Detail your car yourself

Washing your car is one thing. But returning it to showroom condition is another. The good news is you don’t need a professional detailer – you can easily do it yourself.
Much of what you need you’ll have at home, and the shampoo, waxes and tyre shine are readily available in shops. If you’re thinking of selling your car, a beautifully detailed vehicle will always attract more attention than a neglected one. Avoid the hottest part of the day, then start with the interior and finish with the exterior.

Water restrictions

• Before you begin, check the water restrictions in your area. If you can’t wash your car, take it to a local car wash for the initial clean, then you can do the detailing at home.

• If possible, wash your car on the grass so you keep the grass green and you limit run-off.

Clean the inside of your car

Gather your supplies
Vacuum cleaner; tape; 25mm paintbrush; bicarbonate of soda; clean cloths; household spray cleaner; rubber and vinyl conditioner; household upholstery cleaner; steam cleaner (optional); air compressor (optional); methylated spirits

Step 1 Remove the car mats. If they are rubber, give them a good wash. If carpet, use the vacuum. Remove all the loose bits and pieces that live in your car. Take out the seats if you can, then vacuum car floor, seats, door linings and all pockets and trays. Alternatively, lay down the seats to vacuum between seat and backrest. Use the crevice nozzle to suck dirt out of all crevices and seams. Remove pet hair with tape.

Step 2 To help remove dust and dirt from air vents and around instruments, use paintbrush to loosen the dust, then vacuum. Or you can blow the dust loose using an air compressor.

Step 3 Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda onto carpets and work it in. Let stand for 10 minutes or so, then vacuum up. This helps to remove minor stains and eliminate odours, and leaves a fresh smell in the car.

Step 4 Wipe all hard surfaces such as dash board, door panels, trim and instruments with a damp cloth. If you find residues from sticky food and spilled soft drinks, use household cleaners to spray and wipe the surface clean. Follow with a rubber and vinyl conditioner if surfaces look a little dull. Don’t condition the steering wheel as it may become slippery.

Step 5 Use household upholstery cleaners to remove stains and clean all the seats. Work the foam in with a stiff brush, let stand, then vacuum. This will also help to remove odours. For a heavier-duty clean you can hire a steam cleaner.

Step 6 Clean the glass with a glass cleaner. Make your own by mixing 1 part methylated spirits with 4 parts water. Put it in a spray bottle. Spray on lightly and use a lint-free cloth to wipe off. Don’t forget to partly wind the windows down so you can get at the ‘scum line’ at the top.

Clean the outside of your car

Gather your supplies
Hose with trigger nozzle; bucket; sponge; car shampoo; 25mm paintbrush; stiff brush; chamois; soft cotton cloths; cut and polish compound; car wax; tyre shine


Step 1 Wash the car down using a hose with a trigger nozzle, or toss a few buckets of water over it. This removes the large grains of dirt and softens the grime. Pay special attention to under the wheel arches.

Step 2 Add a capful of car shampoo to a bucket of water. While household cleaners can replace many car-care products, use special car shampoo or wash on your car; other cleaners may damage the paintwork. It’s not expensive and a bottle goes a long way. Wash small sections at a time and rinse frequently. Work from the top down and if the car is really dirty, avoid using the last of the shampoo at the bottom of the bucket, as it will be full of abrasive muck. Open all the doors and hatches and wash around the edges. Never use scourers to remove marks, as they will scratch the paint (and glass coatings).

Step 3 To clean all the nooks and crannies around seams, car badges and doorhandles, use the small paintbrush you used inside, together with shampoo. Once you have finished a section, rinse off the shampoo with clean water.

Step 4 Wheels really get caked with dirt from the road and brake dust as your brake linings wear down. Use a stiff brush or an old toothbrush to loosen the dirt. Rinse as you go. Dry the whole car thoroughly with a chamois or several cotton cloths. Wipe clean all rubber seals.

Step 5 To rejuvenate dull paintwork, use a cut and polish compound to remove the outer oxidised layer of paint. This compound also removes scuff marks, stubborn stains, or shallow scratches that have not penetrated the outer layer of paint. It’s a soft paste containing ultra-fine abrasives and waxes. Work it into the paint in a circular motion with a soft rag, doing small sections, such as a panel or a quarter of the roof, at a time. Wipe off with a clean rag when dry.

Step 6 Even though your car should be looking close to showroom condition, add a protective layer of wax. It will protect the paint for about half a year, and will make car cleaning easier. Wax on, wax off, as they say. Apply with a soft pad, then wipe off wax with a soft, dry cloth to reveal a rich shine. Repeat every 6 months or so, to keep up appearances.

Step 7 To give your detailing the pro touch, blacken the tyres, mudflaps and other rubber components with tyre shine.