What exactly is car detailing? Well, as the name suggests, it’s the art of keeping your car in tip-top shape in terms of its paint job, interior and exterior, engine, and more.
And if you think you don’t want to get into it because it’s too expensive and hard to do yourself – well, there are some things you can learn on your own without being an expert or hiring someone else to do it for you.
Here’s a beginner’s guide to detail your car like a pro!
What is Car Detailing?
Car detailing is the process of cleaning and polishing the entire vehicle, inside and out. This includes everything from shampooing the carpets and polishing the leather to cleaning the car paint and protecting it with a sealant.
The way that a car is detailed is much more specific and labor-intensive than regular car washing.
A car wash is normally an automated system that the car passes through to be cleaned. Providing professional detailing means doing the exterior and interior detailing of the car by hand. You can also add engine detailing services.
Two types of car detailing exist:
- Exterior Car detailing
- Interior Car detailing
Why is Car Detailing Important?
Car detailing is important because it helps keep your car looking its best. Regular detailing can help extend the life of your car’s paint and leather and help you avoid costly repairs down the road.
Plus, professional car detailing services can give your car that extra wow factor that makes it stand out from the crowd.
11 Easy Steps to Detail Your Car
Vehicle’s exterior detailing consists of the following steps:
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Avoid Washing Your Car in Direct Sunlight
The sun can cause the water on your car to evaporate too quickly, leaving spots. The heat can make any leather cleaner or other car detailing supplies less effective.
Automotive detailing is best done in the shade or indoors since direct sunlight can also damage the vehicle’s paint.
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Tools and Supplies
You don’t need many tools and supplies when it comes to detailing your car. A few basics will do the trick, including:
- Two buckets
- Car wash soap
- A car wash mitt
- Microfiber towel
- Clean water
- Polishing compound
- Wax
- A hose
- Pressure washer
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First Soak
You’ll want to start by giving your entire vehicle a good soak since all professional detailers always start with a clear water rinse. This will help loosen any dirt and grime that’s built up on the surface.
You can do this by spraying it down with a hose or using a pressure washer. Just make sure you don’t use too much pressure, as you don’t want to damage the car’s paint.
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Wash Your Tires
Most people don’t think to wash their tires when they detail their car, but it’s actually one of the important steps of car washes!
Washing your tires helps remove any built-up grime and brake dust, which can make them look dull and lifeless.
Plus, it will help extend the life of your tires by preventing premature aging.
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Avoid Cross-Contaminate by Using Two Wash Buckets
When you’re washing your car, be sure to use two different buckets – one for the soap and water mixture, and one for rinsing.
This will help avoid cross-contamination and will make sure that your car is getting properly cleaned.
Also, it’ll save you time in the long run by preventing you from having to re-wash your car.
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Start Soaping the Car from Top Down
When you’re ready to start soaping the car by using a car wash mitt, you’ll want to work from the top down. This will help prevent streaks and ensure that you don’t miss any spots. Plus, it’s just easier to soap a car when you start at the top and work your way down.
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Rinse It Off
When you’ve rinsed off all the soap, make sure to take the time to clean your car one more time with a pressure washer. This will help get rid of any soap or dirt residue that remains.
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Wash the Bottom of Your Car
Washing the bottom of your car with a pressure washer is an important part of the professional car detailing process. This will remove any built-up dirt, grime, and salt that can damage the bottom of your car.
You should wash the bottom of your car once a month or more often if you live in a particularly dirty or salty environment.
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Dry Your Car Using Microfiber Towels
One of the most important steps in the auto detailing process is drying your car using a microfiber towel. Microfiber towels are made of extremely fine fibers that are able to absorb large amounts of water quickly. This makes them ideal for drying your car without leaving any streaks or water spots behind.
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Polishing
Many car owners confuse polishing with waxing but they’re separate steps. Polishing your car can provide an added layer of shine and protection, but it’s best to use a polishing compound made for automobiles. Polishing will also protect your vehicle’s paint.
Put the compound on your car in a circular motion with a clean cloth. Start with a small amount and keep adding as needed.
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Apply a Layer of Wax or Sealant
A layer of wax or sealant will help protect your car’s paint from the elements and keep it looking shiny and new. Detailing services also use paint protection film for the same purpose.
Plus, it will make it easier to clean your car and keep it looking its best. You can find these products at any auto parts store.
They come in different varieties like liquid, paste, spray-on, and wipes so there is one for every type of person and situation.
If you don’t have time to do it yourself you can always take your car in for professional detailing.
Important Steps in Detailing Your Car Interior
It is now time to clean the vehicle’s interior.
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Vacuuming
Interior car detailing starts with a thorough vacuuming. This will remove all the big pieces of dirt and debris from the interior of your car.
Be sure to vacuum the seats, floor mats, and trunk. Don’t forget to get in all the nooks and crannies!
Vacuum around the steering wheel, gear shift, cup holders, and door panels. You can also use your hand if you’re feeling brave or have extra time on your hands – just be careful not to scratch up anything.
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Scrubbing and Brushing
The purpose of this is to remove stains from carpets and mats. It also removes some of the larger dirt particles that might be stuck in the fibers of your carpeting.
Professional detailers will often use specialized brushes with bristles made from either natural or synthetic materials.
They use these brushes to scrub away grime, loose debris, and grit from the surface of your carpeting which can lead to matting if left unattended for too long.
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Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning is a more effective method of removing tough stains on carpets and seats. A steam cleaner uses hot water, soap, and pressure to lift dirt out of the fabric or carpet fiber.
For even better results, steam cleaners can be combined with shampoo for hair or upholstery cleaner for fabrics.
Pro Tips
If you have pets at home, consider getting a small pet-specific vacuum cleaner or pet hair removal to get rid of pet hair before starting the process.
Once you are done steaming your interior, use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment brush to get into hard-to-reach areas like under your seats and doors. You should also use the leather cleaner if you have leather seats.
Finally, make sure that you take care of any spills as soon as they happen to avoid permanent staining on your seat covers.
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Glass Cleaning
You will need a glass cleaner, paper towels, and plenty of elbow grease. First, remove any bugs or debris from the windshield with a paper towel.
Next, using your glass cleaner and paper towel, clean the inside and outside of all the windows. Be sure to clean the rubber gaskets too.
Once you have finished cleaning the windows, move on to the mirrors. Follow the same steps as you did for the windows.
Finally, clean the windshield wipers so they can do their job properly.
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Perfuming
Many detailers spray a deodorant into a car’s interior after detailing to leave it smelling fresh and clean.
You want to make sure that you choose a scent that is pleasing and not overwhelming. The type of perfume you choose will also depend on the type of vehicle you have.
For example, if you have a luxury car, you might want to choose a more sophisticated scent. But if you have a sports car, something with a little more edge might be more appropriate.
Most of these items can be purchased at your local auto parts store.
How Often Should I Get My Car Cleaned?
You should detail your car regularly to keep it looking its best. Depending on how often you drive and the conditions you drive in, you may need to detail your car as often as once a week or as little as once a month.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding how often to detail your car:
- If you drive often, you will need to detail your car more frequently.
- If you live in an area with lots of dust or pollen, you should detail your car more frequently.
- If you have pets, your car may need more frequent detailing.
- If you smoke, you will need to detail your car more often.
How Much Does It Cost?
The professional car detailing costs can vary based on a number of factors, including the size and condition of your vehicle, the services you request, and the location of the detailer.
Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $250 for a professional car detail. For most people, this is an investment in their vehicle. As such, they should be able to get what they want without feeling like they are being overcharged.
It is important that customers understand exactly what they are paying for and feel like they have value in the service offered. Car detailing at home may cost you less than professional car detailing.
Car Detailing Keeps Your Car Looking New!
Proper car detailing includes both the interior and exterior of the vehicle. The cleaning process can be time-consuming, but it is worth it when you see the results. It will keep your car’s finish looking like a new car.
By using the steps above, you will have taken care of your car and know how to keep it looking great for years to come. Once you are done with your detail, take your clean car out for a drive around town.
