How to Detail an Old Car
Detailing a classic car is not that different than detailing a modern car, but there are a few differences. A classic car may have wire-spoke wheels, which requires a detailing brush to clean really well, and it may also have a preponderance of chrome trim that will need to be cleaned and polished for the best result.
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Things You'll Need
- Hose and water
- Car washing soap
- Wash mitt
- Detailing brush
- Cotton swabs
- Chrome polish
- Vinyl protectant
- Glass cleaner
- Wax
Instructions
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1
Rinse off the exterior with a hose and water. Rinse the wheels, under the wheels arches and behind the bumpers. Many classic cars have chrome bumpers and chrome trim around the windows, as well as down the side of the car. Direct a thin spray of water behind these parts to dislodge any dirt and debris that may be lurking there so they don't come out later on when you are waxing the paint.
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2
Detail the interior, trunk and engine bay first to avoid getting dirt and oil on the exterior. Remove the floor mats from the interior, and vacuum and shampoo the carpeting, sliding the seats up and then back to access the area underneath. If your seats are easy to remove, you can even unbolt them to gain access to 20 or 30 years of dirt that will invariably be hiding underneath them. Wipe down the interior panels with spray-on vinyl protectant. Use a glass cleaner for the windows and the glass that covers the gauges. Use cotton swabs to detail between the slats for the vent openings and crevices in areas like the center console.
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3
Clean the upholstery with the appropriate cleaner. If the car has a cloth interior use fabric cleaner. For leather and vinyl use a leather or vinyl cleaner.
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4
Open the engine bay. Classic cars usually have carburetors for the fuel system, so the intakes and air filters on these need to be covered up with plastic to prevent water from getting inside of them. Also cover up the spark plugs, coils and any sensitive wiring that could potentially get damaged.
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Rinse the engine bay with the nozzle of the hose set on a wide spray pattern. Spray the underside of the hood and then work your way down to the engine. Spray engine cleaner of your choice on the engine and let it soak in. Scrub the oil and dirt off with a washing mitt and a stiff detailing brush. Rinse the engine bay and then wipe it down with a clean, dry rag. Apply vinyl protectant to any plastic parts. Classic cars often have a lot of exposed metal parts as opposed to the modern cars where everything is covered in plastic. Clean and polish any exposed metal with a metal polish.
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6
Wash the wheels and tires. Use the wash mitt for the rims and a wheel cleaning brush for the areas between the spokes. A brush will come in handy particularly if you have wire wheels, which can be difficult to clean. Use chrome polish on chromed wheels. If your classic has painted steel wheels, use car wax on the surface. Apply tire protectant to the wheels with a sponge to avoid getting overspray on nearby parts.
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7
Wash the exterior with a wash mitt and lots of water. Rinse the entire car, including the wheels. Dry the entire car with a clean, dry terrycloth towel.
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8
Wax the entire car with a high quality wax like that kind that Mother's or Eagle One makes (see Resources). Apply the wax one panel at a time, letting it dry and then buffing it out with a clean, dry rag.
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Polish the chrome on the exterior with a high quality chrome polish. Some classic cars, such as Alfa Romeos, used stainless steel trim on their exteriors, so use stainless steel polish to renew the shine of these parts.
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10
Clean the windows with window cleaner and go over the car one last time with a clean, dry microfiber towel to clean up any wax or overspray from the vinyl protectant and window cleaner.
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