"Order" of Detaling a Car

greywolf17

greywolf17

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Order of detainling a car
With the limited experience I have detailing. I usually detail my cars in a certain order.

1. tar/bugs
2. wash car
3, wash wheels/tires
4. Rinse
5. Dry

6. Clean Floor Mats/Protect
7. Vacuum
8. Clean Vinyl Dash and sides/Carpeting/Leather
9. Protect Vinyl Dash and sides/Carpeting/Leather
10. Clean inside windows

11. Compound(if needed)
12. Polish(if needed)
13. Final Wax

14. Outside Windows
15. Exterior Trim Protected
16. Tires and Wheels Protected

Wondering what order most others use?

And for the more experienced, do you see any "GLARING problems" with what order I've been doing things that I should surely correct. I'm not a proffesional so I don't know what is best.​
 
Looks legit to me. I usually wash the wheels and tires before washing the rest of the car though. And I do windows (inside and out) at the very end of everything as a last step.
 
I usually end up vacuuming twice. I do a quick vacuum and then after I do windows and dash and all that I end up tracking stuff in on my shoes. So i end up having to vac the wheel wells again after all thats done. I do it the first time so I can see if theres any spots that need to be addressed on the carpet.
 
Rider9195. I forgot to put the claying down too. I do it after the car drying. Nice catch though, Thankyou.
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All Thanks! Alot of people have suggested the washing the wheels and tires before washing the car, and I am also going to heed that advice. I agree that would prevent any crud getting on the car.

I see alot of people add a quoted message(from anothers reply) in their replies. How would I be able to do that?
 
greywolf17 said:
Rider9195. I forgot to put the claying down too. I do it after the car drying. Nice catch though, Thankyou.
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All Thanks! Alot of people have suggested the washing the wheels and tires before washing the car, and I am also going to heed that advice. I agree that would prevent any crud getting on the car.

I see alot of people add a quoted message(from anothers reply) in their replies. How would I be able to do that?
Click to expand...

You just hit the "Quote" button on the right side under whatever post you want to quote and reply to. (I did it for this post).
 
I will do wheels/tires before washing the paint using a third bucket if I am really cleaning (not maintenance wash) to minimize getting something on the paint.

I may apply the protectant/dressing to trim if I do not plan to tape if using the DA. This is on larger sections of trim adjacent to the paint so easier to clean if I get something on it.

I also do the windows (inside and out) and dress tires/wheels as the last steps.

The last step especially when working in the garage is a good inspection with a light to be sure no missed spots (missed wax, wax in emblems if not taped, clean windows, etc). It helps to have a checklist of missed areas.
 
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