Introduction
Keeping your car in pristine condition is a badge of honor for many car owners. Right now, social media feeds are absolutely swarmed with foam cannon videos, ASMR brushing, and polishing videos. But what is car detailing exactly? What makes it different from a regular car wash? Follow along with us at Powershift Auto and we’ll cover car detailing as well as how you can detail a car yourself!
What Is Car Detailing?
Car detailing is the process not just cleaning, but improving the interior and exterior appearance of the car. Over time, cars are exposed to various elements, both natural and in some cases, human or animal made elements. These experiences affect a car’s paint, seats, carpet, and other interior bits. The result of these exposures are contaminated paint, stained carpet, and smelly seats. Overcoming these messes and restoring your car’s condition not only will make your car look better, but it’ll give you a much better driving experience.
Car detailing is one of the hottest topics in the automotive world, with professionals showcasing their skills. However, the professional car detailing level is not the norm. Whether you’re a die-hard auto enthusiast, or simply want to keep your car looking good, learning the fundamentals of car detailing is essential. Don’t let your paint or wrap get dull and follow along with this fundamental step-by-step guide to car detailing.
1. Gather the Right Tools
Before you tackle your car detailing tasks, make sure you have the right tools on hand. The essential tools of the trade are microfiber towels, a high-quality soap, two buckets, a wash mitt, wheel cleaner, tire brush, and a solid wax to protect your hard work.
Patterson Car Care provides a wide variety of products geared towards great results in car detailing. They provide complete kits as well as larger sized products compared to the competition. I purchased their Complete Care Kit last year and still have plenty of cleaner left despite taking care of three cars.
2. Start with a Thorough Wash
Begin the process by rinsing your car to remove loose dirt and debris. Rinsing off the car first allows the bulk of the dirt to be removed and set you up for a scratch-less wash.
If you have a foam cannon, now is the time to use it! I prefer using the foam cannon to get a nice layer of soap on the car and then rinse it again prior to moving on. This way I ensure there’s little to no debris that may cause scratches when I move to the mit.
Fill one bucket with soapy water and the second one with just water for rinsing your wash mitt. You’ll want to rinse your wash mitt between passes to make sure dirt isn’t sticking to your mitt and scratching your car.
Start from the top of the car and work your way down, using gentle and overlapping motions.
Rinse the car off again and you’ll already see the transformation taking place!
3. Focus on the Wheels
Wheels are magnets for dirt and grime. This is where a powerful wheel cleaner comes into play. Use the wheel cleaner and a wheel brush to break up the caked on dirt, brake dust, and other contaminants. Rinse thoroughly to make sure all of the filth is gone!
4. Clay Bar, Clay Bar, Clay Bar
A clay bar is a magical tool that can make your car’s paint feel as smooth as glass. After your wash is complete, use a clay bar and a lubricant, such as a quick detailing spray or soapy water, to gently remove embedded contaminants. You’ll be amazed with how much will get captured by the clay bar despite being washed! Don’t forget to knead the clay bar to get more use out of it!
5. Polish and Wax for Protection
Polishing your car’s paint can remove minor imperfections and restore its luster. Apply a high-quality polish by hand or by using an orbital detailing pad. After polishing, protect your car’s finish with a fresh layer of wax or sealant.
Now the debate between spray wax and hard wax is never ending, but in my opinion, its all preference. Regardless of which type of wax you use, the finish will be protected from the elements.
Fortunately, we compiled a list of some of the best waxes on the market! Learn more about the highest performing waxes available to the masses!
6. Address the Interior
Detailing a car isn’t just about the exterior. Take the time to clean and protect your car’s interior as well. Vacuum the carpets and seats, wipe down the dashboard and surfaces, and get rid of the trash that we all accumulate in our cars! If you want to protect your interior from sun damage, look into a UV protectant.
Also, If you have a pet and have tons of pet hair everywhere, use a pet hair removing tool such as a Lilly Brush
7. Regular Maintenance
Once you’ve achieved that spotless finish, the key to keeping it that way is regular maintenance. Establish a routine that includes washing, waxing, and interior cleaning at regular intervals. This will help prevent dirt and contaminants from building up and dulling your paint!
8. Seek Professional Help
While DIY detailing is fun and provides excellent results, sometimes we have to leave it to the professionals. Cars with deep scratches, severe paint damage, or if you want a showroom-level finish, consider taking it to a professional detailing shop for a thorough treatment. There are awesome professional detailers out there, like Darko Detailing on Instagram. These detailers can achieve awesome results at a reasonable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Often Should I Detail My Car?
It’s a typical answer, but it depends. For my personal vehicles that I drive regularly, I will do a full detail every four months. A full detail to me is washing, polishing, waxing, and a deep interior clean. Now, to maintain this level of clean you need to do maintenance washes. I would say wash at least once a month or immediately after it dries up from a rain storm.
2. Can I Use Household Soap Like Dish Soap?
While dish soap or another household soap can work, I would not recommend it. Household detergents are not created with car paint in mind. These types of soap may strip wax off of the car and result in worse problems down the road. We recommend using products designed for cars like those at Patterson Car Care
3. How Long Does Wax Last On A Car?
Depending on your climate, wax will last about 3-6 months. Hotter weather with more sun exposure may require you to wax your car more often to protect your paint. Note that carnauba wax will last longer than a spray wax typically will.
4. When Is The Best Time For Car Detailing?
The best time for car detailing is when the car is cool and the ambient temperature is not too hot. I prefer to have the car in the shade to avoid water spots from forming and soap from drying up. For example, in California I will typically be okay with detailing my car in the early morning or late evening around sun down.
5. What Is A Maintenance Wash?
A “maintenance wash” is your normal car washing procedures in between a full detail. Rather than spend four to six hours cleaning every inch of your car, a maintenance wash will take a fraction of the time. This will consist of your typical rinse, wash with car soap, rinse off the soap, and dry with a microfiber towel.
Conclusion
The art of car detailing involves time, effort, and the right techniques. Set aside a couple hours to do a great job and it will pay off in dividends. By following these tips, and staying committed to maintaining your vehicle’s appearance, you can enjoy the pride and satisfaction that comes with driving an immaculate car. Check out some of the awesome products shared here and bolster your car detailing experience.
AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER
Powershift Auto utilizes affiliate marketing links in our articles. The affiliate links provide compensation for purchases made only by the end consumer. The commission received from the companies allows Powershift Auto remain ad-free and content driven.
When I link to products and services, those links may be affiliate links. If you click on any of those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I’ll earn a small commission. The commission is paid by the retailers, at no cost to you.
I’m careful to link to products and retailers that I have or would use myself and recommend. Money earned keeps Powershift Auto running and allows it to continue to grow. Thank you for your support.