As the year comes to a close, your car has probably seen it all — winter road salt, muddy shoes, food spills, long journeys, and weeks of quick washes instead of proper care. Before January arrives, there’s no better time to give your vehicle a full reset.
An end-of-year deep clean isn’t just about making your car look good — it prepares it for the harshest winter months ahead and makes ongoing maintenance far easier in the new year.
Here’s how to properly deep clean your car inside and out before turning the calendar.
Why an End-of-Year Deep Clean Matters?
Over time, contaminants build up in layers. Road salt embeds into paint, iron particles bond to clear coat, brake dust eats into wheels, and interiors trap moisture and bacteria. If left untreated, these problems don’t disappear — they worsen.
A thorough clean now prevents:
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Long-term paint damage
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Corrosion during winter
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Interior odours and wear
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Increased cleaning effort later
Think of this as pressing the reset button before January.
Step 1: Strip Away Built-Up Winter Grime
Start with a strong but safe pre-wash to remove months of traffic film and salt.
Valet-Pro Citrus Pre Wash breaks down grease and grime without stripping existing protection. Spray generously on lower panels, arches, bumpers, and rear areas, then rinse thoroughly.
This step is essential before touching the paint — winter grit is extremely abrasive.
Step 2: Contact Wash With Added Protection
After pre-washing, move on to a proper contact wash using Gyeon Q²M Bathe+ Shampoo. This ceramic-infused shampoo cleans while reinforcing hydrophobic protection, helping water and dirt sheet off more easily in future washes.
Because Bathe+ leaves behind a SiO₂ layer, it’s ideal for resetting your protection base before the new year.
Step 3: Decontaminate the Paintwork
Even after washing, your paint may still feel rough. This is caused by invisible iron fallout from brakes and roads.
Use Bilt Hamber Korrosol Iron Remover to dissolve embedded metal particles. As it reacts, it turns purple — showing you exactly where contamination was hiding. Rinse thoroughly once the reaction is complete.
This chemical process removes contamination safely without scrubbing, preventing scratches and restoring smoothness.
Step 4: Reapply Paint Protection
Once the surface is clean and decontaminated, it’s the perfect time to lock in protection.
For a quick and effective solution, apply Gyeon Q²M WetCoat. Spray it onto the wet car and rinse off immediately. It instantly adds gloss, slickness, and water repellency — ideal for cold conditions where traditional waxes are harder to apply.
If you want longer-term protection, this is also the ideal time to apply a ceramic coating like Gyeon Q² CanCoat EVO, provided temperatures allow.
Step 5: Deep Clean Wheels and Arches
Wheels and arches suffer the most in winter. Brake dust, salt, and grime quickly corrode unprotected alloys.
Clean wheels thoroughly using Valet-Pro Bilberry Wheel Cleaner, which safely dissolves brake dust without damaging finishes. Use the MCC Wheel Brush Combo Kit to reach behind spokes and deep into barrels.
Once clean, applying a wheel-specific protectant such as Gyeon Q² Rim will dramatically reduce future brake dust build-up and make maintenance much easier.
Step 6: Refresh and Protect the Interior
End-of-year cleaning isn’t complete without an interior reset. Start by vacuuming carpets and mats thoroughly, paying attention to footwells where salt and moisture accumulate.
Wipe down all interior surfaces using Gyeon Q²M Interior Detailer. It removes oils, fingerprints, and bacteria while leaving a clean, natural finish.
Follow with Gyeon Q²M Preserve on plastics and vinyl to restore colour, prevent fading, and add antistatic protection that keeps dust away longer.
Step 7: Eliminate Odours and Add Freshness
Winter moisture often leads to stale or musty smells. After cleaning, introduce a long-lasting fragrance using Carfume Air Fresheners. Their premium scents instantly elevate the cabin and maintain that freshly detailed feeling well into January.
Final Thoughts
A deep clean at the end of the year sets your car up for success in the months ahead. It protects against winter damage, simplifies maintenance, and ensures you start January with a vehicle that feels clean, fresh, and well cared for.
With quality products from My Car Cleaning, your end-of-year detail doesn’t have to be complicated — just effective.