Your car is one of your biggest investments. Taking good care of it throughout the year not only keeps it looking great, but also helps it hold its value for much longer.
Whether you want to keep your new car shiny or make an older car look better, knowing the basics of car care can save you money and keep your vehicle in top shape!
3 Easy DIY Car Care Tips to Follow
To start, you’ll want to make a realistic routine you can keep up with. Plan to spend money on professional services as prevention, not just when something goes wrong.
In addition, we recommend figuring out what you like doing yourself and what you’d rather have the professionals handle instead.
1. Washing Your Car the Right Way
The most important thing you can do for your car is wash it regularly. In Wisconsin, where we deal with road salt and harsh winters, you should wash your car every two weeks during the cold months. The salt from our roads can eventually cause rust to develop if you don’t take the time wash it off.
If you aren’t using a professional carwash, you can perform a DIY cleaning. Here are some steps to washing your car properly:
- First, rinse off all the loose dirt.
- Use two buckets – one with soapy water and one with clean water to rinse your wash mitt. Start at the top and work your way down. Always use a real, quality car soap, not dish soap, which can remove the protective wax on your car.
- Dry your car right away with a clean microfiber towel so you don’t get water spots.
Buying good tools and products can make DIY jobs so much easier. Find out more about our tips for proper car washing by calling us at (920) 750-9275.
Next, let’s talk about the inside of your car.
2. Taking Care of the Inside
Your car’s interior gets beat up by Wisconsin’s intense weather with hot, humid summers and freezing winters. Taking care of your car regularly will keep it comfortable and help maintain its overall value.
If you aren’t already, you should periodically vacuum your seats, carpets, and floor mats really well. Wipe down all the surfaces with the right cleaners.
Also, use a quality leather conditioner on leather seats and plastic cleaner on your dashboard. We suggest cleaning your leather seats once a month so they don’t crack.
Lastly, you should also apply UV protectant on plastic parts to stop them from fading and cracking in the sun.
3. Protecting Your Car’s Paint
Your car’s paint has to deal with a lot in the Fox Cities area. Road salt in the winter, hot sun in the summer, and sometimes even hail can all damage your paint and really take a toll on your car’s exterior surface.
We suggest that you should put a good wax or paint sealant on your car every three to four months. For longer protection, think about ceramic coatings. Fix scratches and chips right away so they don’t turn into rust.
Additionally, try to park in the shade when you can. Use a clay bar every three months to get rid of dirt that regular washing can’t remove.
Car Care Tips For Each Season
Different seasons in Wisconsin call for different types of care. Here’s what to focus on each season:
Spring
- Wash the surface of the car well to remove any residual salt accumulated from the winter months
- Clean the underside of your car to remove road salt
- Deep clean the interior (vacuum and wipe down all surfaces)
Summer
- Protect interior surfaces from UV rays
- Apply paint protection for hot weather (may need to contact a professional auto body shop)
- Cover your car during summer storms whenever possible to prevent wind or hail damage
Fall
- Waterproof interior surfaces
- Make sure headlights are clean for upcoming shorter days
Winter
- Wash underneath your car regularly to remove salt
- Protect interior from wet and muddy conditions
- Wash your car often to remove salt (every two weeks or so)
When You May Need Professional Help
Deep Interior Cleaning
Some interior problems are too tough for regular cleaning products. Wisconsin’s weather creates special challenges, like mud and salt in winter and humidity problems in summer.
Professional car detailing services can steam clean deep stains and smells, fix torn or cracked leather, clean or replace your headliner, restore carpets, and get rid of stubborn odors with special equipment. These jobs need professional tools that most people don’t have.
How Professionals Can Save You Time & Money
Getting professional help at the right times can actually save you money by preventing bigger problems later. Many car owners don’t realize that waiting too long can cost thousands more in repairs.
Having your paint professionally corrected once a year keeps your car’s value better than letting damage build up. For example, professional ceramic coating lasts much longer than DIY products.
Also, having your engine bay cleaned prevents rust and makes it easier to spot problems.
In addition, professional fabric protection makes your interior last longer, which is especially important with Wisconsin’s wet springs and snowy winters.
Professional Car Detailing Services in the Fox Cities
Geerts Mobile Detailing brings professional-grade equipment and expertise right to your location. We understand the unique challenges that Wisconsin weather creates for vehicle owners, from road salt damage to extreme temperature changes.
Our mobile service means you don’t have to drive anywhere or wait around at a shop! We come to your home or workplace with everything needed to make your car look its absolute best!
Whether you need car paint correction, ceramic coating, interior restoration, or regular maintenance detailing, we have the experience and tools to get the job done right!
Contact Geerts Mobile Detailing Today!
Good car care isn’t a one-time thing – it’s an ongoing process. By keeping up with basic maintenance and getting professional help when you need it, you’ll keep your car looking great and protect your investment for years to come! Ready to give your car the professional care it deserves? Call us at (920) 750-9275 to schedule your appointment and see why Fox Cities residents trust us for all their car care needs. We handle interior, exterior, and full detail projects alike.
Our team proudly serves Appleton, Fox Crossing, Grand Chute, Harrison, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Menasha, and Neenah. If you’re in the local Fox Valley area, please give our team a call and we’ll be happy to discuss your car detailing project!