![\"car-detailing\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/car-detailing.jpg\")
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To ensure long-term value, a car should be detailed every four to six months. Most people choose to have their car washed instead of detailed. This can lead to interior fading and gunk buildup that leaves a car showing its true age. Detailing a car takes more time and specificity. From cleaning the carpets, seats, and hard to reach places to waxing and polishing the exterior, there is a lot that goes into vehicle upkeep. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Here\u2019s what you need to know if you\u2019re looking for detailing services or want to give it a go at home. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The goal of a car detailing is to make the car look brand new. That means no smudges or cleaner residue. By starting with the interior, you\u2019ll be able to avoid having to re-clean the exterior if there\u2019s spillage or random marks left over from interior cleaning. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
You\u2019ll want to start at the bottom of the car and make your way up. This is the same as any other cleaning. Don\u2019t dust before you vacuum and don\u2019t clean the counters before you wash dishes. The order of operation will ensure that you\u2019re not redoing steps of the detailing process. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first step for carpets is to remove the floor mats and wipe\/ wash them down. Make sure to get both sides since grime collects underneath. Once you\u2019ve cleaned up the floor mats set them aside and thoroughly vacuum\/ scrub the floor surfaces. A basic carpet cleaner and scrub brush should do the trick. If there are stains or sticky substances that aren\u2019t easy to remove, a steam vacuum will reliably get the job done. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
After the floors are looking great, feel free to place the floor mats back in securely. It\u2019s time to move to the seats, middle console, and dash board. A microfiber applicator and interior cleanser work wonders for hard surfaces. Make sure to be thorough. You can\u2019t spend too much time on any step when detailing. For hard to reach buttons or fragile areas, a soft bristle tooth brush will be your best bet. After scraping away major spots and doing a little finessing, a light polisher will give the shine of a professional detailing. A plastic conditioner or similar product is great as a final coat and will help with UV effected areas. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
It\u2019s time to move onto the interior glass and windows. A dedicated glass cloth is an absolute must. With detailing, there shouldn\u2019t be any streaks or residue at the end. Window cleaner will take care of the rest. Make sure not to wipe in hard lines. The circular stroke technique like Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid is what you\u2019re going for. <\/p>\r\n\r\nOnce the glass work is complete, give the entire interior of the car one final look down. If everything meets your standards, you\u2019re good to move on to the exterior. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Washing the exterior of a car is an art form. It is not simply: apply water, wipe down. Here are a few initial steps that will ensure a great final result. First off, park your car in the shade. Keeping your vehicle\u2019s surface temperature cool will prevent soap spots and water from evaporating too quickly. Next, place carwash soap into one bucket and have a second bucket ready with water. Then sponge up the car and wash it down. Opposite of the interior, start at the top and make your way down. <\/p> \r\n\r\n
Quick warning, make sure all windows and sun roofs are closed all the way. There\u2019s nothing quite as frustrating as a beautiful interior detailing being ruined by soap and water stains. Finally, the lower panels accumulate more dirt so give them a little extra love and look out for the places you don\u2019t normally check. Just because you don\u2019t easily see the dirt, doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s not there. For drying, a microfiber waffle-weave towel is going to be your best friend. It\u2019ll get the job done quickly and leave your car looking great. <\/p>\r\n\r\n