• Detailing your car helps it retain its showroom look.Car washing image by Evgeny Berdjansky from Fotolia.com
  
  When you detail your car, you are giving it a thorough and deep cleaning. There are tips and tricks to detailing that can help reduce interior wear and add exterior shine. Following tips for automobile detailing can help increase your car's value when it comes time to sell or trade.
  
  

Windows

• When you clean your windows, you should roll them down slightly, clean the outer edges, then the rest of the glass, according to Automotive Detailing. Clean the interior and exterior of the windows last, as you may kick up residue that could wind up on the windows while you are cleaning the rest of the car. Do not use the dashboard cleaner or protectant to clean the windows because they will leave a cloudy film.
  
  

Exterior

• Part of detailing is proper housing, according to Web Cars. Thus, always park in a garage to protect the finish from direct sunlight, animals walking on it and bird droppings. If you do not have a garage, use a car cover. After each wash, be sure to wax with a quality hard shell wax to maintain the finish.
  
  

Water Spots

• If you leave your car parked in direct sunlight, you may find water spots. A sprinkler hitting your car, or the sun coming out immediately after a rainstorm, will bake in water spots. Part of detailing is removing these spots, so use a liquid acid cleaner to do so, according to Auto Detail School. Be sure to get one specifically designed for a car finish. Do not get the liquid acid cleaner on exterior trim, rubber molding or tires, as it will leave streaks. Apply the liquid acid and then wash and dry your car as normal.
  
  

Interior

• Part of thoroughly cleaning your car is getting your interior clean. Remove the floor mats, shake them out to remove all debris and vacuum them before putting them back. Also, completely vacuum the interior, including under and between your seats. The dirt and small stones that can settle on your car rug and seats can begin to cut your interior, but a thorough vacuuming of rugs, seats and floor mats will remove this harmful debris.