How to Detail Your Car

It might be a surprise to many people, but there is nothing really hard, or difficult about detailing your car. There is no secret to getting a professionally detailed vehicle. Essentially, you are only washing and cleaning your car or truck. Just with some added attention to detail. In order to make your vehicle look its best, you need to gather a few things.

Materials needed:

• Dish soap, or car wash solution
• Soft, lint free cloth, or chamois
• Car wax
• Vacuum cleaner
• Crevice tool hose attachment
• "Rug Doctor" or other carpet cleaning machine
• Ammonia-free glass cleaner
• Newspapers
• Waxing pads
• Car polishers
• Bucket, 5 gallon size
• Carpet cleaner
• Vinyl cleaner
• Sponge

Begin by mixing the cleaning solution in your bucket. Use warm water if possible. Using a sponge or some soft towels or washcloths, apply the soapy water to the top of the car, and work your way down, working the soap into a lather using gentle pressure and motions so that you do not scratch or harm the vehicle's paint job. Once the exterior is clean, rinse off the soap. Dry the car by using a lint free cloth. Finish by applying a good car wax. Follow the directions on the back of container and use the wax applicators to wax and buff your car, giving it a beautiful shine.

Next, you can begin cleaning the windows. As is described in another article, this is another step that is fairly easy. Simply spray the ammonia-free glass cleaner onto the windows, starting with the windshield first. Then wipe the cleaner off using paper towels or newspaper, moving in one direction, minimizing the chances of having any streaks. Complete one section before going to the next.

To clean the interior of your car, remove all the floor mats and set them aside. Vacuum the floors and seats using your crevice attachment as needed to clean out all the tight areas. Once the vehicle is completely vacuumed, you'll want to clean the upholstery. Follow the directions on your "Rug Doctor" or other carpet cleaning machine. You'll once again have clean upholstery and carpets. Allow everything to thoroughly dry before using your vehicle. This minimizes the chances of mold and mildew growing in the vehicle.

While the upholstery is drying out, you can clean the all the vinyl in the vehicle's interior. The process is more fully described in another article, but simply put, just spray the cleaner onto the towels or washcloths and wipe off the vinyl.

You have detailed your car.