10 Expert Tips for Keeping Your Vehicle Looking Showroom Ready

One of the best ways to keep your vehicle looking showroom ready is to have it professionally detailed on a regular basis. A professional detailer will thoroughly clean and polish your car inside and out, removing any dirt, grime, or stains. This will help protect your paint from premature fading and wear and make it easier to keep your car clean in between professional detailings; however, with the cost of living increasing, not everyone has the budget for professional detailing services.

We know your vehicle is your pride and joy, and you want to always keep it looking showroom ready. Unfortunately, many drivers don't take the necessary precautions to maintain their vehicle's appearance. Neglecting your automobile can lead to various problems, from faded paint to rust and other types of corrosion. This post will discuss 10 expert tips for keeping your vehicle looking showroom ready at home!

1. Lubricate Latches, Hinges, and Locks

Lubricating the door hinges, hood latch, and trunk latch will keep them working correctly, prevent rust, and save you some trouble during those long Michigan winters. You can use a lubricant like 3-in-1 oil, WD-40, or a silicone spray lubricant. Just make sure to avoid getting any on the painted surfaces because if left, it can corrode the surface.

Auto Detailing Pro-Tip

Many vehicles that still have keyholes rarely get used due to key fobs and remote entry. This can leave the lock cylinder unmaintained, and when an emergency hits, like the battery going out in your key fob, you could be locked out of your vehicle. Some simple lithium grease squirted into the keyhole; inserting the key and repeating it several times will do the trick!

2. Rinse, Wash, Wash

The most important aspect of cleaning an automobile is, of course, the wash itself. For starters, drop the dish soap and pick up [product plug 1] or [product plug 2]. Why? Dish soap is engineered to strip grease and gunk from cutlery, plates, pots, and pans. Using it on your SUV will strip any protective wax coating as well as prematurely fade your SUV's paint job.

Auto Detailing Pro-Tip

Invest in three sturdy 5-gallon buckets. Bucket 1 is just water; put water & cleaning solution in the other two. The first bucket you will use for rinsing off your towel or washing mitt, another with the cleaning solution, and a third for the tires & wheels. As your wash, dirt, and road debris is transferred to the towel, rinse all of that off, and don't pollute your clean soapy water with what you just cleaned from the vehicle. This can save you from scratches to the clear coat and paint by ensuring no small debris is still lodged in the towel or mitt. The best part? The buckets stack, and you can put all the cleaning supplies in the top bucket for easy storage.

3. Bright Light, Bright Light!

Water spots can be a real pain, especially after all that effort scrubbing off any dirt and debris. This is why we recommend washing your car in the shade. The temperature and heat can be enough to dry water droplets and leave you with water spots all over the vehicle - causing extra washing to remove them.

If you're caught in a bind and have to wash your car in direct sunlight, rinse your vehicle thoroughly before any soap can dry. Water spots are caused by minerals in hard water (and sometimes the cleaning solution), so if you live in a Michigan area with hard water, invest in a quality [water softener plug]. This will help reduce the number of water spots left after each wash.

Auto Detailing Pro-Tip

To avoid those pesky water spots, always use a clean microfiber towel or wash mitt and rinse your vehicle thoroughly before any soap can dry.

4. Take It Top Down

The best method to hand wash a vehicle is from the top down. That way, any dirt or debris that falls off won't settle on a clean section of your car. You'll want to start with the roof and work your way down, making sure to rinse often. Be sure to pay extra attention to areas around the windshield wipers, as they are more likely to accumulate dirt and grime.

Once you've finished washing the exterior of your car, it's time to move on to the wheels and tires. Use that separate bucket of soapy water from above for this task - you don't want all that dirt and grime anywhere near your freshly washed paint job! - and scrub well with a brush designed specifically for cleaning.

Auto Detailing Pro-Tip

Use a small step ladder instead of opening the car door to step up. A step ladder has more points of contact with the ground creating a more stable place to step. Just made sure you're set up on level and solid ground. Don't try to use a ladder on a hill or on the soil, as it can topple or sink unexpectedly, throwing you off.

5. Road Tar & Other Debris Removal

Sometimes you will find contaminants on your car that cannot be removed with soap. Car wash solution will remove some that are water-soluble. Others require a petroleum-based cleaner, a wax-and-grease remover. Road tar is an example of this. A typical car wash solution will not clean it off; you need a tar remover.

6. Tire & Wheel Detailing

Your tires and wheels are just as essential as the paint job to keep your vehicle looking its best. First, give them a good cleaning with a quality [wheel cleaner plug]. This will help remove any brake dust or road grime built up on the surface.

Next, dress the tires with a quality tire dressing; we recommend [wheel dressing product plug]. This will help protect the rubber from UV rays and keep them looking new. For the wheels, you can use a metal polish to make them shine like new. Just be sure to avoid getting any polish on the tires because it can cause premature deterioration.

Then, use a tire shine product to dress the tires and give them a nice finished look. We recommend using a gel or spray because it is easier to control than foam and will provide even coverage. Just be sure not to get any tire dressing on the wheels because it can be difficult to remove.

Last but not least, don't forget to clean the wheel wells. This area can get neglected, making your wheels look dirty no matter how clean. Just use a [degreaser plug] and a brush to remove any built-up grime.

Auto Detailing Pro-Tip

Use two different microfiber towels when cleaning your wheels and tires - one for each! This will help avoid cross-contamination and scratching of surfaces. When applying a tire dressing, do not "cake" it on. A small amount goes a long way, and too much will sling off onto your paint job.

Bonus Tip

Invest in a good quality set of brake pads to prevent brake dust from building up on your wheels. Higher quality pads will create less dust when you brake and make cleaning your wheels easier.

7. Wax On, Wax Off

A good quality carnauba wax will protect your paint and clear coat from the elements and help keep your car looking showroom ready. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when waxing your car.

First, make sure the surface is clean before you apply any wax. Any dirt or debris on the surface will be embedded into the paint when you start waxing. Second, use small circular motions when applying the wax. Applying too much pressure can cause scratches. Third, don't let the wax dry on the surface before you remove it. This can be difficult to avoid in direct sunlight, so we recommend waxing in the shade or using a quick detailer spray to keep the area wet while you work.

Auto Detailing Pro-Tip

Start with a clean car. If the car has a layer of dust on it, when you apply the wax, you will work that dust (ground up rocks) into the clearcoat and create tiny scratches that dull the paint and wear away the finish. Work in the shade or the garage. You should never wax a car in direct sunlight.

8. Invest in a Set of Brushes

A good set of brushes is an essential investment for anyone who wants to keep their car clean. They can be used for various tasks, from cleaning the tires to washing the vehicle's body. We recommend getting a set that includes soft and stiff bristles so you can tackle any job. A small 1" paintbrush is handy for cleaning out the cabin vents. Or, you can use a can of compressed air or a vacuum simultaneously for better results.

Auto Detailing Pro-Tip

When using brushes on your car, always start with the least abrasive option first. This will help avoid scratching or damaging the paint. For example, if you're cleaning the wheels and they are covered in brake dust, use a brush with soft bristles before moving on to one with stiffer bristles. The same goes for washing the car's body – use a sponge or wash mitt before using a brush.

9. Fix Any Paint Chips or Flecks

One of the most important things you can do to keep your car looking its best is to fix any paint chips or flecks as soon as they happen. This will prevent rusting and ensure that your paint job stays in good condition. We recommend always having a touch-up pen from Dorian Ford handy for more minor chips. Just be sure to match the paint code on your vehicle so that the color is an exact match.

While a paint pen won't fix dents, larger pits, or craters in the paint job, what it will do is prevent the water and corrosion from getting any further under the paint, thus, becoming a much larger problem requiring auto body work to correct.

Auto Detailing Pro-Tip

One way to avoid getting paint chips in the first place is to purchase an invisible car bra. These are designed to fit snugly around your car's front bumper, ground effects, hood, door handles, mirrors, and other exposed areas. This will create a barrier between the road and your car's paint job, ensuring the most common places for chips are well-protected.

10. Crystal Clear Auto Glass Cleaning

For many reasons, your car's windows are an important part of your vehicle. They provide you with a clear view of the road while driving, and they also protect you from the elements. That's why it's essential to keep them clean and streak-free. Here are a few tips to help you get crystal clear auto glass:

Start by using a quality glass cleaner. We recommend one that is ammonia-free so that it won't damage the tint on your windows or accidentally overspray onto upholstery or the dashboard, fading its color. Apply the cleaner to a lint-free cloth or paper towel and wipe in a circular motion. Be sure to clean the inside and outside of the windows, including the windshield, rear window, and side mirrors.

Next, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove any cleaner residue and buff the glass to a shine. If you find that your windows are still streaky after following these steps, the problem is likely with the quality of the glass cleaner you're using. Some auto glass cleaners contain alcohol that can cause streaking, so read the label carefully before purchasing.

Lastly, always do the glass cleaning last in your detailing process. And, like washing and waxing, always clean your automotive glass in the shade for the best results.

Auto Detailing Pro-Tip

If your windshield is filthy or has state inspection sticker residue, you may need to use a glass scraper to remove built-up grime. Be careful not to scratch the glass or the surrounding interior cloth, and follow up with a cleaner and microfiber towel for best results.

So, there you have it. Our top 10 expert auto detailing tips to keep your vehicle looking showroom ready. Now, if you found this article too late and have some advanced damage to your current ride, no sweat, we have you covered. Check out Dorian's Collision Repair Center to get your vehicle's body and interior back to looking great.