Detailing a vehicle involves more than just taking it through the car wash. Utilizing proper chemicals, brushes, and equipment can make all the difference in how your car appears.

Sponge cleaning sponges, for instance, is an effective way to take away grit from paint and metal surfaces. Plus, when you rinse them off, most of their dirt is removed too!

1. Vacuum the Interior

Over time, dirt and grime accumulate inside your car. This could include mud, debris, dander, and food particles.

Vacuuming your car interior at least once a month helps it look and feel clean. Doing this prevents dirt and dander from building up inside of it.

To effectively clean your car interior, the ideal tool is a vacuum cleaner with various attachments and brushes. This will enable you to efficiently pick up all dirt and grime within your automobile’s cabin.

With these tools, you can clean your car’s dashboard, seats and door panels. Plus, use a soft brush to loosen dust on plastic trims.

This is an effective way to remove dirt and debris that has built up in tight places, like the seams of your seats, armrests, door handles or behind floor mats.

2. Wash the Exterior

Before you begin detailing the exterior of your car, you will need several supplies. These include a hose, buckets, soap and microfiber towels.

As you begin this process, begin by washing the wheels and tire wells of your vehicle; these are often where dirt accumulates. After these are cleaned, you can move onto other exterior panels.

Next, use a car shampoo or all-purpose cleaner to thoroughly rinse the paint. After it has dried, apply wax or paint sealant for protection.

Applying wax or sealant requires more time than simply washing and rinsing, as you need to apply it carefully and evenly. Furthermore, wax or sealant helps protect the paint from future scratches or scuffs.

3. Wax the Exterior

Exterior detailing requires more time and effort than washing your car, but the rewards are worth the extra time and effort. Not only will this give your car a deeper shine, but it also shields against UV rays, bird droppings, road grime, and more – making it an invaluable step in maintaining its appearance.

Before applying wax, ensure your car is dry. Otherwise, the product can be difficult to remove later.

Next, use an applicator or microfiber cloth to apply paste wax. Spread in a thin, even coat without applying too thickly.

When applying wax, some types can be applied using a foam applicator pad and others require use of either a sponge or application brush. When working with wax, use only a small amount and work in circular motions for best results.

Alternatively, you can use a mechanical buffer to save time and effort when waxing. They come in various forms like rotary buffers that spin in circles or random orbital buffers which are user-friendly and safer to operate.

4. Clean the Lights

If your headlights appear dull and foggy, it could be an indication that they need cleaning. This simple fix will have you back driving in bright daylight in no time!

To clean your lights, use a foam wash mitt and car shampoo. Alternatively, you can use a clean sponge along with vinegar and baking soda for effective cleaning.

Another option is to spray your headlights with WD-40, but be careful not to touch any unprotected areas of the car as this product can cause damage if not rinsed away.

A more expensive method is to use a headlight restoration kit. These products contain special pads designed to sand the lenses back to clarity and come with an applicator.