As the leaves start to fall and the days get shorter, your car faces new challenges: fluctuating temperatures, increased rainfall, and the looming threat of road salt once winter arrives. Taking the time to properly detail and protect your vehicle in the fall can save you headaches—and costly repairs—later.
Here’s a step-by-step fall detailing prep guide with specific product recommendations to help you get ahead of the cold weather.
1. Deep Clean the Exterior
Fall debris like sap, pollen, and road grime can embed themselves in your paint if left untreated. Before applying protection, you’ll want a spotless surface.
Recommended Products:
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A Good All purpose Cleaner like Citra-Kleen – A powerful degreaser that cuts through heavy dirt, bug splatter, and road film.
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A solid wheel cleaner like Wheel-Eze (Non-Acid Wheel Cleaner) or P&S Brake Buster– Safely removes brake dust and grime without damaging wheel finishes also safe on sidewalls.
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A ph balanced Shampoo like Koch-Chemie Gentle Snow Foam – A pH-neutral foam pre-wash that loosens dirt and makes hand washing safer.
2. Decontaminate the Paint
Fall prep is the best time to strip away invisible contaminants like iron particles and leftover summer road tar. This step ensures that protective layers that you apply bond properly.
Recommended Products:
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Iron-Pro or Koch-Chemie Reactive Rust Remover– Fast acting iron removers that dissolves embedded metal particles embedded in the painted surfaces and wheels.
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3D Clay Lube + Clay Bar/Mitt – Provides smooth manual decontamination that removes what chemical decontamination leaves behind without marring the paint.
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Tar Remover– Ideal for removing road tar, sap, and adhesive residues before protection.
3. Protect the Paint
Once clean, it’s time to shield your paint against the elements. Ceramic-infused sprays and coatings provide hydrophobic protection, making it harder for dirt, water, and salt to stick.
Recommended Products:
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Bead-Pro – A polymer spray sealant that provides instant hydrophobic protection. Simple and easy to use this is a great product for beginners.
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GYEON CanCoat EVO – A ceramic spray coating with up to 12 months of durability.
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Koch-Chemie Hydro Foam Sealant– Combines gloss enhancement with protection, great for fall maintenance.
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Gtechniq CSL – A premium ceramic coating that offers outstanding protection, water beading, and slickness for winter driving and long term protection.
4. Tires & Trim Protection
Cold weather dries out rubber and fades trim pieces. Adding a protective layer now keeps them looking rich and prevents cracking.
Recommended Products:
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Shine-EZE – Plastic dressing that provides UV protection with a clean OEM finish.
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Matte Mist – For restoring interior trim to a clean matte look with UV protection.
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TC Black Fusion – A VOC compliant dye that restores exterior plastic trims suffering from sun fade.
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GYEON Tyre – Tire Coating that provides a clean OEM look or a high gloss look with more applications that cures and bonds to the tire providing UV and chemical protection.
5. Interior Care
Fall means more dirt, leaves, and moisture tracked into your cabin. Protect fabrics and plastics now to make winter cleanup easier.
Recommended Products:
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Carpet Bomber (P&S) – A powerful cleaner for carpets and mats.
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Matte Mist – Leaves a non-greasy finish on dashboards, door panels, and vinyl.
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Koch-Chemie Pol Star – A gentle all-purpose cleaner safe for leather, fabric, and plastics.
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Gtechniq Smart Fabric – Adds a water-repellent coating to carpets and upholstery, preventing stains from fall mud and winter slush.
6. Glass & Visibility
With earlier sunsets and potential frost, clear glass is critical. Repelling water makes driving in rainy fall weather much safer.
Recommended Products:
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GTECHNIQ Water Repellent Coating – Ensures rain beads off effortlessly.
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Glass-EZE – Powerful Glass Cleaning solution that ensures the glass is always spotless.
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GYEON Q² View – A professional-grade glass coating with up to 12 months of durability.
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Gtechniq G1 ClearVision Smart Glass – Long-lasting rain repellent coating that improves visibility in harsh weather.
Final Checklist
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Wash & decontaminate paint
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Apply paint protection (sealant, spray coating, or ceramic)
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Protect wheels, tires & trim
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Deep clean & protect interior
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Apply water repellent coating to glass
Detailing before winter isn’t just about appearance—it’s about protection and prevention. A few hours of prep this season will keep your car looking better, make winter cleanups faster, and protect against long-term damage caused by salt, grime, and moisture.