Detailing your car can make your vehicle appear ten times better than ever before. You can take an old car and make it look new again with some good, old-fashioned elbow grease and the right tricks of the trade. Here are some quick tips to make your car stand out from all the rest.
Mind the Windows
The windows are one of the first things people notice after you detail your car, so it makes sense to spend some extra time on them.
You’ll want to make sure to pay extra care to the top few inches of the windows where the glass typically hides behind the rubber seal at the top of the door. If you miss this part, you might end up with one or two inches of the window looking grubby. Roll the windows down so you can wash the entire glass.
Cleaning the windshield is also a must-do, especially in order to remove any sticky residue left from park passes and service stickers. Furthermore, you’ll want to spend some extra time washing the wipers because you don’t want them to spread their grimy streaks all over the windshield after you’ve just finished cleaning it.
Treat the Trim
The trim of a car is almost as noticeable as the windows. If your car has a chrome trim upgrade, you’ll want to use some chrome cleaner to make sure it sparkles in the sunshine. If you have black plastic trim, be sure to get a product that’s specifically designed to detail that type of material. It will make a difference in the long run!
Perfect the Paint Job
Your paint job will stand out more than ever when your car is washed and waxed properly. Whether you have a factory paint job or you spent extra to get something special done, washing and waxing your car will bring out the color of your paint job and give your car the razzle-dazzle factor you’re trying to attain.
Master the Microfibers
When it comes to cleaning a vehicle, microfiber cloths are the way to go. There’s practically no substitute for them. When washing and drying your car, you should always use microfiber cloths for the job. They’ll never scratch your car, and they’ll get the job done while making it look nice. Luckily, these handy cloths can be purchased at a reasonable price at local hardware shops or online.
Use the Right Products
Throughout the entire detailing process, be sure you are using the right products for each particular job. It can mean the difference between getting your car in tip-top appearance and having it just look so-so.
Tires: Get the special tire cleaner for your tires. You won’t even believe the difference it can make in their clean, black appearance when you’re finished.
Chrome: Chrome cleaner for your chrome parts, trim, and rims is a must to ensure that these special features continue to stand out in the crowd.
Glass: Find a streak-free glass cleaner for your windows, or make your own homemade recipe from vinegar and water.
Leather: A good leather cleaner should be on your shopping list if your car has a leather interior. Leather craves attentive maintenance. If you treat it nicely, it will grant you years of enjoyment and comfort.
Interior: Interior cleaner for the dashboard and other plastic parts really helps to eliminate the dull look your car may have acquired from dust and grime over long periods of time.
Practice Makes Perfect
If you’ve never detailed a car before, the task can be daunting at first. However, if you try breaking down the project into manageable steps, it’s a lot easier to stick with it. Don’t fret if it doesn’t go exactly as you planned the first time around. Regroup and try again next time. We promise it will get easier with time and practice.
Can’t Get It Looking Good?
If you’re frustrated because you can’t get the results you wanted from trying to detail your car yourself, come stop in and we will take care of it for you. At Ride Time, we are experts at detailing automobiles, and we would love to work on your car.
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