There is an immediately noticeable difference between a clean car and a car that is well detailed. Instead of simply cleaning your car with soapy water and a vacuum, you can take the time to detail your car like a professional. The right tools, techniques, and some extra effort are all it takes to keep your car looking as good as possible. 
Interior First
You should clean and detail the interior of your car before the exterior to avoid getting the interior dirt and debris on the outside of the car after it’s been cleaned. Use a stiff brush to pull dirt out of the interior fabric and carpets to be vacuumed before spot cleaning. Leather upholstery should be cleaned with a conditioner that contains aloe.
New Car Smell
A can of compressed air should be used to remove debris from crevices and air vents. Clean air vents will help your car smell as clean as it looks, so be sure to aim the compressed air nozzle at the back of the vents where dust accumulates. Dust all hard surfaces and trims and lightly apply a dust repelling finishing spray. Cars that are routinely detail cleaned smell fresh without the need for perfumed air fresheners.
Tires and Rims
After the interior is finished, start exterior detailing with your tires and rims. Tires are always the dirtiest part of a car, and cleaning them first means any of that mess that gets on other parts of the car won’t mean needing to wash the entire car twice.
Wash tires and wheels with an acid-free degreaser, not the professional grade acid based solutions that can be dangerous and damaging when not used correctly. Degreasers are used by professional detailers, in place of a detergent, to avoid damaging paint.
Proper Hand-Wash
The best technique for washing the body of your car is a slow and thorough hand-washing. Use a soft sponge and soap solution designed for cleaning and protecting car paint and top coats. Wash the car top to bottom with the car wash soap and then spray the car down with a hose. Remove the nozzle of the hose and rinse the car off again with a flood of water instead of a spray that can dry with spots. Remove excess water with a squeegee tool and wipe the car down with a thick towel or microfiber chamois.
Polish
The final step in detailing your car like a pro is polishing the newly clean finish. Professional detailers use commercial quality rotating polishing machines, but amateur detailers should opt for an easier to control oscillating polisher. Polish containing wax will have an added layer or paint protection but it needs to be put on carefully and evenly.
Detailed cars look great, and detailing your car yourself will save you some money on the professional job. Take your time and use the correct techniques to clean and detail your car like a pro.
*Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
