Three Extra Cleaning Touches That Will Make Your Car's Appearance Stand Out

The first step in restoring the original look of your car's tires is to strip away as much gunk and debris as possible from the rubber. To do so, you should use a grease-cutting agent such as liquid dish washing soap or a degreasing agent; trisodium phosphate (TSP) is an excellent, easy-to-use compound that can be mixed with water and applied with a sponge. Once you have scrubbed the tires clean, rinse them thoroughly with a garden hose or pressure washer.

After you have removed the grime from the tires, the next step is to use a tire dressing compound. You can find these at automotive parts stores and in the car care department of many big-box retailers.

Tire dressing compounds are made from silicone or other chemicals, and they soak into the rubber of the tire to provide a beautiful, shiny black finish. Keep in mind that these compounds will need to be periodically reapplied as they fade over time, and be careful not to spill it on garage floors or other areas where it can create dangerous slippery spots.

However, you can restore faded black plastic trim by removing rubbed-in waxes and also restoring natural oils that provide a lustrous dark look. To do so, begin by cleaning off any wax with some of the same solutions used to clean your tires; essentially any grease cutting agent will strip the ingrained wax. Keep in mind you may need to use a plastic bristled brush to really penetrate into the grain when cleaning, so be patient as you work.

Once you have stripped the wax and other compounds, the next step is to heat the plastic with a heat gun to pull the oils from the plastic to the exterior. Be careful not to melt or warp the plastic, and test the heat gun in an area where you can't see it if you make a mistake.

Rub the trim with a clean rag as you heat it to help evenly distribute the oils. If heating the plastic doesn't seem to provide the results you seek, the plastic may be too dry to release any additional oils. If so, rub linseed oil onto the trim with a clean rag, and this will help restore the finish.

The good news for car owners is that there are a number of lens restoration kits available in stores and through online vendors. These kits usually include all you need, and the application of the polishing compounds is performed through the use of an electric drill. However, when using a lens restoration kit, it is critical that you follow the directions exactly and don't deviate; otherwise, you may worsen the lens appearance or even cause permanent damage.

If you aren't sure you can perform all these extra touches, be sure to contact your local auto collision repair professional for assistance. They may be able to do some of the procedures themselves, especially lens restorations, and they can also recommend reliable, safe places where you can get your vehicle cleaned and detailed by professionals.