Just about every car owner cleans and maintains their vehicle on a somewhat regular basis. However, the amount of time spent and the attention to detail when detailing a car vary greatly from owner to owner. If you are going to detail your car the most important thing to remember is to allocate enough time so you can really pay attention to the “details.” In order to get your desired results of a beautifully detailed car that “looks like new” you should think of the process as a marathon, not a sprint.
Create a car detailing tool box
One of the most important aspects of how to detail a car is making sure you have the right detailing supplies. Outside of the standard vehicle cleaning tools (soap, water, bucket and sponges) each car owner should also have more specialized tools in their toolbox to complete more specific tasks. These tools will vary based on your needs and your type of vehicle. For example, if you have a large truck you might need larger brushes with an extended reach to clean mud out of the wheel wells and debris out of a bumper. However, if you have a smaller vehicle you might be more concerned about the interior or polishing your new custom rims. The best approach is to create a toolbox with the items that meet your needs. However, regardless your vehicle type there are still a few items that should be in every detailing supply toolbox – here are just a few.
- Vacuum – to remove dirt and debris
- Clothes and Sponges – exterior and interior cleaning (Drying Towel, Supreme Shine Microfiber)
- Glass Cleaner – (Clearly Better Glass)
- Interior Detailing Spray – clean dashboard and trim (Dash Away Interior Detailer)
- Exterior Sealant and Wax – protect paint and create shine (Supreme Seal Paint Sealant, Gold Class Liquid Wax)
Interior Detailing
Start by detailing the interior of you car first. This will ensure that you don’t create any blemishes or smudges on the outside of the car when you are working on the interior. When detailing the interior of the car there is no particular order in which to detail areas, however, here are a few key areas that will have the largest impact.
- Carpets: Vacuum the carpets thoroughly and treat any stains. For stains use a carpet spotter like Surf City’s Hit the Spot Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner by spraying the spotter on the stain and letting it sit for a few minute before cleaning up the spot. This will give the product time to work and yield the best possible results.
- Door Jams – This is an area that is often missed. Use a water and soap solution to wipe down the area. For tighter spots you might need to use a small brush or a q-tip. If done properly this will have a big impact when you open the doors.
- Dashboard – Don’t use water or spray solution directly on the dashboard. This will dry out the dashboard causing it to crack or you could cause damage to the instrument panel. Instead use a dashboard cleaner like Surf City’s Dash Away and apply it to a microfiber cloth or the tool you are using to clean.
- Upholstery – The way you clean the upholstery of your car will differ based on the material – leather or fabric. If you have leather upholstery you will want to use a product that will help keep a desired level of moisture in the leather. We suggest using Meguiar’s Leather Cleaner and Conditioner. This will keep the leather from deteriorating and cracking. For fabric upholstery you will just want to keep the fabric vacuumed and spot (use a mild carpet spotter) as necessary.
Exterior Detailing
When detailing the exterior of your vehicle the most important thing to remember is to thoroughly clean all surfaces before applying any type of finish, wax or protectant. Driving your vehicle exposes the paint, windows and wheels to variety of debris and dirt. If the debris and dirt is not removed properly it can cause significant damage to the vehicle. Also, if the dirt and debris is sealed onto the vehicle by applying a wax or finish over it can cause damage to the paint or other surfaces overtime. Remember, you want a clean slate before applying any type of finish, wax or protectant.
- Wheel Wells and Tires – Clean this area of the exterior first. This is where the majority of the dirt and grime is. Spray the wheel well out thoroughly then wash the tires and rims. Once that is complete you can use a tire and rim detailing spray like Wizards Tire & Vinyl Shine to get a nice glossy finish. Don’t forget the wheels and rims because if they aren’t properly cleaned they can take away from the overall look of the vehicle.
- Body of the Vehicle – Again, remember to thoroughly clean the body of the vehicle with dish soap or Meguiar’s Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner before applying a wax or protectant. This also means drying the vehicle as well. If you apply wax or sealant to a wet surface it will adhere properly causing streaks and blemishes. Also, try to apply wax and protect ant in a shaded area. If the surface of the vehicle is hot the finishes will dry out before the can properly be buffed in or they will not adhere correctly.
The experts at ShineGear know how to detail a car, and we hope that by sharing our knowledge with you, your car will reap the benefits. At ShineGear, all of our auto detailing products are expert tested and car guy approved. Visit us online at sgcardetail.com to get the best car detailing supplies on the market.
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