Basics of Interior Detailing

Have you ever noticed how so many car owners spend all of their time ensuring that the exterior of the car is finely detailed and free of any dirt or debris, but tend to ignore the finer points of interior detailing? The odd thing about this tendency is that all of us spend far more time on the inside of the car than standing around the outside admiring its spit-polish finish!

When considering the interior detailing of any car, there are two main areas of concern: the cloth materials of the seats and similar breathable areas of the car, and the harder surfaces like the vinyl of the dashboard and the various metal and transparent surfaces of the car’s interior. Interior detailing is not rocket science, and can be accomplished by any car owner who has the time and patience to go through the cleaning process.

Car interior detailing should begin with a thorough vacuuming using a real shop vacuum or a standard home vacuum cleaner. Though there are a number of smaller units that allow you to plug directly into the lighter, none of these have the power you will need to perform a complete vacuum job. Before you vacuum, remove floor mats and other removable elements of the interior so that you are able to vacuum all surfaces. If the seats will come out of the car, removing them as well can make your detailing job a lot easier.

Use a specially made interior detailing cleanser for the hard surfaces, applying the cleanser with a damp cloth. Be sure to wipe the cleansed area dry with a soft towel as quickly as you can. For areas with stains, you can use a typical stain remover to break up the unsightly mess. The key to cleaning the hard surfaces is to pay attention to the details. Use cotton tipped swabs to clean the hard to get to areas of the vents, as well as grooves and indentations in the dashboard. A standard glass cleaner is perfect for interior detailing of the dash display.

When it comes to the broad cloth areas, it is easy to clean them with a good wet vacuum or carpet cleaner. Be sure that you limit the amount of liquid that you use on any given area of cloth, particularly if you do not have the time necessary to properly dry the seats and other cloth areas. Your interior detailing count for nothing if your car ends up smelling of mildew after you are done!

As for the floor mats, you can simply power wash them as you clean the exterior of the car. Use a brush to break up any stubborn dirt, and dry them thoroughly prior to replacing them in the car. If you are like most people, your floor mats attract some of the heaviest concentrations of dirt, mud, and debris. Fortunately, they are one of the easiest parts of the car to clean during any interior detailing effort.

Interior detailing does entail an attention to the cleaners and towel types that you use. As a general rule, it is always best to use mild cleansers and microfiber towels when performing any interior detailing, to prevent unintended marring of the hard vinyl or plastic surfaces. When the interior detailing job is complete, your car should once again provide the comfort and enjoyment you deserve.

Select the Right Pressure Washer For Auto Detailing

Auto detailing is the process of cleaning the exterior and interior of vehicles.  Many types of cleaning machines are used for this process, including pressure washers, steam cleaners, and carpet cleaners.  Pressure washers, the most powerful of the aforementioned machines, are ideal for removing virtually all residues from vehicle exteriors.  However, there are distinct specifications for selecting the right system for auto detailing applications.


Need For Specially Designed Pressure Washers

A vehicle's contains exterior is comprised of a wide range of surfaces, including the metal body, hubcaps, wheels, windshield, windows, and engine components.  The hardness and durability of these surfaces varies.  For example, engine components are durable and sturdy. Windshields and glass are hard, but brittle.  The metal body of a vehicle is hard as well, but the paint can be damaged if exceedingly high pressure levels are used.

Therefore, an ideal machine for auto detailing must be able to clean all types and varieties of surfaces without causing damage.  Some of the latest models of pressure washers are suitable for this purpose.  The following are some tips on selecting suitable pressure washers for cleaning automobiles.

Check Specifications

There are three main specifications for a pressure washing cleaners: output temperature, output pressure, and flow rate.

Output Temperature

Pressure washer cleaner can provide three ranges of temperature.  Cold water output is water at room temperature.  Hot water output refers to water at a temperature of 210°F. Steam output means water at a temperature of up to 330°F.  For cleaning automobiles, a steam car wash is the best fit to increase the speed and efficiency of the cleaning process.

Output Pressure

The output pressure level of pressure washing ranges from 500 psi to 8000 psi, depending upon the model.  Any pressure washer with an output pressure rating at or below 1500 psi is suitable for cleaning vehicles.

Higher pressure means increased cleaning efficiency.  However, painted surfaces of automobiles can be damaged by pressure levels over 1500 psi.  Therefore, one should find a balance between efficiency of the machine and safety of the automotive surfaces.

Flow Rate

Flow rate indicates the quantity of water that flows through the output of the machine per minute.  It is expressed in gallons per minute (GPM).  Flow rate normally ranges from 0.5 GPM to 8 GPM.  For cleaning vehicles, a flow rate of 2 GPM or less is suitable.  Mobile car wash machines with flow rates of 0.5 GPM are available from top suppliers to reduce water wastage.  This is particularly beneficial for mobile auto detailers traveling to their customer's locations to clean automobiles where water or drainage may be limited.

Cleaning Solution

Most distributors recommend using a cleaning solution with pressure washers, regardless of the model, to provide additional cleaning power.  Green chemicals are best, as they enhance the power of pressure washers in an environmentally-safe, non-toxic manner.  Look for green car wash formulas, truck wash solutions, tire shines, windshield washes, and other formulas from the industry's top suppliers.

Simple Car Detailing Tips

When it comes to car detailing, everyone wants the greatest results with the least amount of effort. Fortunately, the best way to keep your car in great condition is simply regular maintenance. Make a habit of washing and vacuuming your car, and these two things make up 90% of necessary care. Read on for more specific tips.


For your car's exterior:

The paint of a brand new car will last about three years with no maintenance. It's recommended, however, that you don't wait that long before starting a maintenance program, or you will find yourself trying to make up for lost time, only to realize it is too late.


The worst things for your car's finish are dirt and sun.


Apply wax every 6-12 months for lasting paint; your paint can last forever if you are consistent with maintenance.


Wash your car weekly.


Don't give your car a spray down with the garden hose and let it air dry. This is more damaging than the dirt itself. Take the time to dry your car correctly; water spots can become a permanent fixture on your paint, chrome, or glass.


Automatic car washes can be damaging to paint, so use with caution.


Using the squeegee at the gas station does not count as washing your car.


There is a difference between an "all-cloth" and "100% hand wash"- all-cloth generally refers to an automatic car wash that uses cloth brushes instead of nylon.


It's always better to seek out a 100% hand wash service.


Taking your car to a quality car wash is a great way to outsource your car washing duties. It's worth the time you'll save trying to wash it yourself, and certainly worth the better results if you are a beginner.


Waxing a car serves two purposes: appearance and protection. Don't over-focus on one and forget the other.

To keep your car's interior in tip-top shape:

Avoid bringing any food and drink that could stain into your car if spilled-you will never have to worry about removing something that never gets there in the first place.


The dyes in your clothes can actually rub off onto your car's interior- keep an eye out for this kind of damage. Blue jeans are the worst offenders.


Remove dirt as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the harder it becomes to remove.


Vacuum the upholstery regularly and keep the leather clean.


Leather conditioner will not turn inferior leather into superior leather, however if you choose to condition the leather, clean the leather before conditioning it.


Though not a necessary tool of the trade, Armor-All will not crack your dashboard, despite reports to the contrary.

Use these simple tips to get started on your car detailing program. Taking care of basic maintenance will help keep the condition and appearance of your car in great shape for years to come. Most people don't realize just how far simple maintenance will go in keeping a car looking new.

How to use Car Detailing Clay

There's a new car cleaning product in town and it is about to become one of the staple weapons in the car owners arsenal in the fight against the dirt found on the car.


I am talking about detailing clay. Detailing clay is used for removing what's known as bonded contaminants from your paintwork.

You might find that after washing your car, although it looks all clean and shiny, it actually feels kind of rough or bubbly to the touch. The next time you wash your car, once it is dry, try running your hand gently over the paintwork. Does it feel a bit rough to the touch? Those are the contaminants left behind after the washing process that have bonded to your car's paintwork. They could come from anywhere and include things such as break dust and other airborne contaminants encountered while driving, tree sap or bird droppings etc.

Detailing clay has been developed to remove the above contaminants from your car's bodywork to leave it as smooth as glass. In fact, you can also use detailing clay on your glass work and wheels. One word of caution though, use a different one for each, the last thing you want is for the brake dust that has been removed from your wheels and transferred to the clay to then scratch your paintwork.

So how do you go about using detailing clay?

Well, just to re-iterate, a detailing clay is all about removing dirt that ordinary washing leaves behind. It should leave you with a smooth to the touch finish that can then be polished, waxed and sealed. Simply waxing your car straight after waxing will simply wax over those hard to remove contaminants.

If you are new to using detailing clay, you need to ensure that you start off with a gentle one, as they are available in different grades depending on how stubborn the contaminants are on your paintwork. The least aggressive clays should be adequate enough for most people. Only move onto a more aggressive grade if you have demonstrated your current clay is not up to the task.

The detailing clay works by simply pulling off the dirt particles which are then held onto by the clay. It is important to note here that you use detailing clay along with a suitable lubricant. It is also necessary to knead the clay to move the contaminants that have been removed from your car from the surface of the clay. If you don't do this, or you don't use enough lubricant then you could cause marring on the surface of your paintwork. If after properly kneading the clay you can no longer see a clean surface to use then the clay should be discarded and a new piece used.

Examples of lubricants that you may want to consider can be found by manufacturers such as Autoglym, Meguiars, Clearkote and Pinnacle, and there are others.

You should constantly knead the clay while you are using it to ensure that it remains soft and warm. When it goes cold, it may become brittle and it will not be effective in lifting off the contaminants from the paintwork. This could also leave surface marring.

Work on small areas of the car body at a time, say one panel at a time. Wet the surface thoroughly with your lubricant and then gently work the clay over the surface. Use only light finger pressure. Don't press on too hard. Let the clay do the work.

Don't use the clay on dry panels, if the lubricant dries before you get to a bit, spray on some more. Once you are happy that the surface is smooth, wipe off any clay left behind with a soft cloth.

Finally remember that the claying process will also remove any previously applied layers of wax, so you should always follow the claying process with polishing, waxing and sealing.

A number of manufacturers are starting to produce detailing clays along with their corresponding lubricants. They vary in grades and price.

Vehicle Detailing Secrets

Like many automobile enthusiasts, you probably find yourself wishing you could keep that bright, showroom shine all the time. The problem is, most people do not have the spare time to spend hours each week on their vehicle, and even more people do not have or do not want to spend the money for a detailing company to do the work for them.

The fact of the matter is, there are a handful of secrets, tips, and tricks that can make detailing easier, less time consuming, and longer lasting. You really do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on those 5-hour step-by-step kits you find in stores. With the right knowledge and a few basic items, you can have a professional looking detail job for a fraction of the cost and very little time commitment.

1. The Clay Bar
Clay bars have been a long-time secret employed by almost every detail shop in existence. In fact, it has been such a well-kept secret, that commercial, consumer-level detailing clay hadn't even seen the shelves until around 2003. This is, for sure, going to be one of your best tools when it comes to detailing your vehicle.

The trick to a solid, long-term detail job is applying polish and wax on the cleanest possible surface. When you wash your car with soap and water, you will notice that, after drying, you can rub your hand across the seemingly clean surface and feel tiny bumps. These are minor bits of road gunk and other imperfections, and that's where clay comes in - to remove this debris.
Detailing clay is used with a spray-on lubricant (usually silicon-based) and rubbed across the surface of the vehicle. The clay will pick up all the little bits of grime that normal washing leaves behind, and also strip away any remaining wax on the vehicle.

2. Multiple Polishes
Most detailing kits come with a single hand-applicable polish. A trick that many detailing shops use is to apply polish at more than one level, in multiple coats.

You will need to select the level of polish right for you, based on the condition of your vehicle. Typical use consists of using a medium-heavy polish that cuts into the clear coat fairly aggressively, and then a second coat with a very light polish to remove even the smallest scratches and marks.

3. Electric Polisher
The biggest, most effective tip in detailing your vehicle is to use an electric polisher. This step alone will greatly reduce the amount of time and arm work required to get the job done. One coat of polish by hand will generally take an experienced detailer about one hour, whereas using an electric polisher, that same coat can be applied in 15 minutes.

Many people never look into using a polisher because of fear of damaging their cars finish. That would be a valid concern with older style rotary buffers, but in the highly technological world of today, it is no longer a concern. Random orbital polishers are very gentle on paint, and can be used by a complete novice safely.

Look into applying these three tips, and your own car detailing can be easier, faster, and can last longer.

Auto Detailing: Making A Used Car Look Like New

Auto detailing is a strategy and activity to make any used car look like new. Throughout the years, the practice has transformed into an art itself. Through auto detailing, an old and used car is transformed to look as if it is a brand new car in an effort to win the admiration of car onlookers.

Auto detailing is important to car grooming. In turn, this is very significant especially if the car owner is intending to divest or put up the car for sale. The old or used car definitely would not be attractive to potential buyers no matter what model it is if the overall physical and exterior appearance is not very appealing.

Prior to any auto detailing activity, there is a need to fully evaluate the car. When taking the usual and effective procedures to auto detailing, you surely would be asked to take three auto detailing primers. First and foremost would be the paint evaluation.

The exterior of the used car is the first recognizable and seen part of the vehicle. Impressions are made and unmade just by mere looking at and evaluating the car's exterior. Thus, for auto detailing, the initial aim is always to groom the car through good spray painting.

The second auto detailing procedure would be wheel and tire evaluation. Wheels of old cars usually suffer from black stains caused by the accumulation of tar from brake dust. If the wheels do not receive usual and regular washing and the necessary waxing, chances are greater that you need to spend more effort to groom the car parts.

Third consideration would be the car interior. After you have taken care of the exterior concerns, auto detailing would lastly require you to take care of the insides.

Remember that the car interior is the general indication of how the car has been used and taken care of the user. That is why as much as possible auto detailing would always set it as a goal to make the interior look very superior and in good shape, just like the exterior.

Here are additional simple tips that would surely help make auto detailing a worthwhile and more effective practice.

1. During the auto detailing procedure, make sure the car is in a shade, probably a cool garage or a roofed space. This is because majority of usual and effective auto detailing products like paint and wax do not work well when applied to hot surfaces. Thus, washing the car exterior under the sun is not as advisable as well.

2. When washing the car clean from the top first down to the bottom. The law of gravity would be self explanatory.

3. Do not wash or auto detail a car that has just been from the road. When using cold water when washing, remember that cold water can very much damage the car's hot parts, like the exhaust components, the brake rotors and the engine itself. Before auto detailing, let the hot car cool for about 20 minutes to half an hour.

4. Use detailing towel, brush or spray to wipe away excess wax on the car's exterior. It is inevitable that the wax would eventually form residue around the trim. Now you know how to remedy the situation.

As you carry on an auto detailing activity to make your car look new again, remember that through patience and determination, you can really make your car looking elegant and extravagant once again.

Car Detailing Video - Crazy? You decide!