Introduction
Having a professional detail your car costs between $100 and $500. That’s not a small amount, especially if you detail your car at the recommended periods – 3 times per year. You cannot avoid detailing because it helps to preserve the car’s outside appearance and get rid of any unwanted odors that you may be unable to remove by yourself. So, the question that arises is how can you lower the detailing costs?
The answer is simple; learn to do it yourself and avoid the labor costs. The following are secrets that most auto detailing professionals won’t share with you because it can run them out of business. These guidelines include auto detailing products like Topcoat F11 and techniques to get your car looking brand new all over again.
1. Rinse Before You Wash
Before you apply any soap on the body of your car, rinse it to get rid of any surface dust or dirt. Failing to do so can mess up your car’s paint job. The moment you wash the surface with soap without rinsing, you just grind the dust particles and road grit on the paint and end up spoiling it.
2. Make Use of Two Buckets When Washing
You need two buckets when washing the outside body: one for the clean suds and another for clean and clear water. Before you insert the washing mitt inside the clean suds, pass it through the clean water and squeeze it dry. This method makes sure that you don’t apply the dirt back on your car when washing.
3. Choose the Correct Soap
Most people that decide to wash their cars use dish washing liquid because they believe it’s a safe option. However, you shouldn’t do that because dish washing soap siphons essential oils from your car and reduces your paint’s lifespan. Instead, you should always go for car washing liquid to clean your car.
4. Go For Microfiber Cleaning Materials
Professional detailers use microfiber cloths and towels to clean and wipe the car because they have less friction, which makes them more efficient. However, avoid using fabric softener with microfiber materials because the liquid will coat the microfiber and inhibit its qualities.
5. Use A Scratch Removal Kit
After washing and rinsing the car, don’t apply polish immediately. Check the car for any minor scratches and remove them with a scratch kit. This technique allows you to get more shine when you apply the polish.
6. Use A Trim Protectant
After removing the scratches, apply a trim protectant to prevent the polish from touching the trim finishes and staining them. Alternatively, you can also use masking tape to protect the trims when applying wax.
7. The Buffer Shouldn’t be Used to Remove Wax
Professional detailers use a buffer to apply TopCoat F11, and a microfiber cloth to remove it. You shouldn’t make use of the buffer when removing the wax from the car because it can leave annoying swirl marks on your clear coat.
8. Drying your Glasses
When it comes to drying your car windows, use two techniques. When doing the final wipe of the interior windows, rub in a horizontal motion. Alternatively, when doing the final wipe of the exterior windows, use a vertical motion. This method allows you to easily spot streaks. For example, if the streak is horizontal, you’ll know that it’s from the interior.
9. Brush the Interiors
Before you vacuum the seats and mats, rub them with a soft brush. Brushing allows the dust and dirt particles to settle at one place for easy cleaning. Do the same for door panels. Remember to use a soft brush for delicate surfaces and a hard one for firm surfaces.
10. Don’t Touch the Headliner
Unless you want to spend money on a mechanic, don’t try to clean the headliner since a little disturbance can cause it to fail. However, if you feel that you have to clean this area, use a small amount of water to do so.
Conclusion
The next time that you want to save on costs and avoid hiring a professional detailer, use the above techniques to detail your car and preserve the paint job. And always remember to use the right products for the right purpose.
