Spring is the ideal time to give your vehicle a really good once over. Not only will it help to remove signs of winter wear and tear, it will also help to improve your car’s value should you choose to sell it as the warmer weather approaches.
Tackling the interior
During the winter it’s likely that your car’s upholstery and carpets have seen their fair share of wet shoes and coats. With months of damp conditions and insufficient ventilation, it’s likely that the fabric of your vehicle hasn’t had time to dry out properly - resulting in stained fabric and damp carpets. As this kind of cosmetic damage can dramatically reduce your car’s resale value, it’s worth thinking about car detailing.
Where to start
It’s a good idea to begin by removing and shaking any loose mats and thoroughly vacuuming the carpets. You can also shampoo them if necessary, but avoid using too much water and always make sure that carpets have the opportunity to dry out fully. Ideally choose a warm sunny day to shampoo the carpets so you can leave your doors and windows open to help speed up the process.
If you come across any damp patches under the carpets make sure you investigate them thoroughly as they could be a sign of rain water leaking in. This could lead to serious corrosion over time.
Specialist cleaning products should be used to freshen and brighten upholstery, trim and roof linings. Again avoid using too much water, do a test on a small patch to avoid any mistakes and follow instructions carefully.
Interior glass and painted metal surfaces also require specialist cleaning products which can be applied with a chamois leather. A thorough clean of all the glass with a specially-developed glass cleaner is always worth the extra effort as it produces great results.
Turning your attention to the exterior
Driving through the winter months can often leave grime and other residue on the paint work of your car. This should be removed with warm water and a suitable car shampoo.
Start by cleaning the roof and work your way down and around the car, allowing stubborn dirt at the bottom to soak. Pay particular attention to door undersides and sills and make sure that all soap suds are fully rinsed off before drying the car.
Any chips or scratches you spot should be attended to at this stage as they may rust if left.
Stone chip touch-up kits are available from most car accessory shops although you may prefer to take your car to a professional to achieve the best results.
You may also want to use a car polish as it offers some paint work protection and on older vehicles will help to restore any loss of gloss. Use a good quality polish and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Finishing touches
You should round off your spring clean by performing routine checks on the level of your engine oil, radiator, windscreen washer and tyre pressures, including the spare. If you’re unsure how to do these, you should check your vehicle handbook or contact your dealership.
The benefits of car detailing is beneficial for instant gratification and also the value of the car for the future.