Are you wanting to wash your car and have it looking like the first day you bought it? Do you want to give it a thorough cleaning inside and outside? If so, then you need to learn how to detail a car like the professionals.
Of course, nothing is as good as the real thing. Professionals have years of experience, as well as numerous resources and equipment that the typical car owner won’t have. That said, you can still learn how to give yourself tremendous car detailing.
See below for an in-depth guide on how to perform interior detailing and exterior detailing like the pros.
- Gather the Right Equipment
There’s no shortage of equipment needed to achieve a thorough car detailing. A car contains many different materials inside and out, so you’ll need certain supplies to accommodate each.
For cleaners, you’ll want to invest in glass cleaners, leather cleaners (if necessary), upholstery cleaners, carpet cleaners, and Clorox wipes (which are primarily all-purpose).
As far as equipment, you’ll want to have both microfiber cloths and regular towels/rags, as well as a pressure washer (anywhere between 1200 to 1900 PSI will do), a polisher, and a dry vacuum.
- Remove Trash, Dust, and Crumbs
We realize that most car detailing services wash your exterior before they tend to your interior, but there’s a method to our madness. Unlike the drive-thru car wash, you don’t have giant dryers to dry off the car’s exterior. Doing it this way will keep any water or residue from getting into your car.
First, start by cleaning out your interior. Remove any trash, cups, or other items inside your cupholders, in the side pockets of your door, lodged between the seats, and so forth. Once all trash is gone, grab your microfiber cloth and wipe all the hard surfaces inside to clean the dust.
Once you’ve dusted off the hard surfaces, take your dry vacuum and brush the seats, as well as the carpets (with the floor pads removed). Make sure to vacuum your floor pads, as well as get all the way underneath your seats.
Don’t forget to open the trunk, remove all the items inside, and give it a thorough vacuuming as well. The argument can be made that your trunk needs it most.
Side note: if you’re wondering what car detailing is, be sure to read this article for everything you need to know.
- Clean the Interior
Once you’ve vacuumed the entirety of the car, it’s time to start giving everything a solid wash! Start with the hard surfaces in your cars, such as the wheel, dashboard, air vents, and center console. Wipe them down with your Clorox wipes.
Next, assess what material your seats are made of, then clean accordingly. Here’s a breakdown of what to do for each material:
- Leather Seats: Wipe a leather cleaning solution on the seats, let sit for a few minutes, then dry with a microfiber cloth
- Cloth/Fabric Seats: Place upholstery cleaner on top and let it soak. Remove the visible foam with a dry microfiber cloth
- Vinyl Seats: Wipe the seats down with a vinyl-specific cleaning solution, then dry them with a microfiber cloth
For the trunk, we recommend using the same carpet cleaner that you’re washing your floors with. Shampooing it could cause moisture to form in your car, which might lead to mildew growth.
- Clean the Car’s Exterior
While you usually go top to bottom when cleaning something, a car’s exterior is one exception. Since tires have so much dirt on them, you’ll want to pay special attention to them before washing the rest of the car.
Start by pouring water onto the wheels, then applying your wheel cleaner. Let that and the water sit on the tire for a few minutes, then scrub at it with a brush. After you’ve brushed the tires, you can either choose to rinse them with water or wait until you rinse the entire car off.
Once the wheels have been tended to, rinse down your car’s body with water, then apply your preferred car soap to one section of the car and scrub it with a sponge or cleaning mitt. Rinse that section with water before going to the next part of your car.
- Clean the Glass, then Wax
While you wait for your car’s exterior to dry, take the time to tend to your windows. First, start by spraying your glass clear on the inside of the glass, then wiping it down with your microfiber cloth. After the interior is done, perform the same thing for the outside.
By that time, the exterior should be dry enough to apply a wax coating. Invest in some liquid car wax, then place it on a damp sponge. Go section by section, just as you did with the car soap.
Think of Mr. Miagi as you apply the wax to your car. Use the wax on, wax off method in circular motions to make sure the solution takes to it. Don’t fret if you notice that a dry residue starts to form as the area starts to dry. Just wipe that away!
How to Detail a Car Like the Professionals
Now that you have seen how to detail a car like the professionals do, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
Start by assessing the current condition of your car. Some colors, such as black, are harder to keep clean, as they’re quick to show the pollen and dust that your car collects on the road.
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