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in: Featured, Manly Know-How, Skills, Visual Guides

• Last updated: June 2, 2021

An Illustrated Guide to Detailing Your Car

Thoroughly vacuum interior of car. Loosen caked in dirt with brush if needed. Treat stains with carpet and upholstery cleaner. Clean and treat interior plastic and vinyl with protectant. Clean glass inside and out with glass cleaner and newspapers. Clean inside doorjambs. Open doors and spray doorjambs with multi-purpose cleaner and wipe down with rag. Treat black trim with protectant. If car has chrome or aluminum on exterior trim or wheels, polish it. Clay your car with detailing clay to remove bonded surface contamination, like brake dust and road grime. Moisten the clay with a cleaner and apply it to car’s surface. Apply wax on one small area of the car at a time until you cover the entire car. Let dry for 20-30 minutes. Buff the wax off gently with a microfiber or cotton towel or a power polisher.

Last month we covered how to wash your car. Today we go over detailing it.

Illustration by Ted Slampyak

  • Thoroughly vacuum interior of car. Loosen caked in dirt with brush if needed. Treat stains with carpet and upholstery cleaner.
  • Clean and treat interior plastic and vinyl with protectant.
  • Clean glass inside and out with glass cleaner and newspapers.
  • Clean inside doorjambs. Open doors and spray doorjambs with multi-purpose cleaner and wipe down with rag.
  • Treat black trim with protectant. If car has chrome or aluminum on exterior trim or wheels, polish it.
  • Clay your car with detailing clay to remove bonded surface contamination, like brake dust and road grime. Moisten the clay with a cleaner and apply it to car’s surface.
  • Apply wax on one small area of the car at a time until you cover the entire car. Let dry for 20-30 minutes. Buff the wax off gently with a microfiber or cotton towel or a power polisher.

Like this illustrated guide? Then you’re going to love our book The Illustrated Art of Manliness! Pick up a copy on Amazon.

Have any more tips on detailing your car? Share them in the comments.

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