At Mike White Ford in North Idaho, we know how important cars are to the families that walk into our showroom, and we do our utmost to match our customers to a vehicle that will suit them.
Buying a car is a significant investment, but it also represents the American lifestyle. Cars provide people with ready, reliable transportation for themselves, their pets, teammates, friends, and all their stuff for work and play. Cars come in all sizes, shapes, and colors, and people outfit them with features and accessories to suit their tastes and interests. People are understandably picky about the cars they purchase, wanting them to provide for every need and want while still reflecting their personal styles.
Considering how much we ask of our cars, giving them a little TLC is only fair. In addition to regular maintenance that keeps them functional, we should also pay attention to their appearance. Not only will keeping them looking clean and new help retain their value, but a sharp-looking car can be a source of pride and joy when tooling around town.
If you are willing to go beyond merely a weekly wash to show how much you appreciate your vehicle, consider detailing your four-wheeled friend. Car detailing goes beyond a wash. It involves a meticulous cleaning and reconditioning process that can keep your car looking brand new inside and out. Let’s review how detailing your car benefits it and what you can do on your own if you balk at paying for a professional detailing service.
Understanding Car Detailing
Car detailing is a comprehensive cleaning process of both the exterior and interior of the vehicle. Unlike a standard car wash, detailing involves a deep cleaning that targets every nook and cranny on the exterior and interior. If you want to go the extra mile, consider cleaning the engine compartment and the undercarriage. A thorough detailing can restore your car almost to its original condition. In addition to thoroughly cleaning and restoring your car’s exterior and interior, detailing can involve engine cleaning, headlight restoration, and minor paint correction and may require steam or specialized cleaners. In brief, here is what detailing usually entails:
Exterior Detailing
Start with a thorough wash to remove all the visible dirt and grime from the car’s surface. This includes not just the paint on the main body but also on the grille, trim, tires, wheels, accessories, lights – essentially, everything you can see. Washing is followed by clay bar treatment, which helps eliminate any bonded contaminants that washing alone cannot remove. When the car’s exterior is thoroughly clean, the paint, chrome, and other materials are polished to remove scratches and swirl marks, giving it a smooth and glossy finish. Finally, wax or sealant is applied to protect the bodywork from environmental elements and enhance its shine. In some cases, you may need to do some touch up.
Detailing the Car’s Interior
Detailing inside the car involves deep cleaning every part of the car’s cabin. This includes vacuuming the seats, carpets, and floor mats, followed by shampooing to remove stains and odors. The dashboard, console, door trims, and other plastic, wood, or vinyl surfaces are cleaned and conditioned to restore their appearance, prevent cracking, and add a glossy, new-looking finish. Leather seats receive special treatment with cleaning and conditioning products designed to maintain suppleness and prevent signs of wear.
Cleaning Under the Hood
Most people only look under the hood if something is wrong with the car or if it needs oil or washer fluid. When you do lift it, however, you begin to realize how much dirt and dust can get in there, and it will stick to any part that has gotten greasy, sticky, or oily from spilled fluids.
Thankfully, cleaning your car’s engine bay is not as complicated or even as time-consuming as you might imagine. Numerous products on the market are designed specifically for cleaning the engine, and you can pick them up at an auto parts store. If you don’t want to do an elaborate job, however, you can still get rid of quite a bit of that dirt with a hose, a brush, mild soap, and a leaf blower.
When the engine is cold, thoroughly hose the engine compartment down; plain water will not hurt the engine. However, do not use a pressure washer, as that may damage some of the more delicate parts of the engine — hoses, wires, and connections. Then, with a mild detergent, use a brush that is not too stiff to remove dirt. After rinsing it off well with a hose, a leaf blower works well for removing excess water. Finally, drive it for about 10 minutes to remove water from the parts you can’t see.
Benefits of Detailing Your Car
That clean car will feel great the next time you sit behind the wheel, but it will also yield some more practical benefits:
- Enhanced Appearance: Detailing can restore your car’s original shine. That look helps maintain your vehicle’s value and can be particularly beneficial when selling or trading in your car.
- Protection from Elements: Applying wax or sealant creates a protective barrier against harsh environmental factors, including UV rays, bird droppings, and other elements that can damage the paint over time.
- Improved Comfort and Hygiene: A clean and well-maintained interior enhances the driving experience, making your car a more pleasant place to be. It also reduces the risk of allergens and bacteria buildup.
- Increased Longevity: Regular detailing helps identify potential issues, such as rust or paint damage, early on, allowing you to identify any needed repairs that can prolong the life of your vehicle.
Professional Detailing
If you prefer not to do the work, professional detailing services offer convenience and expertise. Detailing technicians are trained to handle all types of vehicles and use specialized tools and products to achieve superior results. They can address complex detailing tasks such as paint correction, ceramic coating, and engine cleaning, which may be challenging for a novice.
Car detailing is an aspect of vehicle maintenance that can keep your car looking new and enhance its overall value, particularly if you plan to put it on the market. Whether you choose to tackle the task yourself or opt for a professional service, the benefits of regular detailing are undeniable. Regular detailing will make your car a shining reflection of your care and attention.
After you purchase a new Ford at Mike White Ford, detailing can keep your car looking like it just came off our lot. If you are shopping for a new or used vehicle, stop by one of our showrooms in Coeur d’Alene or Sandpoint to see our stock and take a test drive. We’d love to show you around!