How to Detail a Car Interior
Have you ever wondered how to detail a car interior? Professional interior auto detailing can be
expensive, anywhere from $250 to $750. But using a little elbow grease and determination can be much less costly. And, surprisingly, you probably already have the materials and tools required for the job. Give your car that “like new” treatment and increase its value for an eventual resale. Splash and Go has tips and tricks on how to detail a car interior you don’t want to miss!
When you’re learning how to detail a car interior, what materials are needed? A decent vacuum sweeper and a variety of cleaning products that you probably already have are all that is required. Toss in a few towels, rags, brushes, and sponges, and you’ll be ready to go.
When trying out a new cleaning product on your car’s interior, test it first on an out-of-the-way spot. If it results in a stain or blemish, it won’t be seen.
Let’s start with the carpets and mats since they are most likely the dirtiest things inside your car. It really depends on the rest of the inside of your car when figuring out how to detail a car interior. If something is worse, you may want to start there instead. Before starting, remove everything out of your car - coins, junk food, paper, and other objects that may have accumulated. These things will just be in the way if you try to work around them. Be sure to slide the seats each way to get what cannot be seen under the seats.
Take out the floor mats and give them a good strong shake. This should loosen a good deal of the dirt. Give them a good inspection. Some floor mats will have deep grooves for trapping water and melting snow. This kind of dirt may become caked on.
If shaking the mats don’t do the trick, loosen the grime by using a stiff brush. Get between those grooves with the bare hose handle of your vacuum cleaner. Once the mats are rid of the dirt, wash them thoroughly with water from a hose. Let them dry completely while you work on the rest of the car. If you use detergent, be sure the cleaner won’t render the mats slippery and unsafe.
As we discussed earlier, a great way to clean the carpet is by using a steam cleaner. The handheld versions are perfect for working inside a car. If you wish, there are commercial rental shops that can get you set up for the day. The foam model is a perfect choice.
It’s pretty simple, actually. You spray it on and brush it off with a stiff brush. It may take a little aggressive scrubbing, but the grease and other stains will come up eventually. Don’t over-saturate the carpet or you run the risk of mildew later. A good absorbent towel will also help to dry the carpets quite a bit.
If some of the stains are really stubborn, try an industrial strength cleaning product. If gum is matted in the carpets, rub an ice cube on it for a few minutes, then pry it out of the carpet gently.
Leather
Read the labels and make sure the product is okay for cleaning vinyl. Just spray the seats and wipe it away. Use a second cloth for drying the material. The seats will look like new in about an hour.
Over-the-counter upholstery cleaner will work fine. For stubborn stains, you might need a more industrial stain remover. Use an ordinary odor spray for a like-new fresh scent.
Finally, slightly roll the windows down part way. You’ll notice a small line of dirt and grime at the top of the glass pane. Some people forget this, but when learning how to detail a car interior like a pro, don’t make this rookie mistake. The proof is in the details.
Vacuuming the dust before starting to apply any cleaning product is the first step. After cleaning, you might choose to use an auto interior dressing in order to guard against cracking and fading due to sun exposure.
Many of the console buttons in your car are very difficult to clean. Dust particles can find their way into interior cracks and crevices.
So, then how to detail a car interiors’ console? Try this very simple trick. In order to clean the awkward and hard-to-reach spots on the console, wrap a soft cloth at the end of a screwdriver. This will make it possible to reach places your hands and fingers cannot.
The door panels may have cup holders and other compartments. These can, of course, be the dirtiest parts of your interior. Before using a chemical cleaner, remove all that you can by hand, then vacuum thoroughly.
Cleaning Tools and Materials
When you’re learning how to detail a car interior, what materials are needed? A decent vacuum sweeper and a variety of cleaning products that you probably already have are all that is required. Toss in a few towels, rags, brushes, and sponges, and you’ll be ready to go.
- Vacuum Cleaner. A vacuum with a good hose extension and handheld accessories is perfect. The attachments come in handy for cleaning the carpets and those awkward places that are hard to reach. A steam cleaner is ideal, but not necessary.
- Car Interior Detailing Products. As we discussed, you probably have the products to clean your car already. These include plastic, vinyl, carpet, and upholstery. Take a look around your garage and gather together your favorite cleaning products.
- Polishing and Wiping. If you’re really serious about learning how to detail a car interior the right way, you will use a wide variety of rags and towels. Have terry cloth towels for scrubbing and lint-free cloths for polishing. For a great shine, also have a microfiber cloth. They’re great for avoiding fine scratches that some rags can leave. Before beginning, ensure that these cloths are rid of any previous cleaning residue.
- Brushes and Other Applicators. A variety of brushes are important for cleaning vents and other tight, awkward nooks and crannies. Some cleaning products require a stiff brush, rag or other special towels. Read the applicators label instructions for proper use. It can make a big difference.
When trying out a new cleaning product on your car’s interior, test it first on an out-of-the-way spot. If it results in a stain or blemish, it won’t be seen.
Floor Mats and Carpets
Let’s start with the carpets and mats since they are most likely the dirtiest things inside your car. It really depends on the rest of the inside of your car when figuring out how to detail a car interior. If something is worse, you may want to start there instead. Before starting, remove everything out of your car - coins, junk food, paper, and other objects that may have accumulated. These things will just be in the way if you try to work around them. Be sure to slide the seats each way to get what cannot be seen under the seats.
Floor Mats
Take out the floor mats and give them a good strong shake. This should loosen a good deal of the dirt. Give them a good inspection. Some floor mats will have deep grooves for trapping water and melting snow. This kind of dirt may become caked on.
If shaking the mats don’t do the trick, loosen the grime by using a stiff brush. Get between those grooves with the bare hose handle of your vacuum cleaner. Once the mats are rid of the dirt, wash them thoroughly with water from a hose. Let them dry completely while you work on the rest of the car. If you use detergent, be sure the cleaner won’t render the mats slippery and unsafe.
Carpet
Begin by vacuuming your car’s carpet completely. The brush attachment works great for this, and the attachments and other nozzles will help you clean the various nooks and crevices around the seats.As we discussed earlier, a great way to clean the carpet is by using a steam cleaner. The handheld versions are perfect for working inside a car. If you wish, there are commercial rental shops that can get you set up for the day. The foam model is a perfect choice.
It’s pretty simple, actually. You spray it on and brush it off with a stiff brush. It may take a little aggressive scrubbing, but the grease and other stains will come up eventually. Don’t over-saturate the carpet or you run the risk of mildew later. A good absorbent towel will also help to dry the carpets quite a bit.
If some of the stains are really stubborn, try an industrial strength cleaning product. If gum is matted in the carpets, rub an ice cube on it for a few minutes, then pry it out of the carpet gently.
Seats
Let’s discuss how to detail a car interior, specifically the seats. As we all know, there are three kinds of materials that are used for car seats. They are vinyl, cloth, and leather. They each require a different product and technique for cleaning. Start by thoroughly vacuuming all the dirt from the seats before trying to apply any kind of cleaning product.Car Interior Cleaning Tips for Different Materials
Leather
How to detail a car interior with leather?! Leather does have one disadvantage. Keeping leather seats clean and looking like new is a real challenge and takes a lot of work. Over time, dirt gets embedded into the leather, making it appear dingy and old. A good leather product will make them look brand new again.
Many of the leather cleaners on the market need to be sprayed on the seats, kneaded into the leather, then rubbed out with a towel. Remember to flip the towel occasionally and use the clean side. The next step in cleaning leather is wiping them down with a microfiber cloth.
The final step is applying a leather conditioner to keep the leather supple and giving them less of a chance for cracking over time.
Many of the leather cleaners on the market need to be sprayed on the seats, kneaded into the leather, then rubbed out with a towel. Remember to flip the towel occasionally and use the clean side. The next step in cleaning leather is wiping them down with a microfiber cloth.
The final step is applying a leather conditioner to keep the leather supple and giving them less of a chance for cracking over time.
Vinyl
Compared to leather, when learning how to detail a car interior with vinyl, it’s much more simple. Cleaning is easy and quick. Products that you already have work great. Believe it or not, a brand named glass cleaner does a wonderful job of cleaning vinyl.Read the labels and make sure the product is okay for cleaning vinyl. Just spray the seats and wipe it away. Use a second cloth for drying the material. The seats will look like new in about an hour.
Cloth
For cloth seats, you first have to consider a few questions. Are there any tough stains you have to take care of? How to detail a car interior if there are nasty odors and stains to get rid of? Answering these questions will determine what products to use and what cleaning method is needed.Over-the-counter upholstery cleaner will work fine. For stubborn stains, you might need a more industrial stain remover. Use an ordinary odor spray for a like-new fresh scent.
How to Clean a Car Interior - All the Different Parts
Mirrors and Windows
For cleaning mirrors and windows, spray the cleaning product on a cloth applicator instead of spraying it directly on the glass. This will reduce the chance of it streaking. It also helps from getting the cleaning solution on parts of the car that may be damaged by harsh chemicals.Finally, slightly roll the windows down part way. You’ll notice a small line of dirt and grime at the top of the glass pane. Some people forget this, but when learning how to detail a car interior like a pro, don’t make this rookie mistake. The proof is in the details.
Dashboard
Your dashboard may be vinyl, leather, vinyl, or a different material, but you will find it to be the most difficult part of detailing your car. The windshield angle can be very precarious and make if very hard to clean the dashboard. It is also generally the dustiest part of your car’s interior.Vacuuming the dust before starting to apply any cleaning product is the first step. After cleaning, you might choose to use an auto interior dressing in order to guard against cracking and fading due to sun exposure.
Console
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So, then how to detail a car interiors’ console? Try this very simple trick. In order to clean the awkward and hard-to-reach spots on the console, wrap a soft cloth at the end of a screwdriver. This will make it possible to reach places your hands and fingers cannot.
Door Panel
In a lot of cars, the door panels will be made of the same upholstery as the dashboard, seats, and other sections of the interior. Use the same product and cleaning methods on the door panels as these other areas.The door panels may have cup holders and other compartments. These can, of course, be the dirtiest parts of your interior. Before using a chemical cleaner, remove all that you can by hand, then vacuum thoroughly.
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