DIY Car Detailing:
Car Detailing Made Simple

You have questions...I have answers.

Welcome to DIY car detailing where I reveal the essentials of cosmetic car care that is based on my operating method of maximum results, produced with minimal effort.
In a perfect world, we would all be able to afford a professional auto detailing service to keep our cars looking show room shape day after day, year after year. But last time I checked, were not living in a perfect world; but that doesn't mean I can't help.

• I don't have much time; what is the bare minimum I can get away with Darren?
• What techniques can save me a boat load of time and effort?
• What products are worth a darn?

Car Paint Care Made Simple

Since most people seem to be most concerned with their cars paint, we will start here. I have compiled a list of the essentials to the right, in the third column; most of these products are from Meguiar's. They work, I use them, and I recommend them. I personally keep all these different versions contained in the right column for my personal and professional use. You can pick and choose based on your needs and what you are working on. By having all these items as part of your DIY car detailing efforts, you will have the essentials for 99% of you.

• You want paint so shiny your neighbors want to stare.
• You want your paint silky smooth.
• You want products that are easy to use.
• You don't want to spend a fortune.

The good news is, proper paint care can be had without too much grief on your part. By learning to get maximum results with minimal effort, you can spend more of your time enjoying a clean car, and less time getting there with the right DIY car detailing tips.

• Waxing your paint is done for two reasons: protection and enhancement.
• For maximum protection and as a good base coat, use a synthetic polymer every 6-12 months; the harsher the environment you live in, the more often it is needed.
• Stripping old wax before applying new wax is unnecessary; even when applying a paste wax over a polymer sealant.
• Paste waxes offer the most "bang for your efforts" visually.
• You can wax your car as often as you like for visual enhancement; over-waxing is a myth.
• Meguiar's Ultimate Paste Wax is an exceptional product that will produce amazing results!
• Spray waxes offer a great addition to paste waxes. This version from Meguiar's provides excellent results and is as easy as it gets! .
• Use clay bar as needed for silky smooth paint; this will be needed every 2-6 months based on the air quality where you live.

Tips for the Interior

Cleaning and maintaining your car upholstery can be even more basic and straightforward. A few simple tools and one single product can accomplish 95% of the entire DIY car detailing process for your cars interior.

• Terry cloth rag.
• Plastic scrub brush.
• Tooth brush.
• Make-up or paint brush.

• For general cleaning, simply spray terry cloth rag with cleaner and wipe down your cars upholstery with firm pressure; notice the amount of dirt lifting by just doing this.
• For heavier duty cleaning, spray area first, scrub, and mop up with rag aggressively.
• Use tooth brush for tighter to reach areas of scrubbing.
• Use make-up brush for dusting of gauges and vents.
• A light cleaning solution of the popular all-purpose cleaner Simple Green is also effective. Start with a mix ratio of 30:1 and work up from there as necessary.

DIY Car Detailing Schedule

Keeping your car looking show room shape year after year is not brain surgery. Maintaining the right schedule, done in a consistent manner is all that is required.

• Wash car weekly. I recommend outsourcing this chore to your local car wash.
• By outsourcing the car washing duties, you now get to spend this extra time doing the fun stuff of actual detailing.
• Clay bar the paint to remove embedded pollution and for a smooth finish.
• Whenever your paint has any form of texture, use the clay bar prior to waxing.
• Use a liquid polymer for lasting and durable protection.
• Use a paste wax for visual enhancement as often as you have the energy.
• The older I get, the less energy I have, so I reach for a spray wax to enjoy the winning combination of benefits: ease of use, enhancement, and protection.
• Spray waxes are engineered to be so user friendly, I find I want to use them every week after washing; this is also good practice for maintenance between polymer waxings.
• Wipe down interior upholstery once a month.
• Shampoo floor mats as needed.
• Shampoo high traffic areas with shampoo and scrub brush.

Hopefully, you have come to the conclusion that DIY car detailing is much less confusing, and more basic than you had originally thought.

"It's a jungle out there; treat accordingly."

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