What Order Should You Detail a Car In? (Pro Answer)
If you’ve ever asked yourself “Do I clean the wheels before the paint?” or “Should I polish before or after interior work?”—you’re not alone. Detailing your car in the right order makes a huge difference in your final results and prevents rework or swirl marks.
Here’s the correct order to follow for a full detail—whether you’re doing a weekend wash or a full correction and ceramic protection job.
✅ Step-by-Step Detailing Order
1. Clean the Wheels and Tires First
Always start with the dirtiest areas—your wheels. Brake dust and grime can sling onto clean paint if you wash them later.
- ✅ The Super Soaper for pre-soaking
- ✅ Detail brush + tire brush
2. Pre-Rinse and Foam the Paint
Pre-rinse the vehicle to remove loose dirt. Then foam the entire car using a foam cannon or pump sprayer. Let it dwell to break down contaminants.
3. Hand Wash Using Microfiber
Wash top-to-bottom using straight-line motions. Use a clean mitt or towel and rinse often to avoid swirls.
4. Decontaminate the Paint (Clay)
Clay the paint to remove embedded contamination before applying polish or protection. This ensures a smooth finish and better product bonding.
5. Polish the Paint (Optional)
If your paint has swirls, hazing, or light oxidation, polish now. Use a one-step product if you're not doing full correction.
- ✅ Picture Perfect Polish (coming soon)
6. Protect the Paint
Apply your choice of protection. Use a spray like Tough As Shell for ease or go with Gloss Boss for long-term ceramic defense.
7. Clean the Interior
Now that the outside is protected, move to the inside. Start from the top down—dash, vents, screens, seats, mats, then glass.
8. Dress Tires and Exterior Trim
Finish the look by restoring deep black to tires and faded trim. Do this last so it doesn’t get rinsed off during the wash.
Pro Tips for Perfect Flow
- ✔️ Work top-to-bottom, inside-to-outside
- ✔️ Always dry paint before moving on to protection
- ✔️ Use clean towels for each stage (wash, polish, protect, interior)
Want the Full Routine?
We built an entire post with every step and product you need. Check it out:
Customer Testimonial
"I never knew the order mattered this much. Now that I follow this sequence, I get way better results—and save time fixing things I used to mess up." – Verified Buyer
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FAQ: Detailing Order Questions
Should I clean the interior or exterior first?
Exterior first. It’s messier and protects the paint before you touch the interior surfaces.
What if I only have time for a quick detail?
Wash, dry, and protect. You can skip polishing if your paint is in good shape and just needs protection.
Do I need to clay every time?
No—only when the paint feels rough or you plan to polish or apply protection.
Final Thoughts
Detailing your car in the right order is one of the simplest ways to upgrade your results. Follow this sequence, use high-quality tools, and let Jimbo’s Detailing take care of the rest.
