Car Detailing Checklist – Interior & Exterior Guide

Why Follow A Car Detailing Checklist?

A detailed car care plan helps you work smarter, prevent wasted time, unnecessary risks, and costly damage due to neglecting necessary work. Following the process with the steps listed in the car detailing checklist by the experts makes it easy for you to perform car care that enhances the aesthetics and driving experience.

Interior Detailing Checklist

Interior detailing improves comfort, cleanliness, and increases resale value. Here is an interior car detailing checklist that you can follow to ensure a standard process as recommended by the experts.

Declutter & Remove Trash

Start your interior maintenance routine with a simple clean to remove dirt and grime, preparing the surface for the next steps. For DIYers, a thorough clean makes it easier to move on to detailed interior tasks like shampooing, conditioning, or deodorizing.

Vacuum Seats, Carpets & Floor Mats

Use an interior vacuum to clean corners and reach seams and rails thoroughly. In addition to car detailing, you can vacuum regularly to control dust and debris.

Upholstery & Carpet Deep Cleaning

Clean upholstery and carpets using a mild shampoo and steam treatment to protect the fibers. For stubborn stains, experts will pre-treat with APC to restore color and freshness.

Dashboard, Plastics & Vents

Clean the dashboard and trim carefully to remove dirt and dust. Cleaning the vents is also an effective way to reduce odors and allergens in the car cabin.

Leather Cleaning & Conditioning

Prevent cracking and fading by cleaning and conditioning the leather of your car's interior. If you do it yourself, use gentle products to treat and protect the surface.

Glass & Mirrors (Interior Side)

Wipe windows streak-free to improve safety and visibility, and remove smudges and fingerprints. Use a lint-free cloth from top to bottom for an even clean surface.



Air Freshening & Deodorizing

Complete your car detailing process by deodorizing for a fresh cabin. Neutralize and eliminate odors rather than masking them, leaving the cabin feeling cleaner and more comfortable.

Exterior Detailing Checklist

A proper exterior car detailing process helps enhance the appearance, increase shine, and protect your car's paint. Follow the steps in the car detailing checklist and use OEM products and EPA-approved cleaners for safety and effectiveness.

Wheels & Tires

Start by cleaning the wheels and tires to remove brake dust. Use a specialized brush and pH-balanced, non-acidic cleaners to minimize damage.

Pre-Wash & Snow Foam

Wash your car with snow foam and choose an EPA-approved formula to soften dirt and reduce the risk of scratches.

Contact Wash (Two-Bucket Method)

Use the two-bucket method with one bucket of water and one bucket of soap to minimize scratches and wash safely. This method helps clean, reduces the spread of dirt, and prevents damage.



Polishing & Protection

Treat swirl marks, scratches, or oxidation by correcting paint as needed. Next comes polishing, buffing, and waxing to create a shine. You can opt to further enhance the paint protection by adding a PPF coating.

Regular servicing is important, but detailing frequency matters too. Learn more in our article on “How often you should detail your car” for expert recommendations.

Optional Add-Ons For Pro Results

In addition to the basic car detailing checklist, you can add additional services to help upgrade, enhance the appearance, protection, and longevity of your vehicle.

• Ceramic Coating: Enhance the protection and aesthetics of your vehicle with a ceramic coating. Using nano technology, ceramic coating provides strong paint protection, UV protection, and a deep gloss.
• PPF: This is the ideal paint protection solution for high-impact areas such as bumpers to help prevent scratches and chips.
• Engine Bay Detailing: Carefully degreasing the engine helps improve operating efficiency and detect leaks early.
• Headlight Restoration: Restoring the clarity of the headlights helps improve visibility, increasing safety at night.
• Window Tinting: Window tinting is a solution to reduce heat and glare while increasing privacy in the vehicle cabin.
  

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Detailing

Even small mistakes in car care can cause long-term damage or reduce the results. You need to pay attention to avoid the following mistakes to ensure proper care and long-term protection.

• Skipping Wheel Cleaning First: Forgetting to clean the wheels first will spread brake dust across panels, causing scratches and extra work.
• Using The Wrong Cloths: Poor quality cleaning cloths leave lint and can cause small scratches during washing or polishing.
• Overusing Wax Or Sealant: Applying too much wax or sealant will lead to a build-up of dirt and dull the surface. Apply thin, even layers for best results.
• Mismanaging Polishers: Operating the machine at high RPMs will create heat that can burn the paint during polishing.
  

Book Your Car Detailing Near Me Today!

If you are still worried about making mistakes in the car detailing process, let the experts help you! Book with PHNX Service today to get expert-level results using OEM-approved processes and premium products that protect your investment.

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