How To Detail A Car (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Detail a Car PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Chad Zani

Last Updated: July 23, 2025 Approved

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  • Detailing a Car's Interior
    • |
  • Detailing a Car's Exterior
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
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  • Tips
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  • Warnings
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  • Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by Chad Zani. Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 14 testimonials and 96% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 718,722 times.

Detailing a car requires going way beyond the usual vacuum and wash job. It means paying attention to the tiny details that add up to make the car look show-worthy. Begin with the interior so that you don't have to worry about messing up your exterior while detailing the inside.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Detailing a Car's Interior

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  1. Step 1 Remove floor mats and vacuum the mats, floor, trunk, upholstery, rear parcel shelf, if you have one, and the dash. 1 Remove floor mats and vacuum the mats, floor, trunk, upholstery, rear parcel shelf, if you have one, and the dash. Slide the seats all the way forward and then back to thoroughly vacuum the carpet underneath.
    • Start from the top and work your way down. Dust or dirt that has accumulated up top could fall down; dust or dirt that has accumulated at the bottom will rarely fall up.
  2. Step 2 Clean carpet or upholstery stains by applying a foam cleanser and rubbing it in with a damp cloth or sponge. 2 Clean carpet or upholstery stains by applying a foam cleanser and rubbing it in with a damp cloth or sponge. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before blotting dry with a towel. If the stain doesn't come out, repeat. After your final cleaner application, wash the area with a damp sponge and do a final blotting.[1]
    • Make sure to try to get as much dampness from the fabric as possible. Any excessive dampness may promote molding and/or mildew, which does not fall in the definition of detailing a car.
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  3. Step 3 Repair carpet holes, burns or small permanent stains by cutting the spot out with a razor blade or scissors. 3 Repair carpet holes, burns or small permanent stains by cutting the spot out with a razor blade or scissors. Replace with a piece you've cut from a hidden place, such as underneath the seat. Use a water-resistant adhesive to keep it down.
    • Warning: Always ask the owner of the car for permission before doing this step. If you want, have a sample repair that you can show the owner of the car of what the process will look like. If it's done well, this sample will be reassuring.
  4. Step 4 Wash rubber floor mats and dry. 4 Wash rubber floor mats and dry. Apply a non-slip dressing so that the driver's feet don't slip and slide while they're trying to do important things like braking.
  5. Step 5 Use compressed air... 5 Use compressed air and detailing brushes to get out accumulated dust from the buttons and crevices on the dash and interior doors.
  6. Step 6 Wipe hard interior surfaces with a mild all-purpose cleaner. 6 Wipe hard interior surfaces with a mild all-purpose cleaner. Use an interior dressing like Armor All to finish it off.[2]
  7. Step 7 Detail car air vent grilles with detailing brushes. 7 Detail car air vent grilles with detailing brushes. If you're not going to use liquids afterward, your detailing brushes should be a super-absorbant material like microfiber cloth, which picks up dust and dirt efficiently. Lightly mist some spray-on vinyl dressing onto the vent grilles to make them look brand new.
  8. Step 8 Clean or shampoo the seats. 8 Clean or shampoo the seats. Cleaning the seats is essential for a good detail. But different seats require different methods. Note that after cleaning, you may have to vacuum out the seats or surrounding area again, as dirt will be loosened up by this process.
    • Cloth interiors: Interiors with nylon or other cloth can be shampooed with a wet-vac extraction machine. Cloth should be adequately dried after extraction has taken place.
    • Leather or vinyl interiors: Interiors with leather or can be cleaned with a leather or vinyl cleaner and then hit softly with a leather brush. Cleaner can be wiped away with a microfiber cloth afterward.
  9. Step 9 Condition your leather seats, if necessary. 9 Condition your leather seats, if necessary. If you've cleaned leather seats with product, now's the time to condition them so that the leather looks visually appealing and doesn't dry out or begin to crack.
  10. Step 10 Spray glass cleaner on windows and mirrors and wipe clean. 10 Spray glass cleaner on windows and mirrors and wipe clean. For stronger build-up removal, use 4-ought steel wool on windows. Use plastic cleaner if the gauge cover is made of plastic.
    • Stick with microfiber cloth when you're washing and wiping. If not microfiber, use a clean, lint-free cloth. You don't want to leave fibrous residue all over the inside of the car in the process of cleaning up.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Detailing a Car's Exterior

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  1. Step 1 Brush the wheel rims clean with a wheel brush and wheel cleaner or degreaser. 1 Brush the wheel rims clean with a wheel brush and wheel cleaner or degreaser. Hit the wheel rims first, as this is where most of the dirt, grime, and grease accumulates and you may need to leave cleaning product on for a while. Allow product to penetrate wheel rims for 30 seconds to 1 minute before brushing.
    • Acid-based cleaners should only can be used on rough-textured alloy wheels, if needed, but not on polished alloy wheels or clear-coated wheels.
    • Gleam up chrome wheels with metal polish or glass cleaner.
  2. Step 2 Wash the tires with whitewall tire cleaner (even if you have black-walls). 2 Wash the tires with whitewall tire cleaner (even if you have black-walls). Apply tire dressing. For a glossy finish, let the dressing soak in, or wipe it on and off with a cotton cloth for a matte look.
  3. Step 3 Wrap electronic components in plastic under the hood. 3 Wrap electronic components in plastic under the hood. Spray degreaser on everything, after which spray down with pressure washer.
  4. Step 4 Dress up non-metal areas under the hood with vinyl/rubber protectant. 4 Dress up non-metal areas under the hood with vinyl/rubber protectant. For a glossy look, allow the protectant to soak in. For a more matte finish, wipe it off.
  5. Step 5 Be careful about tinted windows. 5 Be careful about tinted windows. Factory tinting is built into the glass itself, so you have to worry less about that, but after-market tinting is more degradable and could suffer from cleaners that contain ammonia and/or vinegar. Check your cleaners before applying to tinted windows.
  6. Step 6 Wash your car's exterior with a car wash soap, not dish detergent. 6 Wash your car's exterior with a car wash soap, not dish detergent. Park the car in a shady spot and wait until the car's surface is cool to the touch. Use a deep-pile terrycloth microfiber towel which will trap contaminants and not grind them into the car's surface.
    • Tip: Use two pails — one with sudsy cleaner, the other with water — when you clean. After you dip your cloth into the sudsy water and clean a portion of the car, dip the dirty, sudsy water into the pail with water so that you don't contaminate the cleaning pail.
    • Dishwashing detergent strips the polymers off the paint surface and accelerates the oxidation process.
    • Work from the top down, washing and rinsing a section at a time. Do not allow soap to dry.
    • Take the spray nozzle off the water hose before doing a final rinse to minimize spots.
    • Use a chamois or terry cloth towel to dry; do not let air-dry or soap spots will form.
  7. Step 7 Clean the outside of windows with glass cleaner. 7 Clean the outside of windows with glass cleaner. The glass on newly-detailed cars should shine and reflect, not be dull and grimy. In order to get that reflective polish on the windows,
  8. Step 8 Get the caked-on dirt and mud off the wheel wells with an all-purpose cleaner and high-pressure water spray. 8 Get the caked-on dirt and mud off the wheel wells with an all-purpose cleaner and high-pressure water spray. Add a vinyl dressing to the wells for a dazzling effect.
  9. Step 9 Remove bonded contaminants on the car with a liquid clay bar. 9 Remove bonded contaminants on the car with a liquid clay bar. You can use a traditional clay bar to remove things like sap, but a liquid clay bar is quicker and almost as effective.
  10. Step 10 Apply polish or wax (if using both, apply and remove polish first) with a dual-action polisher or orbital buffer or by hand. 10 Apply polish or wax (if using both, apply and remove polish first) with a dual-action polisher or orbital buffer or by hand. Rotary buffers should be left to the professionals.
    • Polish is for a glossy look. Wax is a protectant.
    • Use in length-wise sections. Do not move the machine in a circular pattern.
    • Pay attention to doorjambs, around door hinges and behind bumpers, which you will need to do in a circular motion by hand.
    • Let it dry to a haze. Then finish the auto detailing by buffing with the machine. The hard-to-reach areas can be buffed by hand.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question How do I get rid of bad odors in my car? Chad Zani Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services. Chad Zani Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert Expert Answer First, use an air freshener that has antibacterial properties. Second, pull out the cabin air filter and hit it with an air gun or bang it against a surface to clean it off. Also spray it with some antibacterial spray. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 8
  • Question What products will get stubborn stains out of cloth car seats? Chad Zani Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services. Chad Zani Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert Expert Answer I use a product called Lightning Fast Stain Remover. Spray that onto a clean, light-colored (so you can see the stain coming off) microfiber towel and blot out the stain. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4
  • Question How do I get rid of stains on leather car seats? Chad Zani Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services. Chad Zani Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert Expert Answer Use leather cleaner, a horse-hair brush, and a microfiber towel. Work the cleaner into the pores of the leather with the horse-hair brush to release the stain, then wipe off everything with the towel. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

  • A professional will have to repair scratches that go through the clear-coat into the pigment. Thanks Helpful 116 Not Helpful 46
  • Fix ripped or worn sections of vinyl seats with repair kits you can find at most auto parts stores. Thanks Helpful 95 Not Helpful 39
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Don't use cleaning products that contain ammonia or vinegar on glass that has aftermarket window tinting when car detailing. Thanks Helpful 85 Not Helpful 22
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Things You'll Need

  • Vacuum
  • Foam carpet cleaner
  • Sponge or towel
  • Razor blade or scissors
  • Water-resistant adhesive
  • Non-slip rubber or vinyl dressing
  • Mild all-purpose cleaner
  • Compressed air
  • Cotton swabs
  • Leather or vinyl conditioner (if needed)
  • Glass and/or plastic cleaner
  • Vinyl/rubber protectant
  • Car wash soap
  • Deep-pile terrycloth microfiber towel
  • Drying towel or chamois
  • Wheel brush
  • Metal polish
  • Whitewall tire cleaner
  • Tire dressing
  • Clear-coat-safe cleaner
  • Buffer
  • Clay bar
  • Polish and/or wax

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/detailing-your-car-s-interior/index.htm
  2. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/detailing-your-car-s-interior/index.htm

About This Article

Chad Zani Co-authored by: Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert This article was co-authored by Chad Zani. Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services. This article has been viewed 718,722 times. 18 votes - 96% Co-authors: 34 Updated: July 23, 2025 Views: 718,722 Categories: Cleaning Cars Article SummaryX

To detail the interior of a car, remove the floor mats and thoroughly vacuum out the inside. Next, get rid of any stains you see on the upholstery or floor carpeting with a stain removal product. Then, use compressed air to blow out dust in the dashboard's buttons and crevices and use detailing brushes to dust the air vents. Wipe the hard surfaces down with a mild all-purpose cleaner and don't forget to clean the interior window glass with glass cleaner! To learn how to detail the exterior of a car, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • J.A. Gesell

    J.A. Gesell

    Sep 17, 2016

    "Start from the top, down & inside first was the most beneficial; sounds silly, but knowing where to start is..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Chad Zani Co-authored by: Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert Co-authors: 34 Updated: July 23, 2025 Views: 718,722 96% of readers found this article helpful. 18 votes - 96% Click a star to add your vote J.A. Gesell

J.A. Gesell

Sep 17, 2016

"Start from the top, down & inside first was the most beneficial; sounds silly, but knowing where to start is..." more Sandra Young

Sandra Young

May 24, 2018

"What brought me here is I need to save money. I know it's an art; I learned a lot, but have to really be..." more Ralph Blomster

Ralph Blomster

Oct 30, 2017

"I thought detailing was just washing, I learned a lot from the article. I will buy some of the products mentioned..." more Rated this article: Tina Hogendobler

Tina Hogendobler

Nov 1, 2016

"Very explanatory, but since I'm disabled I found that I would need to find a service in my area to do the job..." more Bob Howard

Bob Howard

Feb 27, 2017

"Great info for a beginner like me. I can't wait for the weather to get warmer to try out your recommendations." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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