How to Detail Your Vehicle Like a Pro
When the weather’s perfect, it can be a great time to detail the vehicle and get it looking like new once again. It’s not necessary to pay hundreds of dollars to someone to detail the car, though. Those who want to do it themselves, and still have it end up looking like it was done by a professional, can use the following steps to detail their vehicle.
Gather the Right Supplies
It’s important to start by gathering the best auto detailing accessories to make it easier to get the car to look like new again. Supplies for the exterior of the vehicle might include car shampoo, microfiber wash mitt, car wax, and a tire and rim cleaner. It’s also a good idea to have two buckets to use, one with soapy water and one with clean water. For the interior, use a vacuum with the right attachments, upholstery or leather cleaners, glass cleaners, and interior protectants. Microfiber cloths can also be a great idea.
Wash the Outside and Protect
Start by washing the outside to get everything clean and protect the paint. Two buckets should be used for this. One should have soapy water in it to be used to scrub the vehicle. Another bucket should have clean water for rinsing the mitt between uses. Always wash from the top down, leaving the rims and tires for last, to prevent spreading the dirt to new places. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly and dry it to prevent spots. From there, it’s possible to use a wax, ceramic spray, or sealant to protect the paint against damage.
Clean Wheels and Tires
The last part of the outside to clean is the wheels and tires. Use a wheel cleaner product and a brush to scrub the rims carefully to remove any dirt and debris, then rinse. Finish with a tire shine if desired to enhance the look of the wheels. It is a good idea to take a moment to inspect the tires for potential signs of damage at this point so they can be repaired or replaced as needed.
Vacuum Thoroughly
Remove anything inside the vehicle and then vacuum it thoroughly to get rid of any dust or debris. Vacuuming should be done on the seats, floors, in the trunk, and on any mats. It’s also a good idea to vacuum any small crevices in the car to help get up anything that may be stuck. Take out mats so it’s easier to clean under them and replace them once everything is thoroughly cleaned.
Clean the Inside
Clean the inside of the vehicle, paying attention to all the small details. For fabric seats, use a steam cleaner or spot cleaner to wash them carefully. For leather, use a leather conditioner to restore the seats to like-new condition. All hard services inside the vehicle can be cleaned with a mild soap and finished with a protectant or conditioner to help keep them like new. Don’t forget to wash the inside of windows with a glass cleaner to make sure it’s easy to see through them.
Taking the time to detail the vehicle regularly can keep it looking like new, help prevent potential damage, and ensure it’s always ready to drive. Use the steps here to detail your vehicle like a pro so you can enjoy driving it again.