A car’s exterior is the first thing people see, and it should reflect your personality. That’s why car detailing is so important. But auto detailing can be tricky to handle without the proper knowledge of what you’re doing. If you don’t know how to detail a car, then this blog post will teach you everything that you need to know about car exterior detailing – from washing and waxing to cleaning and polishing! With car detailing gig harbor WA, you will receive the utmost care and service customized to fit your car’s needs. With a proper wash and wax, you’ll be on the road with a shiny new exterior in no time.
Start by evaluating your car’s exterior.
This is the first step of auto detailing because unless you know what needs to be detailed, you won’t know where to start. Paint flaws (chip and scratches), fading hues, dirt on tires and rims, bird droppings are all things to think about. After you’ve determined what has to be done, it’s time to begin detailing!
Get the right tools for the job.
Before you do anything, it’s essential to have the proper auto detailing tools. Without the right tools, your exterior could be left with scratches, and you’ll need to do it all over again.
The following items are highly recommended to have on hand:
- Water hose
- Bucket
- Microfiber cloth
- Water blade
- Wheel brush and wheel cleaner (for tires and rims)
- Clay bar set (for paint flaws like chips and scratches)
- Car shampoo and car wax (always use a pH-balanced formula to avoid damage)
Car detailing gig harbor WA offers a wide selection of auto detailing supplies to get the job done right.
Exterior detailing
Once you’ve gathered everything you’ll need, it’s time to get started with the car detailing process!
Wash the exterior of your car with water and shampoo
Start by spraying down the surface that needs to be detailed with a hose. Next, using a pH-balanced auto shampoo safe for your paint, wash away all dirt and grime. Once you’ve finished, rinse the area with a water hose and then dry off your car’s exterior using microfiber cloth or a water blade (to avoid leaving scratches).
Clay bar paint flaws like chips and scratches
Using a clay bar, wax and polish will bond to the surface of your car better than ever before. It will also eliminate paint flaws like chips and scratches, so your vehicle looks better than the new one! Apply a clay bar to the affected area of your car, working in small sections. Then, use a microfiber towel to wipe away excess clay – this will ensure that you get the best results possible.
Polish & wax your car’s exterior
Finally, apply car wax to your car’s exterior. This will give the surface a deep shine that looks amazing! If you want to be extra thorough, repeat steps 1 and 2 for a high-gloss look that is hard to ignore.
A good car wash is the most important thing you can do to keep your car looking new. So make sure and do it regularly, and maintain your vehicle looking great with proper detailing.
Auto Detailing Mistakes You Should Avoid
There are a few mistakes car owners make when it comes to car detailing. With car detailing gig harbor WA, you can avoid the common mistakes that people make on their own when they’re washing and waxing their car’s exterior.
Here are some of the most critical details about car wash and car detail techniques:
Using dish soap
Avoid using dish soap or automatic dishwasher detergents for your car. Dish soaps are harsh on paint finish, and they can strip your vehicle of its natural oils that protect the exterior from rust and corrosion.
Using a dirty mitt or wash brush
Your car’s exterior is constantly getting hit with dust, dirt, bugs, and bird droppings – not to mention all the damage caused by rocks! It would help if you used car detailing tools like a car wash mitt and a clean car wash brush for every car detail. Otherwise, you risk dragging all the grime left on your car’s exterior onto another vehicle – which is very unsanitary! Car detailing gig harbor WA car detailers always keep their car detailing tools clean and free of dirt.
Washing in direct sunlight
The car’s exterior needs to be washed in the shade. If you wash your car in direct sunlight, it will dry too quickly, which can cause water spots or light scratches on your car paint.
Moving too quickly when waxing or polishing
You should work in small sections when applying car wax or car polish. This ensures that your car wax will be applied evenly and not too thick.
Not removing your car’s grime from the engine bay, wheel wells, tires, door handles, etc.
Detailing means you need to clean every part of your car – including hard-to-reach spots like the undercarriage or inside compartments. Using a small auto detailing brush, car wash mitt, or sponge will help you clean these areas.
Not using microfiber towels.
Using the wrong materials to dry your car’s exterior can cause scratches on your car paint that are avoidable! Microfiber towels and car drying clothes are specially designed to avoid scratching car paint. Swirl marks and scratches can be caused by using a terry cloth towel or even an old bath towel.
