Car detailing is a booming industry, with countless products flooding the market. This makes it a daunting task for beginners looking to learn how to clean their vehicle at home. Many automotive enthusiasts have discovered that rolling up their sleeves and washing their vehicle themselves is rewarding and relaxing. Whether you’re in it for the satisfaction, the savings, or just to take better care of your vehicle, home detailing can be a great hobby to pick up. There may be some trial and error along the way, but I’m here to make the process easier.
When you’re planning to tackle your own washing and detailing, it’s important to use a specialised exterior car cleaner for the job. It might be tempting to grab whatever household soap is lying around, but specialised products make a difference. Products like detailing shampoos or snow foam are designed specifically for car surfaces. They’re made to break down dirt and grime without damaging the paint or stripping protective coatings. You want something that works effectively while being gentle enough to keep your vehicle looking its best.
In This Article:
Start with the Wheels
So, where do you start when washing your car? Some swear by starting with the interior, others argue you should work from the roof down, but I suggest kicking things off with the wheels. And there’s a good reason for that. Wheels are usually the filthiest part of the vehicle. They pick up all the grime from the road like brake dust, tar, mud, etc. So, if you’re going to get stuck in, it makes sense to deal with them first, before you start touching any of the cleaner surfaces.
Before diving in, make sure your wheels aren’t hot from driving and let them cool down first. Once they’re safe to handle, grab a proper auto exterior cleaner. An ideal choice would be a product that clings to the surface and breaks down the kind of stubborn dirt you can’t just rinse away.
Let it sit there for a few minutes and do its thing. If your wheels have seen better days and are covered in heavy buildup, you might want to give it a little longer to soak. And while it’s soaking, this is the perfect time to get in there with a wheel brush and gently agitate those tricky areas, just don’t rinse anything off yet.
Once the product has worked its magic, it’s time to rinse it off. But here’s something that’s easy to overlook – don’t use the same bucket and mitt you plan to use on the rest of the car. This will drag the grime from the wheels across your paintwork. Keep a separate wash mitt just for the wheels.
Pre-Cleaner Against Bugs and Dirt
Now that your wheels are sorted, it’s time to turn your attention to the bodywork, and that starts with a good prewash. This step helps loosen the worst of the grime, especially on the areas that seem to attract a lot of dirt on the road, like the front grille, number plate, and lower panels. Choose a beginner-friendly product that’s tough on dirt but gentle on your wax or sealant. Just spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off to reveal a much cleaner surface underneath.
Snow Foam for the Rest of the Dirt
Once your prewash has loosened up the worst of the grime, it’s time to bring in the snow foam. This exterior car cleaner helps you shift the leftover dirt and grease. It gets its name from the thick white layer it forms over your vehicle, kind of like it’s taking a nap under a snow blanket. The snow foam helps to lift off whatever’s still clinging to the paint. You’ll need a foam lance to apply it properly, and once it’s on, give it a few minutes to work its magic before rinsing it off thoroughly from top to bottom. It’s a satisfying step, and it makes the contact wash that follows much safer for your paintwork.
Deep Clean with Shampoo
Now that the heavier grime is out of the way, the next step in exterior car care is deep cleaning, which is where the shampoo comes in. This product helps you tackle the stubborn bits that the prewash and snow foam didn’t lift. You’ll want to use a proper vehicle shampoo here, not something out of the kitchen cupboard. This will clean the surfaces effectively without damaging your paint or stripping protective layers.
Grab yourself two buckets – one for your shampoo solution and one with clean water for rinsing your mitt – and take your time working your way from top to bottom. Rinse your mitt often so that you don’t rub any grit into the paint. Once you’ve gone over the entire vehicle, give it one last rinse with clean water and you’ll be left with a beautifully clean surface, ready for the finishing touches.
Decontaminate
This step isn’t something you need to do every time you do car exterior detailing; every six months or so should be enough. But when you do tackle it, it gets deep into the paintwork and wheels. Start with an iron remover on your wheels and let it sit for a few minutes. You’ll notice the solution turning red or purple as it reacts with the iron particles, which is exactly what you want. You can clean it off with a pressure washer or a hose. Alternatively, you can go over it with a brush before rinsing.
Don’t forget to spray the iron remover on your paintwork as well, but steer clear of the windows to avoid any issues. After you’ve rinsed off the contaminants, it’s time to tackle any stubborn tar spots. This is where a tar remover comes in handy. Spray it onto any sticky areas, and with a bit of elbow grease, it’ll come off.
Drying and Polishing
After all the cleaning, it’s time to dry your vehicle. Grab a microfiber towel and gently drag it across the surface, starting from the top and working your way down. Moving quickly is key here to avoid water spots that can form if the vehicle sits too long. If you’re new to detailing, skip the machine polisher for now. Using one without experience can damage the paint. Instead, go for a hand polish.
Apply Sealant
Applying a wax or sealant helps preserve all the hard work you’ve put into your car exterior detailing. Go with a product that you can simply spray on during the final stages of the process. This sealant creates a protective layer that shields your paintwork from the elements while also giving it that glossy, fresh-out-the-showroom shine. It keeps your vehicle looking pristine, so make sure to include it as part of your routine for long-lasting results.
Clean the Windshield and Mirrors
Once you’ve tackled the major cleaning steps, it’s time to turn your attention to the glass. Quality spray cleaners help wipe away fingerprints, smudges, and any stubborn marks on your windshield or mirrors. Just give it a light mist over the surface and wipe it off with a microfiber towel. For that flawless, streak-free finish, flip the towel to a clean side and give it one last buff.
After that, a quick detailing spray puts the finishing touches on your car’s exterior. A light mist of it will touch up any areas you might have missed or deal with any lingering product residue or water spots. This final step ensures your vehicle has a professionally polished look, and the results will make all your hard work shine through.
