What exactly is “detailing”?

Detailing is the extensive cleaning and restoration of your vehicle, both inside and out. It’s a thorough process for reviving the appearance of your vehicle – inside and out – and ultimately, it helps protect the second-largest investment of your life – your vehicle.

Why is detailing important?

Detailing your vehicle helps protect it from ageing. Incredibly, there are a large number of people who believe that modern “clear coat” paint jobs do not require regular detailing maintenance. Even a vehicle purchased from a dealership that has had additional protection applied needs regular attention.

The truth is, that some form of protective wax coating should be applied twice a year. Most people clean and detail their vehicles just before and after winter.

How hard is it to detail a vehicle?

A proper detailing effort will likely take several hours, but it may take more or less time depending on the condition and age of the vehicle. Either commit to the time required or employ a professional with a great track record to get it done right.

The basics:
Having just come out of the winter months, the first step to a thorough clean of the exterior is spraying the exterior down and, with only a stream of pressurized water, trying to remove all the salt and road debris you can.

Keep your vehicle wet as you work. This allows any bugs or sticky debris the chance to soften before you run a brush, sponge or cloth over it. Obviously, the front of the vehicle will have the most bugs and flying debris stuck there, so soak that area particularly well. Hard particles that don’t get a chance to soften and get picked up by your cleaning tools can then be pushed all over your vehicle’s body and will scratch the painted surfaces.

Next, wash the vehicle from the top down, starting with the roof. Any cheap, automotive soap will do. Do not use dish soaps as even liquid dish soaps have abrasives in them. Do not use soaps with waxes in them either. It’s an unnecessary gimmick. Soap, scrub and rinse the roof, then do the same to windows all the way around. You’ll be making several trips around the vehicle, spiralling downward as you work.

Next soap, scrub and rinse the body down to the waistline moulding or halfway down to about knee height. Again, make sure to keep the vehicle wet. Finally, soap, scrub and rinse the bottom of the vehicle. This area is always the dirtiest and accumulates the most debris, road tar and other stubborn materials, so use a different rag, cloth or brush to clean that area specifically.

Once your car is dry, apply wax. For longer-lasting protection, try a synthetic polymer-based wax.

Your Tires Need Love Too

Because standard car wash cleaners often won’t get your tires sufficiently clean, use a tire and wheel cleaner. Liberally apply tire-cleaner to the outer surface, then use a tire brush to vigorously scrub back and forth. When done, apply the cleaner to the wheels, allow the solution to set for a minute, and then use a clean brush to remove any debris. Next, rinse the wheel and tire with the hose.

Additionally, checking your tire pressure, windshield-washer fluid level and replacing your wipers during this twice-per-year routine makes a great deal of sense.

It’s What’s Inside That Counts

Don’t cut corners inside. Sliding into a sparkling interior makes people far happier than even a sparkling and well-detailed exterior, so treat yourself. Salt and road debris will do a real number on carpets and carpet floor mats. Consider purchasing what is called a “floor liner” which is a moulded plastic tray that will perfectly fit the contour of your vehicle’s footwells.

Start with a very careful vacuuming of every corner, storage pocket, nook and cranny.

For carpeted interiors, remove and spray down what you can (mats). Then, use a foaming fabric and upholstery cleaner for cloth seats, spot-lifter or stain-remover products for carpeting. Leather surfaces require proper leather treatment formulas. Avoid using Armor-All on interior vinyl or touch surfaces such as the dash because it can dry out those materials and actually accelerate the ageing process and formation of cracks. Simple cleaners work best, wherever possible.

Of course, if you can’t do the work yourself, or simply don’t want to (we totally get it!), then consider hiring a professional. Click the SERVICE REQUEST button below to inquire about available cleaning and detailing services.