One of the best ways to take good care of your car is by detailing it properly. Car detailing involves deep cleaning the vehicle to remove ingrained dirt and grime and the toughest stains. But if you are not familiar with car detailing, you may not be able to do it safely and professionally.
Thankfully, this article is here to help you out. We’ll give you a step-by-step guide to help you choose the best car detailing products and learn how to detail your car the same way a professional would do it. So let’s get started!
1. Gather Your Supplies
Detailing a car requires numerous supplies to enable you to do the job perfectly. Nexgen has some of the best car detailing supplies on the market ranging from car wash soaps and shampoos to car detailing tools and paint sealants.
What you’ll need is:
- Two buckets [one with clean water for rinsing and the other with soapy water solution for dunking]
- Microfiber towel/cloth
- 2-3 wash mitts
- Scrubbing brush
- Garden hose with a sprayer
- Scratch and swirl remover
2. Park The Car In The Shade
Once you have gathered all the supplies you need, the next crucial step is to park your car in the shade. Too much heat tends to speed up the drying process, which can cause water spots. Parking your car in the shade can prevent the cleaning solution from drying before you get time to rinse it off.
3. Pre-Wash The Vehicle
Wash your car thoroughly to remove visible debris, bird poo, pollen, and dirt that may have accumulated on your car’s exterior. Sadly, many car owners tend to ignore this stage and rush to the scrubbing, and this can result in surface impurities being pushed across the glass or clear coat, leading to significant damage to the surface.
4. Don’t Forget About The Wheels And Tires
The wheels and tires are usually the dirtiest parts of a car because of the road salt, asphalt grime, mud, brake dust, etc. So it is important to start with them, especially if you haven’t detailed the vehicle for a while. There are exterior car detailing products specially designated for cleaning the tires and wheels you can use for this stage of the process.
5. Scrub Off The Dirt From Your Car’s Exterior
Now it is time to start washing your car thoroughly. Soak the wash mitt in the soapy water solution until it is fully saturated, then wring it out over the surface you want to scrub. Scrub the vehicle thoroughly, focusing on one section at a time. It is always advisable to start from up as you move your way down because the bottom of the car is usually the dirtiest. Scrub the car in straight, overlapping lines and not in circles, as this can cause swirl marks on your car’s surface.
6. Rinse It
Use a hose to rinse the car. Make sure that you move quickly to prevent soap from drying out and causing water spots. Use the top to bottom approach as well. Rinse the water thoroughly until there are no traces of soap.
7. Dry It
Use the microfiber towel/cloth to dry the car. The microfiber material tends to absorb water faster and more than ordinary materials. It is also gentle and will not scratch your car exterior paint.
8. Wax The Car
If you want to give your car an extra layer of protection and add a shiny appearance to your car, you need to wax it. What’s more, waxing can protect your car’s paint too. To get the best results, use a clay bar for cars.
