Auto Detailing

How to make your car sparkle and shine

Many dealerships offer automotive detailing services, but they come at a high price. So why spend money on something you can do yourself at home? With the right know-how and products, you'll be able to detail your car like a pro. Here are the best detailing tips that will keep your car looking brand new for years to come. Having your vehicle turn just one head will make the work all worthwhile.

  • Wash it - Washing your car is the first step towards a showroom-worthy finish. Don't take your car to a drive-through carwash. A bucket of soap and water and some tough scrubbing is what your vehicle needs. Use actual auto soap, such as Meguiar's Deep Crystal Car Wash (not the soap from your kitchen sink) and a synthetic car sponge. The air pockets in the sponge will make it easier to work up a nice foamy lather. Wash your car in small sections, rinsing as you go.
  • Dry it - Dry the car manually or else the surface of the paint will be left with water spots. Micro-fiber auto-drying towels are beneficial because they won't scratch or leave lint on your car. Old, worn household towels will also work. Use two towels as you dry - one to gather the bulk of the water and the second to dry the paint to a glorious shine.
  • Clean it - Clean out the inside of your car. Throw away all the garbage, junk and unnecessary items. If needed, shampoo the seats using auto upholstery cleaner. Vacuum the seats, floors and mats. At this point, the interior should be spotless. Finish by using Armor All wipes or spray to bring the shine back to the dash and accessories.
  • Wax it - Waxing your car is essential for maintaining the quality of your paint. It should be done at least once every spring and fall and more often if your car sits outside every day. It will not only protect your car from the harmful effects of the sun, but it will also leave your paint polished and smooth. Mother's California Gold line of waxes is a great choice and leaves no funny residue. Simply apply a thin layer of wax in one small area at a time, let it sit, then buff to a shine. Spray waxes are certainly easier, but the results don't compare to traditional wax.
  • Paint care - Clay bars are often used by professional detailers. They're designed to remove embedded particle debris from the surface of the paint for a smooth, amazing finish. A product such as Mother's California Gold clay bar works best when used before waxing. Use a product such as Mother's Scratch Remover to buff out surface scratches from your paint's enamel. Follow up with a wax to seal and protect the paint.
  • Tire care - The tires will significantly affect the overall appearance of your vehicle. For this reason using a tire shine protector, such as Eagle One Tire Shine, is an essential step in car detailing. Black tires are hot - gray is out. Tire shine products will moisturize the rubber and leave tires glistening for days, even weeks at a time.
  • Wheel care - If you have hubcaps, make sure that you wash and clean the surface of the caps. If you have rims, you'll also want to use a commercial rim cleaner, such as Mequiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner, besides just soap and water. What this does is loosen the dirt and grime so that it can easily be wiped away. Rims will quickly get dirty because of brake dust and the dirt of the road. If you have chrome rims (or any other chrome accessories on your vehicle), then you'll need to use a chrome polish to keep them sparkling and prevent them from tarnishing.
  • Window care - Want your windows to sport a streak-free shine? Then you'll need a glass cleaner. Windex Auto works great on most cars and applies just like regular Windex. Clean your windows inside and out. Some professionals feel that just plain water works best. If you have aftermarket tinting on your car, then be sure to use a glass cleaner that is safe for tinted windows, such as Invisible Glass. Another nifty glass product is Rain-X. It applies just like a wax, leaves your windows feeling super smooth and will also repel rain and snow.
  • Engine care - A clean engine will run smoother and will need fewer repairs. Start by covering up the air intake and electrical parts with plastic bags or aluminum foil. Since the dirt and grease inside the engine can be harder to remove, use kitchen dish soap. In extreme cases, you may need the help of a degreaser product. Once the engine has been soaped, rinse with high water pressure to blast away the grime.
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