For most people, the act of cleaning a car feels more akin to a chore than an accomplishment. Labor intensive, time consuming, and tedious as all hell, cleaning a car top to bottom is often likened to punishment than pleasure.
As with any "detail-oriented" endeavor, knowing where to start and actually setting the time aside to thoroughly clean every crevice of an automobile is oftentimes the hardest part. Which is precisely why we're here to help.
It's time to get up, off your ass, and over to that mode of transportation for an intense scrubbing session. Being that we're in a bit of a giving mood today, we've taken the time and put together a simplified DIY guide of sorts. A way in which one can learn how to properly detail a vehicle via a series of logical steps, all accompanied by a series of tips and forewarnings designed just for beginners.
That said, today we'll be focusing exclusively on deep-cleaning the exterior of an automobile, and we'll save the whole interior detailing discussion for another article. This way, we can keep both guides as informative and focused as possible, and in turn, you can can have a spotless vehicle in record time. So let's get cracking!
Detailing Basics, and the Zen Art of Car Care

For certain car enthusiasts, the deep-cleaning act of car detailing is equal parts DIY puzzle and Zen ritual. An OCD obsession with perfection, that goes well beyond showroom levels of cleanliness, by transcending the realm of gridlocked interstates and road grime, for the sensation of raking a Japanese rock garden, or pruning a 200 year-old bonsai tree.
Much like the art of bonsai and Japanese rock gardening (枯山水, karesansui), there are multiple levels of difficulty and reward when it comes to auto detailing. While almost every form of hands-on, detail-oriented work comes with a vast array of varying techniques and theories as to what works best and why, car detailing is unique in that it can be easily augmented by chemical products.
These products often tend to be just as unique and numerous as the techniques that are used by the people who apply them. Ask three professional detailers what products to use, and which application and removal techniques work best, and you'll likely get three very different answers. Which leads us to the first big question that deserves answering...
What is Car Detailing?
Automotive detailing is a fairly a self-explanatory procedure, in that it involves a "detailed" cleaning process, oftentimes accompanied by the restoration of damaged components. Externally, detailing helps protect paint, glass, and body parts form harmful UV rays, contaminants, and damage stemming from driving.
Today, the detailing business has become a multi-billion dollar industry, with the economic pistons pumping beneath its bonnet consisting of thousands of unique detailing products, all with their own unique genetic backbone, sales approach, and market distribution. To put the magnitude of this operation into scope, in the United States alone, the auto detailing market was valued at $10.3 billion USD in 2020, and that's after taking a massive hit due to COVID-19.
Detailing a Vehicle's Exterior
When someone decides to detail their vehicle, they'll likely follow these general guidelines:
- Clean the Exterior: When detailing a vehicle, the first step should always involve a thorough cleaning with quality detailing products, and a trusted source of water. This not only guarantees that any dirt, debris, road grime, pollen, or other form of surface gunk is removed, but it also exposes any serious issues that may be lurking beneath the surface. For this step, car owners should use a microfiber towel or wash mitt, along with a low pH car wash shampoo to reduce the risk of scratching or marring the surface.
- Protect the Exterior: While a thorough car wash is crucial for removing surface debris, car detailing goes beyond a solid scrub-down, as it typically involves the application of surface protectant coatings. Car wax, paint sealants, clear bras, tire dressing, ceramic coatings, vinyl wrap, paint protection films, and any other number of protective product are yours to use. Other exterior parts such as tires are enhanced with tire dressing. A lot of people also use glass cleaner to clean automotive glass.
Quick Tip: When it comes time to tackle an exterior detailing procedure, you can opt to either buy an all-in-one DIY detailing kit, or piece together your own custom setup via the purchase of individual car cleaning products.
Prepping the car paint by using a clay bar is usually the first step of protecting the paint.
Car detailing experts recommend cleaning the wheels first with wheel cleaner and tire and wheel approved brushes.
Many car owners think that replacing their air fresheners or spraying on a tire shine is all you need to do to detail the car. Sure, you could go all-in, and purchase some high-end car wash brushes, various types of synthetic car wash shampoos, and a heavy duty pressure washer, but these products alone won't guarantee amazing results. The world's best car detailing pros all agree that in order to get an automobile to look immaculate, one must not only have the right tools, but a hyper-focused work ethic, plenty of patience, and a shit-ton of practice. Having a cold six-pack handy never hurt either.
Beginning the Car Detailing Process

Detailing a car isn't a particularly difficult task. Yet even the act of washing a vehicle holds the potential of casing great harm if one follows the wrong procedures or uses the wrong products. But knowing the necessary steps and what products work best is just half the battle.
For instance, if you own any towels, mitts, or any other car cleaning fabric or sponge-like material that is not microfiber, you might want to to throw them out. The trash bin is the only place for products that leave scratches on vehicle surfaces. Remember, we're trying to restore a vehicle's exterior to its original state here, not slap a shit-ton of scratches and swirl marks on its ass, like some salary man leaving the dominatrix dungeon.
Now that we've dropped that little nugget of knowledge on you, it's time to turn to another one of the most important thing you can do to keep your car’s finish looking like new: Wash it regularly. And do it the right way.
Contaminants like dirt, mud, road grime, bird turds, bug guts, pollen, deicers, and and sap all slowly seep into a car's clear coat if allowed to sit for too long. Being lazy is only going to hurt you in the long run, so scrub that machine down once a week if possible, and remember the following six golden rules of car washes.
1. Never wash your car in direct sunlight
Almost all detailing products will perform poorly in direct sunlight or on a hot surface. Heat also speeds-up the drying of soap and water, which translates to stubborn water spots and streaks. Always work indoors or in the shade, and only when all of the vehicle's exterior surfaces are cool to the touch.
2. Avoid cross-contamination
Cross-contamination during a car wash occurs when you use the same materials for every stage of the cleaning process. So don't use the same items (towels, brushes, buckets, water, etc.) for multiple purposes or areas of the automobile. The reasoning here is that you don't want to move contaminants from one part of the vehicle to another, or use a filthy microfiber mitt to scrub a relatively clean section. This is particularly important to remember when tackling extra dirty areas like wheels, lower rocker panels, bumpers, and exhaust ports.
3. Use the two-buckets-and-a-beer technique
While dumping your water often, and not using the same cloth or mitt for every surface will help cut down on cross-contamination, using the two-buckets-and-a-beer approach is just as crucial. By having one bucket for rinse water, and one for sudsy H2O, you create a safe place for dunking that filthy sponge between scrubs, which in turn helps keep that bucket of soapy shampoo free from contaminants. The beer is there for moral support.
4. Work your way from the top down
The lower portions of an automobile come into close contact with road contaminants, and you don't want that filth to spread to the vehicle's far more pristine upper portions. That said, it's generally a good idea to hit your wheels and tires first, but not with a scrubbing session and soap. Use a trusted spray-on and rinse-off chemical that is approved for the type of wheels you roll atop, as it will allow the filthiest part of the car to get hit with a concentrated blast. After that, wash the car from top-to-bottom, saving the wheels and tires for last, using a different scrubbing media for their surfaces to avoid cross-contamination.
5. Always use lubrication
Our naughty bits aren't the only things that enjoy a little lubrication when friction is involved. Outside of a gentle wipe-down with an ultra-plush microfiber dusting cloth, vehicle paint and clear coat require something slippery to prevent marring.
6. Get the right supplies and towels
As we previously mentioned, using sponges and traditional cloth wash towels on a vehicle's exterior is akin to breaking out some 120-grit sandpaper in the shower. It'll exfoliate alright, but at what cost? Get yourself a proper wash-mitt and make the marginal investment in some plush microfiber towels, for cleaning and drying your car, as both of these items will greatly reduce the risk of scratching the surface. While you're at it, go ahead and order a pH balanced car shampoo too, because while household dishwashing liquid does a number on bacon grease, it will royally fuck-up a car's clear coat.
Quick Nerd Note: Car detailing is just as much about protection as it is about shiny surfaces and dust-free interiors. Routine hand washing is but the first step in the ever expansive ascent to preserving the appeal of an automobile. Keep this in mind, for even detailing black cars requires unique care.
A Few More Must Have Supplies, and the Real Cost of Pro Detail Jobs

Now by this point, you're probably saying, "I gotta do all that every time I want to wash my damn Datsun?! Why can't I just take my car down to the local car detailing pro?"
Sure, you could take your car over to that professional detailer, and they will more than likely give that ride the shine it deserves. This method actually makes a lot of sense if you are planning on selling the vehicle, or only drive it on occasion, after which you park it in a spotless garage.
But unless you are completely loaded, the price of professional car detailing is going to add-up real quick. Pricing also varies depending upon the size of the vehicle in question, and the level of detailing required. For example, a basic detailing service on an average-sized sedan is going to set you back anywhere from $75-150, whereas larger vehicles are typically in the $125-250 range for the same service.
If you were to detail these exact same vehicles at home, you would likely spend under $100 for all of the materials and tools, and that includes high-end interior and wheel cleaning products. This may seem substantial, but keep in mind that you'll be able to reuse these products and tools over and over, and by doing so frequently, will make the process far less intensive over time.
We've put together the following list of must-have car detailing items for beginners, which can be modified or substituted to taste. Remember, it's your ride and your money, so choose what you feel is best suited for your automobile.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1 bottle of low pH car wash shampoo | $10 |
2-4 wash mitts | $12 |
2 large buckets | $10 |
12 premium microfiber towels | $16 |
1 claybar or clay mitt | $15 |
1-2 bottles of ceramic coating | $70-140 |
Quick Nerd Note: Detailing a Porsche in Portland is going to be quite a bit different than scrubbing a Chevelle in Cincinnati. Every area of the world has its own unique contaminants, water sources, and environmental concerns that can impact the way in which a car becomes filthy, and in how it is subsequently cleaned.
Tips for Finding the Best Car Detailing Supplies

As we stated above, simply taking your vehicle to the car wash is not going to cut the kimchi, especially if you're trying to detail it like a badass. Car detailing requires acquiring the right car care and detailing tools, as many of them are specifically designed to clean, restore, and enhance a specific aspect of an automobile. To obtain these highly necessary items, you'll want to either purchase a detailing kit, or complete an "à la carte" approach.
The tricky part is determining what supplies are best, especially when price points and copious amounts of online reviews are brought into the equation. By this point, you might be thinking, "Wait. Aren't all microfiber towels, wash mitts, and tire dressing products the same?" The answer you shall soon discover, is both a resounding "yes" and a defiant "no."
There are multiple standout brands in the car detailing arena, with companies like Chemical Guys, Meguiar's, Turtle Wax, Mother's, and more jostling for the all-mighty automotive cleaning throne. However, finding the right clay bar, buffing pad, drying towel, wash mitt, shampoo, or any number of other car care product is going to require a little bit of legwork on your end.
Generally speaking, you'll want to focus on the following two categories when it comes to detailing the exterior of an automobile:
- Vehicle Exterior Detailing Supplies
- Wheel and Tire Cleaning Supplies
The Key to Buying Quality Exterior Car Cleaning Supplies
While it might seem logical to purchase your auto detailing supplies from the auto parts store down the street, the brick-and-mortar method is not always the best idea. The same can be said for heavy duty car cleaning products, for oftentimes, a gentle approach returns the greatest results.
Purchasing the right car detailing supplies doesn't mean buying the first thing you see at the auto parts store that's advertised to "Kick Ass, or Your Money Back!" Instead, it means taking the time, and researching the ever loving shit out of a series of competing products in order to determine which one works best. Something that's going to remove road grime and hard to penetrate items like bug splatter and baked-on bird shit, but not eat into your clear coat or scratch the surface. Buying the best means researching the rest, because you don't want to be that nincompoop that just stripped half of his clear coat off by using the wrong product.
How to Wash Your Vehicle the Right Way
Contrary to common belief, you don't necessarily have to wash your vehicle every week. Every time you set out to scrub your automobile, the chance of damaging its exterior surfaces increases exponentially, especially if you are new to the whole hand-wash approach, or are using the wrong approach. Naturally, this has quite a bit to do with how filthy your vehicle gets on a weekly basis, as well as what sort of driving environment it encounters when in operation.
Disclaimer complete, here's a general rundown of what needs to happen in order for that ride of yours to get a safe scrubbing.
Step 1: Get Your Shit Together

Cleaning accoutrements acquired and inventoried, move everything you plan on using to the area where the vehicle will be cleaned. By this point your two-buckets-and-a-beer setup should be ready, with the first bucket being set aside for rinsing the dirty wash mitt or cloth, and the second, soapy H2O solution, being reserved for dunking. (We suggest cracking open that beer at this point to guarantee adequate human hydration as well.)
You'll also want to make sure that you have a plethora of microfiber cloths on hand, two or three wash mitts, a gentle scrubbing brush for the wheels and tires, and a garden hose with a sprayer wand. It's also a good idea to make sure that you are using a neutral water source, because using the wrong tap water can cause all kinds of harm. If you are unfamiliar with this "soggy subject," be sure to read our blog article pertaining to the topic of reducing the risk of contaminated water spots prior to proceeding.
Quick Tip: Remove any accessories on your person that may scratch or damage the vehicle's various surfaces. This means belts, long necklaces, bracelets and watches, rings, fanny packs, chastity belts, and monocles should all be removed prior to detailing the vehicle.
Step 2: Spray It Like You Mean It

Spray your vehicle with water until any visible debris, pollen, bird poo, or other form of filth has been rinsed away, always remembering to avoid direct sunlight at all costs. You’ll also want to spray the entire automobile in one session, beginning with the top and working your way downward. The only time you would start on a lower portion of the vehicle would be if its wheels and tires were extremely filthy, at which point you would blast those first to prevent grime from splattering onto freshly rinsed surrounding areas.
Unfortunately, this initial rinse stage is often neglected as many people will rush straight to the scrubbing, which results in surface contaminants being pushed across the clear coat and glass, thus causing significant surface damage. A quick spray-down will help minimize the development of swirl marks and scratches.
Step 3: Hit Those Rollers and Rubber First

Wheels and tires tend to be the dirtiest part of a car due to all of the asphalt grime, road salt, brake dust, mud, and various other forms of contaminant coming into close proximity to their rotating surfaces. This is why it is imperative that you clean all four of these corners first, especially if the vehicle has not been detailed in a while, or if you have just returned from a hardcore 4x4 mud-slinging adventure.
Simply apply a spray-on, rinse-off tire and wheel cleaner. And after letting the stuff sit for the recommended period of time, hose everything off before scrubbing your tires in a circular motion to remove any stubborn grime. Here, a sudsy wheel sponge or brush will help, especially if it is smaller, and allows you to access hard-to-reach areas within the alloy wheel itself.
Quick Tip: Always rinse-out your wheel wash bucket thoroughly before using it for another area of the automobile regular wash. Wheel and tire contaminants are typically the filthiest stuff you will find on an automobile outside of engine bay grime and undercarriage contaminants.
Step 4: Two-Buckets-and-a-Beer Time!

After dumping the manufacturer's recommended dollop of car shampoo into one of the buckets, run water in both it, and your rinse bucket, all while sipping on your favorite brewskie. Once filled, break-out the wash mitt or microfiber cloth you plan on using, and follow these simple steps.
- Spray the entire vehicle with water to guarantee that all surfaces are devoid of loose contaminants.
- Soak the wash mitt or cloth in the soapy water solution Once fully saturated, wring it out over the surface you wish to scrub. This acts like a pre-soak, adding further lubrication to the surface, and allows the shampoo to loosen any gunk stuck on the surface.
- After the entire area is coated in sudsy water, begin scrubbing the vehicle, focusing on one section at a time. Remember to always start with the roof and work your way down, routinely dunking your mitt in the rinse bucket as you go to remove contaminants, before absorbing more sudsy water as needed.
- As you scrub, be sure to wash in straight, overlapping lines, as opposed to circles, which can cause swirl marks to surface. Be gentle during this first pass, as you will likely pick-up a shit-ton of debris during this initial scrubbing session, and you want to avoid grinding it into the glass or clear coat.
- Depending on how filthy the vehicle is, you may notice that the water in the rinse bucket has become cloudy, or tainted with grime rather quickly. If this is the case, throw the contaminated water out and refill the bucket with clean water. It is not a bad idea to inspect the quality of the soapy H20 bucket as well, because even with a preliminary rinse bucket in play, deeply embedded contaminants can still end up in this sudsy solution.
- After one section or body panel is scrubbed, rinse it off with the hose or pressure washer before moving on to the next area. Be sure to move quickly to prevent the soap from drying out, and as you rinse, use a top to bottom approach. By keeping the entire vehicle wet at all times, you will prevent water spots from forming, and soap residue from hardening on the surface.
- First scrub and rinse session complete, you will be able to ascertain what stubborn spots will require some additional "coaxing" in order to be safely lifted from the surface. While some people swear by the quick and easy chemical "bug and tar remover" method, others insist that taking the slow and soapy approach is safest. Whichever technique you choose, be sure to take care when dealing with sticky, or deeply embedded contaminants, for this is when surface marring often occurs during the detailing process.
- Stubborn stains and debris safely lifted, dump the water out of both buckets, rinse your wash mitt or towel, and repeat the entire top-to-bottom scrub down procedure one more time with fresh soap and water in each bucket. This second pass will help guarantee that any missed areas are covered, because chances are there are a handful of spots that were either untouched, or require additional attention.
Quick Tip: It's not a bad idea to occasionally blast your wash mitt or microfiber cloth with fresh water from your garden hose or pressure washer during the scrubbing portion of a detailing project. This will help guarantee that contaminants do not compromise the quality of your soapy water, or worse yet, end-up back on your vehicle's exterior.
Step 5: Dry It Up!

Yes, drying has its own step, and no, we're not talking about hauling ass down the highway in a grandiose attempt at air-drying your 1991 Buick Century. We don't give a shit what your automotive shampoo's label says, watermarks and streaks are bound to materialize if you allow a vehicle to fully air dry. Sure, some people will boast about using compressed air or a leaf blower, but they always follow this water dispersing technique with a thorough microfiber wipe-down, knowing full-well that this process will likely require more than one fluffy towel.
Once complete, this wipe-down will have not only removed any potential water spots or pooling issues, but exposed stubborn contaminants as well, earmarking them as top targets for the next weapon in your detailing utility belt: The all-mighty clay bar.
Step 6: Time for a Little Clay Bar Love

If you haven’t used a clay bar or detailing mitt before, you’re in for a one hell of a shock. The clarity and luster they add to a surface are unparalleled, as both products serve the same purpose: Make the surface of your car smoother than Sean Connery at a swinger bar in the 1960s.
But much like popping into a swinger bar for a "buttery nipple," or a tall serving of "sex on the beach," clay bars are not a frequent occurrence. These contaminant removal tools typically only get whipped out for some sweet action on a annual or bi-annual basis, typically just prior to the application of a layer of ceramic coating.
Personally, we prefer a detailing mitt, like the one pictured below, as they can be used multiple times and are easily cleaned after, or during use. Clay, on the other hand, is designed to only be used once, and must be discarded if dropped on the ground. Additionally, a clay mitt fits over your hand, thus making it easier to use and hold onto. They also tend to be much larger, and can therefore cover more surface area.

Regardless of whether you opt for a detailing mitt or a clay bar, both products rely upon a lubricant to help them glide across smooth surfaces, and you should NEVER attempt to utilize one without squirting lube everywhere. Hey if it works in the swinger bar, why not in the garage, right?
Steps to clay barring or detailing a vehicle with a mitt are extremely simple, with the following four steps being the most crucial.
- Working small areas at a time, saturate the painted surface with your detailing spray or lubricant, and if using a clay mitt spraying its palm surface as well to ensure that it slides effortlessly.
- Lightly glide the clay mitt across the surface in a cross-hatch pattern. You’ll notice that there is some resistance at first, but as you continue to move the mitt around, you will notice that it becomes easier to maneuver. This is good. It means that you are removing all sorts of microscopic surface contaminants from your vehicle's exterior.
- Once you no longer feel any snags, take a clean microfiber towel and wipe-down the area you just went over with the clay bar or mitt. Feel the surface with your finger tips, comparing this freshly scrubbed surface to an area you are about to hit with some clay. there should be a distinct difference in how slick the two surfaces feel.
- Repeat the above steps on all every portion of the automobile, working one panel or section at a time, and always keeping the surface adequately lubricated.
Quick Nerd Note: Winter sucks. Not just for us humans, but for our automobiles as well. When the roads are treated with deicing products, these chemical-rich compounds cake onto our automobiles, and over time, cause exposed metal surfaces to rust or corrode. In order to negate these risks, people scrub and spray their automobiles on a routine basis, not knowing that rubbing wintry road grime the wrong way can have catastrophic results. So to avoid having a nasty run-in with this "salty subject," be sure to check out our article about protecting vehicles from winter's wrath.
Step 7: What's Up, Buff Stuff?

The processes of polishing, or buffing a vehicle's paintwork can make a huge difference in its overall appearance. That said, you will only have to polish a vehicle when it is deemed absolutely necessary, which typically is during the tail end of a detailing job, or in preparation for the application of a ceramic coating. Using a powered buffer will greatly expedite the process, with pressure being more evenly distributed than a traditional hand-polishing pad, and allows you to select a desired speed on the fly. Just be careful not to focus too intently on one area, or you may damage the vehicle's clear coat.
How to Protect Your Car Exterior

Contaminants safely removed, and all surfaces thoroughly dried and polished, it's time to throw a little armor on that machine, at which point it behooves us to recommend going the ceramic coating route. Why? Well first of all, the level of protection a high end ceramic coating offers remains unrivalled, as is its ability to repel water, while offering years of protection. Secondly, you'll be delighted to learn that the majority of the labor involved in the application of a ceramic coating is in the surface prep stage, a procedure that you have just completed!
So while waxes are inexpensive and easy to apply, they typically only last a few weeks before requiring reapplication, with ultra high-end products lasting as little as two to three months.
Ceramic coatings, on the other hand, offer unparalleled protection and shine on a far more permanent basis. Sure, they may require a little bit more elbow grease and time during the application process, and they do indeed cost a bit more, but when considering that they only require reapplication every 2 to 5 years, the value swings ceramic's way every time.
Regardless of which form of surface protectant you choose, wax and ceramic coating products should only be applied to surfaces that are cool to the touch, and should be spread-on with a clean, non-abrasive cloth or pad, well away from sunlight and wind. If you'd like to know more about the importance of having the right environment for detailing and protecting a vehicle, be sure to check out our detailed guide to avoiding ceramic coating mistakes.
Auto Detailing Mistakes You Should Avoid

Speaking of mistakes, there are quite a few detailing blunders one can make on cleaning day. While everyone has their own product preferences and preferred detailing techniques, the mistakes below are the most commonplace, and should be avoided entirely.
Mistake 1: Using the wrong cleaning fabric, or the same fabric for every surface.
The days of scrub brushes and double-sided sponges are about as dead as the popularity of the products being pushed by that "ShamWow Guy." Just get a microfiber mitt and some quality microfiber cloths and call us in the morning. Oh, and don't forget to use different cleaning and drying microfiber products on various areas. The last thing you want to see on that pristinely polished clear coat is some form of nastiness from your tailpipe being smeared across its surface.
Mistake 2: Washing in direct sunlight or when the vehicle is hot.
Most detailing, aftercare, and protective products react poorly when exposed to direct sunlight or a hot body panel, so always work indoors or in the shade. This will also reduce the risk of water spotting and soap residue adhering to surfaces.
Mistake 3: Using household cleaning products or dish soap.
We know that household cleaning product is inexpensive and conveniently located in the kitchen upstairs. We also understand that you are out of detailing shampoo and need a fix fast because you're already six beers in and can't drive. But there's a reason why automotive shampoo was invented, and why dish soap still has the word "dish" in it, not "car." This shit will eat-up your clear coat faster than that Kobayashi dude at a hot dog manufacturing plant. So if you have to choose between waiting it out and detailing your ride another day, or scrubbing the entire vehicle with dish soap, you should choose the prior of the two.
Mistake 4: Using the same bucket for soap and rinsing.
You should ALWAYS use two buckets when washing a car, and NEVER just one. The first should be filled with sudsy car shampoo, the other with safely sourced water for rinsing.
Your dirty wash mitt or microfiber cloth should always go in the pure H20 bucket before being dipped in the soapy solution to get reduce cross-contamination.
Mistake 5: Cleaning your wheels and tires last.
When you wash a wheel or a tire, chances are you're splashing road grime and brake dust all over the surrounding surfaces. Wash, scrub, and rinse your rollers and rubber first, and then move on to the rest of the vehicle. You can always hit them one last time with some detailing chemicals and a microfiber cloth for that finishing touch at the end of the detailing process.
Parting Shots

When the detailing task is complete, and your vehicle has been meticulously scrubbed from top to bottom, you are going to do what every detailer in history has done. You are going to stand back and inspect your work. Will you be proud of all of your hours of toil? Or will you be ashamed by what has transpired? Only you have the power to turn a perfectly well thought-out detailing experience into a complete catastrophe, so play by the rules, and no one's clear coat will get hurt.
As for the average driver, all of these aforementioned procedures, precautions, and products may seem a bit... extreme. But for those looking to fully eliminate harmful contaminants and protect their mode of transportation, there is but one option: A complete car detailing. Perhaps the daily commuter down the street was right after all, and a full detailing procedure is a bit extreme. Extremely smart, that is.
48 comments
Ray
Sorry, other question is if there is a shelf life. If I my some for a new bike and keep leftover for a car a few months later…is that fine? thanks again!
Sorry, other question is if there is a shelf life. If I my some for a new bike and keep leftover for a car a few months later…is that fine? thanks again!
eriemobilecardetailing
We recently started our new mobile car detailing company and came across this article.
Really appreciate you taking the time to explain the total cost of detailing a car. Its something we hadn’t fully considered, and you definitely helped us reconsider our pricing strategy for the customers in our market.
There’s a lot of different aspects car detailing, but you did an excellent job of breaking it down and inspired us to expand our services in our market. Thanks a ton!
We recently started our new mobile car detailing company and came across this article.
Really appreciate you taking the time to explain the total cost of detailing a car. Its something we hadn’t fully considered, and you definitely helped us reconsider our pricing strategy for the customers in our market.
There’s a lot of different aspects car detailing, but you did an excellent job of breaking it down and inspired us to expand our services in our market. Thanks a ton!
Matt gnerlich
In the advice about scratching the vehicle and taking off things from your personal My dude had to throw in said chastity belts…….im dead for real 🤣🤣🤣☠️☠️☠️
In the advice about scratching the vehicle and taking off things from your personal My dude had to throw in said chastity belts…….im dead for real 🤣🤣🤣☠️☠️☠️
Speed Hut
This is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in learning more about car restoration.
This is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in learning more about car restoration.
Claire
This was awesome! Thanks for the tips!
This was awesome! Thanks for the tips!
Amy Saunders
Oh, yeah! My nephew would really this article, especially the part where you mentioned about how effective clay bars are in maintaining the seamlessness of the exterior of our vehicle. He just got a fancy car from his parents since he’ll be attending college this summer. I’ll suggest this info to him when he sends it for a quick check later on.
Oh, yeah! My nephew would really this article, especially the part where you mentioned about how effective clay bars are in maintaining the seamlessness of the exterior of our vehicle. He just got a fancy car from his parents since he’ll be attending college this summer. I’ll suggest this info to him when he sends it for a quick check later on.
Coleman Essaid
It was very interesting to read this article! Thank you for her! Sport – health!
e-mtest.com
It was very interesting to read this article! Thank you for her! Sport – health!
e-mtest.com
Mirko Zhou
This is a very detailed blog post about car detailing. I’m a big fun of car and planning to open a car detailing company with my friend in South Australia. It’s nice to see a good overview of car detailing from this article. Thanks again for sharing this.
Best regards,
Mirko
Windscreen & Tint Blacktown
This is a very detailed blog post about car detailing. I’m a big fun of car and planning to open a car detailing company with my friend in South Australia. It’s nice to see a good overview of car detailing from this article. Thanks again for sharing this.
Best regards,
Mirko
Windscreen & Tint Blacktown
J Louie
Thanks for such an informative and entertaining read!!! First-time owner of a brand New 2021 vehicle, yet clueless & overwhelmed as to how to care for it. (Infrequently washed my Used cars in the past, using Dawn dish soap & dish scrubby for bugs & tar; then a chamois to dry — all wrong, but perhaps that was before microfibre was invented?!? After hours washing & waxing exterior once, car was so spanking shiny that it was BROKEN INTO the following day. That association left me rarely washing my Used Cars, which could explain why they always seemed to be magnets for dust / grime / bird poop… ) Your article empowers me to attempt DIY car detailing. Much appreciation!!! J Louie, SoCA.
Thanks for such an informative and entertaining read!!! First-time owner of a brand New 2021 vehicle, yet clueless & overwhelmed as to how to care for it. (Infrequently washed my Used cars in the past, using Dawn dish soap & dish scrubby for bugs & tar; then a chamois to dry — all wrong, but perhaps that was before microfibre was invented?!? After hours washing & waxing exterior once, car was so spanking shiny that it was BROKEN INTO the following day. That association left me rarely washing my Used Cars, which could explain why they always seemed to be magnets for dust / grime / bird poop… ) Your article empowers me to attempt DIY car detailing. Much appreciation!!! J Louie, SoCA.
The Detailing Pros
Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Deshiznits car detailing
Loved your blog thanks for all the fantastic tips and tricks. .
Loved your blog thanks for all the fantastic tips and tricks. .
MCS Performance
Your blog is very nice. These tools are really very helpful…:-)
Your blog is very nice. These tools are really very helpful…:-)
Kevin
I “wash” or “clean-up” the car once a week like I clean the house.
NOT going to ride around doing business, etc, in a dirty car!
My weekly “clean-up” is NOT a full car wash but does the trick well enough
I always make sure a good coat of wax is on the car each November before winter cold and snow I get a good coat of Nu Finish Once A Year Car Wax – that I use 3 or 4 times a year NOT just once.
I am a swimmer early each morning I swim the damp towel goes in the back of the SUV. Each Friday morning weather permitting I use the damp towels to wipe-down my Highlander often in the parking lot of the pool the winter dirt and grime come off with ease due to my November coat of wax and I save a bundle $$$ on the car wash.
Another damp towel I clean up the front seat wipe down the console, dashboard, seats, throw a weeks worth of empty water bottles in the back seat into the garbage can, etc.
The in between speedy “clean-up” between washes saves water, and money, I have a beautiful clean car in 20 minutes or less proceed to the gas station for a weekly fill up, them the laundry to wash the weeks worth of towels.
Again the secret is a “coat of wax” with a good coat of wax the dirt and grime will come right off with ease on my towel
LOVE a clean car!
Kevin
I “wash” or “clean-up” the car once a week like I clean the house.
NOT going to ride around doing business, etc, in a dirty car!
My weekly “clean-up” is NOT a full car wash but does the trick well enough
I always make sure a good coat of wax is on the car each November before winter cold and snow I get a good coat of Nu Finish Once A Year Car Wax – that I use 3 or 4 times a year NOT just once.
I am a swimmer early each morning I swim the damp towel goes in the back of the SUV. Each Friday morning weather permitting I use the damp towels to wipe-down my Highlander often in the parking lot of the pool the winter dirt and grime come off with ease due to my November coat of wax and I save a bundle $$$ on the car wash.
Another damp towel I clean up the front seat wipe down the console, dashboard, seats, throw a weeks worth of empty water bottles in the back seat into the garbage can, etc.
The in between speedy “clean-up” between washes saves water, and money, I have a beautiful clean car in 20 minutes or less proceed to the gas station for a weekly fill up, them the laundry to wash the weeks worth of towels.
Again the secret is a “coat of wax” with a good coat of wax the dirt and grime will come right off with ease on my towel
LOVE a clean car!
Kevin
Kevin
do they still make a product called “Black Chrome”?
Black Chrome had been used om ALL of the black parts of the car vinyl, windshield wipers, everything exterior black that the car-wash fades over time?
Why do y’all use to beef-up the black parts of the car?
Kevin
do they still make a product called “Black Chrome”?
Black Chrome had been used om ALL of the black parts of the car vinyl, windshield wipers, everything exterior black that the car-wash fades over time?
Why do y’all use to beef-up the black parts of the car?
Kevin
Claire Masters
Thanks for reminding me to never use any fabric that isn’t made of microfiber to wash my car. I’m glad you told me that I shouldn’t be in direct sunlight because this will lead to water spots. I want to get my car thoroughly cleaned, but I don’t have the necessary tools and equipment to do it so it might be best if I have it detailed by a professional car cleaning service.
Thanks for reminding me to never use any fabric that isn’t made of microfiber to wash my car. I’m glad you told me that I shouldn’t be in direct sunlight because this will lead to water spots. I want to get my car thoroughly cleaned, but I don’t have the necessary tools and equipment to do it so it might be best if I have it detailed by a professional car cleaning service.
Alex
Thanks for sharing this blog post. I have read this post thoroughly and would appreciate the idea you have shared with us.
Thanks for sharing this blog post. I have read this post thoroughly and would appreciate the idea you have shared with us.
citywash
Thanks a lot for enjoying this beauty article with me. I am apreciating it very much! Looking forward to another great article. Good luck to the author! all the best!
Thanks a lot for enjoying this beauty article with me. I am apreciating it very much! Looking forward to another great article. Good luck to the author! all the best!
Andre
This was a very well written piece with very good information. I am new to the industry of auto detailing….
This was a very well written piece with very good information. I am new to the industry of auto detailing….
citywash
Many thanks for the exciting blog posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you are a brilliant writer. I actually added your blog to my favorites and will look forward for more updates. Great Job,Keep it up..
Many thanks for the exciting blog posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you are a brilliant writer. I actually added your blog to my favorites and will look forward for more updates. Great Job,Keep it up..
citywash
Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a marvellous job.
Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a marvellous job.
Les Turner
Great Article! A lot of people really like to get out in the sunshine when doing their car which is fine, but glad you mentioned that it shouldn’t be done in direct sunlight. Move to the shade.
Great Article! A lot of people really like to get out in the sunshine when doing their car which is fine, but glad you mentioned that it shouldn’t be done in direct sunlight. Move to the shade.
James
This is great stuff!!!! I’ve used most of the information for my detailing site already, but it was good a great refresher! I’m always open to experts such as yourself taking a look at my content to make sure I’m up to date and knowledgeable about the detailing I’m doing since this is still new to me.
This is great stuff!!!! I’ve used most of the information for my detailing site already, but it was good a great refresher! I’m always open to experts such as yourself taking a look at my content to make sure I’m up to date and knowledgeable about the detailing I’m doing since this is still new to me.
Ronald burk
Hello,
I am using Pinnacle / Black Label products on ‘16 mustang/guard. Wash with Bodywork Shampoo, Clay with NanoSkin’s AutoScrub sponge /Glide, BL’s surface cleansing polish and BL Diamond Paint Coating ceramic. My problem /question is I have & also want to use their Paintwork Cleansing Lotion—for removing old wax and to throughly clean paint, etc. ….; where in the detail procedure should I use it—before or after claying?? I’m thinking ‘after’ for it might leave a ‘better’ surface for polish. Thanks, Ron
Hello,
I am using Pinnacle / Black Label products on ‘16 mustang/guard. Wash with Bodywork Shampoo, Clay with NanoSkin’s AutoScrub sponge /Glide, BL’s surface cleansing polish and BL Diamond Paint Coating ceramic. My problem /question is I have & also want to use their Paintwork Cleansing Lotion—for removing old wax and to throughly clean paint, etc. ….; where in the detail procedure should I use it—before or after claying?? I’m thinking ‘after’ for it might leave a ‘better’ surface for polish. Thanks, Ron
Mark Mweru
Thanks Avlon king well written.
Thanks Avlon king well written.
Bob Lindsay
A good read, and great comments and tips.
Several folks seem to like automatic car washes, which I use for my daily driver. In the winter never use the undercarriage spray cleaner. If you live where there is snow and ice you will have salt spread on the roads. That underbody rinse water is recycled and contaminated with winter road salt. Spraying salt up into the deep regions of the car will rust quickly and thoroughly eat into metal. I asked a car wash owner, and a guy from the Chicago area car wash association, They wanted me to believe that the double and sometimes triple filtering makes the water OK. Basic chemistry folks, you cannot filter salt out of water, it molecularly bonds and can only be “cleaned” by a distillation process. Just think of sea water.
Good luck
A good read, and great comments and tips.
Several folks seem to like automatic car washes, which I use for my daily driver. In the winter never use the undercarriage spray cleaner. If you live where there is snow and ice you will have salt spread on the roads. That underbody rinse water is recycled and contaminated with winter road salt. Spraying salt up into the deep regions of the car will rust quickly and thoroughly eat into metal. I asked a car wash owner, and a guy from the Chicago area car wash association, They wanted me to believe that the double and sometimes triple filtering makes the water OK. Basic chemistry folks, you cannot filter salt out of water, it molecularly bonds and can only be “cleaned” by a distillation process. Just think of sea water.
Good luck
Dale Pearl
Hi Bradley!
Wax can often mask the attributes of the ceramic coating. When the wax begins to fail the failure is often attributed to the ceramic. As the wax breaks down it can increase surface tension. You want to use a prewash and a wash shampoo free of wax and ph balanced (6 to 9 on the ph scale)
Hi Bradley!
Wax can often mask the attributes of the ceramic coating. When the wax begins to fail the failure is often attributed to the ceramic. As the wax breaks down it can increase surface tension. You want to use a prewash and a wash shampoo free of wax and ph balanced (6 to 9 on the ph scale)
K Bradley
Could you explain why we shouldn’t use a wax based soap for washing if you have a ceramic coating?
I have recently had Gardx put on and am a bit confused as to what to use for pre/wash/detailing that won’t ruin or destroy the gardx?
Thanks in advance
Could you explain why we shouldn’t use a wax based soap for washing if you have a ceramic coating?
I have recently had Gardx put on and am a bit confused as to what to use for pre/wash/detailing that won’t ruin or destroy the gardx?
Thanks in advance
K Bradley
Great tip, I hadn’t thought of that, thanks very much.
Great tip, I hadn’t thought of that, thanks very much.
Tim C
Hi Hugo:
Thanks for contacting us today. While there are several technical schools that offer training for automotive skills, not too many offer auto body training any longer. I’d recommend reaching out to a auto salon – as quite often, they’ll bring in people to work as an apprentice (or trainee) to help them learn some skills. It’s definitely an industry that takes self-initiative to learn from the bottom up. Best of luck to you!
Hi Hugo:
Thanks for contacting us today. While there are several technical schools that offer training for automotive skills, not too many offer auto body training any longer. I’d recommend reaching out to a auto salon – as quite often, they’ll bring in people to work as an apprentice (or trainee) to help them learn some skills. It’s definitely an industry that takes self-initiative to learn from the bottom up. Best of luck to you!
Hugo
Great explanation. I’m seriously considering starting an auto detailing business but would like to get hands-on training first to learn the correct techniques, how to use equipment properly, etc.
Do you know of any place, preferably located in California, where one can learn to detail autos like a pro?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Great explanation. I’m seriously considering starting an auto detailing business but would like to get hands-on training first to learn the correct techniques, how to use equipment properly, etc.
Do you know of any place, preferably located in California, where one can learn to detail autos like a pro?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Tim C
Hi Arthur. Snow foaming is a good way to provide an initial wash of caked on debris, but shouldn’t be used to replace a good old-fashioned two-bucket car wash. It’s important to use the right type of ultra-suds producing shampoo for what you’re going to use for detailing – and the type of paint protection product you have. If you are going to apply a ceramic coating, make sure the soap is wax-free.
Hi Arthur. Snow foaming is a good way to provide an initial wash of caked on debris, but shouldn’t be used to replace a good old-fashioned two-bucket car wash. It’s important to use the right type of ultra-suds producing shampoo for what you’re going to use for detailing – and the type of paint protection product you have. If you are going to apply a ceramic coating, make sure the soap is wax-free.
Arthur
Just wondering what you’re thoughts were on snow foaming. I am about to embark on the detailing adventure and it would seem to be the " in thing " at the moment.
Many thanks.
Just wondering what you’re thoughts were on snow foaming. I am about to embark on the detailing adventure and it would seem to be the " in thing " at the moment.
Many thanks.
Eddi
Nice job – AvalonKing
Nice job – AvalonKing
Tim C
Hi Emily,
Any paint correction (removing scratches through polishing) should be done after claying.
Tim
Hi Emily,
Any paint correction (removing scratches through polishing) should be done after claying.
Tim
Emily Trestrail
Hi Eric. Great article!
In the past I’ve owned a slew of cheap, beat up cars which I’ve never cared for cosmetically. I’ve just purchased a 2009 Subaru Outback, that has it’s fair share of cosmetic wear and tear, although the majority of the paintwork still seems to be in good condition. I have followed your steps to washing the car, and have just started the clay bar step. I’ve completed one door so far. The paint is coming up silky smooth, although, there are a number of scratches I’d like to try to remove, and I’m not sure at which step I should attempt this? Before claying? Or after claying?
Hi Eric. Great article!
In the past I’ve owned a slew of cheap, beat up cars which I’ve never cared for cosmetically. I’ve just purchased a 2009 Subaru Outback, that has it’s fair share of cosmetic wear and tear, although the majority of the paintwork still seems to be in good condition. I have followed your steps to washing the car, and have just started the clay bar step. I’ve completed one door so far. The paint is coming up silky smooth, although, there are a number of scratches I’d like to try to remove, and I’m not sure at which step I should attempt this? Before claying? Or after claying?
Vivian Black
I love that you mentioned cleaning the interior by using a vacuum or removing contaminants. My husband and I are looking for an auto detailing service that can help with my husband’s Mercedes since it hasn’t been clean in forever. We will keep these tips in mind as we search for a professional that can help us best.
I love that you mentioned cleaning the interior by using a vacuum or removing contaminants. My husband and I are looking for an auto detailing service that can help with my husband’s Mercedes since it hasn’t been clean in forever. We will keep these tips in mind as we search for a professional that can help us best.
Greensboro detailer
We have recently started our car detailing service business and came across this article.
Really appreciate you taking the time to educate us on this I would have never thought of using Armor Shield IX but I definitely will now.
Car detailing is definitely not an interesting topic to speak on but you did an excellent job keeping it entertaining and not boring thanks a ton for the info.
We have recently started our car detailing service business and came across this article.
Really appreciate you taking the time to educate us on this I would have never thought of using Armor Shield IX but I definitely will now.
Car detailing is definitely not an interesting topic to speak on but you did an excellent job keeping it entertaining and not boring thanks a ton for the info.
Mike
Hmmm. The two bucket method. Ditch the rinse bucket. Yes all the solids might stay at the bottom of the bucket but your still getting all the other contaminants that all floating around in the bucket. Instead of using a rinse bucket rinse your wash mit with your water supply every time then after rinsing put back in your soap bucket. Just a little tip. I have been doing it for years where i specialise in black vechiles.
Hmmm. The two bucket method. Ditch the rinse bucket. Yes all the solids might stay at the bottom of the bucket but your still getting all the other contaminants that all floating around in the bucket. Instead of using a rinse bucket rinse your wash mit with your water supply every time then after rinsing put back in your soap bucket. Just a little tip. I have been doing it for years where i specialise in black vechiles.
Eric Williams
That is a fair point Gerald. If it comes to safety reasons, then yes, the car should be washed with that in mind more often. On the exposed metal, we are talking about a different kind of problem that should be resolved prior in any case.
That is a fair point Gerald. If it comes to safety reasons, then yes, the car should be washed with that in mind more often. On the exposed metal, we are talking about a different kind of problem that should be resolved prior in any case.
Gerald
I don’t agree with the poster stating that one shouldn’t wash as frequently in the winter months. Depending on where a person lives, salt can do a lot of damage to exposed metal on the vehicle, accelerating rust. Also, dirty windows can cause a dangerous driving environment, especially in regions where roads accumulate slush.
I don’t agree with the poster stating that one shouldn’t wash as frequently in the winter months. Depending on where a person lives, salt can do a lot of damage to exposed metal on the vehicle, accelerating rust. Also, dirty windows can cause a dangerous driving environment, especially in regions where roads accumulate slush.
Ali
Some really great details in here. Especially like the warning about trying to do and detailing work in the sunlight or with a hot car, something most people wouldn’t even think about.
Some really great details in here. Especially like the warning about trying to do and detailing work in the sunlight or with a hot car, something most people wouldn’t even think about.
Adrian Jones
I never knew that car detailing simply boiled down to taking care of your vehicle by polishing and maintaining its surface appearance—and taking it to the car wash isn’t just enough to do it! A car owner should be able to take care of the car’s waxing and other ‘intimate’ details with products that are specifically made for the vehicle that they use. If I had the chance to learn more about car detailing, I would ask the company that made the car what products are safe to use as well as various tips so that I can keep the car looking like new.
I never knew that car detailing simply boiled down to taking care of your vehicle by polishing and maintaining its surface appearance—and taking it to the car wash isn’t just enough to do it! A car owner should be able to take care of the car’s waxing and other ‘intimate’ details with products that are specifically made for the vehicle that they use. If I had the chance to learn more about car detailing, I would ask the company that made the car what products are safe to use as well as various tips so that I can keep the car looking like new.
kkewash
Nicely explained car detailing. Also shares some tips for finding the best car detailing supplies. Thanks for sharing.
Nicely explained car detailing. Also shares some tips for finding the best car detailing supplies. Thanks for sharing.
Andrew
Great article! Really appreciate all the detail you put into it without making a beginner feel like a dummy! Not to mention the price breakdown was VERY helpful!
Great article! Really appreciate all the detail you put into it without making a beginner feel like a dummy! Not to mention the price breakdown was VERY helpful!
Eric Williams
Armor Shield IX is made as a DIY kit. So, just following the instructions closely is more than enough to do a perfect job coating your vehicle.
Armor Shield IX is made as a DIY kit. So, just following the instructions closely is more than enough to do a perfect job coating your vehicle.
Maximo R Mugica
How difficult is application of Ceramic Armor Shield to the car, any technique in particular?
How difficult is application of Ceramic Armor Shield to the car, any technique in particular?
Eric Williams
Thanks Ray, that is just awesome! Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year from all of us here at AvalonKing!
Thanks Ray, that is just awesome! Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year from all of us here at AvalonKing!
Ray Axisa
Hello Mr. Eric Williams
I have used AvalonKing some few weeks ago on my wife car and I can tell you that the result is fantastic.
Thanks and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Ray Axisa
Hello Mr. Eric Williams
I have used AvalonKing some few weeks ago on my wife car and I can tell you that the result is fantastic.
Thanks and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Ray Axisa