When it comes to keeping your Toyota clean in the McKinney area, do you regularly get car washes?

We often think about keeping the exterior of our vehicles clean because we can see when it’s dirty, and it’s an easy fix. The car detailing process is a bit more thorough and involves cleaning and improving both the interior and exterior of your vehicle. It can also include removing scratches and blemishes. Find out more about how to detail a car with Longo Toyota of Prosper.

What’s Used for Car Detailing?

Whether you’re doing an exterior and interior car detailing at home or having it done by professionals, these are the items needed:

• Washing mitts
• A variety of small brushes (such as a paintbrush)
• Vacuum cleaner
• Canned air
• Microfiber cloths
• Carpet stain cleaner
• Surface protector for vinyl and leather surfaces
• Upholstery cleaner
• Window cleaner
• Car-safe cleaner

What are the Interior Car Detailing Steps?

• Carpeting: The first thing you’ll want to do is vacuum your vehicle’s interior carpeting. If there are any stains, use a stain remover and brush to remove them before vacuuming.
• Upholstery: After you vacuum the carpet, you can vacuum the seats. Again, remove any stains first. If you used any type of solution to clean the seats, let the upholstery dry with the doors or windows open to avoid mildew.
• Door Interior: Use soap and water to clean the interior surfaces that aren’t carpeted, including the doors. Open the car doors to ensure the metal and plastic parts and door jambs are cleaned as well. Wipe down with a clean cloth to dry.
• Windows and Mirrors: Use a window-cleaning solution to wash windows and mirrors.
• Steering Wheel, Dashboard, Center Console: Use a cleaning solution to remove dust and dirt from these services, then use small tools to remove dirt from any hard to reach areas.

What are the Exterior Car Detailing Steps?

• Wash the Exterior: Choose a car-safe washing solution, microfiber cloths, and water to thoroughly clean the outside of your vehicle. Avoid household cleaners, as they can strip wax off the surface of your car. Be sure to swap out dirty cloths for clean ones to avoid scratching the surface and to ensure a complete clean. Once you’ve finished washing, dry the exterior with clean cloths.
• Wash the Wheels: After you’ve completed washing the car’s exterior, focus on the wheels. Use the same solution or a cleaning solution made specifically for tires. Clean dirt and debris out of grooves and hard to reach places with a small brush.
• Wax the Outside: Once your vehicle is clean and dry, you can wax te exterior. Once you’re done, wipe off any excess wax with a small brush.

Learn More About Car Detailing in Prosper

To learn more about proper vehicle care, or to have routine maintenance done, contact the Longo Toyota of Prosper service center. Want to learn how to check if its time for routine maintenance? Consult our guide on what to look for under your hood or learn more about how to change a tire.