Apart from personal satisfaction and taking pride in driving a sharp-looking car, another big reason is the value retention. Since you’ve probably done some hard-shell financing to purchase your car, it’s only logical you want to preserve its value as long as possible. Not to mention that professional car buyers can easily spot a car that has been pampered since day one. Finally, a car that is kept in good shape is essential for creating positive social impressions, for example when going to a job interview, client meeting, or a date. Let’s see what are the most important steps in detailing your car inside and outside.
Wash it like a pro
The worst thing you can do is to wash your car like your granddad used to – using a bucket of soapy water and a sponge. While it’s relatively quick, this method takes a heavy toll on your car’s paint, as dust and sand particles get trapped between the sponge and the surface, creating a spider web pattern that diminishes the gloss. Instead, use two buckets, one for shampoo water and another one with clean water for rinsing the sponge. Even better, instead of a sponge, use a special lamb’s wool or sheepskin car wash mitt. Once you wash it and rinse it, you need to dry your car immediately, using special drying towels. Instead of rubbing a towel all over, spread it on the surface and let it soak the water before wringing it.
Clay it for deep cleaning
Claying is the process that professional detailers use before waxing and polishing. It’s also highly recommended if your car is often parked outside, exposed to the elements and tree sap. While it removes most of the dirt, regular washing can’t remove microcontaminants. Even if you live in a big city like Sidney where streets are generally clean, microscopic rock particles, metallic residues, braking dust, etc. can stick onto your car paint. When applied, detailing clay absorbs these microparticles, leaving a smooth-as-new surface which is now ready for the next stage.
A protective layer of wax
Once the clay has done its work, your car is ready for waxing. Aside from giving your car a mirror finish that reflects the clouds in the big blue sky, waxing creates a layer of protection that shields the paint form pollutants like acid rains and bird droppings. Depending on the quality of the wax you use, a single application can last up to several months, provided that you follow the instructions. On the other hand, if you’d like to invest a bit more in gloss protection, consider one of the latest synthetic paint protection films which last for years. These specialists for car detailing in Sydney use GYEON Quartz ceramic protective films with a 5-year warranty against loss of gloss, chemical, and UV damage.
Finish on the inside
Having your car spotless on the outside means little if the inside looks like a rock festival green the morning after. Ove the past 50 years, materials used for the interior have changed dramatically, to include synthetic carpets, vinyl, leather, natural and carbon fibres, as well as various kinds of plastics, which require a different approach to cleaning. Vacuum the seats and mats, and use specialized interior cleaners to remove grease and stains, making sure the product is safe to use on the surface you’re about to clean. Vacuuming is effective, however, there’s something even more effective – compressed air. Use an air can to reach difficult spots and flush out the debris. You can even use it for rubber mats instead of washing and rinsing. At the end, use silicon oil spray to protect the rubber and plastic surfaces, and especially the door seals.
While most car owners would like to keep their rides shiny as new, not many of them know how to do it. With a little practice, these steps aren’t difficult to master. Keep in mind that a quality ceramic or polymer protective films also make it harder for dirt and grime to stick, which in return makes your quick washes much easier.