Back to Latest News

Car cleaning tips | Detail your car like a pro

Car cleaning used to be a weekend ritual. Look down the street and all the Kingswoods and Commodores were getting their sudsy Sunday wash. These days, you’re more likely to pull into a professional car wash and grab a coffee while someone else does the dirty work. That said, there’s a lot of satisfaction in doing things yourself, as any car tinkerer will tell you. And we’re not talking about a quick squirt with the hose and a bit of soapy water here – we mean a proper, professional-style clean, inside and out.

Here are some top tips on getting your car looking schmick without leaving home.

Make sure it's not too hot

It’s best to wash your car when the paintwork is cool to touch – it’s more prone to scratches or swirl marks when hot. Start by rinsing the car, then shampoo using a mitt or sponge and car shampoo, before rinsing again. Never use dishwashing liquid - it’s not PH neutral, so it can be damaging to your paintwork.

Use multiple buckets and sponges

Have one bucket of fresh water handy to rinse the sponge and another to apply clean soapy water. Use a specialist wheel brush to get clean the bolts and rims, the grit and dirt on tyres and wheels are incredibly hard to remove. Also be very careful removing bird droppings to avoid paint damage. Take your time and let the soapy water soak in and remove a little at a time with a soft microfibre cloth – add soapy water, let soak, gently wipe… repeat.

Clean your car top to bottom

Start at the top of the car and work downwards. Leave the areas under the door openings till last as they often have abrasive road grit that may scratch the paintwork. Don’t apply too much pressure as you can push debris from the mitt into the paint surface.

Don’t forget your windscreen wipers

Lift the wipers and wash the rubber blades as well as the glass where they sit. Clean wipers will not only ensure a more effective wipe action when it rains, it will help preserve the life of the wiper blades. Don’t forget to open the bonnet and remove any leaves that have fallen down the base of the windscreen, but never wash inside the car. Keeping that part spick and span is our job.

Dry it off

Drying your car properly after a wash is surprisingly important, and leaves a spot free finish. Using the right type of drying accessory can make a huge difference. A synthetic chamois is best for drying the car, as it’s smooth and won’t pick up debris as it moves across the paint surface. Be sure to open and close all doors and the boot as you go so water trapped in crevices will run out and dry. Big tip: a drive around the block is a smart way to blow water out of inaccessible crevices, before finishing off with the chamois.

Now polish it up

Polish not only helps protect the paintwork but also acts as an exfoliant to help remove contaminants. Regular polishing ensures the paintwork remains shiny, so there’s no need for paint restoration. Always use a mitt or cloth to apply wax and polish; never pour it directly onto your car. Apply using a damp cotton cloth for a more even application and wipe it off with a clean, dry polishing cloth.

Shine your tyres

If you want your tyres to look brand new, consider using a tyre-shine product for that deep black look. Allow tyre shine sufficient time to dry before driving to avoid splatter down the side of the car. Don’t be tempted to use tyre shine on the pedals as it can make them slippery.

Tackle the inside

Keep your leather interiors in pristine condition with a specially designed protectant. Forgetting to give your interiors some love is a big mistake, particularly if your car is subjected to a lot of harsh sunshine. Cream and tan leathers require much more attention as soiling is very difficult to remove. Other fabrics and plastics can be wiped with a chamois, using cleaning products only when necessary.

Whether your car has hard or soft plastics on the dashboard and door trims, a damp microfibre cloth is one of the safest and most effective cleaning products for 99 per cent of the car’s interior. If you do use a cleaning product, don’t spray it directly on the interior. Spray on to the microfibre cloth first then wipe.

Cleaning nooks and crannies

It pays to have a vacuum nozzle narrow enough to reach all crevices. A soft-bristle paint brush is ideal for air vents and panel gaps. Ideally your boot should have a rubber liner, but if not, a vacuum with a power head is great for extracting sand and pet hair. A rubber window squeegee can be helpful to remove pet hair from fabric seats.

Restore that dealer-floor shine with our Armor All car cleaning essentials value pack, which includes Car Wash, Protectant Original polish, Windscreen Wash Concentrate, supersized sponge and Chamois, all in a very handy bucket, for just $19.90.