While professional detailing is the always the best option, there are times when you need to do a quick DIY between visits to your detailer. Auto detailing doesn’t have to take forever and cost a fortune. With a little elbow grease and these 10 auto detailing tips, you can keep your car clean and well-maintained, inside and out.
Top 10 DIY Auto Detailing Tips
#1 Car polish isn’t car wax
Many people think car polish and car wax are the same, but they are different products. If the surface of your car is dull or has minor imperfections, polishing it might help.
#2 Clean your windows thoroughly
Take a look at the tops of your windows while they are partially rolled down and you might be surprised at how much grime there is. Use a microfiber cloth and some automotive window cleaner to remove this, it will only take you a few minutes at most. Do not use window cleaner with ammonia.
#3 Clean under your seats
You may think you keep your car pretty clean, but have you checked under the seats? Make sure you’re regularly cleaning under the seats as well as you can. If you have access to compressed air blow out any debris. Otherwise use a vacuum attachment to get into tight areas.
#4 Use a clay bar or nano-skin towel
Clay bars or nano-skin towels are a quick and inexpensive way to remove embedded contaminants. Simply lubricate the surface with a clay lubricant and gently rub the clay bar or nano-skin towel over the paint until the embedded material is gone. Our article on removing tough contaminants with a clay bar will help you do it properly.
#5 Use a “no rinse” car wash
No rinse cleaning products can save you a lot of time and effort when washing your car. No rinse products leave no residue so you can skip the final rinse step after washing. Learn about No Rinse Wash and Shine here.
#6 Work from top to bottom
While cleaning the top of your car some of the dirt will run off to the bottom, and if you started at the bottom that means all the hard work you just did was wasted.
#7 Don’t use products like ArmorAll
Such products leave an oily residue that attracts dust and dirt. It is best to use a gentle interior cleaner to leave your dash, doors, console, etc. clean and oil free.
#8 Interior Foggers can help fight odors
If you’re dealing with a particularly nasty odor in your car, try using an odor eliminating fogger. There are several options available from manufacturers like Meguiar’s.
#9 Use compressed air in hard-to-reach spaces
A little bit of compressed air can help you remove dust from hard to reach spaces like air vents.
#10 Test products before you use them
You never really know how a product you haven’t used before is going to react, so make sure you test it on a small spot first.
One of the best ways to keep your car looking great while reducing the need for detailing is by applying a ceramic coating to the exterior and interior finishes. These products help reduce the build-up of dirt and make cleaning your car much easier.
We hope these DIY auto detailing tips help you. Please contact us today at Details Matter to learn more about auto detailing and paint protection for your car. Our popular VIP Maintenance Service provides prestige detailing by certified detailers who care for your car as if it’s their own.