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 also freshening up the interior surfaces by vacuuming, disinfecting, and polishing. With a consistent detailing schedule, you can increase the value of your vehicle substantially.
If you’re a hands-on person or want to save money by doing your own car detailing, you may be wondering where to start. Luckily, our team here at Huffines Chevrolet Lewisville has put together 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?
Image via Flickr by dbeck03
Detailing your vehicle is an important part of being a car owner because it maintains the value of your investment. If you’re planning 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 have to take your car in for mechanical maintenance on a regular basis 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 important 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 get rid of all the buildup on your vehicle’s exterior after your initial wash and dry.
Leather Cleaner
If your vehicle has a leather interior, it’s essential that you 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 to sit on.
Fabric Cleaner
For vehicles with fabric interior surfaces, you want to get 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 like new. A quick vacuum over the saturated surfaces can further extract deep dirt and debris.
Car Wax
The best way to give your car that like-new sheen is by buffing it with wax toward the end of your detailing process. If you invest in a quality car wax, you can experience 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 provide you with better 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 you can use when detailing your car is a microfiber towel. Microfiber towels are gentle enough that you can use them to wipe your car’s surfaces without worrying about scratches or scuffs. They’re also incredibly absorbent and good at trapping small pieces of dust and debris.
Brushes
For smaller details on your vehicle, you can use brushes (such as makeup brushes or toothbrushes) to reach tiny corners and buff small surfaces. Using a little, 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’re not cross-contaminating 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 properly 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 nook 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 specifically meant 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 upkeep the exterior and interior of your vehicle, 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.