Car detailing tips from experts

Keeping your car clean is very important, whether your car is brand new or has been your daily driver for decades. There are hundreds or products on the market for cleaning your car, and thousands of places you can take your vehicle to get it detailed.

The auto experts at Edmunds.com put together a list of tips for making sure that your car stays in top shape, no matter what method you decide on.

They recommend not taking your car in to a detailer every time it needs a wash. Going to a car detailer can be pricey, and there are many ways to save money by doing some light detailing on your own at home. They recommend washing once a week and waxing once a month, and making sure that the products you use are suited to your car’s paint, interior materials and wheel type.

Another suggestion is if you are going to take your car to a detailer, make sure that they see your car before giving you a quote, and make sure they are using high-quality products, so they don’t cut corners or possibly damage your paint. They also do not recommend paying extra to steam clean your engine, as many newer cars have complex electronics that may get damaged.

If you are getting ready to clean the interior, be prepared for a thorough job to take a while, sometime upwards of two hours. If your car’s carpet or seats have numerous spills and dirt spots and requires a deep clean, steam cleaning is the only way to go. Make sure after cleaning that the interior is completely dry to avoid possible mildew or mold issues.

Their last couple recommendations they make is to be sure your detailer is trained properly, such as having a certification, and that they have insurance in case of an accident or mistake. And last but not least, pick the right time and place to do a detail job. Letting car wax bake in the hot sun can be damaging to your paint, so make sure to find a cool, shady spot.

Sources:

http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/confessions-of-car-detailers.html

https://www.enterprisecarsales.com/preownedcars