What is Car Detailing?

Some Bartow drivers just take their vehicles through a carwash and call it a day, while others prefer to give their cars the spa treatment – also known as car detailing. So, what is car detailing exactly? Car detailing is an in-depth cleaning of your car’s interior and exterior. This goes beyond a simple surface cleaning, so you can really restore your car to its factory-fresh condition. And in this guide, our service team can tell you how to detail a car like a pro!

How to Detail a Car

Before you can really scrub away all that dust and dirt, you’ll need to grab the right tools for the job from an auto shop or parts department. You can customize your car detailing kit to suit your preferences and car materials, but here’s a good starting point for Winter Haven drivers:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Washing mitts
• Microfiber cloths 
• A variety of small brushes (such as a paintbrush)
• Canned air
• Upholstery cleaner
• Carpet stain cleaner
• Car-safe cleaner
• Window cleaner
• Surface protector for vinyl and leather surfaces

Exterior Car Detailing Steps

Let’s begin with the exterior. A good exterior cleaning will not only bring your car back to a high-gloss finish, but it can also help protect your paint from damage on the Auburndale roads. Here’s how to detail your car’s exterior:

• Rigorous Exterior Wash: First, wash your vehicle with a car-safe washing solution. Grab a pack of microfiber cloths and use them to gently buff away dust and debris. Swap out your cloths as you clean, so the accumulated dirt and sand don’t scratch your finish.
• Clean the Wheels: Next, clean up your tires. You can use the solution from the previous step or a soap made specifically for tires. Grab a brush to reach the smaller grooves of the tires if needed.
• Wax the Exterior: Finally, consider waxing your car once it’s fully dry. This will create an impeccable finish, while also adding a layer of protection against the elements in Auburndale!

Interior Car Detailing Steps

Now that the exterior car detailing is complete, let’s move on to the interior car detailing process. Once again, the steps are simple and you might be surprised by what a huge difference you notice at the end! Here are the steps for interior car detailing:

• Carpeting: Start by vacuuming up all of the larger particles, like crumbs and dirt, and treat any stains that you notice. 
• Upholstery: Repeat the same process for your seats. Vacuum the seats, getting into all of the nooks and crannies, and treat any stains. Let them dry with the cabin doors open to prevent mildew.
• Door Interior: Moving onto the non-carpeted parts of your car, scrub the doors and door jambs with a soap and water solution. Dry with a cloth. 
• Windows: Grab a glass cleaning solution and wash the inside of your car mirrors and windows. Dry thoroughly to help prevent streaks. 
• Steering Wheel Column: Use your cleaning solution to wipe off any dust or dirt and then dry with a cloth. Apply a surface protectant. 
• Dashboard and Center Console: As a final step, get into the dashboard and center console with your small tools to clean thoroughly. Dry with your cloth to remove any remaining dust.

Get Car Detailing Prices at Kelley Automotive Group

Now you know what is car detailing and how to do it yourself, you might be wondering, “Is there an easier way to deep clean my car?” The answer is yes, Kelley Automotive Group is also happy to offer professional car detailing services to leave your vehicle spotless. We take care of the hard work, so you can just sit back and enjoy the results! Contact us for car detailing prices, and feel free to schedule your appointment in Lakeland today!