The 12 Steps Of Detailing

Getting started with anything can be challenging, and car detailing is no exception. It can feel overwhelming with its various stages, techniques, and theories. But we’re here to guide you through the fundamentals. While these basics might seem intricate, we promise they represent the essential starting point for a proper detail.

Here’s our 12-step guide to beginner detailing:

Step 1 - Wheels

Always begin with the wheels—this can't be emphasized enough. They tend to be the dirtiest part of your car, so give them a thorough pre-soak with a quality wheel cleaner. Use brushes to reach those tough spots, and make sure to have a separate wash mitt and detailing bucket specifically for the wheels, distinct from what you use on the paint.

Step 2 - Pre-Cleaner

Always start with a pre-cleaner designed to tackle bugs and stubborn grime. We recommend our Citrus Power Bug and Grime Remover, which features citrus cleaning properties to effectively lift road grime while remaining gentle on your car’s wax or sealant layers—beneficial for future washes. Spray it on the lower sections of the car and any areas that are splattered with bugs.

Step 3 - Snow Foam

Snow foam helps break down stubborn dirt and removes loose particles from the vehicle before the contact wash stage. Eliminating as much dirt as possible beforehand reduces the chances of swirl marks on the paint finish, as most swirls occur during washing.

Step 4 - The Two Bucket Contact Wash

Did you ever expect it to be step four before even touching the paint? Using a high-quality car shampoo is crucial, as it further minimizes the risk of marring, light scratches, and swirl marks. A deep-pile mitt allows particles to be absorbed instead of being dragged across the surface. Start by filling one bucket with wash solution and the other with plain water. Apply the wash solution to the vehicle in small sections from top to bottom. Always rinse the mitt in the water bucket before dipping it back into the wash solution. This technique keeps your wash solution clean and ensures you’re using fresh water on your car.

Step 5 - Decontamination

Before you begin, it’s essential to apply an iron dissolver first. Iron Out, our fallout remover, is ideal for this step, as it effectively dissolves ferrous contaminants like industrial fallout and rail dust that may have bonded to the paint. Next, use a solvent tar and glue remover to soften any tar stuck to the surface. After this, be sure to rewash the vehicle—or at least the treated areas—since solvents can damage clay bars and disrupt the next step.

Detailing clay is fantastic for this purpose; simply rub the block over the paintwork using a clay lubricant to do the heavy lifting. It will effectively remove any lingering contaminants like tree sap or overspray. Given the previous stages, there shouldn't be too much for the clay bar to tackle. Always remember to use a lubricant, like Glide, with your clay bar! Afterward, wash and rinse the vehicle again.

Step 6 - Drying

Begin at the top of the vehicle and work your way down, addressing each panel individually to ensure a streak-free finish. It’s crucial to move quickly to prevent water spots while still being thorough to avoid any streaks from the drying process. If you do end up with water spots, a quick detailer can effectively clean them up afterward.

Step 7 - Polishing

You can choose to polish by hand or with a machine polisher. Hand polishing will yield a decent finish, but it won't match the quality of a machine polish—assuming you know how to use one. For beginners, check out our Basic Guide to Machine Polishing. We offer products for both methods, but we recommend gaining some experience before using a machine polisher on your car. A great tip is to practice on a spare panel, which you can often find at scrap yards. This way, you can avoid damaging your car’s paint and the risk of needing a full respray.

Step 8 - Glaze

Between the polishing and waxing or sealing stages, consider using our paint glaze, Ultra Glaze. This non-abrasive, acrylic polymer-enriched formula is designed to enhance your paintwork while minimizing the appearance of fine swirl marks. A helpful tip: it's especially effective on darker colours and metallic finishes.

Step 9 - Wax / Seal

Every stage in this process is crucial, but waxing or sealing is particularly vital. A layer of car wax or sealant will safeguard all the hard work you've put into the previous steps. If you're unsure which car wax is best for your paint, check out our guide on car wax options.

Step 10 - Tyre & Trim Dressings

After cleaning your tires and trims, it's time for some detailing. There are products designed to restore plastics to their original colors, as well as options that will enhance your tires without leaving a greasy finish.

Step 11 - Glass

Glass is often overlooked during detailing. Whether you’re dealing with light scratches or fingerprints, a high-quality glass cleaner like Crystal is essential for any car detailing kit.

Step 12 - Final Touch Up

A final touch-up with a quick detailer will wrap up all your hard work. A quality quick detailer eliminates any residue left from waxing or sealing, as well as any fingerprints you might have left behind. It also tidies up any missed spots or stray trim dressing. These finishing touches, often overlooked, are crucial for achieving that flawless show-ready finish we all aspire to.

And that's our 12-step beginner's guide to detailing! If you have any questions or need clarification on any part, feel free to email us, and we’ll be happy to help.