Did you know that the average American drives 13,500 miles a year? That’s a lot of time spent dirtying up your car!
Sure, you can give it a good rinse and toweling off, and maybe even do some vacuuming. But like your house, you’ll need to give it a deep clean occasionally to ensure your vehicle’s in tip-top shape!
This is called car detailing and even though you can have it professionally done, it’s a lot cheaper to DIY. You’ll need to know which products to get and what to do though.
Here’s a beginner’s guide to car detailing so you have an easier time!
Gather Your Equipment
Before you get started, you’ll want to buy and gather your equipment so you don’t get stuck at any point. You’ll need:
- Buckets
- Clean towels (preferably microfiber)
- Wheel brush
- Hose and nozzle
- Upholstery cleaner
- Car shampoo (like Turtle Wax soap)
- Interior detailer
- Clay bar kit
- Wax/sealants/coatings
- Windex (glass cleaner)
Star With Interior Car Detail Work
Clean out your car of all loose items, such as change, sunglasses, etc. This is the perfect time to gather up all the trash and throw it away!
Take out the floor mats and vacuum the entire inside of your vehicle, including your trunk. Then, work in an upholstery cleaner on the seats and use the car shampoo on the floormats and carpet.
While the upholstery cleaner and shampoo dry, you can then clean all of the surfaces in your car. You can save some time by using an all-in-one interior detailer.
Vacuum your car again before moving to the exterior.
Wash Your Car’s Exterior
Spray your tires and wheels with the hose, as the high pressure from the water can dislodge all the heavy dirt and grime. Use the wheel brush to get all the nooks and crannies.
Now hose down your car and scrub it down with car shampoo, starting from your top and working your way down. Rinse off the shampoo by hosing down your vehicle again, then dry it with clean towels.
Finish Off Detailing
While you were washing your car, did you notice any areas with contaminants? Then you’ll need to get out the clay bar kit. Follow the instructions to treat the clear coat of your vehicle so it’s pristine.
Now follow the instructions for your wax product to seal off your car so it stays clean for longer.
Lastly, go over each glass pane with Windex or glass cleaner. Once you’re done, wash and dry all of your equipment and store for later use.
Perform Car Detailing Like a Pro
The next time your vehicle’s a mess and needs a good clean, you can perform car detailing yourself.
While you’ll need to make an initial investment in a bunch of things, it’ll be worth it in the end. You’ll be able to detail your car whenever you wish, and for a much lower price too!
To read more about automotive topics, why don’t you keep browsing our blog page?
