What is Car Detailing?

Has the interior of your car seen better days? Whether the back seat is riddled with dog fur or there are coffee stains on your passenger seat, it’s probably time for an in-depth car detailing job. What is car detailing? More than a standard car wash, detailing involves extra steps like buffing and waxing the exterior and shampooing the interior to restore a vehicle’s appearance when it’s particularly dirty. Sometimes, car detailing may also involve getting rid of exterior scratches or minor dings. Car detailing prices around Thomasville, GA will vary, but it can be done at home if you’re looking to save some money! Learn how to detail a car with the Dale Earnhardt Jr Buick GMC service pros, below.

What Do I Need for Car Detailing?

For a DIY car detailing, you will need to gather a few more items than if you were just giving your car a quick wash in your Crawfordville driveway:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Washing mitts
• Microfiber cloths
• A variety of small brushes (such as an unused paintbrush)
• Soft-bristle brush
• Canned air
• Upholstery cleaner
• Carpet stain cleaner
• Car washing soap
• Window cleaner
• Surface protector (for vinyl and leather surfaces)

How to Detail a Car’s Exterior

Be prepared to put a little more muscle into the job when you’re detailing your car’s exterior:

• Thorough Exterior Wash: Fill a bucket with water and car wash soap so it’s ready to go. Before you start washing your car, rinse it down with a hose. Use a car washing sponge or microfiber cloth to rigorously scrub every exterior surface of the car. Rinse the sponge clean every now and then or swap out your microfiber cloths often so you aren’t spreading rough dirt or sand across the paint’s surface. When you’re satisfied with the washing job, use clean, dry microfiber cloths to dry it off completely—allowing it to air dry isn’t recommended as it will create sunspots on your paint.
• Don’t Forget the Wheels: Use your car wash soap to clean your car’s wheels. To get into the grooves and tough to reach areas, use a toothbrush to scrub away the dirt.
• Wax the Exterior: If you really want to make your car shine like new, you should finish off the exterior by applying car wax. After it’s applied, wipe away excess wax with a soft brush.

What to Do for Interior Car Detailing

Interior car detailing can refresh your cabin and make it a more pleasant place to spend your time on Panama City roads. Here’s what you should do:

• Carpeting: If your car has carpeting, start by vacuuming it. If there are any stains, apply a household carpet stain remover and use a soft bristle brush to lift them out as much as possible.
• Door Interior: Dilute some mild unscented soap with warm water and use the solution to wipe down the non-carpeted portion of your door interiors, including the door jambs, handles, and buttons controls.
• Windows: Spray the windows with a window-cleaning solution and wipe them dry to avoid streaking.
• Upholstery: Vacuum your seats, being sure to get into the nooks and crannies. If there are any stains, apply a cleaning solution that is recommended for your upholstery type and gently scrub the stains away as best you can with a soft brush. Leave your car doors open so the seats can dry out completely to prevent mildew.
• Steering Wheel Column: Wipe down with a cleaning solution to get rid of dust and dirt, then follow up with a surface protectant.
• Remove dust and stains with a cleaning solution, dry, and apply a surface protectant.
• Dashboard and Center Console: Use the small brushes to get dust out of the tight spaces. If there is any dirt or grime, use a mild cleaner and a rag to spot clean. Do not apply liquid cleaner on any technology or touchscreens.

Get More Maintenance Tips at Dale Earnhardt Jr Buick GMC!

Tallahassee drivers can count on Dale Earnhardt Jr Buick GMC to provide trusted car maintenance tips. Whether you’re looking for additional advice on how to detail a car or you have other service questions, you can contact us any time and we’ll be glad to help!