Last updated on December 13th, 2023
In the vast world of automotive care, the art of car detailing remains both a hidden gem and an essential practice. As a passionate fan of all things automotive, I dug deep into car detailing, uncovering its secrets and embracing the meticulous craftsmanship required to achieve perfection. Join me as I share how to Discover Hidden Gems: 15 Overlooked Spots in Car Detailing.
One might assume that a shiny exterior and spotless interior are the characteristics of a perfectly detailed car. However, as many as fifteen often-overlooked areas are key to unlocking exceptional results.
Through countless hours of research, experimentation, and hands-on experience, I have mastered the art of car detailing. We will discuss fifteen secret areas many beginners must consider when detailing automobiles.
I will guide you through these fifteen secrets, revealing their significance and offering advice. Soon you will be transforming your car detailing skills from amateur to professional.
From the often-forgotten hidden recesses to the intricate details that can elevate your car’s appearance, we will explore the art of auto detailing.
Whether you are a beginner eager to dive into car detailing or a seasoned enthusiast seeking to refine your technique, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to achieve remarkable results. Please join me as we unlock the secrets and awaken the artist within, all in pursuit of the perfect automotive masterpiece.
Elevate Your Detailing: Unveiling Lesser-Known Spots
In my most recent post, The Lost Art: Car Detailing for Beginners, I outlined the steps for detailing an automobile from start to finish & top to bottom. In this post, Discover Hidden Gems: 15 Overlooked Spots in Car Detailing, we will look into the details of automobile detailing that are often completely missed.
Whereas I would normally start a detailing post working on the tires and wheels, I am changing things up, and for this post, I will be discussing the interior’s most neglected areas first. Undeniably I am guilty of missing or forgetting the areas of the interior more than the exterior.
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List of Interior Detailing Often Ignored Areas
- Sun Visor Vanity Mirrors: I don’t use them and often forget they exist… “Out of sight, out of mind.” In any case, the sun visor vanity mirrors are probably one of the most missed areas when detailing the interior of a car.
- Air Conditioning and Heating Vents: There are several tools to help clean the vents. Here is a detailing brush set that I use, including the vent tool. I have seen a few 5-Minute Hacks on Facebook, where someone has sliced a thick sponge in sections to fit into each vent slot to clean them. Surprisingly, it worked well, but I don’t think it would be cheaper than buying the vent tools.
- Inside of the Windshield: I don’t understand how a windshield gets missed. Although, cleaning today’s automobile windshields is much tougher because of the vehicle’s tight design features. Even with some of the specialized tools available, the area around the hump in the dashboard over the instrument cluster is a tight spot to clean and clean well.
- Accelerator, Brake, Clutch, & E-Brake Pedals (when applicable): Surprisingly, the pedals get missed much of the time. However, they are effortless to clean. I use my small Car Interior Detailing Brush Set from the Chemical Guys with Innerclean Interior Quick Car Detailer.
- When slightly rolled up, the upper portion of the windows is concealed in the window welt or weatherstrip. The dirt and grime are noticeable when you roll down the windows. It makes the car look unfinished and says a lot about attention to detail. I use my microfiber towel, roll the windows down to expose this area, and pinch the window to clean it.
Expert Tips: Don’t Forget These Detailing Spots
- Vehicle Undercarriage: I would say that the vehicle’s undercarriage is probably one of the most neglected parts of most cars. Cars are designed to be lower to the ground for fuel efficiency, stability, and aerodynamics. This makes it difficult to get beneath the car to clean. One would almost have to put the vehicle in the air to detail the undercarriage fully.
- Rain Guard Deflectors and Hood Deflectors: Rain Guards are usually plastic guards covering the windows’ tops. They allow you to roll the windows down slightly while it’s raining so water doesn’t come into the car. Wipe them clean with your soft microfiber wash mitt during your high-touch wash process.
- Wiper Blades and Wiper Arms are other areas of a vehicle that get missed. One way to tell is by looking for the bug guts and the fading arms & blades. Wipe off the blades with your wash mitt and gently pinch the blades with some ammonia-free window cleaner on your towel after cleaning the windows. This will make your blades last longer and clean better in the rain.
- Door Jams and Trunk or Hatchback Jams: Unless you get your vehicle professionally detailed, this is an area that the average owner will overlook. This is an easy spot to clean while drying the vehicle as long as you have washed them and continue to do so in your maintenance washes.
- Behind and Inside the Fuel Door: This is where my small detailing brush set comes in handy. Be careful not to place too much outward pressure when cleaning the fuel door, as you do not want to bend it.
Don’t Forget These Spots, Either…
- Wheel Wells and Wheel Liners: Clean the inner wheel wells or wheel liners while cleaning the tires & wheels. I use my Chemical Guys Rimpaca Ultimate Wheel Brush Set, especially with the area often being tight and hard to reach.
- Emblems and Manufacturer’s Badging (Branding): Be sure to use your small detailing brush set for cleaning around and inside of the vehicle branding & emblems.
- All Grilles Plastic Molded, Including Decorative: Clean all the decorative grilles crevices and creases with your fine detailing brush set.
- Tire Dressing the Full Outer Perimeter of the Tires: When detailing a car, most people forget to get the dressing on the bottom of the outer wall of the tire. I care for this problem by rolling the car forward to ensure I have evenly covered the tire’s outer sidewall with tire dressing.
- Exhaust and Tips: Be careful while cleaning the exhaust and tips. They will be sharp and can cut you. They make special tools for cleaning the inside of the exhaust. One tool is the Chemical Guys Ball Buster Speed Polishing Drill Attachment.
In conclusion…
There you have it, my fellow automobile aficionados! The secrets of often ignored areas in car detailing have been revealed. Now it is time for you to put your newfound knowledge to the test and elevate your detailing game to new heights. Don’t let these hidden spots go unnoticed any longer! Below is a list recapping 15 Overlooked Spots in Car Detailing.
15 Overlooked or Forgotten Spots in Car Detailing.
| Fifteen | Overlooked or Forgotten | Detailing Spots |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sun Visor Vanity Mirrors | 6. Vehicle Undercarriage | 11. Exhaust & Tips |
| 2. A/C & Heat Vents | 7. Wiper Blades & Arms | 12. Wheel Wells & Liners |
| 3. Inside Windshield | 8. Emblems & Badging | 13. Door & Trunk Jams |
| 4. Accelerator, Brake Clutch, & E-Brake Pedals | 9. Upper Portion of Rolled Up Windows | 14. Rain Guard Deflectors & Hood Deflectors |
| 5. Behind & Inside the Fuel Door | 10. Grilles Plastic Molded, Including Decorative | 15. Tire Dressing the Full Outer Perimeter of the Tires |
I am still going. I want to hear from you. Have you tried these tips? Did you discover any other often-ignored areas that deserve attention? Share your experiences, thoughts, and questions in the comments section below. Let’s engage in a discussion and learn from each other’s insights.
Remember, sharing is caring! If you found this post, Discover Hidden Gems: 15 Overlooked Spots in Car Detailing, valuable, don’t keep it to yourself. Spread the word among your fellow car enthusiasts, family, and friends. Click those social media buttons and tell the world about the secrets of mastering car detailing. Together, we can build a community of passionate individuals striving for automotive perfection.
Before we part ways, I want to extend my gratitude for being a part of the Detail Your Rides community. Your support and feedback are invaluable to me. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any suggestions for future topics or specific areas you want me to cover. I’m here to serve you and provide content that meets your needs. Stay tuned for more informative and entertaining posts from me.
Until next time, keep those rides shining, and remember, the devil is in the details!
I enjoyed this article! I have always struggled with cleaning some of those spots and these tools make it much easier. My favorite is actually the detailing brush set, so useful, not just in the car but around the house too!
Thank you for providing these great tips, they make a big difference.
Thank you, Kelly. I am glad you enjoyed the post. Yes, those detailing brushes came in handy for cleaning the windows in the house as well.