Car Detailing 101

Have you ever wanted to have your car professionally detailed? Perhaps you already have but want to save some money on your next wash? The Shurhold system will let anyone, regardless of experience, achieve a professional shine on their car, truck, or SUV. We will break down the process step by step and show you how to make your ride shine!

NOTE: This article will not cover Buffing / Compounding. If you believe your car needs to be Compounded, click here.

What you need:

 

Don’t skimp on quality products. The “Extra Soft Brush” and Microfiber Cloths are important because of how gentle they are on both paint and glass, leaving no scratches behind. This keeps the paint looking rich and deep for longer. Something like a cheap wool mitt or towel will put fine grooves in the clear coat, marring the surface and producing a hazy finish.

Washing

First, rinse your car to get all the loose grime and dirt off. Large debris like leaves and twigs can dig into the paint when you scrub, so pick them off by hand. Fill your bucket with water and add a small amount of Brite Wash. Less is more. Too much soap will leave spots and be very hard to rinse off. Activate the suds by blasting the water with the hose. You’re ready to scrub!

Dip the brush in the suds and start washing the roof, working your way down. Be thorough and hit every inch of your car. Do the wheels last, as they are usually the dirtiest area. Next, rinse off the suds and soap. Any soap left behind will form small spots, so once again start at the roof and work your way down. Your car is now ready to be dried.

Take your PVA Towel or Chamois and dry the vehicle. Work quickly, don’t let the water dry naturally. This will leave water spots, which are small mineral deposits left on the cars surface. Don’t worry if your cars glass has some streaks from the drying, we will cover that in the next step.

Detailing

The devil is in the details, and this is definitely true for car care. Now that your car is fresh and free of dirt, you can focus on the little things that make it pop. Start with the glass and any chrome on your car. Grab your Serious Shine and a microfiber cloth. Your goal is to remove any streaks or smudges on these bright surfaces. Spray the Serious Shine onto the surface you want to detail, and wipe thoroughly with the cloth. A dry cloth will work better, so change cloths frequently as needed.

Next you will want to focus on the wheels. Use SMC and spray onto the rim, calipers, and any other exposed metals that would typically shine. It’s a stronger chemical and will break down road grime, brake dust, and other nasty stuff better than Brite Wash or Serious Shine. Wipe and buff the wheels clean with a microfiber cloth. You can also use SMC on your tires if you feel they need to be cleaned, but for daily drivers this may be overkill.

Waxing

To protect the work you just did and make your paint really stand out, you should wax your vehicle. This doesn’t have to be a time consuming or labor intensive process thanks to modern wax technology and the power of a Dual Action Polisher.

Our Pro Polish is a polymer based wax designed to provide superior protection in the form of an easy to use cream. You can wax by hand, but we find that a machine will consistently provide more even and professional results. Not to mention it’s quicker and easier. We have a video on how to wax using the Dual Action Polisher here. Follow the instructions and your car will shine like never before!