A guide to auto detailing
Our cars are an extension of ourselves so it`s natural to keep them looking their best, inside and out.
You could go down the route of a quick shampoo and polish, but to keep your car in top nick (making it hold its value better and easier to sell or part exchange) it`s a good idea to investigate `auto detailing`.
it`s a system of auto care which goes beyond what most of us are used to and can make a big difference in keeping your car in tip-top condition.
Kit List
Before you throw yourself into the detailing process, you`ll need to have the right tools. So, before you get the hose fired up, check you`ve got the following:
High quality car shampoo and wash mitt
Microfibre cloths
Clay bar
Two step paint cleaner and polish
Car wax
An orbital buffer and pads
A vacuum cleaner
Carpet cleaner
Appropriate conditioners for metal, vinyl or leather
Once you`ve got all this, you can start the detailing process.
Washing
A thorough rinse with a jet of water (starting at the roof and working down) should loosen the dirt, but be careful to use an overly powerful blast - it can make the grit damage the paint work. Apply some gentle pressure to remove the dirt with the mitt and shampoo. Make sure you change the water you`re using to rinse when it becomes too gritty so the muck isn`t transferred back to the car.
Claying
Claying` removes hard-to-shift debris like bugs, tree sap, tar and road grime from your car. To do it, you need to spray your car with a `detailer` and use a gentle pressure to move the clay bar around in circles over each panel. You`ll know when you`re done when the clay bar starts to drag less.
Polishing
Polishing will probably be the longest part of the detailing process, but it`s one which is worth the effort.
Apply a polish or paint restoration product by hand, or for even better results invest in a mechanical buffer. They`ve got abrasive pads which remove an ultra-thin layer of paint, getting rid of surface scratches and swirls. Don`t let the polish dry out or the paintwork get too hot and keep an eye out for stray bits of grit which can get trapped between the pad and car. Use a microfibre cloth to remove the excess polish from the paintwork.
Waxing
When your car is gleaming, you need to `lock in` the shine and that`s where waxing comes in. The process feeds the paint`s surface with oils and also protects it from contaminants.
Once again, it`s possible to do this by hand or with the help of a mechanical buffer. When it`s dry can remove it using a clean microfibre cloth.
Cabin Fever
Vacuuming should be the first step of cleaning the interior. Take out the floor mats and clean them separately. If possible, remove the seats to make it easier to get in. Apply a good grade carpet cleaner for serious stains and vacuum again.
Use an appropriate conditioner on the hard surface and make sure to get rid of the dust in the vents.
The Wheel Thing
To get your wheels gleaming, you`ll need a special brush that`s will to get in the gaps between the spokes. Use a tyre protector to restore rubber back to black. If you`ve made modifications to your car, such as alloy wheels, it could increase your premiums so compare http://www.gocompare.com/car-insurance/">car insurance quotes. And finally...
If all this sounds too much like hard work, why not leave it to the professionals?
| service wash | exterior valet | interior valet | full valet |
wash | yes | yes | yes | yes |
wheels | yes | yes and waxed | yes | yes and waxed |
tyres reblacked | yes | yes | yes | yes |
widows polished | windscreen exterior | windscreen
| windscreen
| all interior exterior |
door shuts | yes | yes | yes | yes |
hoover | yes | yes | yes | yes |
bumpers and exterior trim |
| yes |
| yes |
polish |
| yes |
| yes |
interior trim and dash |
|
| yes | yes |
boot spare wheel |
|
| yes | yes |
small medium | £25.00 | £40.00 | £40.00 | £60.00 |
large estate | £30.00 | £45.00 | £45.00 | £70.00 |
mpv 4wd | £35.00 | £50.00 | £50.00 | £80.00 |
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