Interior Detailing Process
Set up the vehicle properly before starting.
Work in a consistent order (one corner around) for efficiency.
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Preparation
- Pull the car into your workspace. Crack or lower all windows to prevent lockouts and improve cabin light (especially with tinted windows).
- Open all doors, trunk, and hood (this is called the “butterfly” setup).
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Initial Cleaning
- Use compressed air to blow out debris from under/between seats, vents, rear shelf, door pockets, and cubbies. Direct debris out the open doors.
- Do a quick vacuum to remove loose debris. Perfection isn’t required yet.
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Fabrics
- Starting at the driver’s corner, spray pre-treatment on carpet and upholstery. Work your way around the entire vehicle spraying only.
- Return to your starting point and agitate the pre-treated areas with a brush.
Fabric Cleaning Options
- Extractor: Perform full fabric extraction.
- No Extractor: Spray carpet cleaner, agitate with a brush, and wipe with microfiber.
- Steamer: Scrub fabrics with steam.
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Plastics, Leather & Vinyl
- Start at one corner and work in quarters around the vehicle.
- Spray interior cleaner and scrub with the appropriate brush.
- Use compressed air and towels to dry and remove excess cleaner.
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Headliner & Visors
- Use ONR solution (256:1) on a wrung-out microfiber towel.
- Wipe visors and headliner gently to clean without staining.
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Conditioning & Glass
- Apply interior dressing or leather conditioner to seats.
- Roll windows up, then drop about ¼ inch for ventilation.
- Clean all interior glass.
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Final Touches
- Perform a final vacuum. Move seats forward and back to reach crevices. Use compressed air if needed.
- Turn HVAC to floor mode to speed carpet drying, or leave in butterfly mode under the sun.
- If dressing the engine bay, spray water-based dressing on plastics and rubber during the initial blowout stage and let it dwell.
- Extract or vacuum water from floor mats. Hang or sun-dry completely before reinstalling.
Sep 9, 2025