How to make your old car look new again

15 September, 2022 By: Byron Mathioudakis

With prices for new and used cars still high and waiting lists stretching into months if not years for some popular makes, many vehicle owners may be putting off an upgrade and sticking with what they have for now.

For those who have decided to hold off purchasing a new car for a bit longer, there are some simple car care tips that can help bring back at least some of that new car look and even the new car smell.

Most of these DIY tips are simple and generally won’t require a big spend. Many off-the-shelf car care products should do the trick well, but in some instances, you may need to turn to a professional. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s get to work.

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1. Headlight polishing kit

Cloudy headlight lenses can make your whole car look much older than it is. They also hamper illumination and impair night-time visibility of the road ahead. This issue is particularly prevalent in vehicles from the mid-‘90s onwards, as plastic replaced glass. Exposure to the elements and UV rays cause oxidisation of the plastic, breaking it down and creating the cloudy appearance.

To help with this, there are many off-the-shelf cleaners that will require a bit of preparation and some muscle (or a sander/drill bit attachment), as well as polish and anti-UV agent application. The harder you’re prepared to scrub, clean and wash, the better the results will be. Note that a light buff will only clear the headlight temporarily.

There are also mobile headlight cleaners who charge around $200 for a full headlight restoration. These are best for long-term results.

2. Engine degrease

Available in aerosol can form from any auto store, engine degreaser should be sprayed liberally on your engine and left on for a few minutes - but don’t let it dry. Just allow it to soak, then apply a high-pressure water hose.

Take some precautions. Allow the engine to cool down before turning on the waterworks. Use an old paint brush to loosen more stubborn dirt and grease, then cover vulnerable electrical engine items like the alternator, fuse boxes and distributor (where fitted), to stop water ingress. Sheets of plastic and a rubber band should work fine.

3. Wheel cleaner and tile foam

This one is easy and cheap and gets great results. Just ensure your tyres are clean and dry first. The tyre foam will bring some of the deep black colour back, while the wheel cleaner will help remove the dirt and grime from the rims. If you’re preparing your car for sale, do this just before you photograph it or before buyers start coming to see it.

This one is easy and cheap and gets great results. Just ensure your tyres are clean and dry first. The tyre foam will bring some of the deep black colour back, while the wheel cleaner will help remove the dirt and grime from the rims. If you’re preparing your car for sale, do this just before you photograph it or before buyers start coming to see it.

4. Cut and polish

Here’s a good rule of thumb to remember: if your fingernail can get caught in a scratch, it’s too deep for a DIY cut and polish at home and will require professional paint restoration.

That said, a good cut and polish can actually remove many unsightly scratches quite well or at least reduce their visibilty. In case you’re not clear on the difference between a wax and a cut and polish – a wax is applied after the cutting compound to protect the finish.

Before you apply a cutting compound, wash and dry your vehicle. Then apply it in sections using a cloth. Allow time for it to dry (when it’s chalky you’ll know), and then polish off the white residue very lightly using a soft, dry cloth in a circular motion – avoid using harsher fabrics. Don’t polish too harshly as you don’t want to remove too much of the existing clear coat that protects your paint.

Pro tip: Never polish a car in full, strong or direct sunlight. It will give a poor result. It’s best to do it in a shady spot or garage. Note that the lighter the duco, the longer lasting the polish will appear to be. Apply a cut and polish at least every six months but apply a wax (after a wash) more regularly.

5. Remove stains from cloth seats

This can be a real challenge. No matter how much you vacuum or scrub, the grime just won’t budge. The solution? Grab a dry, hard brush and scrub away. Once it’s all loose, run a high-suction vacuum cleaner over it to remove the grit, and repeat if necessary, until all the caked-on dirt disappears.

6. Interior carpet stain remover

Regular carpet stain remover items from the supermarket or auto stores have limited effect and may struggle to get rid of really bad stains like heavy shoe scuffing, mud, grease or oil.

For these you’ll need to hit up a professional carpet cleaner, who should have the required attachments for automotive applications. Depending on severity and size, this may run into several hundred dollars, but the finished result should please even the most fastidious owners.

Note that spilling dairy products like milk or yoghurt is at the very least a professional clean-up job. Such incidents need to be dealt with immediately and swiftly.

7. Automotive glass cleaner

Regular household window cleaners will do the job easily and effectively, unless your car glass has an aftermarket tint; in this case, the chemicals may harm or break down the tint, resulting in that unsightly purple discolouration over time.

An alternative is to buy a can or bottle of automotive glass cleaner - some professional detailers believe it works better than household window cleaners.

If you want a really cheap alternative, vinegar and newspaper work remarkably well in getting your car glass clean and streak-free.

8. Remove caked-on dirt from carpets and floor mats

This can be a real challenge. No matter how much you vacuum or scrub, the grime just won’t budge. The solution? Grab a dry, hard brush and scrub away. Once it’s all loose, run a high-suction vacuum cleaner over it to remove the grit, and repeat if necessary, until all the caked-on dirt disappears.