Your car is probably one of your most valuable assets, and for a good reason: it takes you from place to place, which is why you need it to be in good condition and super functional. However, aside from making sure your car operates smoothly, it’s also important to keep it clean and spotless, especially if you want to reduce or slow down its depreciation value rate.
Therefore, car detailing can play a huge role when it comes to keeping your car immaculate. However, if you’re inexperienced in this, it might be confusing or difficult to do it properly. And for that reason, here is a beginner’s guide to car detailing that will make your car look as good as new.
1. Start by pre-washing the exterior of your car
The car exterior is the first thing everyone sees, so if it gets dirty, then cleaning it should be your top priority. The best way to start is to do exterior wash and dry. However, in order to avoid extra dirt, it’s best to start with wheels, as they’re the most unwashed area of your vehicle. Also, if you haven’t washed your car in a while (it happens!), make sure to do the pre-cleaning phase as well — that is done by using a pre-cleaner because sometimes, there is persistent grime that needs extra scrubbing. When cleaning, make sure to focus on areas that have the most dirt.
2. Now, onto the main part
After you’re done with pre-washing, it’s time to move on to the main part: cleaning. The main goal of cleaning the car is to safely remove the dirt that has survived the pre-cleaning. Using snow foam is the best way to clean your car, as it is a safe and reliable method that won’t damage the surface of your vehicle. If possible, use soft-bristled brushes to reach hidden areas and remove the grime that is difficult to reach. The next step after snow foaming is the washing itself, and the easiest way to do it is to use a shampoo, a wash mitt, and two buckets of water. The two-bucket method is great as it reduces the risk of contamination.
3. After you’re finished, move to the interiors
Now that you’ve taken care of the exterior of your car, you can safely move to the interior space. Since the interior of a car is not that visible to outsiders, it’s common to forget about it, especially during busy days. However, the inside of your car matters a lot, so be sure to pay attention to it. When cleaning the interiors of your car, start with manually removing all the trash, and then proceed to vacuuming, paying close attention to seats, mats, trunk, and carpets. If there are stains, then feel free to give them a good scrub, using a quality brush. Feel free to a steam-cleaning device for stains that won’t go away. Also, don’t forget to clean the windshield and windows.
4. Now, invest some effort in finishing works
Finishing works exist to make your vehicle look shiny and brand-new. These types of work are not necessarily mandatory, but they’re highly recommended, especially if you want to add an extra layer of cleanliness and shine to your car. So, if you’re opting for some color correction work, then it’s smart to use ceramic nano coating to further protect the paint and make it last longer. When choosing the best coating for your car, make sure to pay attention to other attributes, such as strength, price, and longevity. Finishing works such as this one are a great solution for your car as they’ll add an extra level of safety and protection.
5. Maintaining everything
Car detailing is similar to spring-cleaning your home. It should be thorough and effective, but in order for it to work, it’s important to maintain the optimal levels of cleanliness afterward. That’s why you should take care of your car on a regular basis because then, car detailing will be easier and less stressful to complete. Maintaining good results after the detailing is only to make your car look better and cleaner.
Conclusion
As you can see, taking care of your car isn’t a difficult task, but it requires some planning and knowledge. Therefore, before you start detailing your car, make sure to get all the necessary equipment, and also, give yourself all the time so you’ll have enough patience to finish everything. After doing detailed cleaning work, your car will look spotless, shiny, and well-maintained, that’s for sure.
