Do-It-Yourself Auto Detailing

By Donnie Ruff, Owner
Lou Dinatti Services, LLC

Now that the urge to do some major spring-cleaning has kicked in, it's important not to forget or neglect your automobiles! For many people, the words 'Auto Detailing' imply spending around $200.00 for a professional to have it done right. However, detailing is just another term for a thorough cleaning (more than the occasional trip to the drive-through wash), and the process may be easier than you think.

Maintaining your car's appearance will help it retain higher resale value, too. Here are a few tricks of the trade:

1.) Clean and wax your automobiles by hand, using a bucket of mild soapy water and a bucket of clean water to rinse your wash mitt in. Notice I didn't say 'sponge.' A wash mitt won't trap anything in its fibers that could cause tiny scratches and swirl marks. Be sure to clean the door and trunk jams. You should also keep your engine clean and grease-free to keep the engine running cool. Use a micro fiber towel to dry everything thoroughly. Air-drying leaves watermarks. Clean your windows with a good foam aerosol cleaner and a cotton towel.

2.) Having a clear coat finish doesn't mean you shouldn't wax as often. A clear coat finish can lose its oils, making it vulnerable to oxidation and turning the finish dull. Your automobile should be waxed by hand at least every season to keep it looking like new.

3.) A UV protectant on your dash and plastic interior parts will not protect them from the sun. In fact, such treatments can cause the dash to crack and create a glare, making it difficult to drive. Using UV protectant on your tires causes brake dust to stick and accumulate on the rims. (You should remove brake dust from your rims as soon its starts to collect, because it quickly eats away at the finish, and once embedded, it's too late.) Our advice: just use mild soap, water, and a clean rag for your dash, plastic interiors, and tires.

4.) Always wash the underside thoroughly to get all road salt and contaminants off. Otherwise, it's hard on the metal brake lines and, in time, they will rust out and break. Road dirt, given a chance to collect, will hold moisture and rust out the bottom of your automobile.

5.) If your automobile has leather seats, only use a high quality leather shampoo and conditioner to replenish and maintain the oils in the leather. For cloth seats and interiors, use a good foam cleaner/shampoo, but don't soak the cloth seats or door panels, as that will cause a musty smell and loosen the glue that attaches the cloth. For cloth carpet, use a foam cleaner, again keeping the moisture out, because the insulation barrier under the carpet will stay wet. Air vents need cleaned too and, if equipped with a cabin filter, should be changed at least once a year. A dryer sheet under each seat every few weeks works wonders.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call Lou Dinatti Services, LLC at 724-834-3470.