Spring is here, and with it comes the opportunity to do some much-needed vehicle cleaning and detailing. After a long, harsh Winter, your vehicle accumulates build up of mud, slush, and salt. These combinations can affect your vehicle's exterior and cause rusting on the body. Get your vehicle ready for Spring with a little TLC using these tips below. For our busy readers out there, you can always let our professional detailing team take care of you. Click here to learn more about our detail packages.
We've collected our best tips to help guide you in the right direction to getting your vehicle to look brand new. Before we get into those tips, here is a list of items to help the detailing process go smoothly:
Most of these items are available from our Parts department. You'll notice a significant difference when purchasing specific automotive detailing supplies vs generic cleaners. It is worth getting the right products, they will work better for you.
Now, here are our tips to help you get your vehicle looking and feeling brand new again:
Start with a thorough wash: Begin by giving your car a good rinse to remove as much debris before beginning your wash. Then, using your gentle soap or automotive wash, and warm water begin to washing. Work on removing all the dirt, salt, and grime that has been accumulating over the winter. Don't forget to clean the wheels and tires as well. As about our tire shine products, specifically designed to make your wheels shine!
It's important that after cleaning particularly dirty areas, the wheel wells for example, you thoroughly rinse your cloth of any debris to avoid scratching your paint. We recommend doing tires, wheels and lower areas more exposed to rocks last. If these areas are especially dirty or muddy, use a different cloth that the one for painted body areas.
Polish and wax: Polishing the car will help top remove any swirl marks or light scratches, and will give your car a brilliant shine. After polishing, you can apply a coat of wax to protect your paint from the elements and keep it looking new, longer. Most of us skip this step, but it makes a big difference in protecting your paint and keeping that "just cleaned" look longer.
Clean the interior: Spring cleaning is not just for the outside of your car, but the inside too. Vacuum the carpets and seats, and wipe down all surfaces with a mild soap or wipes. Don't forget to clean the windows and mirrors too, as they ten to accumulate a lot of grime and fingerprints over the winter months. Using a glass cleaner on these areas will work best to reduce smudging, wipe marks, and swirls. You'll be surprised how much goo you'll wipe off from the inside of your windshield, especially if the vehicle is exposed to pets and smoking.
For those tight to reach areas, the all powerful Q-Tip can be of great service or a tooth brush can be helpful in gently scrubbing those hard to reach areas.
Clean the headlights: Over time, the headlights can become yellowed and cloudy, which can affect their brightness and effectiveness. You can restore y our headlights using a headlight restoration kit, which can also be found at our parts department. We also offer this service from our detailing team. You would be surprised how much brighter your lights will be after a proper clean, inside and out.
Replace cabin air filter: Just like in our home furnace filters, winter conditions take a toll on the cabin air filter, so it's a good idea to replace it in the spring. A fresh filter will ensure that the air inside your car is clean and fresh. This is a job that is usually easiest when you are in for your vehicle's maintenance service. Ask one of our friendly Service Advisors when in for your oil change to take care of that for you. Or you can pick up your cabin filter from our parts department.
Check and maintain the fluids: Spring is the perfect time to get your fluids checked and topped up. This includes oil, brake fluid, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid. Doing so will help to ensure that your car runs smoothly and safely throughout the year. Fresh, clean and clear fluids help in the overall drive-ability and operation of your vehicle. Let the experts at Quick Lane take care of this for you! They'll do a multipoint inspection when you are in for your maintenance and inform you of what areas and fluids need your attention.
A good spring cleaning and detail on your vehicle will not only improve its appearance but also increase its lifespan. By following these simple tips, you can have your car looking and running like new in no time.
If you are finding yourself too busy to do part or all of your vehicle spring cleaning, our team at the Quick Lane is here to help. Book with us online by clicking here and we'll get your vehicle spring-ready for you with all the maintenance and detailing you could need! Happy cleaning!
