Expert tips to keep your car looking clean

WEBSTER, TX (KTRK) -- Paying for your car to get cleaned and detailed at the car wash can cost up to $100, but you can get the same results at home for a fraction of the price.

We went to the pros at Texas Splish Splash and Car Wash in Webster for tips on how to extend the life of a car wash in between professional detail services. Keeping a car clean can really extend the life of your vehicle.

"It's probably the second biggest investment you have, so you want to take of it," Splish Splash owner Jim Eberle said.

The first step to keeping a cleaner car is to get rid of the bugs.

"If you don't get the bugs off within two days, it will eat up that clear coat, and then you have problems," Eberle said.

He says grab fabric softener and moisten it with water, then just wipe it off. If you are looking for an instant shine between washes, try a spray wax.

"Wipe it on and wipe it off, it's that simple. You don't have to sit and wait for it to dry, you got that date night, you want your car looking good, you are ready to roll," Eberle said.

If you are doing your own waxes and find wax is caught in the car's crevices, a crack brush is what the pros use.

"It's a real fine brush, looks like a paint brush cut in half, you are going to brush it out and put the final touches and it's going to look real good," Eberle said.

When it comes to the interior, be proactive now and protect your fabric with a spray like Scotch Guard. The application is simple - just spray it on and let it dry.

If your interior is looking a little dull, a brand called Sprayway Instant Shine has proven to help.

If you're looking for that extra detail, Eberle suggests using q-tips to get into small nooks and crannies like air vents.