What is Car Detailing?

Some of the most common questions we’ve been asked at Kelley Buick GMC, Inc. have dealt with car detailing. Among the ones we received are “What is car detailing?” and “How to detail a car?” We’ve also been asked about car detailing prices around Lakeland on other occasions.

While a car wash is more a surface level cleaning, car detailing requires a thorough cleaning, geared towards restoring the exterior and interior of your Buick, GMC vehicle. It’s also important to remove blemishes and scratches that might compromise your vehicle’s appearance. If you’re interested in some interior car detailing, Kelley Buick GMC, Inc. has the professionals that know how car detailing works. Learn more about the car detailing process below.

How to Detail a Car

Beyond “what is car detailing,” the most important aspect is what’s needed to deal with everything. To detail your car, you’ll need the following:

• Vacuum Cleaner
• Washing Mitts
• Microfiber Cloths
• A Variety of Small Brushes (Such as a Paintbrush)
• Canned Air
• Upholstery Cleaner
• Carpet Stain Cleaner
• Car-safe Cleaner
• Window Cleaner
• Surface Protector For Vinyl and Leather Surfaces

Exterior Car Detailing Steps

When dealing with the exterior of your vehicle, you’ll need the following procedures to get the right results.

• Rigorous Exterior Wash:Use water, a car-safe washing solution, and microfiber cloths to clean the exterior of your car. Don’t use cleaning solutions like household detergents, as they’ll strip off the wax from your vehicle’s surface. Make sure to frequently swap out cleaning cloths, the reason being dirt or sand on dirty cloths may cause more scratches on your vehicle’s surface. Once you’ve cleaned the vehicle, dry it off with clean towels.
• Clean Your Wheels:Use the existing solution to wash the rest of your vehicle. If not, use a solution that’s made primarily for car tires. Clean your vehicle’s wheels next. To remove dirt from the grooves and hard-to-reach areas, a small brush is essential.
• Wax The Exterior: Once you’ve finished cleaning the exterior, you have the option to wax your vehicle. You can wipe away the excess wax with a small brush.

Interior Car Detailing Steps

As you move through how to detail a car, the next area you’ll be tackling is the interior. Interior car detailing requires you to perform the following:

• Carpeting: Begin by vacuuming your vehicle’s carpeting. If there are stains muddling up your carpeting, use a stain remover and brush to get rid of them.
• Door Interior: Use a solution made of soap and water to clean up the non-carpeted part of your doors and then dry them down with a cloth. You should also open your car doors to clean up the metal and plastic parts of your door jambs.
• Windows: Clean up the inside of your car mirrors with a window-cleaning solution and then dry them out to avoid streaks.
• Upholstery: Once you vacuum your seats, remove any stains with stain remover and brush. If the seats are done being cleaned, let them dry out with your car doors open. This should be done to avoid mildew formation.
• Steering Wheel Column: Clean dust and stains with a cleaning solution, then dry and apply a surface protectant.
• Dashboard and Center Console: Use small tools to clean cracks and tight crevices, then dry them completely with a cloth.

Visit Kelley Buick GMC, Inc. in Bartow For Expert Car Detailing!

Now that we’ve answered what is car detailing, why not let a professional help detail your car? At Kelley Buick GMC, Inc., we have the professional staff who can handle all things related to car detailing. Call (863) 323-2621 or contact us online to schedule an appointment and discuss our car detailing prices. We also have a variety of service and new vehicle specials if you’re looking to save money on your next car. Whether you’re coming from Bartow or Winterhaven, we’re ready to make your vehicle shine inside and out. See you shortly!