7 Car Detailing Tips to Inexpensively Get Your Car Clean and Shiny (Video)

cars ^ | 9/3/2009 | cars

[wrrock]

Learn some handy detailing secrets to keep the exterior of your vehicle clean. From keeping your tires shiny and avoiding dust between washes to removing the ever-present bird droppings, youll learn some tips that will help your car stay clean using common household products. Watch Video...

[La Lydia]

I can read faster that I can watch some droning video of a dude cleaning his car. What are the tips?

[devane617]

True story: Many years ago, I went to visit a female friend. She called and said she was washing her car and to come over and have a beer. “Well, alrighty then,” I said. When I got there, she had a big can of AJAZ cleanser pouring all over her ‘new’ car, and a big heavy mit to scrub it clean. To this day, I have never said a word. I sat and watched her scrub that car while drinking her beer.

[45semi]

My older sister 'waxed' her car with wax made for a wooden floor (Memwax)
...then when she realized she had ruined the paint job, she sold it,
because the cost of painting it was more than the car was worth...

[Squantos]

I use bartenders friend to clean windshield. Works very well.

Also after waxing the vehicle I do a final buff using a microfiber rag with a light dusting of corn starch.

Takes any swirl marks an fine scratches out an leaves perfect shine.

Also detail engine bay with a simple green spray down then a wash with a foaming tire cleaner from armor all as a final cleaning process. Let it foam up an coat everything then wipe everything down with lots of clean rags.

Looks new......all chrome is cleaned with flitz.

Jove a clean truck !!!

[American Constitutionalist]

Actually, a clean engine helps it run better, because a dirty engine will not dissipate the heat as good.
Make sure you don't get water in the electrical connections, not good.

[Neidermeyer]

Also detail engine bay with a simple green spray down then a wash with a foaming tire cleaner from armor all as a final cleaning process. Let it foam up an coat everything then wipe everything down with lots of clean rags.
******************************************************
Auto detailers for dealers use a pressure washer on the motor and then when it’s dry spray everything underhood with “no touch” tire shine.. it’s foolproof and won’t harm sensors/wires or make your belts squeak, as the “no touch” name implies you just spray and forget.

For sun damaged (yellowed) plastic (polycarbonate) headlight lenses you will need 1200 or higher grit wet/dry sandpaper and a high speed buffer and plastic polish (maguires , blue coral etc.) .

[Neidermeyer]

That black guy with the Grand Prix GTP was hosing down his tires with a silicone tire shine product .. DON’T EVER DO WHAT HE WAS DOING!!! He was getting liquid silicone on the outer tread blocks and the sidewall to tread interface that the car will roll up on when cornering... this makes for a very slick tire that will not grip.

[TheConservativeParty]

Well I need to wash and wax my Silverado(pre-ObamaMotors). I am not looking forward to it. That truck is huge. I’ve washed it a few times by hand, but have yet to wax it. Owned it since July 2007. Yes this is a confession. I’ve not waxed it yet. However it is in a nice garage most of the time.

Here’s the plan: I drive it out to Colorado in a month for my vacation, then after I get home, I get all the damn bugs off the grill, hand wash it, and then hand wax it.

I love my truck. Nothing like that V-8 growling on take-off. Driving high above all the ClownCars. I still point and laugh at those shoes on wheels. It’s not nice, but I can’t help it. Saw one this week on the Interstate, what an idiot.

I promise to wash and wax after my trip. I swear!

[ErnBatavia]

I am not looking forward to it. That truck is huge. I’ve washed it a few times by hand, but have yet to wax it.

That's what I've always called a "Ladder Car".....you need one to do it right. I'll never own one again; too phocking old and the bones are too brittle.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

a good paint brush to dust off the interior cracks and vents, Simple Green on everything inside the car, under the hood and especially wheel wells.

Also, ClayMagic if you want an extra step between washing and waxing will take all of the particulates off the paint. I had just finished my wifes car with it, and she came out, set her purse on the hood and it ended up on the ground with everything all over the place. Yup, my fault!!

[Two Kids' Dad]

Ping to remind myself to wash my truck later. It’s a ladder truck, too. I bought it used and have had it for 8 years and I’ve waxed it once. (shame on me, I know)

[Squantos]

I would never use a power washer on the engine or electrical components. I only use a garden hose with a light spray. I do at times hook the hose to the hot water side of my shop sink an use a spray nozzle but never a high pressure power washer inside the engine bay.

May get away with it a few times but I won’t do such with my vehicles.

The no touch spray shine sounds like same concept

[Squantos]

Agree. Also let’s one see leaks or damage etc. ....