Some of Our Favorite Interior Detailing ProductsĬlean & Shine™️ for Leather, Plastic & Vinyl - Removes grease and grime, while preventing drying, fading, and cracking. Great for protecting painted surfaces, glass, and trim. Can be used as a ceramic coating booster or as a stand-alone ceramic spray. Great for protecting engines and tires.ĮPIC®️ CR2 Hydro Protect Ceramic Spray - Prevents damage from UV rays and water for up to six months. Produces a “like-new” appearance and a long-lasting, high-gloss finish. Great for washing and waxing painted surfaces in one step.Īqua Bead™️ Advanced Silicone-Suspension Dressing - Prevents deterioration and damage from water and other contamination. Produces a high-gloss, water-beading finish. Ultra Violet™️ Premium Wash’N Wax - Powers away tough soils, dirt, and grime. Great for cleaning virtually all types of wheels and tires. Great for cleaning engines, wheels, and tires.Ĭomplete™️ Wheel & Tire Cleaner Non-Acid Formula - Dissolves burnt-on brake dust, grease, oil, and dirt. Prizm Gold Citrus Degreaser - Removes dirt, grease, grime, silicone, and wax. Some of Our Favorite Exterior Detailing Products Wiping down hard surfaces (dashboard, steering wheel, center console, etc.)Ī full detail does not need to be performed more than one to two times per year, depending on the driving habits of the vehicle owner.
Vacuuming crevices, compartments, and all fabric surfaces
For the exterior of your vehicle, these steps include:įor the interior of your vehicle, these steps include: How do you maintain a car after detailing?Īfter your car is clean, inside and out, there are a couple of DIY maintenance tasks that are critical to maintaining its condition and appearance. The proper order of operations for a complete basic exterior and interior car detail is as follows:Ĭlean, condition and protect interior leather Have clean microfiber towels, wash mitts, buckets, and cleaning chemicals prepped and ready for use. In car cleaning and detailing, a rule of thumb for all car owners is to always work from the outside to the inside and from the top to the bottom. Make sure you are taking steps to maintain the wheels, trim, and interior surfaces. Regularly washing your car is one of the most important steps in maintaining painted surfaces, but don't stop there. Now that you have completed basic car care and vehicle maintenance steps to address any mechanical car needs, it's time to maintain and preserve the appearance of your vehicle. Replace windshield wiper blades every six months.īasic Car Detailing Maintenance Checklist Test exterior and interior lights and have bulbs that are not working checked immediately. Check the tread for uneven or irregular wear, cuts, and bruises along the sidewalls. Inspect the steering and suspension system annually, including shock absorbers and struts, and chassis parts, such as ball joints, tie rod ends, and other related components.Ĭheck the tire pressure of all tires, including the spare, at least once a month. Schedule a tune-up that will help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.Ĭheck the car’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, in addition to the cabin air filter. Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage, and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Testing can be done at many auto parts stores. If the battery is three years old or more, test it and replace it if necessary. Every year, check the engine brake system.Ĭheck that the car battery connection is clean, tight, and corrosion-free. Have the brake pads, linings, rotors, and drums inspected at each oil change. Inspect hoses at each oil change and replace them when leaking, brittle, cracked, rusted, swollen, or restricted. The brake fluid level, transmission fluid level, power steering fluid level, coolant level, and windshield washer fluid level should also be checked regularly. Motor oil should be checked at every fill-up and changed per the owner’s manual recommended intervals. Table of ContentsĬhange your oil and engine air filter, and maintain fluid levels. Here are 10 basic car maintenance tips to preserve that new car look. Keeping up with a basic car maintenance schedule will extend your car’s longevity, increase fuel efficiency and gas mileage, and keep it looking and running like the day you brought it home from the dealership.