Every car needs a car wash every once in a while but sometimes you need to perform a more thorough cleaning. Some members of our editing team have been washing cars since before they could legally drive, so they know a lot about achieving a perfectly detailed automobile. Detailing is cleaning your vehicle inside and out like you’re preparing it for a car show. These days, you can find complete kits of car detailing tools that covers all the bases. No matter the vehicle you drive, these ten steps to a perfectly detailed car are sure to get the job done.
1. Suck it up
A proper place to start is vacuuming. Use a handheld vacuum to suck up all the dirt and dust in the seats, carpets, and crevices.
2. Take them out
Don’t just leave the carpet and floor mats after you vacuum. Take them out and clean them up. You can wash rubber mats with a brush and some soapy water and leave them out to dry in the sun. Starting here saves you some time as your mats should be dry or close to drying out by the time you’re done washing the exterior.
3. Wet it down
Knock off dirt and grime and create a smoother surface for what comes next. Whether you choose to wash in the sun or shade, it really doesn’t matter. But washing in the shade is recommended because it keeps the paint surface cool to the touch and won't dry out the surface water or soap.
4. Soap it up
Using a solution of car washing liquid and some warm water, begin washing your way down from the roof with a foam or a mitten. Avoid dish soap as it may degrade your car's polish or wax.
5. Use two buckets
You should have two buckets; one with the soapy water and one with just water. So every time you finish a section, rinse your mitten in the soapless bucket of water. Many car owners don't take the time to do this method, but it makes washing much more effective. It also keeps the soapy water clean.
6. The bigger the sponge, the better
When you soap up your car, you are racing against time; the bigger the sponge, the lesser the time. A large sponge or mitten helps you work much faster by covering a larger surface area. Some mittens and washcloths have been specially designed for washing cars. You may want to try one of these.
7. Should you use specialty car wash products?
Try out some specialty products to clean hard-to-reach places in the car’s exterior that your mitten or sponge can’t reach. Manufacturers of these products have invested some know-how into them, but it is still up to you to determine which one works for you. An example of this would be wheel cleaners.
8. Rinse it down
Once your car is all soaped up, quickly rinse it down with a pressurized hose or large splashes of water.
9. Dry it off
Use a large towel or towels to dry your car. Try not to use any cloth or fabric that sheds lint. You should dry your car off quickly, but not too fast so you don’t scratch the surface. There are microfiber towels that are specifically designed for drying off cars.
10. Wax, wheels, windows
The last and final step is to use paste or liquid wax on the body of your car, and for the wheels: specialty tire cleaning products. If those don’t work, use some elbow grease with soapy water and a small scrub brush. Windows require window cleaning products for a good shine.
And there you have it: The flashiest car in the neighborhood in just ten steps!
