Proper car maintenance is essential because it increases the life of your vehicle. It also provides you with several other benefits, which include enhanced safety, excellent engine performance, lower fuel cost, etc. There are two ways which you can use to maintain your car; car wash and auto detailing. There is a slight difference between the two processes. In this article, we will learn how they both differ, a guide to car detailing, and tips from car wash experts.

What is Car Detailing

Car detailing can be defined as an advanced auto cleaning process that requires special tools to bring your car’s look to life once again. Auto detailing is often confused with the car wash process. However, certain factors make them different from each other. A basic car wash involves cleaning ordinarily, whereas detailing is meant to clean the vehicle minutely. It requires certain products that tend to cover up blemishes or minor scratches.

Step-by-Step Process and Tips of Auto Detailing & Cleaning

Here is a complete guide on how to clean your car using the car detailing the process:

Pre Wash

This stage involves applying the pre-wash products, including bug and dirt remover. This step is essential because it removes all the extra dirt that might get stuck in the other parts of the car during the cleaning process.

Snow Foam

The next step is to apply snow foam that you can apply liberally and let it rest on the surface. It helps you crack down the stubborn dust particles and makes the whole cleaning process more manageable. In the end, make sure to rinse it properly.

Tires or Wheels

Apply wheel cleanser all over the tires and use a detailing brush to reach narrow areas. To soap the side barrel of the wheels, you will need a woolly. In the end, wah thoroughly and make sure to not leave any soap on.

Engine Compartments

The cleaning engine compartment is as uncomplicated as any other detailing stage. You can use any material like a kitchen degreaser or engine degreaser to remove the unwanted engine’s lubrication.

Headlights

After cleaning up the engine compartment, you can now move to headlights. One must clean the lights before moving towards the polished area.

Baking soda or toothpaste works best for the headlights because they tend not to harm their surface if you are doing the detailing at home.

Don’t Forget Door Shuts and Badges

For door shuts and badges, you will require a soft bristle brush to apply the cleaning solution on the surface.

Washing Stage

The next step is to wash your car. For this, you will need car wash shampoo. Pour some on the water and your wash mitt and start washing. Make sure to start from the top to save yourself the effort of cleaning the bottom again when you wash the top. Leave the shampoo for a minute or two and rinse thoroughly. 

Drying and Decontamination

For drying up the car, you will need a plush drying towel. After that, apply tar remover to the paintwork. The best practice is to leave the tar for some time and clean it with a microfiber.

Next, apply the fallout remover to the vehicle’s paintwork and wheels, leave it for some time and eventually rinse and dry it up. After drying up the car, the next step is to apply the clay lubricant. Once you are done applying the lubricant on one side, remove it before moving onto the other side. Do not leave it on for too long.

Polishing

Polishing is the further action to perform. If you do not have a compound polisher, you can apply it with your hand.

Wax

Last but not least, waxing is the most important thing to do. You might waste all your effort if you skip this step.

Interior Detailing

For interior detailing, the first thing to do is to unload the car; remove mats, seats, and other free objects from the inside. Next, you will need a vacuum cleaner to remove all the dust particles from every nook and corner of the car.

Other items you will need include a soft cloth, leather cleaner, and shampoo to clean the car upholstery and other car objects. To clean small corners, air compressors and brushes work the best.

Auto Detailing Mistakes You Must Avoid

There are following some of the mistakes that you must avoid if you want to make your detailing process successful:

Not Washing the Car in the Shade

It is essential to wash your car in a shady area. That is because when you apply detergents in the heat, it tends to dry quickly. This might leave permanent marks on the car’s surface.

Using Inauthentic Detergents

You must not use detergents that are not qualified to be used on car surfaces. That is because some detergents might be too severe for the exterior, and once they tarnish the paint, it will devalue your car.

Employing Clothes Other than a Microfiber

Using random clothes might work on the car surfaces, but you cannot expect the same result that you will get from the microfiber cloth.

Using the Same container for Rinsing Water and Detergent Water

Using the same container for water solution and rinsing water will leave the soap streaks on the car’s surface. So it is essential to use separate buckets for both.

Cleaning Rental Car Service by Lamar G Enterprises

Lamar G Enterprises team is highly professional as we choose the highly experienced people for our company. With our expertise, proficiency, and extraordinary ability to perform car detailing, we ensure that you can fully trust us with your car. With our quality car wash services, we are here to bring your vehicle to life. Drive your car to us today and get ready to flaunt your car on the road. Even when you want to rent a car from us, you do not have to worry about cleaning it. Because you will get an already disinfected and gleaming vehicle to enjoy. Rent a car of your choice from us and we promise you will not regret it!