Maintaining a car’s appearance and performance is an essential aspect of vehicle ownership, and car detailing is a crucial part of that maintenance. Car detailing involves cleaning and restoring a vehicle to its original condition, both inside and out, and it goes beyond a simple car wash.
What Do I Need to Detail My Car?
Inspect the Car and Get Supplies
Before you start cleaning your car, take a good look at it and make note of any problem areas. From our experience each vehicle is different and will require different treatment. Inspecting before you start working will help you determine what supplies you need.
Here’s a list of the top supplies you’ll need for detailing your car:
- Bucket
- Garden hose or pressure washer
- Microfiber towels
- Soft-bristled brush and a paint brush
- Vacuum cleaner Wet/Dry
Make sure you have all of these supplies (or substitutes) before you begin. Always read the labels before using any cleaning supplies or tools.
If you dont have products than you can also opt for professional services such as mobile car detailing ottawa as they will come to you.
How to Detail the interior of a Car?
Wash the outside first.
Cleaning the outside of your car is the first step in detailing. You’ll need to clean the outside windows to see properly, as well as limit any dirt coming inside the car:
Clean the Tires
Start by cleaning the tires with the simple green and a soft-bristled brush. Scrub the tires thoroughly and rinse with water.
Clean the Rims
Use the Sonax cleaner and a soft-bristled brush to clean the metal trim and rims of your car. Rinse with water and dry with a microfiber towel. Read the label carefully before use. You will have to follow specific instructions based on the exact cleaner your choose.
Wash the Exterior
Next, wash the exterior of your car with car wash soap and water. Use a microfiber towel to avoid scratches. You can find a list of car wash services in your area or opt for a mobile car wash service if you prefer not to do it yourself. Start with the top of the car and work your way down. Clean the dirtiest spots last in order to avoid scratching your car and spreading the dirt. Use straight lines to wipe the car clean, this will help avoid swirl marks.
Dry the Car
Dry the car with a clean microfiber towel. You can use an air blower or leaf blower to help speed up the drying process. As an additional option you can use the Turtle Wax, Wax as you Dry product. This will help restore your paints shine without the heavy lifting of hand applied waxes
Polish the Paint, Wax On (optional)
When it comes to polishing and waxing, you have various options. One easy method is to apply Meguiar’s Ceramic Spray all over your car. You can even do this while drying the vehicle. You may notice a haze on the car, which can be effortlessly polished off using Meguiar’s Quick Wax mentioned earlier.
This two-step spray process will leave you astounded by the results. The best part is that it’s simple to do, so you can repeat the process every three months. It’s easy to apply and can even be done in direct sunlight with minimal streaking.
If you prefer a longer-lasting solution without having to repeat the process every 3-6 months, you can choose Nu Finish and follow the instructions on the bottle.
Clean Exterior Windows
Use a glass cleaner and a microfiber towel to clean the exterior windows of your car.
Optional: Cleaning the Engine Bay
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also clean the engine bay of your car. Use an all-purpose cleaner and a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt and grime. Rinse with water and dry with a microfiber towel. Some professional car wash services and auto detailers in your area may offer engine detailing as well.
How Do I Detail the Inside of My Car?
Now that the outside of your car is clean, it’s time to move on to the inside. Here’s what you need to do:
Empty and Dust the Interior
Start by emptying your car of all trash and personal belongings. Then, use a soft-bristled brush to dust the interior surfaces. A paint brush is a great tool for the vents and crevices. It will save you time and energy. You can use Mothers VLR to clean all vinyl, leather and rubber inside your car. The VLR will also condition your car as you clean, saving you time. Consider using a auto interior cleaning kit if you opt for another product. We do highly recommend VLR though. Over our two decades of cleaning experience this product has repeatedly proven to be the easiest to use
Vacuum the Interior
Now that you’ve dusted and wiped down all the hard surfaces in your car’s interior, it’s time to tackle the carpets and seats. The first step is to vacuum the entire interior, starting with the seats and carpets. Use a crevice tool attachment to get into tight spaces between seats and the center console. Don’t forget to vacuum under the pedals and floor mats.
Be thorough when vacuuming the seats, especially if they are made of fabric. Use a brush attachment to gently loosen any dirt or debris that may be embedded in the fabric, then vacuum it up. For leather seats, be careful not to scratch them with the vacuum hose and nozzle.
If you have a pet that rides in the car with you, use a pet hair removal tool to get rid of any pet hair that may be stuck to the seats or carpet. You can find pet hair removal tools on Amazon. These tools use rubber bristles or a rock like brush to lift hair from the fabric, making it easier to vacuum up.
Once you’ve finished vacuuming, take a final look around the interior to make sure you haven’t missed any spots. Then, move on to shampooing the carpets and seat.
Clean the Car Seats
If you have fabric seats, it’s crucial to clean them regularly to prevent stains and odors from settling in. Use a fabric cleaner specifically designed for car interiors (Hertel and Simple Green works great!) and follow the instructions on the label. Typically, you’ll need to spray the cleaner onto the seats and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush. Mix the Hertel detergent into a bucket of hot water and use a clean microfiber cloth, gently wipe the seats with the damp cloth.
Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any excess water. After cleaning the seats, repeat the process on the floor. Spray heavy stains with Simple Green, dip the cloth in warm water, and wipe the carpet clean while vacuuming up excess water. Keep repeating until all stains are removed.
Once done, dry the fabric using the car’s heater or by parking the vehicle in the sun. To dissolve salt, boil hot water and carefully let it drip onto the salt. Avoid flooding the car and remove any excess water as you complete this process.
You may also purchase a steam machine or shampoo machine but these cost can add up quickly.
For leather seats, use a leather cleaner and conditioner to keep them supple and prevent cracking. Apply the cleaner with a soft cloth and gently rub it into the leather, being careful not to use too much pressure.
Follow up with the conditioner, which will help keep the leather moisturized and supple. Buff away any excess with a clean microfiber cloth.
Now that you’ve finished cleaning and detailing your car’s interior, take a step back and admire your work. And if that’s too much for you than you can also go for professional services in canada. Such as a mobile car detailing calgary services and making them come to you.
Your car will look and feel like new, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you did it all yourself. For those who prefer a professional touch or are short on time, there are several options available, such as professional auto detailing and mobile car cleaning services.