Choosing Better Auto Accessories

Posted on: 15 December 2017

If your car's interior and finish have seen better days, there's no better time than now to give it a new lease on life. Detailing your car is a great way to make it look clean and fresh. To get that done properly, you need to know how to work like a pro. Here are a few tips to freshen up your car and make it like new again.

Wash It Right

The first thing that you need to do is make sure that you're washing the exterior properly. Many people take the single-bucket approach to washing their car. That is to say that they fill one bucket with water and soap and they work from that bucket with the sponge. When you do this, it introduces dirt to the water. That can lead to particles on the sponge that can scratch the finish on your car, which will completely defeat the purpose. Instead, get two buckets. Fill one with clean water and the other with your wash water. Before you put the sponge back into the wash water each time, dip it into the clean water and squeeze it out. That will remove any dirt particles that you've picked up off the car, giving you a clean sponge to continue with. Then, you can rinse the car completely before you dry and wax it.

Tackle The Interior

In addition to cleaning the outside, the detailing process also includes cleaning the interior of the car. You'll want to wipe down all of the interior surfaces with a cleaning product that's made for your car's interior. Make sure that you choose the right product, because using a vinyl cleaner on a leather interior can be damaging. Read the product instructions before you use it, too. Each product is different and you risk damaging your interior if you don't use it properly.

Once you've cleaned the interior panels, you should vacuum the carpets and upholstery. Use a vacuum with strong suction to draw all of the deep dirt out. Once you've vacuumed everything, apply a foaming carpet cleaner and scrub the surfaces. Once you've done that, you can use a hot water extractor to rinse the cleaner out and draw all of the water out of the carpeting. Let it dry thoroughly with the doors open or the windows down before you proceed. You can choose a scented cleaner if you want, or you can add an air freshener afterward.

Wash The Windows

The last step in the cleaning process is to wash the windows. By doing these last, you avoid introducing dust to them after cleaning, because dust can be kicked up when you're cleaning the interior and vacuuming. Make sure you use a non-streaking cleaner for your windows, because otherwise streaks on the windshield can interfere with your visibility in sunlight.

Add Accessories To Keep It Clean

Once the car has been cleaned, add some accessories to help you keep it that way. Put mats down on the floorboards to collect dirt. Rubber mats are a great option for this. Then, talk with an automotive air freshener company about a custom air freshener that suits your personal preferences. You can have a scent mixed that you like and then have it added to vent clips or other air freshener products. Finally, put a small waste container behind the center console or somewhere easy for you to reach from the driver's seat. That way, you can keep your trash contained instead of having it contaminate your freshly cleaned car. 

With tips like these, you can detail your car like a pro and have it smelling exactly the way you want it. Talk with a local automotive accessories supplier today for more help with your air freshener and cleaning products.