Detailing your automobile is more than just a matter of esthetics.
Grimy windows and headlights can reduce your visibility on the road, but the bonus in keeping your car well-maintained is that it holds its value over time, helping you get the most for it when you sell.
Unlike automated car washes, car detailing is done by hand.
Depending on the size and condition of your vehicle, an exterior and interior car detail can run you between $110 to $220, according to Auto Detailing Pro in Toronto.
Add-ons like disinfection and paint protection are extra.
And while experts recommend taking your vehicle to a professional for complicated fixes, like paint chipping, basic cleaning tasks can be DIY, saving you money.
Start with an exterior clean
Select a car wash soap safe for your vehicle, says Steven Hardyal, a production manager at online car marketplace Clutch’s reconditioning facility in Mississauga.
For example, ceramic-coated cars should only be cleaned using a type of soap that protects the chemical that has been applied.
Hardyal recommends using a mitt, then pressure rinsing the soap off. Also, use a separate mitt to clean the wheel wells and rims.
For the headlights, mask around the headlights using painter’s tape. Then, Hardyal says, gently use a buffer with a cleaning compound.
“Buff your headlights until smooth and clean of any imperfections, making sure you aren’t buffing for too long, which can damage the surface.â€
Then, he says, use a clean microfibre cloth to wipe the headlights before switching to a polishing pad for your buffer, using a polishing compound for “a perfect glass finish.â€
Once you’re done, wipe the headlights clean and remove the painter’s tape.
Lastly, says Hardyal, clean your windows with an aerosol glass cleaner using a microfibre cloth to wipe them down streak-free.Â
Tackle the interior
The first step, Hardyal says, is to remove the floor mats and set them on a clean surface. Then, hand-vacuum the interior, using attachments to access hard-to-reach areas.
“After you’re done vacuuming, use a soft drill brush with a little all-purpose cleaner on the carpets for any small staining, like salt stains,†says Hardyal.
A drill brush set, he says, costs between $20 and $30 and can be used for other household cleaning tasks.
The all-purpose cleaner can also be used with a detail brush to clean the nooks and crannies of your car, like the vents, between the seat buckles and the centre console.  
â€You can probably grab a 10-pack of detail brushes made of boar hair for about $20,†says Hardyal.
He adds that a detail brush can also help you get rid of any gunk in creases that your vacuum can’t reach.
To clean your cloth seats, work an all-purpose cleaner into the fabric using a microfibre cloth, says Hardyal.
For leather, wipe down the seats using a leather treatment and a microfibre rag.Â
During the winter, Hardyal recommends cleaning the driver’s area once a week to avoid salt stain buildup.
Sudhanshu Arora, CEO at Detailing Delights in Mississauga, agrees.  
He recommends vacuuming your car once every couple of months to prevent dirt, dust and salt from building up into a thick layer that can only be removed using a steam cleaner.
Word of caution
Look for cleaning products that are safe to use on your car’s interior and exterior.
“I’ve had issues in the past where when people tried to shampoo the interior of the car with soap and water, and it stained the colour of the actual carpet,†says Hardyal, who has 20 years of experience working in detailing. “So make sure you’re using the right — and safe — product for your vehicle.â€Â
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