Some of the places on your car that collect the most dirt and grime are often the most avoided areas when detailing your car. None-the-less, they are imperative to your monthly car care routine and should be given extra car during the car detailing process.
Door panels/door jams
After you’ve washed and waxed your cars’ exterior, you should come to the door jambs.. Door jambs have several purposes. They contain the parts that are necessary to open and shut the car doors and windows. The door jambs also protect the interior of the car and the passengers from rain, sun, snow, and wind. Due to this protection, dirt, oil and other grime will collect in the door jambs and continue to build up over time, which can cause serious damage to the functioning parts of your window and door apparatuses. Along with cleaning the door jambs you should also give the same treatment to the trunk jambs and the gas door. During your monthly car care routine you will only need to wipe the door jambs down or rinse them, to remove dust and other grime. But during your professional car detailing routine you will need to do much more than just wipe them. Wash them thoroughly with a degreasing soap specifically designed for automotive cleaning. This can be purchased, along with them other car cleaning items, at a local car repair and parts center. The cleaning process is relatively simple. Use an old toothbrush to clean in tight areas. Once cleaned you should dry the areas using a soft cloth or microfiber towel, then apply a small amount of wax to the areas, avoiding the rubber seal and other parts. And now your door jambs will look shiny and new, like the exterior paint does.
Door Panels
For door panels you can simply vacuum and shampoo the fabric covered panels as you do your cars’ upholstery. Use an old toothbrush with a little water and soap to clean around the window cranks (or buttons) and the door handles. For leather and vinyl door panels wash with the same cleaner and protectant you use on the interior seats.
Floor Mats
Floor mats are often overlooked during the car detailing process, mostly car owners simply shake off any dirt and return them to the car. However, they are very easy to clean. Plastic and rubber floor mats can simply be hosed off and washed with soap and water and a scrub brush then left to dry in the sunshine. For floor mats covered with fabric or carpet, simply shake any excess dirt out and vacuum them well. Then shampoo them with the carpet shampoo you have purchased at the car repair and parts shop to clean your interior carpet with. Use spot and stain removers on heavy spots. Use a good cloth for scrubbing the heavily soiled areas, with a light amount of warm water. Now your car floor mats look as clean as your interior carpet and will not be an eye-sore to an otherwise meticulously cleaned car.
Mirrors
Cleaning the mirrors of your car requires little effort and is extraordinarily simple. Rather than using household glass cleaners, you can simply use two towels, a little warm water or white vinegar. On one of the towels dampen it lightly with the warm water or vinegar. Then just wipe the mirrors well to remove dust and spots. Using the dry towel, wipe the mirrors again until they are completely dry and spot free.
