Are you interested in learning about some of the best products that will give your car a spectacular detail? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Huffines Hyundai Plano has ample experience in detailing and would be happy to inform you of some of the most essential products and tips needed to keep your vehicle in excellent shape.
Dakota Non-Smoke
Image via Flickr by dave_7
If you or a frequent passenger smoke in the car, you’re probably wondering how you can get the scent out. Luckily, an aerosol can of Dakota Non-Smoke can help eliminate foul odors, including cigarette smells. To use this product, place the can 12 to 14 inches away from the target areas, then gently spray. It may be most helpful to target the carpet, seats, and doors — be sure not to over-soak them, however.
Once you’ve finished spraying your vehicle, turn the A/C on high and switch your system to the recirculate mode. Then, locate the intake opening in your car and spray it. Keep your vehicle’s windows closed for a minimum of one hour so the product can soak. Afterward, you can enjoy a fresh scent as you drive.
Leather Cleaner
If your vehicle has leather seats, it’s a great idea to keep a leather seat cleaning kit handy for accidental spills. This makes it easy to clean up incidents right after they happen and avoid permanent stains. Be sure to pre-treat the material with a leather conditioner before removing a stain. Let the ink lifter sit on the fabric for at least 30 seconds, then wipe with a clean cloth and apply a leather protection cream.
Air Vent Brush
An air vent brush is a handy tool to have and is something you don’t have to buy at a specialty store. In fact, you can use a paintbrush or make-up brush to get the job done. The longer the bristles, the better. Once you have your brush, put a tiny dollop of furniture polish on it. Then, work the brush around the air vent and into the crevices to remove all the dust. Wipe the brush off afterward to continue cleaning the remaining vents.
Deep-Clean Vacuum
A deep-clean vacuum is a great tool to own if you want to maintain a clean vehicle at all times. This type of machine removes dirt stuck deep in the carpet’s fabric and fibers. A high-quality vacuum will emit a solution of water and cleaning solution, then suck up the dirt. You can either purchase one of these devices or rent one from a rental car center to use temporarily.
Quality Soap
Photo by Adrian Dascal on Unsplash
The soap you use is an important aspect of keeping your vehicle clean and in good condition. Many people turn to dishwashing soaps, but this can damage the exterior of the vehicle. Instead, opt for soap that’s specifically made for vehicles. This will ensure the substance doesn’t strip your car of oils or shorten the lifespan of your vehicle’s paint.
Synthetic Wax
Most people aim for that shiny look when they wax their car, but could be left with a more hazy appearance instead. Consider investing in one of the newer synthetic wax polymer wax products. These products, also known as paint sealants, are often slightly pricier than other waxes, but they will never leave a white film on trim or plastic sheen like the non-synthetic waxes often do.
Apply the synthetic wax using a foam applicator and massage the vehicle’s exterior in a swirling motion. You can then remove the haze with a microfiber towel for a perfect, shiny appearance. Be sure to switch out the wax-covered towel for a fresh one, so you can continue to get the shine you want.
Microfiber Mitts
Sponges may be the most common way to wash a car, but they can hold dirt thanks to their large pores. Even wringing it out doesn’t help, as the dirt stays inside the sponge. Swap your sponge for a microfiber mitt for a better wash. The dirt automatically falls out of the microfiber mitt, so you won’t have to worry about leaving behind any residue or damaging your vehicle.
Fabric and Leather Cleaner
Keeping your car’s interior clean is just as important as maintaining its exterior looking brand new. Several great products out there help you keep the inside materials looking great. For fabric, consider using a foaming cleanser to lift the stains from the upholstery and carpet. For a leather interior, use an all-purpose cleaner followed by a leather conditioner to keep your seats crack-free and silky smooth. You should also use a scrub brush for carpet upholstery that comes with a brush drill attachment or meeting for a deep-cleaning job.
Hood Latch Cleaning
If you need to clean your vehicle’s hood latch, first begin wiping away the dirt and grime with a regular cloth. Remove as much of the remaining grit with any existing grease on the hood latch. If your hood latch has stuck or rusted areas, spray WD-40 on the latch and move it around several times. Spray the latch down with white lithium grease to keep it lubricated.
Squeaky Doors
If your car doors squeak every time you open them, the hinges may be experiencing corrosion. If so, you can fix them quickly with some WD-40 to free up the corrosion. Once you’ve sprayed the WD-40 solution, move the doors back and forth several times to let the lubricant get into the doors.
After the hinges work again, spray them with white lithium grease or motor oil, then close and open the door several times. Wipe away any of the grease excess left behind. Finally, make sure the door latch doesn’t have any corrosion; If it does, spray it with a silicone solution.
Nooks and Crannies
You can’t forget about all the small areas when detailing your vehicle. Old recesses and trim lines often need to be cleaned regularly. You can do this by grabbing a worn screwdriver and covering it with a cloth. Spray an all-purpose cleaner such as Simple Green onto the fabric and move the screwdriver along these edges to get up any dirt left in the recesses. Continue to refresh the cloth with an all-purpose cleaner until the job is done.
If you’re looking for more tips and tricks on how to give your vehicle excellent detailing, be sure to sign up for an appointment with Huffines Hyundai Plano today. We’d be happy to offer you advice to get your car looking good as new.