I would go along with other Autopians` suggestions to buy some "tools" with those Gift Cards (GCs). Proper brushes, applicators, spray bottles and chemical -resistant nozzles go along way in making detailing easier, even for the hobbyist. Like the saying goes, "There`s the right tool for every job."
If you do not have a polisher, even a Porter-Cable Dual-Action polisher (PC-DA) is a great starting point. If you want to move up from there, Rupes Bigfoot or the Griot`s Garage BOSS long-throw polishers are beginner-friendly polishers that give great results. It`s kinda like cutting wood by hand or with a power saw. You can polish by hand, but the time it takes is very long and physically strenuous. Doing it with a powered polisher is much easier with better results. Yes, you can buy add-on pads that attach to a cordless drill, or cheaper WaxMaster buffers, but a PC-DA is a better tool for polishing. Even if you only do foggy or hazed plastic headlight lenses, the results will be much better than by hand or add-on pads for cordless drills.
Changes are you do car washes on a regular basis. Do you have a power washer? Do you have a wash soap foamer (foam gun or lance)? Do you have an air wand or a Metro blower for drying or blowing off water? If it were me, I`d consider a power washer because it has other home-use applications, BUT changes are your gift cards from the various detailing places will not have a gas-powered pressure washer. Then consider a soap foamer or air dryer. Both of those can really help in the car washing department.
