Things You'll Need:
- Touch-up paint
- Mild car soap
- Car wax
- Terrycloth towel
- Glass cleaner
- Tire gloss/protectant
- Vacuum cleaner
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Step 1
Inspect the paint surface closely for small dents and scratches.
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Step 2
Fix minor scratches and chips with touch-up paint. It is important to match your car's exact color or the trouble spot could actually end up looking worse.
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Step 3
Have a body shop repair dings and dents. This is fairly inexpensive and it will drastically improve the look of your car.
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Step 4
Have your car serviced to make sure tires and fluids are at the appropriate level.
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Step 5
Replace burned-out lights. Overlooking basic upkeep could signal to the buyer that you neglected the vehicle.
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Step 6
Wash the car thoroughly and frequently to make sure it always has the curb appeal needed to attract a buyer.
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Step 7
Give the car an instant face lift by applying a coat of wax using a terrycloth towel or an old t-shirt. A good wax product works well if the paint is already in fairly good condition. A product that both polishes and protects is more appropriate if your paint is a little dull.
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Step 8
Clean all windows and mirrors with a glass cleaner to give them an extra sparkle.
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Step 9
Scrub the brake dust off wheel covers and make your tires shine with a tire gloss and protectant.
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Step 10
Clean the vehicle's interior by vacuuming or dusting all surfaces.
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Step 11
Remove your personal belongings. You want the buyer to picture himself in the car and this is difficult if it is still cluttered with your own belongings.
