Fully detail the exterior & interior of a Yaris

[Capagotks]

DISCLAIMER: The following is provided as a guide only and neither myself or www.yarisworld.com take any responsibility for any damage or harm done to you, your vehicle or anything else.

Aim: To fully detail the exterior and interior of a Toyota Yaris.

Time Taken: 4 + hours

Equipment required:
High pressure hose
Washing liquid
Bucket
Washing mitt
Chamois
Clay bar
Quick detailer
Scratch X
Wax
Polishing towels (At least 2-3)
Brush
Spay bottle
Watering can
Washing liquid
Dash care liquid etc
Leather care
Vacuum cleaner

Think that’s everything…

Ok, first up, I took the car to the local car wash. I didn’t use any chemicals there just a high pressure water wash. This was to remove any outstanding surface contaminates and make the following steps easy. It cost me AUD $2 for 2 minutes, 50 seconds.

I then drove home and washed the car with warm, soapy water, Meguiar’s wash, and a micro fibre wash mitt. Start at the roof and work your way down. Wash one panel at a time and rinse immediately with the watering can. This is to prevent streaks or wash mix drying.



Allow the car to dry a bit and then chamois.



It is better to pull the chamois lightly over the surface. This reduces the chance of scratching.

After this, the next step is to remove surface contaminates using the Meguiar’s clay detailing system.



For the purposes of claying, I mixed some of the quick detailer in with water. Break off a small bit of clay. You don’t need the whole bar, and if you drop it you only need to throw out a small bit.

Spray some quick detailer onto one panel and rub with the clay, making sure there is always enough lubricant (the quick detailer) Do this over the whole car. After you have done each section, rinse with the water can to prevent the left over residue from drying. Allow to dry or dry off with a chamois.



Next up is the wheels. Make sure the brush you use won’t scratch the wheels. Mix some washing liquid into the spray bottle and fill with water. Spray the rims with this solution and scrub with the brush. Rinse with water from the watering can. Be careful not to spray this onto disc brakes etc.

Next up the interior. I started off with the windows, using a window cleaning solution. NOTE: don’t use this window cleaner if you have tinted windows.



After this is a wipe down of all interior plastics, using a damp cloth and a dash protectant. Be careful not to spray this into any electronics, and particularly under the seat, as it may cause the side or curtain shield airbags to malfunction.



After this step, I then vacuumed the interior of the vehicle.

Next I sprayed a scent into the cabin. (Note spray this into the cabin, not onto any particular surface.



I also like to hold a packet of minty chewing gum up to the air outlet, and then turn the aircon on high for a few minutes…it gives of a really nice smell.

Finally, I treated leather surfaces with a leather conditioner.



CAUTION: this does make some surfaces (e.g.) the steering wheel a little slippery for a while. Appropriate caution must be exercised.

Then I applied the scratchX, then after its dry, wipe it off.

Finally is the application of a wax. There is no point cleaning, claying and removing swirls if you don’t apply a wax to protect what you have done.



Again do one section at a time, allowing the wax to dry and then polish off.



Oh and last step is the application of a tyre shine to the tyres.

Finally, after a whole afternoon the Yaris has been detailed. If you can do these extra steps every couple of months on top of regular washing and vacuuming etc then over time you should still have a very nice paintwork and interior.

Now get out there and start detailing!

Any questions? Just ask!