Restoring Your Rig: The Deep-Dive Interior Detailing Masterclass

Remove everything. I mean everything. Clear out the glovebox, the centre console, and the door pockets. Throw the rubbish away and put the 'keep' stuff in a bucket.

Pull the mats out and set them aside on the driveway. If they're rubber, hit them with the hose now so they can dry while you work on the rest.

Use your compressed air (or the exhaust end of your vacuum) to blow under the seats. You'll find chips, coins, and enough dust to start a farm. Trust me, do this before you vacuum.

Slide the seats all the way forward to start. You'll work back-to-front. It’s easier to see your progress that way.

If you're using a new cleaner, try it on a hidden bit of plastic down low. I once saw a 'heavy duty' cleaner bleach the dye right out of a BMW door card. Not a conversation you want to have with a customer (or the missus).

Spend way more time here than you think you need. Use the drill brush on the carpets to kick up the sand. If you don't get the dry dirt out first, the second you add liquid cleaner, you'll just be making mud. Not ideal.

Be gentle here! Aussie heat kills the glue on headliners. Use a dry microfibre to wipe away dust. If there's a stain, lightly mist a cloth with APC and dab. Never spray the roof directly or it'll sag faster than a wet cake.

Use your soft brush in one hand and the vacuum nozzle in the other. Agitate the dust out of the vents and suck it up immediately. This stops the dust just settling elsewhere.

Spray your APC onto your scrub pad (not the dash!). Work in small sections. You'll see the lather turn brown or orange. Wipe it off immediately with a clean microfibre before it dries.

This is the filthiest part of any car. Use a dedicated leather cleaner and a soft brush. Keep going until the leather looks 'matte'. If it’s shiny, that’s just human skin oil and sweat. Gross, right?

If you have stains, use a fabric foam cleaner. Agitate with a medium brush. If you've got an extractor (like a Bissell Little Green), now is the time to use it. The amount of brown water you'll pull out is satisfying but disturbing.

Avoid the cheap wipes! Use a proper cleaner, agitate with a brush to get into the grain, then wipe dry. Follow up with a conditioner to keep the Aussie sun from cracking the hide.

People always forget these. Use your leftover APC and a rag to wipe the metal frames of the doors. It makes the whole car feel 'pro' when you open the door.

Steam is your friend here for dried coffee or soft drink. If you don't have steam, let a bit of APC sit for 2 minutes to soften the gunk, then use a cotton bud for the tight corners.

Don't put any 'shines' or dressings on the pedals. It makes them slippery and dangerous. Just a stiff brush and APC to get the mud off.

The inside of the windscreen usually has a 'haze' from plastic outgassing. Use a clean microfibre and a lot of glass cleaner. Use a horizontal motion.

Switch to a fresh, dry microfibre and go over it again with a vertical motion. This way, if you see a streak, you know which side it's on.

Apply your 303 Aerospace or similar to all vinyl and plastic. Let it sit for a minute, then buff it dry. This is vital in Australia to prevent the 'cracked dash' syndrome.

One last quick pass to pick up any crumbs or dust that fell during the cleaning process. This is where you do those nice 'carpet lines' if you're feeling fancy.

I'm not a fan of those 'hanging trees' that smell like fake vanilla. Use an enzyme-based odour eater or a 'Dakota' bomb if the car has a history of dog or smoke smells.