Introduction: Car Detailing 101

Introduction:

Many people know how to wash a car, but not necessarily do a great job. These instructions will help guide anyone further in-depth on washing their cars.

~Approx. time: 2hrs

Made by:

Brandon Hurley

Georgie Garcia

Tyler Kraus

Adil Ezzahir

Step 1: Gather Supplies

  • Pressure washer
  • Hose
  • Trash Bag
  • Window cleaner
  • Tire Shine
  • Vacuum
  • Sponge
  • Rag
  • Leather Conditioning Wipes
  • Microfiber Cloth
  • Conditioner/Car Wax
  • Degreaser
  • Bucket

Step 2: Park the Vehicle

  • Park the car in a big area
    • Open all doors
    • Remove floor mats
    • Remove unnecessary items from vehicle (i.e trash, clothes, cups)

Step 3: Interior Cleaning

  1. Fill half of your bucket with water
  2. Place a microfiber cloth in the bucket
  3. Get a dry microfiber ready as well
  4. Using the wet microfiber cloth wipe all door trims and dash
  5. Don't forget to wipe the console and steering wheel as well!
  6. After wiping with wet cloth, use the dry one to dry
  7. Dump the old water in the bucket out

Step 4: Seats

Fill ½ bucket with clean water

  • If leather seats
    1. Rinse same wet microfiber cloth and reuse to wipe the seats
    2. Use clean dry cloth to dry the seats
  • If cloth seats
    1. Use vacuum to clean seats

Step 5: Clean Windows

  1. Grab glass cleaner
  2. Grab a clean microfiber cloth
  3. Spray window with glass cleaner
  4. Wipe in the same direction till window in completely dry

*Repeat steps for remaining windows*

Step 6: Clean Exterior Trims

  1. While the doors in the car are open use a rag to wipe clean all the trims
  2. Open the trunk and wipe that trim down as well

Step 7: Clean the Engine Cover

  1. Open the hood of the vehicle (*Caution*: Engine must be cold to the touch.)
  2. Use an old rag and wipe the engine covers
  3. Clean the windshield canal as well

Step 8: Vacuum Floor Boards

  1. Get the vacuum plugged in and powered on (Note: Extension cord might be required for this step)
  2. Vacuum all of the dirt from the entire floor board
    • Tip: Roll the seats backwards to get extra room for the hard to reach areas
  3. Vacuum the floor mats as well
    • If the floor mats are rubber:
      1. Use the hose to get dirt from within the cracks
      2. Let air dry once all dirt is gone

Step 9: Rims

Prepping for Rims:

  1. Fill the bucket halfway with clean water
  2. Add 1 cup of car wax/conditioner shampoo
  3. Place rag and scrub brush in bucket

Ready for the Rims:

  1. Spray tire (*Caution*: Do not get on rims)
  2. Use the scrub brush to scrub the tire and remove all the dirt
  3. Use the rag to wipe the rim
  4. Use the pressure extender to rinse tire and rim

*Repeat these steps for all tires*

Step 10: Exterior Wash

Prepping for Exterior Wash:

  1. Fill the bucket halfway with clean water
  2. Add 1 cup of soap
  3. Place the sponge in the bucket

Exterior Wash:

  1. Wet entire vehicle
  2. Use the sponge to wipe car in clock wise motion
    • Note: Starting with the side that is not in direct sunlight if applicable
  3. Rise each side with the water when done with that particular side

Step 11: Dry Vehicle

Prepping for Drying Vehicle:

  1. Grab shammy
  2. Open all doors

Drying Vehicle:

  1. Dry the wet trims from the open doors
  2. Close door and proceed to dry the vehicle from the top to bottom
  3. Check to make sure you missed no spots

Step 12: Optional Add Ons

  • Apply tire shine on the tires
    • Note: Check to make sure they are dry first
  • Using the auto glass cleaner on the outside of the windows
  • Place a car scent of your choice on the rear view mirror