Step 01
Wheels and tires first
Clean wheels before paint so brake dust doesn’t splash onto a clean car. Separate bucket and brushes for wheels, never the same mitt.
Auto Detailing Guide · 17+ Years of Doing It for a Living
How do you detail a car? Our pro process, step by step.
Wheels first, then a foam pre-soak, a two-bucket wash, decontamination, protection and glass. Inside, work top-down: vacuum, shampoo, clean, protect, then glass last.
- 16 stepsExterior and interior
- 4–6 hrsFor a full DIY detail
- 2–4xFull details per year
The Short Answer
What does a full detail actually include?
A car wash cleans the surface. A detail resets the whole car: wheels and tires, a safe hand wash, iron and tar removal, clay, a layer of protection, trim and glass, then the interior vacuumed, shampooed, wiped down and protected. Done in the right order with the right products, a careful owner can get close to a pro result at home. The order matters as much as the products.
Exterior, Step by Step
How do you detail the outside of a car?
Top-down, dirtiest parts first, and nothing touches the paint until the loose grit is gone. This is the order our crews use.
Step 02
Pre-rinse and foam
Rinse off loose dirt, then foam the car and let it dwell a few minutes. The foam lifts grit so the mitt isn’t dragging it across the paint.
Step 03
Two-bucket hand wash
One bucket of soap, one of rinse water with a grit guard. Wash top-down in straight lines and rinse the mitt after every panel. pH-neutral soap only.
Step 04
Rinse the underside
In Colorado this matters. Mag chloride sits in wheel wells and frames and eats metal. Rinse underneath every wash from November through March.
Step 05
Iron and tar removal
Spray an iron remover, let it bleed purple, rinse. Spot-treat tar. This is what makes paint feel rough even after a wash.
Step 06
Clay bar
Lube the panel well and glide a clay bar or mitt with light pressure until it’s glass-smooth. Do it once or twice a year, not every wash.
Step 07
Dry without scratching
Use a blower or a plush drying towel and pat or drag gently. No squeegees or bath towels. Dry in shade so water doesn’t spot in Colorado’s dry air.
Step 08
Protect, then glass
Apply a sealant, wax or coating to clean paint, dress tires and trim, then clean glass last with a dedicated glass towel.
Interior, Step by Step
How do you detail the inside of a car?
Always work from the headliner down so dust falls onto areas you haven’t cleaned yet. Glass is always the last thing you touch.
Step 01
Empty it out
Pull every mat, car seat and loose item. Check under seats and in seat tracks, where most of the debris and odor hides.
Step 02
Dry brush and vacuum
Brush vents, seams and stitching to loosen dust, then vacuum top-down with a crevice tool. Air-blow tight spots first.
Step 03
Pet hair
A rubber pet-hair brush or pumice stone pulls woven-in hair that a vacuum misses. Brush in one direction, then vacuum.
Step 04
Shampoo carpets and mats
Pre-treat stains, agitate with a brush, then extract with a hot-water extractor or wet vac. Don’t soak the carpet; it mildews under the padding.
Step 05
Leather and upholstery
Clean leather with a pH-balanced leather cleaner and a soft brush, wipe, then condition. Cloth seats get the same pre-treat and extract as carpet.
Step 06
Steam and sanitize
Steam cupholders, vents and door pockets to lift sticky residue and kill odor-causing bacteria. Enzyme cleaner handles spills and pets.
Step 07
Plastics and screens
Interior cleaner on a towel, not sprayed on screens. Finish with a non-greasy UV protectant. No shine on pedals or the steering wheel.
Step 08
Glass last
Two towels: one to clean, one to buff. Roll windows down an inch to get the top edge. Then reinstall dry mats.
Common Mistakes
What are the most common detailing mistakes?
These cause most of the swirls, stains and early wear we correct in the shop.
Mistake 01One bucket, or dish soap
One bucket puts grit back on the paint. Dish soap strips protection and dries out trim.
Mistake 02Washing in direct sun
Soap and water dry on the paint and leave spots, fast, at Colorado altitude.
Mistake 03Tunnel car washes
Brushes and recycled water are the biggest source of swirl marks we see.
Mistake 04Magic erasers on the dash
They are abrasive. They dull and scratch soft-touch plastics and screens.
Mistake 05Ignoring the underside
Mag chloride corrodes brake lines and frames. Rinse underneath all winter.
Mistake 06Greasy dressings
Shiny silicone on pedals, wheels and seats is slippery and attracts dust. Use matte UV protectant.
How Often
How often should you detail your car?
In Colorado, dust, UV and winter road treatment speed everything up. Here is the schedule we recommend.
1–2 wksHand washMore often in winter, with an underbody rinse every time.
3–4 moProtection top-upSealant or wax every season, unless the car is ceramic coated.
2–4x/yrFull detailInside and out, especially before and after winter.
1x/yrDeep interior resetShampoo, extraction and steam to reset a daily driver.
FAQ
Detailing questions.
Straight answers from a Gtechniq Accredited Installer. Call (719) 517-7220 if your question isn’t here.
What is the correct order to detail a car?
Wheels and tires first, then pre-rinse and foam, two-bucket wash, underbody rinse, iron and tar removal, clay, dry, protect, and glass. Inside: empty it, vacuum top-down, shampoo, clean surfaces, protect, then glass last.
How long does it take to detail a car?
A thorough DIY detail inside and out takes 4 to 6 hours. Our full details take about 3.5 hours with a trained crew and professional equipment.
What is the difference between a car wash and a detail?
A wash cleans the surface. A detail decontaminates and protects the paint and deep cleans the interior, including carpets, seats, vents and glass.
Can I use dish soap to wash my car?
No. It strips wax, sealant and coating protection and can dry out rubber and plastic trim. Use a pH-neutral car shampoo.
How do I get mag chloride off my car?
Rinse the underbody, wheel wells and lower panels often in winter, and use an iron or fallout remover on the paint. For long-term protection, an undercarriage coating helps.
How much does a professional detail cost in Colorado Springs?
At ST6, a VIP Hand Wash is $89, Complete Interior $199, Gold Detail $299 and Platinum Detail $499 for a car or crossover. Larger vehicles cost a little more.
The Professional Option
Rather have the pros do it?
ST6 crews do this process every day, mobile at your driveway or in the shop at 2725 N Nevada Ave. Gold Detail from $299, no deposit, you pay after the work is done.