How to Clean a Car to Sell It
It is crucial that you thoroughly clean your car when preparing to sell it. A clean and shiny car is more likely to grab the attention of a potential buyer, while a dirty car can signal to the buyer that you have failed to take adequate care of the vehicle.
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Things You'll Need
- Mild car soap
- Sponge
- Wax
- Terrycloth towel
- Tire gloss and protectant
- Glass cleaner
- Vacuum
- Upholstery cleaner
- Leather protectant
- Interior protectant
- Air freshener
Instructions
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Wash the car thoroughly using soap, water and a sponge.
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Use a basic car wax if the paint job is still fairly good.
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Use a wax product that polishes and protects if the paint has taken on a dull appearance.
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Scrub brake dust off wheel covers with soap and water. It is important to clean in between the spokes.
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Apply a tire gloss/protectant to the tires. This will make them shine and improve the appearance of the car.
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Clean the windshield, back window and side windows with a streak-free glass cleaner. You can also use the cleaner on side mirrors.
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Remove your belongings from the car's interior. You want the buyer to picture himself in the vehicle and that becomes difficult when the car is filled with your personal items.
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Vacuum the floorboards and seats of the vehicle, as well as carpeted floormats.
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Use cleaner to remove unattractive stains from floor carpeting or seats. Consider a steam cleaner for difficult stains.
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Use a soft cloth and a leather protectant product to clean and preserve leather seats.
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Remove plastic floormats and wash them with soap and water.
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Empty cup holders and ashtrays of any trash.
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Clean out the glove compartment, console and door storage areas.
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Dust the interior of the vehicle and apply a protectant. Make sure to clean the dashboard, door handles, armrests and steering wheel.
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Remove items from the trunk and vacuum the floor of the trunk if needed.
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Use an air freshener that will give the car a clean, fresh smell as the final step to sell your vehicle.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not merely run your car through a car wash. While drive-thru car washes are an effective way to revive your car's appearance, they lack the detailed attention needed in order to pass a buyer's inspection. It is important that the car looks its best to get a quick sell.
Avoid abrasive products when cleaning your car, especially waxes that are meant for the removal of paint defects. These can damage the car's paint.
