file to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets. The math works the same there. Locks don't carry over to Google Sheets, so type only in the yellow cells, and print with File > Print.

Safety Note

Always follow product labels and safety data sheets. Some products, like wheel acids and iron removers, must not be mixed with others. Keep every mixed bottle labeled.

Your License

This file is licensed to one business, including everyone who works there. Please don't share, resell or post it online.

© 2026 EasyWorkTools. All rights reserved. easyworktools.com

Every tab

This file has 6 tabs, in this order:

  1. Start Here
  2. Dilution
  3. Cost Per Vehicle
  4. Reorder
  5. Products
  6. Settings
Still stuck on something? Ask us. We answer within one business day, and we'll add the answer here for everyone.