Car-detailing is a detail-oriented process of restoring your car’s beauty using cosmetics touch-ups. Unlike car wash, you do not have to do car detailing regularly. But if you’re driving the car for more than a year, it’s best to go for auto-detailing.

Read on to find more about the car detailing process.

Park your car in a shaded area

The first and most important rule of the car detailing process is to ensure that your car is not sitting in the sun; this is because — heat speeds up the drying of shampoo and water, leaving spots and drip marks. Also, give it 20-30 minutes to cool down if you were driving earlier. A good rule of the thumb is to wash it before 10 AM or in the evening after 4 PM. However, if the situation doesn’t allow and you must clean it in the sun, then:

● Choose cleaning products that are sun-friendly.
● Wash and dry panel by panel.
● Don’t let the water dry.
● And, be quick.

Pick the right cleaning products

Even the best cleaning services without the appropriate cleaning products cannot give the shine that your car deserves; so, the second essential rule to remember is to pick the right cleaning products. Again, this doesn’t mean purchasing expensive pieces of equipment that professionals utilize. But you do need quintessential resources; here are some items recommended for beginners by Gold Coast Car Detailing professionals:

Also, ensure to read the instruction provided with the products to make sure that you use them in a precise manner.

First, remove dirt and debris.

If you directly move forward with cleaning the body, small debris could leave scratches on the paint; so, before moving ahead with detailing the exterior, you should remove the dirt from the body, hood, headlights, runners, rocker panels, mud flaps, and grille. Plus, assure to remove leaves and twigs beforehand. To remove the debris and dirt:

● Rinse the car with soapy water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes; this will loosen the materials.

● Take the hose and carefully bathe the surface.

The correct way to wash the exterior

Washing the body seems simple, but it requires your utmost attention; small mistakes could lead to notable concerns like scratches, streaks, and in the long run, rust. Follow these simple steps to wash the body of your car:

● Start from the top and proceed to the bottom by cleaning section after section to secure that the soap doesn't dry. Moreover, lather well with the (soft) sponge; another thing to remember while scrubbing is— doing from top to bottom instead of rubbing in a circular motion.

● Rinse the rag often in the other container to get rid of dust; in all, ensure that your sponge remains clean to avoid scratches.

● Immediately after cleansing, use the dry towels to dry the parts; don't let it dry by itself as it will leave water spots.

How to shine the wheels

The wheels are the dirtiest of all, and you will have to be extra careful while detailing them. While there is a lot of debate between car enthusiasts over which— exterior or the wheels— goes first, you can choose whichever you want. If you are cleaning it after detailing the surface, the first thing to do is replace the water in the buckets and wash the mitts. Then, mix the wheel cleaner in one of the buckets and start by cleaning one wheel at a time.

● First, if your wheels are greasy, use a de-greaser before proceeding to clean them.

● Then, soak the sponge in the wheel detergent and gently wipe the spokes and the rim. You can utilize a soft wheel brush to clean the lug holes and other crevices.

● After thoroughly cleaning the parts, rinse for a few minutes with a hose, and dry them using a soft cloth.

Rules to follow while waxing

Waxing, besides giving a polished look, also acts as a protective layer. So, of course, you have to operate like a professional while waxing the car. The first thing to ensure is that you have the proper waxing kit—the liquid or paste ones are best, so get them. Before the waxing, cut the clay bar into four to five pieces and sprinkle a suitable lubricant onto it. Then,

● Smoothly glide the bar onto the surface from top to bottom instead of rubbing it in a circular fashion.

● Use different pieces of each section.

Now, proceed to wax:

● Squeeze out a small amount of paste onto a fine foam (or pad) and gently apply from top to bottom.

● You can employ two to three layers but avoid using a thick coating at once.

● Depending on the type of product (whether it requires drying time or not)—wait, and then use a microfibre towel to buff the wax.

Remember not to apply the wax on the Windows; if you choose to, however, do not apple more than one layer.

Detailing the interior

Lastly, clean the interiors; after all, that's where you'll sit.

● Remove all the trash from floorboards, door pockets, and other sections.
● Wash the floor mats using a carpet detergent.
● Clean the interior windows and mirrors using the microfiber cloth.
● Finally, wipe the steering wheels, dashboard, and seats.

Conclusion,

Once done, especially by professionals, you do not have to go for car detailing again for a year or so.