How to Detail Your Interior Like a Pro (Mar 2026)

Chuck all the rubbish out. Check the door pockets, under the seats, and that weird little cubby hole you forgot existed. If you find a servo pie wrapper from three months ago, don't say I didn't warn you about the smell.

Take them out and give them a good shake. If they're rubber, hit them with the hose and some APC. If they're carpet, we'll deal with them separately. Leaving them in while you clean the rest just keeps the dust circulating.

If you're working in a garage, open everything up. You want airflow, especially when you start using cleaning chemicals. Plus, it's easier to reach those awkward spots between the seat and the B-pillar.

Start from the top and work down. Use a soft brush to agitate dust out of the vents and crevices while holding the vacuum nozzle nearby. This stops the dust just landing somewhere else. I once had a customer bring in a LandCruiser after a Simpson Desert trip; I spent two hours just on this step alone. If you don't get the dry dirt out now, it'll turn into mud when you add liquid later.

Use your stiff brush to flick the carpet fibres. You'll see more sand come to the surface. Vacuum again. Repeat until you stop hearing that 'click-click' sound of sand hitting the vacuum tube.

Be bloody careful here. Aussie heat kills headliner glue. Use a dry microfibre first. If there's a stain, lightly spray the cloth (not the ceiling!) with APC and dab gently. Never soak it, or it'll sag by next week.

Spray your APC onto a microfibre towel and wipe down. For stubborn grime in the grain of the plastic, use a soft detailing brush in circular motions. Honestly, don't waste your money on those 'shiny' silicone sprays from the servo, they just attract more dust and look cheap.

This is where the pros stand out. Wipe down the painted parts of the door jams. Use your APC and an old brush for the hinges if they're greasy. It makes a huge difference when you open the door.

If you have leather, use a dedicated cleaner. Apply to a brush, work up a light lather, and wipe away with a clean, damp cloth. You'll be shocked at how much 'shine' is actually just body oil and sweat. Real leather should have a matte finish.

Think about how many times you touch this. It's usually the filthiest part of the car. Use APC and a microfibre. If it's leather, be gentle. I've seen blokes scrub the dye right off a steering wheel by being too aggressive.

This is where the magic eraser comes in handy for those dried coffee rings. Just be careful around any piano black trim as it scratches if you even look at it funny.

Use two cloths. One to apply the cleaner and scrub, the other (a waffle weave if you have it) to buff dry. Do the inside of the windscreen last. It's a pain in the arse, but clear glass is a safety thing, simple as that.

Now that it's clean, you have to protect it. Wipe your UV protectant over all vinyl and plastic surfaces. Let it sit for a minute, then buff it with a dry cloth so it isn't greasy. This is what stops the 'Aussie Crack' on your dash.