How to Detail Your Car on a Budget

Invest in Good Products and Tools

Any cost you put into purchasing detailing solutions will be offset by reducing wear and tear on your vehicle, increasing resale value, and catching costly problems, like rust spots, before they get worse. Plus, doing it yourself every time will still be less expensive than paying a professional. Some tools you may need include a pressure washer, bucket system, detailing brushes, microfiber towels and a rotary polisher.

For good quality detailing products, look at the TechCare line from WeatherTech. There are several kits available that save you money versus buying everything separately. You can start with the TechCare Everything Starter Kit or break it up with one of the smaller kits and add to your collection later.

Exterior Wash and Wax

The TechCare Exterior Wash & Wax Kit includes everything you need to wash and wax your car. These formulas are made specifically for automobiles, so they’re gentle enough to protect your paint but tough enough to remove bugs, tar, tree sap, road salt and other debris. The kit includes a car shampoo, wheel cleaner and glass cleaner for getting your car clean.

For drying, it includes a Soaker and various towels. Finally, for finishing off your look and protecting your paint, it includes tire gloss, wax prep and gel wax.

Graphene/Ceramic Coating

If you want a more thorough protective coating that lasts longer than simple waxing, try WeatherTech’s new Graphene products. Use Graphene Prime Ceramic Coating to add a protective coating to your vehicle for the ultimate paint defense.

Graphene Refresh provides a graphene ceramic coating in a spray that lasts 6-9 months. Graphene Quick Gloss extends the life of waxes and sealants to provide additional protection. Graphene Glass Sealant provides a crystal clear, protective coating for your vehicle glass.

Interior Detailing

Remove your floor mats and vacuum the inside, including the seats. Use a crevice tool to get all the crumbs and dirt that collect in the edges of the seats and floorboard. Now you’re ready to make the interior spotless.

The TechCare Interior Detailing Kit contains everything you need to clean and protect the inside of your car. It includes carpet cleaner made to remove and even repel stains, and it’s safe for use on the upholstery too. It also includes floor mat cleaner and protector, interior detailing spray, anti-fog glass spray and a leather conditioner for keeping your seats soft.

Detailing brushes are not included in the kit but are essential for getting into places that a microfiber cloth cannot reach, such as air vents and crevices.

How Often Should You Detail Your Car?

How often you wash your car depends on the how often you drive, where you live and the type of roads you’re driving on. You should wash your car, including the undercarriage, as soon as possible after driving when the roads were salted because of ice or snow. This helps to prevent rust.

If you live near the ocean, salt from the sea also causes rust, so you’ll need to wash more often. Driving on roads where your car is exposed to bugs, tar and tree sap can lead to paint damage.

In general, you should wash your car every two weeks, but more often if you experience any of the conditions mentioned above or if your car is really dirty. You should also vacuum every 1-2 weeks to prevent dust buildup and help with allergens.

Deep cleaning your car and fully detailing it with wax, polish and protectant should be done every six months to ensure your paint retains its shine and your interior stays odor-free. In between detailing, make sure you protect your floors from spills and stains with some good quality floor mats that completely cover your footwells.

For more information and steps for detailing your car, read Auto Detailing: What Is It and Why Is It Important?