20 Impressive Before and After Car Detailing Photos

Car Headlights – Before

Car headlights aren’t supposed to look cloudy like this, but headlight cloudiness can occur over time because of ultraviolet rays from the sun. It can even happen to cars that aren’t that old.

“Foggy or yellowed headlights, or what is known in the industry as oxidation, can greatly reduce light output and visibility, making nighttime driving more dangerous,” says Joey Sanchez of Chemical Guys. “Also, if left untreated, the lens can crack or flake, costing you thousands of dollars in repairs.”

Thankfully, it is something that a little car detailing can fix if the damage is on the outside of the lens. You’ll likely have to replace the entire light if the problem is caused by moisture intrusion on the inside.

Car Headlights – After

Cloudy car headlights can be easily remedied with some car detailing supplies. An auto shop will take a buffing power tool to it and restore it with some plastic polish. They will then top it off with a sealer that protects against ultraviolet light.

Tires and Rims – Before

The tires and rims on your car are a big part of its overall appearance. When the tires and rims look nice, your car looks nice. But tires and rims become grimy and dull-looking over time and that can make your car look old and dingy. You can make your tires look brand new with some careful car detailing.

Tires and Rims – After

Keeping your wheels in good shape prevents them from rusting and becoming damaged. Taking care of your tires and rims will save you lots of money in the long run. First, you’ll want to give them a thorough cleaning with a soft-bristled brush, soap, and water.

Apply a cleaner that is appropriate for the type of wheels you have, whether they are chrome, painted or anodized. You’ll probably want to use a cleaner that works on both tires and rims to save time and money. Rinse clean, then dry so they look beautiful again, like the wheel shown here.

Seats – Before

Many of us say that we aren’t going to allow eating or drinking in our car when we first get it. But, who are we kidding? That never happens, so spills and seat messes are inevitable. Car detailing before and after photos often show how seats can be cleaned to look as if they were never dirty in the first place. This seat mess looks like it could be a spilled cup of coffee or cola.

Seats – After

It’s essential to keep your car seats clean. Sitting on them can embed dirt and grime in the fabric, making it harder to clean over time. Investing in machine-washable seat covers is a great fix.

If you’re cleaning your seats on your own, the first step involves vacuuming up any loose debris. You’ll also want to invest in a good car upholstery cleaner and a soft-bristle brush. It’s best to test the product on a small spot in your car before following the directions to clean the entire upholstered area. Your seat will look brand new when you’re done.

Carpets and Flooring – Before

Between food spills and dirty footwear, the carpets and flooring of our cars can get filthy fast. Over time, our car floors become covered with crumbs and stains. A little car detailing can do your car’s carpets and flooring a world of good by erasing the mess you made.

Carpets and Flooring – After

To get your car’s flooring nice and clean, follow these car detailing basics: Remove any car mats and thoroughly vacuum the entire area. Next, use a car upholstery cleaner to get rid of any stains. Let everything dry completely before putting your mats back.

Crevices – Before

One of the reasons people pay for car detailing is to clean out those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. You know that crevice your phone falls into, and you can’t reach it until you pull over and pull your seat all the way back. This is where crumbs, dropped candy, and all sorts of other junk end up. These hard-to-reach areas need some extra detailing love. This car needs some major help.

Crevices – After

Here’s a car crevice that got a lot of detailing love. First, pick up all the bulky items, such as straws, pens, pieces of candy, and paper clips. Then, this area needs a thorough vacuuming. It’s also a good idea to wipe the area down with a good car vinyl and plastic cleaner.

Melted Crayons – Before

Letting the kids color in the car seems like a good idea when you’re on a long car ride. And it is, until those crayons get left behind in the car on a hot day. The result is a colorful, waxy mess that’s stuck to your car’s interior. You’ll need to know some good car detailing tips to remedy a situation like this one.

Melted Crayons – After

Here’s the car detailing trick you need to know for removing melted crayon from a hard surface inside your car. Place an ice cube over the area so it hardens the melted crayon as much as possible. Then, use a spoon or a scraper to remove the wax. Wipe up all of the wax and use a Magic Eraser to scrub away any remaining residue. You can also scrub this away with Dawn dish detergent, water and a sponge.

If your crayon is stuck to car upholstery, Auto Detail Doctor recommends scraping excess crayon, then covering the remaining stain with a microfiber towel. Use a vapor steamer to steam over the top of the towel. The towel should suck up the rest of the crayon wax.

Muddy Interior – Before

Here we have a drastic example of a car detailing before and after situation. This is what happens when you enter a car with muddy boots. It can create a significant mess!

Muddy Interior – After

This car detailing solution is fairly simple. Remove mats and lay them outside. “Let everything dry completely, as trying to wipe the mud just spreads it,” says Koukia.

Once dry, vacuum up as much of the dirt as possible. Use a stiff-bristled brush to loosen dirt from fabric and car fibers, then apply an interior-safe cleaner that’s designed for upholstery or carpet. Blot, do not scrub, with a microfiber towel.

Finish with extraction. A vacuum will work, but if you have access to a carpet extractor or steam cleaner, it will better help lift out the remaining grime and restore a clean finish, says Koukia.

For hard surfaces like plastic, vinyl or rubber, Sanchez recommends an all all-purpose cleaner. “This can be sprayed directly onto the surface and wiped clean with a microfiber towel, or paired with a cleaning brush for maximum cleaning power,” he says.

Large Interior Spills – Before

We often toss things in our trunks or back seats without thinking twice, especially in SUVs that have that handy space in the back. But that’s not always a good idea. Sometimes, the result is a giant mess, like this one, that requires a major cleanup job.

Large Interior Spills – After

Car detailing upholstery cleaning can cost $75 or more. Footing that bill might be worth it if it’s a major or difficult spill, like oil. Otherwise, try soaking up the spill as best you can. Users on TeamCamaros.net suggested using a towel first, then cat litter. After you vacuum that up, you might want to think about using a steam cleaner and some laundry detergent.

Car Engine – Before

While most of us think to clean the exterior and interior of our car, we often neglect what’s under the hood when we think about car detailing. This car appears to have driven through a heavy dust cloud or taken a joy ride in the desert. Cleaning the engine bay is crucial to your car’s longevity.

Car Engine – After

A dirty engine bay can lead to wear and tear on the pulleys and bearings, and can hide serious issues like gasket leaks. Keeping the area under your hood clean can keep your car cooler, make it run more efficiently and for longer, as well as uphold its resale value. It might be the most important car detailing job that you do.

Car Mats – Before

Car detailing professionals know that car mats can be one of the dirtiest things in your car. We step on them and track mud, dirt, and other gross things all over them. They can quickly become stained and discolored, just like this one.

Car Mats – After

You can purchase some inexpensive car detailing supplies to get this job done. First, you’ll want to grab some car upholstery cleaner. You can also get professional car detailing tools like the PowerBrush Kit, which is a four-piece drill brush set that cleans your upholstery, interior, tires, rims and more.

FAQ

How often should I detail my car?

Ideally, you should do a full car detail every four to six months, or more frequently depending on your driving habits, environment and whether your car is garage-kept or exposed to harsh elements. “However, maintenance detailing like quick interior wipes, vacuuming the interior and paint protection, like spray sealants or quick waxes, can be done monthly or according to your driving conditions,” says Koukia.

Is waxing still necessary with modern car finishes?

Yes. Even for ceramic coatings, while wax isn’t essential, it still helps maintain a shine between washes. And if you don’t have a ceramic coating, waxing it is essential for protecting your vehicle. “While modern finishes are known to be more durable, they still need protection from UV rays, road salts, acid rain and other contaminants,” says Koukia. “Wax provides an extra layer that helps maintain glass, repel water, and prevent oxidation.”

About the Experts

• Joey Sanchez is an associate manager at the Chemical Guys online auto detailing supply retailer, and gives expert advice and hands-on tutorials through the brand’s popular social media channels and viral videos.
• Parham Koukia is the lead detailer and operations manager at Panda Hub in Toronto. He has spent more than a decade mastering the art of car detailing, after turning his passion for automobiles into his profession.