How to Detail Your Car Like a Pro
If you’re new to car detailing, it can seem intimidating at first. With some preparation and knowledge, however, you can learn how to detail your vehicle like a pro with ease.
With the correct products and tools, you can restore your car’s shine. To do so, you’ll need some essential items that will make the task easier and result in an impressive show-ready vehicle.
1. Wash the Exterior
Washing your car is one of those chores that many people either dread or enjoy. Either way, it’s an essential part of maintaining the value of your vehicle and keeping it looking its best.
In addition to soap and water, you will also require some other items in order to get started. These include a cleaning cloth/rag, tire cleaner, soft terry towels and car wax.
Start with a sponge or lambswool wash mitt and apply an effective car cleanser. Rinse the area thoroughly before moving onto the next section to prevent swirl marks and light scratches. Focus on washing one section at a time in order to minimize exposure of dirt.
2. Vacuum the Interior
Vacuuming your car interior not only improves its appearance and feel, but it also keeps dust and allergens out of the air. This is especially important if you suffer from allergies or asthma and want to make riding in your vehicle more comfortable for everyone.
You can use a vacuum that comes with different attachments to reach different areas. For instance, the soft brush attachment will help remove minute particles of dirt from carpeting and upholstery.
Before beginning vacuuming your car interior, remove all personal items and large trash that your vacuum cannot pick up. Doing this will make the vehicle appear cleaner and tidy, making vacuuming much simpler.
3. Clean the Glass
Your car’s windows can become a breeding ground for dirt, dust and grime. They may also harbor road tar, tree sap, bird droppings and more – making them a prime target for infiltration.
When detailing your vehicle, always start by cleaning the glass before polishing any other parts. Doing this makes the job simpler and ensures a streak-free shine.
Start by spraying each window with a cleaning solution, then wipe the glass clean with a microfiber towel. Dry the glass thoroughly and buff it until shiny.
Microfiber towels are ideal for this step as they are soft and gentle on the glass, unlike paper towels or other materials that may leave lint behind.
4. Polish the Paint
Your car’s paint is constantly exposed to external contaminants, and even the cleanest surfaces can become dull and stained over time. That is why regular wash and polishing of your vehicle is so important for keeping it looking its best.
You can remove surface scratches and swirls with a polisher or good quality wax. These products will help to erase surface imperfections while adding some gloss.
When polishing, it’s essential to use the correct compound. Too much polish or using a high-speed buffer could burn through your paint if not done correctly.
5. Clean the Wheels
Your wheels accumulate dirt and brake dust that can lead to serious damage over time. That’s why it is so important to keep your tires and wheels clean.
Step 1: Use a wheel cleaner or degreaser and warm, soapy water to thoroughly remove any accumulated grime, dirt and brake dust from your wheels. Apply a light coat of cleaner then let sit for several minutes before using either a cleaning brush or sponge to scrub away at it with.
Next, thoroughly rinse the wheel wells, spokes and lug nuts with water. Finally, dry the wheels with a microfiber towel to prevent water spots or streaks from damaging your vehicle’s paintwork.
