Most Efficient Detailing Order

C

Casebrius

New member
Do these steps seem correct?

1. Do interior first



· Vacuum seats

· Clean seats

· Clean dash/console

· Dress dash/console

· Dress seats

· Clean windows

· Vacuum/shampoo

· Inspect



2. Outside

· Clean and glaze glass

· Clean wheels

· Detail engine bay

· Wash & dry car

· Dress tires and wheels

· Dress trim & moulding

· Treat Paint

· Inspect
 
I'm not sure why you would do the glass before you wash the car, I think that would cause a lot of dirt and dust to get smeared around. I'd wash the car and windows with GC (use whatever shampoo you prefer) and then towards the end of the process use IG on the windows.
 
Those steps for the interior look pretty close to what I do. Just remember to start from the top down no matter what you are doing. On the interior I would start with the dash and then do the seats. I usually do the seats at the very end when I don't need to be sitting in them to clean anything else.



On the outside I wouldn't wash the glass till the very end as well. My process for the outside would be:



Engine

Spray Wheels/Tires

Remove Bugs/Tar

Wash/Dry

Clay

Polish/Paint Cleaner

Sealant/Wax

Dress tires/Wheels

Buff off Sealant/Wax

Trim Clean/Treat/Restore

Chrome

Windows



I do windows very last just because of the chances of overspray from other products. It sucks to clean the windows and then have to go over them again to get the spatter from polishing off. I buff the wax/sealant off after I dress the tires for the same reason. If any overspray gets on the car then you'll just be wiping it off with the rest of the wax anyway. I put the cleaner on them prior to washing so that any overspray gets cleaned off with the wash.



My process is just something that I find to be a logical order. I hate doing a job more than once, so I have figured out ways of doing things in an order that will correct any errors in previous steps without having to do something twice. I think everybody figures out their own groove with this sort of thing with enough practice.
 
I read glass will tend to have less water spots if you clean and seal first. Clean sealed glass is very easy to wipe quickly. If you clean and dress trim first, it will be easier to get wax off if you are sloppy. If I dress the tires earlier, chances are the dressing will have more dry time before driving reducing sling. I'll try to cover tires when doing any machine work anyway, less to clean. I realize this is all subjective, but I like to plan my work and work my plan!
 
If you cover your tire I dont see any problem with doing them at the beginning. But you should wait at the end for your windows. A good thing I found to clean the wax off the windows, is MrClean Magic Eraser (which is good for trim too). Then you can easily clean and protect them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top