How to Do Amazing Car Detail Work

Although a car looks great after a good wash and wax, to achieve that amazing car-show shine you’ve got to go with a detail job.

What’s the trick to car detailing? It’s in the details. Let’s get started.

Start with the interior

The order you do things is crucial when it comes to detailing. If you leave cleaning your car’s interior for last, then you’ll just wind up blowing dirt and dust on your clean paint.

Start by removing all floor mats, and then go to town with a vacuum on all carpet and upholstery. An air compressor can help you blow out dirt and dust from hard-to-reach places (even heating and air conditioning ducts), and a hard-bristled brush can dislodge a lot of dirt from the mats and carpets.

Really taking the time to clean the dash can take your detail job over the top. Get in all the crevices with a Q-tip, and you can remove knobs to clean underneath.

Household cleaners won’t cut it—use a cleaner that is specifically formulated for cleaning car interiors.

Tires before paint

Warm or hot rubber can easily be worn away, so always wash your tires when they’re cool. Avoid acid-based cleaners on your wheels—they can damage the rubber. A degreaser will work fine, but don’t use a detergent.

Give it a good hand wash

Finally, we’re on to the paint. Nothing familiarizes you with the surface and shape of your car better than a hand wash, so roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Don’t use dishwashing detergent to wash your car. It will strip away the protective layer from the paint. Instead, use a carwash product designed for use on cars.

Polish

Next in line we’ve got to give the paint a good polish. The idea is to smooth out the surface of the paint, lending it an attractive shine. An oscillating polishing machine will do the trick, and it’s much easier to use than the rotating ones the pros use.

Wax

Wax protects your paint from contaminants and other elements that can damage your paint job. Think of it as the first line of defense, absorbing scratches and stains before they reach the paint underneath.

For wax to do its job protecting your paint, you should re-wax your car every 3 months.

Glass Last

You’re almost done—now it’s time to clean the windows and windshield. Don’t use a cleaner that contains ammonia, because it can damage vinyl upholstery.

A micro-fiber cloth is your best bet for cleaning glass. A rubber squeegee can wind up scratching the glass if dirt gets caught on it. In fact, to avoid scratching, use an air compressor to dry your car’s exterior.

Don’t forget the tiny details in detailing

The more time you’re willing to put in paying close attention to all the little details, the better your detail job is going to be.

And for those dents and scrapes that no amount of detailing can take care of, contact Herb’s auto body repair in Dallas.

Making Money from Someone’s Castoff Used Cars

If you like getting your hands dirty and tweaking engines, perhaps you would find your passion in buying, restoring and selling pre-owned cars. Undertaking it in a precise way, this can be very lucrative enterprise. Nonetheless, there are crucial items to consider before taking on this course of action.

First of all, don’t quit your day job just yet. You will require a nest egg in order to buy the auto. Moreover, buying and selling used vehicles may seem like a dream come true on paper, but it takes more than legwork to pull it off. Often it’s more luck than know-how, so you have to do your homework. Be smart and proceed with a clear, impartial head.

Before you tackle this, throw your personal inclinations out the window and explore all your options. Consider the market carefully, and bank on vehicles that are a steal, incredibly cheap but possess the makings of a gain later on. There are also rides that are very appropriate for this kind of work. For instance, classic and muscle cars are always a good investment. Scout online, classified ads, junkyards, and even used car dealers like Team Toyota at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Take into account the kind of repairs needed. Some cars may not even start while others only require a little fine-tuning here and there to be good as new. Lest you are a restoration junkie or it’s a vintage ride, don’t invest in a total car wreck. Purchase cars requiring negligible repairs, and you can patch it up for a tidy sum. In addition, it’s a great idea to have an expert, trusted car mechanic or technician accompany you on your appraisals and purchases to help evaluate across the board your prospective ride’s state.

When finally purchasing, negotiate fairly and keep your cool. Remember that you are aiming to make a profit, and so, unnecessarily rubbing off the dealer the wrong way can spell your failure. Take note that the seller has to make a gain as well. Stay respectful and don’t be too assertive. Learn to play the game, and you may walk away with a fantastic buy.

Lastly, service your purchased ride with patience and revamp it. Jazz it up, scrub it from top to bottom and inside out, and put in the finishing touches. Put some effort into this ultimate step to guarantee that much sought-after resale.

Buying and selling second-hand rides can be really money-spinning if you approach it correctly and objectively. Having a modest commercial savvy can also go a long way, and when you keep it together through each stage of the process, you can earn big quite fast with only a little to start off.