Detailing Planner

Before you start with the hard work at hand, it is best to relax, stand back and break out that cold beer you had stored. Lean back and evaluate the condition of your vehicle as a whole without leaving out the details and smaller parts. Make sure all areas are properly addressed (tires, rims, bodywork, paint, trim, interior, sills, ...)

After this initial assessment, and after finishing off your drink, you can start planning ahead for the upcoming detailing efforts. Now you can determine what tools and products you are going to need in order to get the best possible result. You will also end up with an idea of the time you are going to invest and the amount of effort that need to be deployed.

After this hard work you might want to open up that second drink since you will now have to decide on where all this action is going to take place. Remember that you should never tackle this job in the sun or on a hot car. So better look for a place with plenty of shade and, if possible, outdoors so the wind can give you a hand. Since you will be in need of water, power and plenty of space to get around, pick a place that is up to the job.

One more thing, pick a place that will surely be devoid of distractions or interferences. After all, you would not want to leave that hard to remove polish dry in, so it becomes nearly impossible to get off. Or even worse, you don´t want to leave that heavy duty cleaner on too long so it surely will leave its mark.

At this time, you might be a little intimidated since there is so much work to do and so little time to spare. I was gonna say you might want to grab that third drink by now but that will have to wait a bit longer. You better start breaking up the job in smaller parts so they can become manageable. Then it is time to set a working order to get things in line.

It is always smart to work from the inside out and from the top down. One exception to this rule is that you will have to tackle the wheels and tires first and separate from everything else.

Generally speaking, your amount of free time and will to get things done, will determine the detailing frequency you are going to follow. Underneath we have set up the ideal time table that needs following for optimal results. But as stated above, your amount of idle time might offset this time table.

Planner :

Weekly : Car Wash

Trim Cleaning

Glass Section

Interior vacuuming

Monthly : Wheels & Tires Cleaning

Stain removal

Leather Conditioning

Preservative applying & Crack cleaning

Twice a year : Paint waxing and sealing

Wheel, nut and logo polishing

Recondition leather & Upholstery

Bi-annual : Paint pre-wax cleaning & polishing