Car Care Center
How to detail your own car
Whether you live in the humid South or the dry Southwest, car detailing is a great way to protect your car against the elements and retain its value. Car detailing operators can charge up to $250 for a full service detail. Doing it yourself in the driveway may take a little elbow grease but can save a significant amount of money.
The first step is to check the car for the hard-to-remove stains like tar and bug marks. A reputable car care solvent will remove the stain and not damage the paint. After the stains have been removed, wash the car with basic soap and water. There are many products available but even regular dish soap (not detergent) will do the trick. Use a sponge that won't damage the paint on the car. Usually only a gallon of water is necessary to wash the entire car so be sparing with the water – this means avoiding the urge to spray your spouse.
After drying the exterior with a soft chamois-type rag, applying a coat of wax is a good car maintenance idea. Most waxes consist of carnauba wax or silicone compounds. The natural wax may require more elbow wax to apply but also cleans the paint better than the quicker and easier purely synthetic alternatives. Search the internet for how-to videos for applying wax in the most efficient manner. There seem to be many theories so find what works best for you.
Cleaning the interior should be a piece of cake compared to applying a coat of wax. Both leather and cloth interior can be damaged by the sun's rays so use a windshield blocker if the car will spend extended periods in direct sunlight. Inexpensive products to clean either type of interior are available at car care stores and most supermarkets.
Finally, wipe the wheels and rims with a reputable tire cleaner. Some products are more highly regarded than others so be sure to consult a consumer rating website for other user's experiences.
Related Articles:
