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There are car washes and professional detailers in many neighborhoods that advertise auto detailing services. However, taking your car to one of these businesses to be detailed will usually cost you anywhere from $40-$100. You can get the same results at home in a few hours with a few basic cleaning supplies. This guide was designed to teach you how to detail a car.
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Introduction
- Although detailing a car, at its core, is washing your car, as the term implies, detailing refers to thoroughly washing every detail of the interior and exterior of your car. It may take a few hours to properly detail a car, but afterward, you will not only have a sparkling clean car, but also the satisfaction and pride that comes with a job well done.
Step 1: Gather Supplies
- To give your car a good detailing, you will need the following supplies:
- A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
- A selection of rags, chamois, towels and paper towels
- Cotton swabs
- Compressed air
- Glass cleaner
- A conditioning protector, such as Armor All, that is designed for car surfaces
- Car wash soap
- A toothbrush
- Car washing brush or mitt
- All-purpose cleaner
- Car wash soap
- A bucket
- Car wax
- A hose
- Note: Always make sure that any soaps, waxes and brushes you use while detailing are safe for your car's finish.
Step 2: Detailing the Interior
- When it comes to the detailing process, there are no hard and fast rules to cleaning your car. After detailing your car a few times, you will likely develop your own method. However, as a general rule, cleaning from top to bottom is the most effective way of detailing, as it will prevent you from having to clean the same area more than once.
- Before you begin cleaning, remove all the surface dust and dirt by giving all the surfaces a good once-over with your vacuum cleaner
- Clean the rear view mirror, the inside of the windshield and the windows with glass cleaner and paper towels
- Wipe down the dash, console and inside of the door with a damp cloth and mild cleanser
- Use cotton swabs and compressed air to clean around and inside all the knobs, air vents and crevices
- Remove the floor mats and vacuum them or wipe them off
- Slide the front seats all the way forward, vacuum around them, and then adjust them all the way back and vacuum around them again
- Adjust the the front seats back as far as they will go and vacuum them thoroughly
- Vacuum the back seat
- Apply a conditioning protector to the dash, steering wheel and upholstery as directed and desired
Step 3: Detailing the Exterior
- When washing the exterior of your car, be sure to use a soap specifically designed for use on cars. To give yourself a more accurate view of your progress, park your car in a shady spot, out of the sun.
- Using your hose, give the car a good once-over spray to remove any surface dirt
- Wash your tires and wheels. For detailed instructions on doing so, refer to Mahalo's guide on How to Clean Car Tires
- Read the package directions and create a solution of soap and warm water
- Work in sections, completely cleaning and drying one area before moving on to the next
- If you are using a rag or chamois, change it often to avoid dirt transfer and eliminate the chance of scratching the paint with gritty debris
- Starting with the roof, use a soft car washing brush, mitt or chamois to wash your car's exterior with the cleaning solution
- Rinse off any excess water
- Completely dry the area with a clean, dry towel
- Repeat steps #5-7 for each portion of the car; the hood, the doors, and so on
- Use a toothbrush or cotton swabs to clean out the crevices around the lights and door handles. Be sure to wipe or rinse away any dirt you remove
- If desired, apply car wax according to package directions
- Using glass cleaner and paper towels, clean the windshield, windows and mirrors
Conclusion
- Taking the time to properly detail your car will not only make your car look better, but will also remove any dirt and grime that, if left on surfaces, may scratch or damage the vehicle. Keeping your car clean may make you feel prouder about driving your vehicle and, if you are planning on selling your car, can also increase your chances of finding a buyer.
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