NEW CAR DETAILING GUIDE

The average person may assume that car washing and car detailing are the same thing, and while there are some similarities, there are vast differences between the two. Car detailing goes deeper into the nitty gritty, beyond simply just cleaning out your car.

Yes, car detailing does include the task of washing your car and vacuuming the interior, but auto detailers tackle the extended task of reaching every nook and cranny, inside and out, with specialised tools and cleaners. Removing parts may be necessary to truly reach every surface.

After the detailed cleaning has been completed, auto detailers will often use specialised enhancing formulas and products to bring your car back to like-new conditions, with a revived shine and that new car smell that we all love.

The thought of having to set aside a full day of detailing might make you want to scrap the whole idea and call a professional instead, but consider these points:

• The initial investment of supplies and tools will save you money in the long run, as you won’t need to pay someone’s labour costs every time your car needs detailing. Only replace what you need when you run out.
• Keeping up with the routine of general cleaning afterward will save you time when you’re ready for your next detail clean.
• Nothing beats the satisfaction of standing back and appreciating the hard work you just put into your fresh, clean vehicle.
• This helps to extend the life of your car, by eliminating the substances that degrade your interior and exterior surfaces, and adding protection with the right products.

Always start with the interior first, since repeated in-and-out during the detailing process can leave the exterior filthy. Focus on the inside of your car first, and after it’s pristine, close the doors and windows, and turn your attention toward the exterior.

• A dry microfibre duster should be used for dusting, starting from the top and working your way down. Move it across the dash, the instrument gauges, centre console, door panels and handles. For the cracks and crevices, use an air compressor or electronics duster.

Pro Tip: For dust in small spaces and cracks, a little trick that comes in handy is using a long-bristled artist’s paintbrush or makeup brush, with a light spritz of furniture polish on the bristles.

• Take note of how the inside of your car smells. Food smells and musty odours can be eradicated with a deodorising fogger, like our ODOR-X Whole Car Blast Kinetic. Remove the cabin filter, which is usually found behind the glove compartment, and run the highest setting of your fan’s recycled air mode with the AC off. Next, roll up all of the windows, press the can’s actuator to dispense the product, exit the vehicle, and keep the doors shut for 15 to 20 minutes. The deodoriser will circulate throughout the inside of your car, leaving behind a pleasant scent. Afterward, install a new cabin filter, Our Power Out! Odor-X spray can be used in the boot and air vents.

If your car has a leather interior, special care will need to be taken. Because of its sensitive nature, the wrong products used can cause it to dry out, fade, and crack. Use a conditioning formula specialised for leather, like our POWER OUT! Leather Cleaner & Conditioner, which does not use harsh chemicals and will leave you leather seats feeling soft and supple. Use the integrated soft brush to scrub out any stains. For stains that are a bit tougher to loosen up, try diluted citrus or organic cleanser first.

Pro Tip: Working from top to bottom is best, because loosened dust and dirt will fall.

Use a wet-dry vacuum, ideally with automotive accessories, to suck up dirt and dust off the carpets. Move the front seats as far back as they’ll go, to get all the debris that tends to collect underneath. If you’re able to, with a few hand tools, remove the seats completely, along with the centre console and other inside trim pieces to ensure every bit of carpet doesn’t get overlooked.

Pro Tip: Before you vacuum, ruffle the carpet with a stiff brush to knock the dirt in the fibres loose.

• Give your car a good, thorough rinse with a garden hose or pressure washer, working from the bottom to the top, to loosen up dirt and bugs and allow them to run off. Apply a snow foam pre-wash after the car is rinsed.
• Next, clean the tyres with a tyre and wheel brush and our Wheel Cleaner, which is formulated to dissolve brake dust, tar, and road grime. Make sure to work the foam into all crevices.

Pro Tip: Cleaning the tyres last means you may accidentally splash dirt and other contaminants onto the body of your clean car.

• Starting at the top, use a garden hose or pressure washer to rinse your car. Don’t let it air dry. Instead, use a chamois or microfibre cloth to dry your vehicle by hand, to avoid water spots being left behind. Wring out the cloths when they get too wet or switch to dry cloths. Open the doors and dry off the weather seals. Apply a sleek layer of our Wet’N Black Tyre Dressing Aero to the weather seals to prevent sticking and give it a glossy look.
• Contaminants are likely still sticking to your paint and glass in the form of grease, tiny bug splatters, brake dust, and water spots. Now that your car is clean and dry, it’s time to use a detailing clay and clay lubricant. The leftover soapy water will work well for the lubricant. Work the clay over your car, working in one small section at a time. Knead the clay as your work, and use your fingers to feel where the paint may not feel sleek to the touch, and focus on those spots with the clay bar.

Pro Tip: Clay bars work well on glass and chrome surfaces, but are NOT safe to use on rubber, plastic, or polycarbonate.

• If you tyres are dry, give them one final spray with our Wet’N Black Tyre Dressing Aero, for that sleek black shine. Or, you can use a cloth to wipe them down for a matte finish. This formula helps to keep your tyres stay cleaner, protects them from sun damage, and slows down dry rot.
• As the final step, it’s time to clean the exterior glass. Use non-ammonia glass cleaner and a couple microfibre cloths — one kept moist with glass cleaner and the other for buffing out streaks. Begin at the top with the sunroof, work your way down to the windscreen and side windows, wing mirrors, and rear window. Lastly, clean the headlamps, fog lights, and brake lights.

You’re done! You can now stand back and admire your freshly detailed car, show it off to your friends or family members, and take pride in the hard work you just accomplished. While your first time detailing at home may have been exhausting, the more you tackle the task on your own, the easier it’ll become.