Free Auto Detailing Tips

Welcome to Free Auto Detailing Tips...

While I have built this entire site to reveal all the Best Auto Detailing Tips, I am going to include this Free auto detailing tips page so you can learn some detailing tips from the expert, that you can use to produce some immediate results for yourself.

I will be adding to this often so make sure you book mark this page or site so you can keep up with all my tips and information where I will be revealing:

• Time tested techniques I developed and use myself
• Actual products I use to produce superior results for people that pay me big bucks as an auto detailing expert

My Biggest Time Saving Tip

I structure everything I do based on a simple strategy:

"Maximum results, produced by minimal efforts."

Keeping in line with this philosophy, you can save yourself much time and aggravation by using the list to the right in the third column of this page to complete your essential detailing kit. Of the hundreds of products you can buy and test, these products have proven to produce superior results. Some of you may enjoy researching and buying new product after new product, but personally, I much prefer having a clean and shiny car with as little effort as possible; these products will get you there!

Free Auto Detailing Tips

-starting with the basics.

• Your car really can last forever- at least it can last ten years or more, or 150K miles or more, with consistent cosmetic and mechanical maintenance
• Doing nothing gets you nothing-The area of cosmetic car care is confusing even when you have experience; but avoiding the subject will bring unwanted results eventually.
• Paint serves as a protective barrier- the paint on your car is more than a way to look good; it is also there for protection of the underlying metal body panels, i.e. rust and corrosion specifically.
• Car wax is a necessary evil- while there may be some fanatics out there who enjoy the process, waxing a car is still tiresome and requires effort. It is through the use of waxes, or sealers, that your paint will last as long as you want.
• Waxing is for enhancing- Car wax is a way to visually enhance your cars paint by covering up surface flaws and damage, as well as create a uniformed reflective surface.
• Wash regularly- Washing your car weekly is highly recommended; remember, dirt is one of the greatest enemies to the finish of your paint.
• Hosing off your car with your garden hose is never recommended- water left to dry can create permanent water spots on paint, chrome, and glass…actually on every surface of your car; permanently.
• The squeegee doesn't count- Using a squeegee at the gas station while you are getting gas to “wash” your car does not count as a car wash.
• Make sure you use the contact form below to send me your free auto detailing tips suggestions.
• Cloth is good- Seeking out a quality 100% cloth car wash is advisable.
• They are different- 100% cloth and 100% hand car washes do not mean the same thing; "all cloth" simply means the automated washing brushes are made out of cloth, not plastic or nylon; these automated washes can still be damaging to your paint.
• Time is money- Your time really is worth something; when you spend two hours of your time to wash your car yourself, to save money, may not be particularly smart.
• Clear coat- The name given to the top layer of “un-pigmented” paint layer of your car.
• Clear coat is paint- You could think of this as clear nail polish, or varnish for finishing would.
• Treat like paint- Clear coat is treated just like traditional paint of your car.
• Are you taking notes from this free auto detailing tips page
• Terms that confuse- The term clear coat is used by car care manufacturers to create confusion of an ignorant society to sell more “specialized” products to us consumers. This is why there are so many “clear coat safe” waxes and polishes.
• Many are guilty of misleading- Even in the car detailing industry, many guys will use the term clear coat in attempt to elevate themselves as to some kind of expert, over those that are ignorant.
• Professional carpet steam cleaning is not the same as auto interior detailing- I have had many people have their car floor mats “steam cleaned” the same time as having their house carpets done thinking this would be better. It is not better, and I recommend avoiding this practice. I have yet to see a professional carpet cleaner get floor mats as clean as I can, and still keep the floor mats looking new. After “steam cleaning” has been done, your floor mats will take on a new, “weathered” look to them… trust me on this. They will also take hours to dry.

More Free Auto Detailing Tips

Just for the Women out there

• Make-up is meant for the face- Just because it may be good for you, doesn’t mean it is good for your cars upholstery. Wash your hands well after applying lotions and make up. I have seen the upholstery of cars interiors become permanently stained and/or damaged, due to make-up and lotions that have been allowed to remain for extended periods of time on interior materials such as vinyl, plastic, and leathers. Also be aware of driving with bare legs and arms, as these areas of your body will come in contact with upholstery, and will also have natural body oils and/or lotions that too, can be damaging to your cars upholstery. I have also seen such a thick build up of make up on the commonly used areas of the car, i.e. steering wheel, door handles and resting points, that it requires many repeated cleanings in order to completely clean off. Often when this happens, there is a permanent “shadow” or “stain” left behind.
• Ladies, make sure you use the form below to send in your suggestions for my free auto detailing tips page
• Beware of dark colored fabrics- Dark blue jeans are of special concern. These dyes from your clothes will rub off onto your upholstery and become permanent. Remember, these are dyes meant to be permanent, so keep them off light colored upholstery.
• Do not slide- Sliding into your seating or driving position is not advisable; I have seen both men and women wear off the surface of their seating areas by sliding into position; it is advisable to “place” yourself into position, rather than “slide” into position.

So, You Still Want More Free Auto Detailing Tips

• General awareness is important- When trying to maintain the condition of your car, you need to become aware of all your body parts; specifically your feet as you get in and out. I have seen door panels and speaker covers ruined, as people will repeatedly “kick” these areas as they get in and out of a car.
• Beware of high heels- I have seen women wear a hole into their carpeting or floor mats by driving with high heels on; the heel tip will dig and wear right through the carpeting.

More Free Auto Detailing Tips

The Area of Car Care Products

• Paste waxes- Paste waxes will hide surface flaws generally better than that of liquid, or spray waxes.
• Did I mention that you should send me any suggestions or questions to free auto detailing tips on the form below?
• It is possible- Due to modern advances in chemical engineering, you can get a wax product that really can do it all…if you know which products are capable of this.
• The famous, or infamous ShamWow- Not the superior choice in chamois’.
• I prefer synthetic- I personally use synthetic chamois’ when doing my own cars, or cars of my customers.
• The duster- I personally recommend and use a California Duster to “dust” my cars off between washes.
• Car washing soaps- I don't use any traditional car washing soaps on my cars…ever. This doesn’t mean I would never recommend them, it just depends on your specific situation.
• Power of suggestion- There is a mental perception by most of us that follows this logic: more soap suds mean more clean; more water means more clean. Personally, this usually just means more work.
• Did you know that if I don't use the term free auto detailing tips enough times, you will never be able to find this page with the search engines.
• Water is natures most prolific solvent- This means it will also aid in dissolving the wax off your car whenever your car gets wet.
• Against traditions- I haven’t used water to “wash” my cars in the past year; I employ other methods that produce superior results than traditional washing, and require less time and effort.
• The clay bar- I personally recommend using a surface prep bar or clay bar, to clean contaminates off my paint.
• Scratching?- Despite what the manufactures would have you believe, the clay bars will scratch your paint; once again, this depends on your interpretation of scratching.
• How long?- There are waxes, or sealers, that can truly last 6 months or more to protect your paint; the biggest variable to this is how much your car sits in the sun, and how long you allow the dirt to sit on your car between washings.
• The fine print- The paint protection systems they want to up-sale you at the car dealership are overpriced and can be done yourself. You should always read the fine print of these types of add-ons as there are many variables to these you will be unaware of.
• Do-it-yourself- Interior protection systems up-sold at the car dealerships are over-priced, and can also be done yourself.
• Newspapers- Not the “best” rag for doing windows; despite what you may have read in "Readers Digest". The publication with just enough information to make any of us dangerous.
• Micro-fibers are the way to go- Baby diapers are no longer the preferred choice in car care; micro-fibers are king.
• Sorry to repeat myself so many times, but free auto detailing tips is important enough to repeat
• Micro fiber towels- A modern wonder that has many uses in the world of cosmetic car care.
• Micro fiber towels- My personal choice in the wax removal process.
• Not all micro fiber towels are created equal- As the adage goes, you generally do get what you pay for.
• Dressings (i.e. Armor-All) are a love/hate relationship- There are so many versions out there, and they all come with their own unique “trade-off’s”.
• The pros and cons of dressings- Dressings do not “attract” dust and dirt, but they do allow it to “stick” better.
• Don't be lazy- One of the main problems with dressings is that because dirt does stick to the dressed surface better, cleaning the surface before re-application is critical. You might have noticed a brown “grungy” build up that is accumulating on the side walls of your tires. This is from repeated application of tire dressing, without completely cleaning off the old dressing first.
• More pros and cons- I have seen the interiors of cars where the repeated use of dressings has now created a thick, sticky layer of dust and dressing all over the interior.
• Even more pros and cons- Some dressings are so resistant to water and breaking down, that I have had to use harsh chemicals on the interiors of my customer’s cars, in order to remove these counter-productive dressings.

Finally...the form below is just for your comments or suggestions, for free auto detailing tips!

Come back and visit free auto detailing tips often as I will be constantly updating with more and more useful tips.