Detailing your car is one of the most effective ways to maintain its value. In the auto world, “detailing” refers to the meticulous process of cleaning and restoring a vehicle to keep it in the best condition possible. This often involves washing, waxing, buffing, and painting a vehicle’s exterior while freshening interior surfaces by vacuuming, disinfecting, and polishing. With a consistent detailing schedule, you can substantially increase your vehicle’s value.
If you’re hands-on or want to save money by car detailing, you may wonder where to start. Luckily, our team here at Huffines Chevrolet Lewisville has compiled this guide listing the best products and tools you can use to detail your own vehicle, followed by some helpful tips as you navigate the detailing process.
What Products Should You Use To Detail a Car?
Detailing your vehicle is an essential part of car ownership because it maintains the value of your investment. If you plan on eventually selling or trading in your car, you want to make sure you get as much money for it as possible, which can go toward your next purchase.
Just like you must regularly take your car in for mechanical maintenance to avoid future complications, the same goes for detailing. If you neglect to detail your vehicle over its lifespan, evidence of deterioration can be much more noticeable in its interior and exterior features.
What Products Should You Use To Detail a Car?
Here are some popular products you can use to detail your car:
Car Shampoo
Investing in a reputable brand of car shampoo is one of the most essential parts of up-keeping a vehicle’s exterior to remove excess dirt and residue. Most car cleaning liquid is around $10 to $20, making this a relatively affordable way to guarantee your vehicle gets the best cleaning possible.
Clay Bar
Anyone in the auto-detailing world knows how vital clay bars are to the car-washing process, as they can gently remove particles from the vehicle without compromising the paint. With a lubricant, you can use a clay bar to remove all the buildup on your vehicle’s exterior after your initial wash and dry.
Leather Cleaner
If your vehicle has a leather interior, you must use a specially dedicated leather cleaner to get the best results. Other cleaners not intended for leather can strip your surfaces of their natural oils, causing cracks and dry spots on your seats, which are both unsightly and uncomfortable.
Fabric Cleaner
For vehicles with fabric interior surfaces, you want a cleanser made specifically for fabric so you don’t risk damaging the material. Usually, these cleansers create a foam-like substance that deeply penetrates the fabric, eliminating odors and disinfecting surfaces so they appear new. A quick vacuum over saturated surfaces can extract deep dirt and debris further.
Car Wax
The best way to give your car that like-new sheen is to buff it with wax toward the end of your detailing process. If you invest in quality car wax, you can enjoy the benefits of a shiny, protective coating on your car for months afterward.
Glass Cleaner
Another must-have product when detailing your vehicle is glass cleaner. With a microfiber towel, you can wipe the glass surfaces on your car, including the windshield, windows, and mirrors, to make them sparkle. This can improve visibility and aesthetics.
What Tools Should You Use To Detail a Car?
Here are some popular tools you can use to detail your car:
Microfiber Towels
By far, the most versatile tool for detailing your car is a microfiber towel. Microfiber towels are gentle enough to wipe your car’s surfaces without worrying about scratches or scuffs. They’re also incredibly absorbent and good at trapping small dust and debris.
Brushes
For minor details on your vehicle, you can use brushes (such as makeup or toothbrushes) to reach tiny corners and buff small surfaces. Using a soft-bristled brush is a great way to lift dirt and other residues from hard-to-reach places, like the cutouts in your wheels.
Buckets
When detailing your car, you’ll need a few buckets to rinse out your towels and brushes so you don’t cross-contaminate any surfaces. Gather at least two metal or plastic buckets, and add clean water and soap to one bucket while using the other as a rinsing bucket.
Vacuum
Of course, you can’t correctly detail a car’s interior without a vacuum, whether it’s hand-held or has a hose. Vacuuming is the best way to lift tiny particles of dirt, dust, and other debris that make their way into the nooks and crannies of your seats, cup holders, and other interior features.
Car Detailing Tips
Now that you know which products and tools to use when detailing your vehicle, consider these pro tips for detailing your car yourself:
- Wash your car in a shaded area so the shampoo and water don’t immediately dry as you go through the washing process, which can cause unsightly streaks and water spots.
- Designate specific products and tools for different areas of the vehicle to avoid cross-contamination of exterior and interior surfaces.
- Invest in quality products meant explicitly for washing and detailing vehicles to get the best results and avoid scratching or scuffing your vehicle.
So, there you have it—our guide on the best products and tools you can buy to detail your car. With this information, we’re confident that you can maintain your vehicle’s exterior and interior so it’s always in like-new condition and at the highest value possible.
Did we leave out one of your must-have car detailing products or tools? Are you thinking about buying or leasing a new Chevrolet vehicle? Contact us today at Huffines Chevrolet Lewisville, and a member of our team will be more than happy to assist you in any way possible.