How to quickly detail a car in only an hour

Wisdom from Tim McNair at Grand Prix Concours

The goal: Make it look like you spent all day prepping the car for tomorrow morning’s cars and coffee.

The reality: You only have an hour. Let’s get going. 

Assuming just the usual dust, fingerprints and light dirt from sitting in the garage, forgo the bucket and leave the soap cannon on the shelf. Grab some quick detail spray and fluffy microfiber towels: Mist, wipe and dry. Work with the lines of the car in relatively short strokes so, should you pick up something sharp, any damage is minimal. Save the good microfibers for the topside of the car and use old ones for the rockers, wheels and lower extremities. 

This doesn’t have to take all day. Quick detail will remove the usual garage dust, while you can rejuvenate the interior surfaces with your favorite vinyl dressing.

Then, clean deeper and remove any contaminants stuck in the paint with a synthetic clay pad, the modern replacement for the old clay bar. Use quick detail as a lubricant and, again, work in small sections. Even with light pressure, you’ll feel the surface get smoother.  

Now to protect the paint with spray-on wax or, even better, today’s ceramic-based spray waxes–just a light spray and wipe. You can add layers for depth, while the wax will also help with the next cleanup. 

Now onto the details: Foaming tire cleaner will rejuvenate those tires, while quick detail works well on wheels. Clean the windows inside and out with glass cleaner–you can use it on chrome, too. 

Inside the car, vacuum the carpet, wipe down the plastic with an appropriate dressing, and pick up any accumulated junk. Now you’re ready to roll out.

 

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