This week, to conclude our Showroom Shine series, Suzanne Keane outlines some to those final finishing touches to really make your car gleam!
If you missed part 1 or 2 you can see them by clicking on the links below!
Showroom Shine Part 1 – Paint Preparation
Showroom Shine Part 2 – Polish & Wax
Showroom Shine – Part 3
The finishing touch
Black Plastics –
- If your plastics are in fairly good nick all they will need is a quick rub of dashboard cleaner/vinyl care – make sure not to get any on your paint and use a clean cloth and steady hand. Make sure to apply the product to the cloth and not directly onto the plastic.
- You can repeat this on any external unpainted plastics – i.e. on mudflaps, edges of lights, rubbing strips, window and door rubbers, aerials, wiper arms (not on the part that touches the glass) etc.
- If your “black” plastics are looking grey, they will need a little extra TLC – You can buy “Back-to-Black” products in loads of different brands and price ranges.
My favorite one is Autoglym Bumper Care. It looks like green gel, goes on easy, turns the plastic to a very dark grey (not black ) but lasts for ages. Make sure not to get any of this on your paintwork!!
- Regular treatment of window and door seals/rubbers (as above) will keep them in good condition for longer, however if they are cracked they may be past repair and you might want to look into replacing them to avoid leaks!
Tyres –
- You can use the same products (or buy specialist tyre treatments) to get your tyres looking like new! Once again, be careful not to get any on the wheels, and ONLY treat the sidewall of the tyre – never where it’s going to be in contact with the road!
I have a special tyre sponge – that’s shaped so you only need to run it around the edge of the tyre for a perfect finish.
Last few steps –
- Have a quick look around the car and make sure you haven’t missed any patches. Using some window cleaner and a clean cloth give your wiper blades a quick rub – where they touch the glass.
- Finally, take a few photos so that when it does rain again you can show off your hard work!
