How to Take Care of Your Car (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 13:47

Car care goes beyond the normal use of a vacuum cleaner and washing. It means paying attention to the small details that make the car worthy of a Motor Show. Start with the inside so you don't have to worry about dirtying the outside. Here's how to take meticulous care of the car.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Part One: The Interior

Step 1. Remove the mats and vacuum the floor, upholstery, overhead shelf (if you have one), the dashboard and the mats themselves

Slide the seats back and forth to vacuum well under them.

It starts from the top, going downwards. Dust and dirt that has accumulated at the top may fall off, while dirt that is at the bottom rarely rises

Step 2. Clean carpet and upholstery stains with a foam cleaner and scrub with a damp sponge or cloth

Leave it on for a few minutes before absorbing everything with a dry cloth. If you have not obtained a good result, repeat the operation. After the last application of detergent, wash the area with a wet sponge and absorb once again with a dry cloth.

Make sure you are absorbing as much water from the fabric as possible. Excess humidity favors the formation of mold that does not fall within the definition of "taking care" of the car

Step 3. Repair holes, burns, and remove indelible stains from carpet by cutting the area away with the cutter or scissors

Replace this portion of the mat with a patch you cut from a hidden part of the mat itself (such as the one under the seat). Use water-resistant adhesive to fix it.

Warning: always ask the car owner for authorization to make this step. If you want, keep a sample of the repair at hand so that the owner can get an idea. If done right, this example will be reassuring.

Step 4. Wash the rubber mats and let them dry

Apply a non-slip product so the driver's feet will have a firm grip during important driving phases such as braking.

Step 5. Use compressed air and brushes to remove dust accumulated in buttons and cracks in the dashboard and interior door panels

Step 6. Scrub hard surfaces with a mild all-purpose cleaner

Use a protective product like Armor All to finish the job.

Step 7. Thoroughly clean the ventilation grids with a brush

If you are not going to use liquids later, the brush should have super absorbent bristles like microfiber to hold and remove all dirt. A light spray of a vinyl care product on the ventilation grilles will make them appear brand new.

Step 8. Clean or wash the seats

The cleanliness of the seats is essential in car care. But different seats require different techniques. Note that after cleaning them you must vacuum both the seats themselves and the surrounding area as the dirt may have moved.

• Fabric interior: seats upholstered in nylon or other fabrics should be washed with a suitable shampoo and then vacuumed with a liquid aspirator. The fabric should be dry enough after vacuuming.
• Leather or vinyl interior: This type of upholstery should be cleaned with a specific leather or vinyl cleaner and then gently brushed with a leather brush. The detergent can then be absorbed with a microfiber cloth.

Step 9. Soften the leather seats if necessary

If you have used a cleanser, now is the time to use an emollient product to give it an attractive appearance and avoid future cracks.

Step 10. Use a spray cleaner on glass and mirrors

For stubborn dirt use 0000-grit steel wool. Use a plastic cleaner if the thickness is covered with plastic.

Use a microfiber cloth when washing and drying. If you don't have microfiber, use a clean, lint-free cloth. You certainly don't want fibers here and there all over the clean car

Method 2 of 2: Second Part: The Outside

Step 1. Clean the rims with a rim brush and wheel cleaner or degreaser

First make the rims, where dirt, grease and dust accumulate more, letting the detergent act a little before brushing for about 30-60 seconds.

• Acid cleaners should only be used on rough rims if necessary, but never on polished alloy rims and white shoulder tires.
• Make the chrome rims shine with a metal polish or window cleaner.

Step 2. Wash the tires with a white shoulder wheel cleaner (even if your tires are all black)

Apply some gum black. For a glossy finish let the gum black soak in, or dry it with a cotton cloth for a matte look.

Step 3. Wrap the electronic components with a cable tie under the hood

Spray degreaser everywhere and then wash with a pressure pump.

Step 4. Protect the non-metallic areas under the hood with a vinyl or rubber product

If you want a glossy look, let the product penetrate these surfaces. If you want a matte look, dry it with a cotton cloth.

Step 5. Be careful with the tinted windows

The original ones, factory, are colored in their structure and you have to worry less, but those that have been darkened later are more delicate and could be damaged by ammonia or vinegar based cleaners. Check what type of cleaner you are using before cleaning tinted windows.

Step 6. Wash the car with a special soap, not dish soap

Park the car in the shade and wait until the bodywork is cool to the touch. Use a thick microfiber glove that holds dirt and doesn't spread it all over the car.

• advise: use two buckets, one with soap and water and the other with water only. After dipping the glove in the bucket with soap and water, wash a portion of the car and then immerse it in the bucket with water: in this way you will not dirty the soapy water.

  

• Dish soap removes surface polymers from the paint and accelerates the oxidation process.

  

• Work from top to bottom, washing and rinsing one area at a time. Do not allow the soapy water to dry on the bodywork.

  

• Remove the spray from the water pipe when you do the final rinse to minimize drops.

  

• Use a deerskin to dry; do not let it dry in the air or halos will form.

  

Step 7. Clean the outside of the windows with a glass cleaner

The windows of well-maintained cars are brilliant and perfect, so don't be stingy and lazy.

Step 8. Remove dirt and mud residues from the wheel arches with a universal cleaner and a high pressure water pump

Put some vinyl protective product on the wheels for an extra glossy effect.

Step 9. Eliminate contaminants sticking to the body with liquid clay bar

You can also use the traditional one but the liquid version is more effective.

Step 10. Apply polish or wax (if using both apply and remove polish first) with a dual-action orbital or hand-held polisher

Random orbital polishers should be left to professionals.

• The polish gives it a shiny appearance. Wax is a protective.
• Roll these products out in long, non-circular motions.
• Pay attention near the doors, hinges and behind the bumper where manual circular movements are required.
• Let it dry until a dull patina forms. Then go with the polisher. The hardest to reach areas need to be polished by hand.

Advice

• A professional can repair deeper scratches that have reached the paint pigment past the surface coating.
• You can repair tears or damage to vinyl seats with vinyl seat kits that you can find at most auto parts stores.