- 1.
- Only drive and park where it is permitted and always stay on provided roads and paths. See owner's manual for important information regarding off pavement use.
DIY at-home vehicle detailing
August 2025
That dash didn’t shine itself — someone’s clearly in a committed relationship with their Volkswagen. That subtle gleam? That’s care. That’s pride. That’s respect for your driving space. Because driving a VW is about more than getting from A to B. It’s about enjoying the ride and keeping your car looking as good as it drives. And the best part? There’s no need for monthly detailing. With a few smart habits and a little time, you’ll keep your car in top form — ready to turn heads and tackle the road ahead.
Below are some DIY pro tips and product picks from our Accessories website that can help you get the job done. And if you’re looking for more information about cleaning and caring for your vehicle, just look for the Vehicle Care section in your Owner’s Manual.
EXTERIOR CARE
- Start with the right towels: Skip the bath towels and paper towels — they can be too rough for your paint. Microfiber mitts and waffle weave drying towels are specifically designed for car care and can help protect your VW’s finish and prevent swirl marks.
- Choose a car-safe shampoo: Dish soap is a no-go. Use a gentle, vehicle-specific shampoo like TechCare® Gentle Car Shampoo to clean without stripping protective coatings and reduce the neeed to apply wax after every wash.
- Use the two-bucket method: One bucket for soapy water, one for rinsing your mitt or soft sponge. This keeps dirt from re-circulating and scratching your clear coat.
- Wash from the top down: Gravity’s your friend. Start with the roof and work your way down to the wheels — it keeps dirt from spreading across clean surfaces.
- Don’t wash in direct sunlight: Heat can cause soap and water to dry too fast, leaving spots and damaging the clear coat. Aim for a shaded spot or wash during cooler parts of the day.
- Clean exterior cameras and sensors: Gently wipe down your vehicle’s cameras and sensors with a soft, damp microfiber cloth. Keeping them clean helps ensure optimal performance of your driver assistance systems.
- Clean your wheels with care: Use an acid-free cleaner, like this TechCare® Wheel Cleaner and soft brush to remove brake dust without damaging your rims.
- Dry with care: It’s recommended to let your vehicle air dry after handwashing. But if you’d like to limit the appearance of water spots, consider drying with a soft microfiber towel or chamois like the WeatherTech® Soaker Drying Towel for a spotless finish.
- Leave buffing and paint correction to the pros: Using a machine to polish your car, if used incorrectly, could scratch or chip off some of the paint. It could even cause paint discoloration. So, it’s best to consult your local VW dealer before attempting.
- Wash regularly: Aim for every other week — more often if you drive in harsh conditions. Regular care keeps your VW looking showroom fresh.
KEEPING YOUR INTERIOR IN TIP-TOP SHAPE:
Interiors are often overlooked when it comes to detailing but should still be regularly maintained. Many people regularly clean their homes by vacuuming, dusting, mopping, wiping down surfaces and cleaning towels and sheets. The same should be done with a car interior. Dust and debris collect in a vehicle just like it does in your home.
INTERIOR CARE
- Remove and clean your floor mats:Take them out and shake off any debris. And if your mats really need some TLC, scrub them with a dedicated cleaner like the TechCare® FloorLiner and FloorMat Cleaner.
- Vacuum before wiping: Clear out crumbs and dust first - it makes surface cleaning more effective.
- A microfiber towel and water go a long way: For quick interior touch-ups, use a microfiber cloth and lightly dampen it with water. Wipe down high-touch areas like the steering wheel, door handles, shifter, and seat belts.
- Skip the household cleaners: Because household cleaners can damage leather and trim, it’s best to use solutions that are formulated for vehicle interiors. For dashboards and trims, look for gentle products, like TechCare® Interior Detailer, that won't leave a greasy finish or swirl marks.
- Condition leather seats: Keep leather soft and smooth by using a conditioner, like the TechCare® Leather Conditioner with Aloe Vera, which nourishes without leaving residue.
- Clean display and capacitive touch surfaces with care: Infotainment and digital display screens, as well as capacitive touch surfaces, need gentle treatment. Use a soft microfiber cleaning cloth, slightly dampened with water or a tech-safe glass cleaner. Be sure to turn off the infotainment screen before cleaning, never spray directly onto the screen or capacitive surface, and avoid ammonia or alcohol-based cleaners.
