Tips for Detailing Your Car

What You’ll Need

• Spray engine degreaser
• Parts cleaning brush
• Bucket 
• Sponge (large and small)
• Car wash solution
• Chamois or Absorber
• Bug and tar remover
• Touch up paint
• Scrub brush
• Mild spray cleaner
• A good quality automotive wax
• Clean rags
• Cotton  swabs
• Detail brush
• Armor All or other spray protectant
• Glass cleaner
• Paper towels
• Vacuum cleaner (or use the one at the car wash)

The Process

Clean the engine compartment using engine degreaser. Follow the instructions on the degreaser. You might want to do this at a car wash so that you don’t make a mess on your driveway. Liberally spray the degreaser and make sure you cover all surfaces of your engine and the engine compartment. After letter the degreaser sit for a few minutes use a parts brush (available at any auto parts store) to loosen heavy dirt and grease. Spray everything off with water. Depending on how dirty your engine compartment is, you may have to repeat these steps. Once you have the engine cleaned and everything is dry, apply protectant to any rubber or plastic items such as hoses,  air cleaner box, etc.

Now it’s time to give your car a good washing.  Use an automotive sponge, as even a soft brush will scratch and eventually dull the paint. Make sure you get the door jambs and sills. Flush the undercarriage and wheel wells with water to remove mud and road grime. Use Spray cleaner and a brush to clean the wheels and tires. Dry the car thoroughly with chamois or Absorber. (Absorber is a man made chamois that works extremely well. They are available in Wal Mart.) 

Remove any tar or bugs that did not come off when you washed the car. Just a reminder: bug and tar remover will strip any wax remaining on the car.

Touch up any rock chips or scratches in the exterior paint. Matching touch up paint is available in any auto parts store. To make sure you get the correct shade of touch up paint, get your vehicle’s paint code from the manufacturer’s sticker on the door jamb. When applying the paint use a steady hand and take your time. Stay within the scratch or chip and use several thin coats if needed. Don’t just glob the paint on. Do not apply any wax on the vehicle for about 24 hrs after applying touch up paint.

Remove the floor mats and give the carpet and upholstery a good vacuuming. Use a whisk broom to reach hard to get areas such as in between or under the seats. Don’t forget to open your trunk or hatch and give this a good vacuuming as well.

Use a spray carpet cleaner to remove any spots.  Use a soft brush and brush in a circular motion. If you have carpeted floor mats you can use the carpet cleaner on them also. Floor mats usually get the brunt of the dirt so don’t be afraid to use a lot of cleaner. Use hose to rinse the mats out thoroughly then hang them up to dry.

Use spray upholstery cleaner and a soft brush to clean any dirty areas on the seats. Always test a small inconspicuous area first. If your front seats are worn, consider purchasing seat covers. These are available at any auto parts store and will really freshen up the interior.

Pay particular attention to the dash and steering wheel. Wipe down the dash with a damp sponge and mild cleaner. Rinse the sponge in clear water and wipe everything down again.  Use a detail brush or cotton swabs to clean hard to reach areas such as air conditioning vents.

Use protectant on the dash and all plastic or vinyl surfaces. Do no spray the protectant directly on the surface, spray it on a clean rag then wipe it on evenly, careful not to get the protectant on glass or chrome surfaces as it will smear.

Apply 2 coats of wax to the exterior. If you have applied any touch up paint make sure you wait at least 24 hours before waxing. Make sure you get the door jambs and sills and the door frames. Open the hood and trunk lid and get the edges, and don‘t forget the wheels. Your aim is to coat all painted metal with wax. After the wax has dried buff to a sheen with clean soft rags. Make sure you do not get any wax on black plastic items such as mirrors, bumpers, trim, etc. The wax will leave white marks in black plastic. If this happens, clean the item thoroughly with mild spray cleaner.

Use protectant on tires and all exterior black plastic items such as mirrors, bumpers, and trim. Stray the protectant onto a rag then wipe in on evenly. Be careful, if you get protectant on paint or glass surfaces  it will smear.

Clean all windows inside and out. Make sure you do this in the shade or they will streak. Sometimes I use old newspapers to clean the windows instead of paper towels. The news print has less of a tendency to streak the glass.