How to Detail a Car Exterior
Having your car detailed can give it back its shiny, brand new appearance, but professional detailing is expensive. Getting results is possible on your own, however, if you take the time to do a thorough job. With some effort, your car will look like it did the did the day you first drove it home.
Materials
- Bucket
- Auto soap
- Rags
- Sponge
- Garden hose
- Chamois or 100% cotton cloths
- Small brushes, including toothbrushes and small paint brushes
- Stiff cleaning brush
- Auto glass cleaner
- Newsprint
- Auto wax
Procedure
- Park the car in the shade, in a spot where you have easy access to all parts of it.
- Spray the car with the hose to rinse off all loose dirt and debris
- Mix auto soap and water in the bucket according to the soap's label directions.
- Use the soapy water and some of the rags or the sponge to wash the tires. Use a brush for stubborn dirt on the metal portions of the tires. Make sure the brush you are using does not scratch the metal.
- Change the dirty water in your bucket for clean soap and water solution.
- Use the sponge, rags and the soap solution to do a thorough wash of the car. Start with the roof, and work methodically over the whole vehicle. Make sure that the cleaned parts do not dry on their own. Periodically spray the car with the hose to keep it wet until you finish washing it. Change your rag often so that you do not scratch the finish with the dirt particles that adhere to the rag's surface.
- Look at your car, and note all the areas that still need cleaning. Do touch ups as needed. Use the small brushes to clean all crevices where dirt hides including handles, mirrors and lights.
- Use the cotton cloth or chamois to dry the car completely.
- Apply wax as per the instructions on the package.
- Clean the outside of the windshield, windows and mirrors with glass cleaner.
- Wipe the glass with newsprint, using even strokes to get a streak-free finish.