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5 Easy to Miss Places That All Amateur Detailers Forget to Clean

Let’s admit it, most of us see ourselves as car enthusiasts, thinking we’ve got the whole cleaning routine down to a science. We scrub, buff, and vacuum with the confidence of seasoned experts. However, certain sneaky corners of our cars often get missed or simply slip our minds.

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Detailed view of five areas amateur detailers commonly overlook during their cleaning endeavors.

These hidden spots, right under our noses, somehow manage to escape our eyes, providing the perfect hideouts for dust and grime. Let’s explore five of these often-overlooked areas that even the most dedicated amateur detailers tend to forget.

Spot # 1: Wiper cowls

Professional detailer paying close attention to forgotten wiper cowls during a car cleaning session.

A wiper cowl, also known as a wiper cowling or windshield cowl, is the plastic or rubber cover placed at the base of a windshield on the vehicle’s exterior. It sits between the windshield and the vehicle’s hood, protecting the wiper linkage, motor, and other critical components from debris, water, and harsh elements.

Dirt, twigs, leaves, and other sticks often build up in wiper cowls without being cleaned. When washing your car, make sure to hose down the wiper cowl area and check to see if you can dislodge any debris. After washing, you can do a visual inspection and get rid of any remaining trash by hand.

Spot # 2: Crevices in between roof and window rubber moldings

A car is pictured with its doors open, focusing on the crevices between the roof and the window rubber moldings.

You would be surprised by the amount of dirt and grime that gets trapped inside the rubber moldings. These might get clogged up and cause water and moisture to accumulate, which may lead to contaminant build-up.

The next time you wash your car, make sure to hose down these areas. If you have a pressure washer, you can focus the jet of water on rubber trim edges to make quick work of the debris.

Spot # 3: Door Jambs

Look at often overlooked nooks and crannies within the car's door jambs, notorious for being neglected during routine automotive service.

In cars, a door jamb is the point where the door connects to the body of the vehicle. Dirt, salt, and moisture can pile up in door jambs, especially in places with brutal weather conditions. Over time, these contaminants can cause corrosion and rust, leading to expensive repairs.

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You can spray the area with an All Purpose Cleaner and gently brush until the contaminants loosen up, then wipe it off with a clean microfiber towel. It would also be a good idea to dry down your car’s door jambs once you’ve finished washing them. 

Spot # 4: Inner Barrel of Wheels

Zoom in on the meticulous cleansing of a car's inner wheel chambers, where precision meets purification.

Most people spend their time just scrubbing the front portion of their wheels and forget to clean the inner barrels. Brake dust, grime, and other gunk will just continue to collect on the surface until they become stiff and won’t come off.

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You can use a Wheel Woolie, a type of wheel brush that has a long/flexible handle and elongated head of super soft, densely packed fibers. They vary in size and length, but all types are designed to easily maneuver in between the spokes of wheels and hard-to-reach areas like the inner barrel.

Just spray some wheel cleaner or all-purpose cleaner on the wheel, then start scrubbing away and rinse off with water afterwards. 

A powerful infographic packed with helpful tips for wheel cleaning.

Spot # 5: Wheel Wells and Wheel Well Liners

An ardent detailer is hard at work, ensuring that even the most concealed parts of their white car gleam with perfection.

Wheel wells are usually made up of plastic or metal. Some are often painted with the same color as the vehicle, and some are just painted black. In most cars, there is an additional cover on top of the Wheel Well, which is called the Wheel Well Liner. It is usually made from plastic, hard fabric, or rubber.

Mud, dirt, pebbles, and a lot of other debris can get stuck and accumulate gradually. Cleaning the wheel wells not only reduces rust formation and further potential damage, it also helps in the overall aesthetics of the vehicle.  Use a wash mitt and some shampoo or all-purpose cleaner, scrub the whole area, then rinse it off with water.

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Redline Shine is a 7H hardness polysiloxane ceramic coating that protects your vehicle from grime, contaminants & chemicals. You’ll get up to 2 years of protection even in the harshest conditions.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to flawless car detailing, it’s easy to miss hidden pockets of dirt and grime. We’ve all been there – confident in our cleaning skills, only to later discover overlooked spots. But don’t worry, armed with this knowledge, you’re ready to take your detailing game up a notch.

Including these neglected areas in your routine might seem minor, yet they set your car apart, showcasing your dedication. Regularly addressing these spots improves your car’s look and prevents corrosion, so it lasts longer.

Next time you detail, keep these points in mind. Target the corners that often escape notice. Your commitment to tackling concealed areas will make your car stand out from all angles.

In detailing, there is no end to perfection, and your devotion to mastering every aspect will shine through in your spotless car. Have fun detailing!

  • Published on Sep 26, 2023