All the tips and tricks you need to know when it comes to car detailing

For those who want their vehicle to look its very best, a thorough car detail is an essential part of the process. This involves going beyond a simple wash or even a valet. This involves deep cleaning and decontamination of the paint, washing all the joints and hinges, and even giving the wheels a thorough cleansing. The interior gets just as much attention; after vacuuming every surface, the carpets are shampooed, while the more sensitive upholstery is wet cleaned. The most thorough and best car detailing takes things to the extreme, with every surface carefully cleaned, brushed, waxed, and veneered, as is appropriate.

Considering how complicated this all sounds, it makes sense that most people making use of professional car detailing services. However, this can be pricey, especially if you're a little OCD and want your car looking its best at all times. Therefore, learning DIY car detailing is a useful skill. This car detailing guide sets out to help teach you how to detail a car yourself and give it that professional, clean car look.

A full car detail is a lengthy and time-consuming process; whether you want to give your small car some TLC or your pickup truck requires some attention, it can be expensive to have this done professionally. Detailing your car at home helps to offset these expenses, and it also lets you do it more regularly, if that's your desire. However, you will need some special car detailing tools to get the job done right. It also means you can decide how often to detail your car, and you don't have to get stuck without a car waiting for the task to be completed.

A variety of different products are used in the process of detail cleaning a car. If you don't want to spend time ticking off boxes on your car detail checklist, you can buy an all-in-one DIY kit that should include all the necessary supplies. But as you become more skilled, you may find that you prefer a different type of cloth or a brush with softer or firmer bristles. Vehicle detailing is a very personal experience, after all. And if you're going to take this seriously, some of the equipment can cost a pretty penny.

To get you started on the road the automotive perfection, here is a list of the tools you'll need to start, and tips on how to get the most out of them:

For the interior, you'll also need specific tools, including:

Now that you know what you need, you'll want to know how to use them. You can shake things up by shuffling the order around, where possible, but here are the steps to take when performing total detailing on your vehicle.

Convertible cars require a little extra love, especially if you have a soft top that requires special attention. Check out our guide on cleaning your convertible top here.

Once you're done with the exterior car detailing, you will want to give the inside some attention. Professional car cleaning for the interior is the easiest way, but you can do the job yourself if you have the patience.

There are some other steps you can take when performing an interior car detail, such as replacing a dirty air filter, or putting in new lights, assuming your car doesn't have fancy LEDs. Whether your ride is the family Chrysler Pacifica and is prone to messes and spills, or your prized Ford Mustang that you just want to take care of, you can do basic car detailing yourself. We certainly hope these car detailing tips will help you take the greatest pride in your most valued asset.

Any reputable auto shop should offer detailing services. However, there are also specialists who do nothing but detail cars for a living, and they may be the best choice. Each state will likely have its own selection of fine businesses, as these are seldom chained franchises. Thus, your best bet is to search online in your specific area.

A comprehensive car detailing should include a full exterior wash and polish, wheel and tire cleaning, as well as door jamb and windows. It also includes special attention given to polishing, removal of superficial scratches, and a sealant coat over the top. On the inside, a full detailing includes vacuuming, wiping down the surfaces, and washing the upholstery.

If you hire a professional to do the job for you, expect to be without a car for at least a day, though probably two, depending on scratches and polishing work that needs to be done. The most comprehensive detailing can take longer even. However, if you do it yourself, be sure to set aside the better part of a day, and don't be discouraged if you only manage to finish the exterior in that time.

A basic detail can cost anywhere from $50 to $150, depending on the size of the vehicle. But, if you want the whole shebang, you should expect to pay upwards of $200.

Morgan has always had a love for the written word, which is why he obtained an Honours Degree in English Language Studies. Having spent several years as an editor for a variety of trade magazines, he decided he wanted to try something a bit more exciting and hands-on. This led him to CarBuzz, where he has been writing and editing reviews and blog posts since 2018. A level-headed academic, Morgan enjoys reading about the latest tech in the automotive industry, even though he drives an economical hatchback.