CLEANING the interior of your car is just as important as having a well-polished ex terior. It helps the car retain that showroom finish, while removing dust and dirt from those hard-to-reach helps the vehicle to operate at its maximum level of efficiency.

Interior cleaning involves several areas, including: the seats, roof, floor, trunk, vinyl areas, dashboard and door covers. All types of seats can be cleaned, whether leather or fabric. If they are wrapped, the cover is removed and cleaned.Shellion Farquharson, operations manager at Half-Way-Tree-based Powtronics Auto Care, can share some tips on auto detailing.“When you are doing an interior clean, take an empty car. Everything should be removed from the inside of the car, down to the trunk. Even the car pockets are cleaned at our centre anyway,” Farquharson told

Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine.Vacuuming will remove the dust and dirt that will lodge in those hard-to-reach crevices.After completing a visual inspection, Powtronics makes recommendations.If the vehicle is exposed regularly to elements, Farquharson advises a wash and vacuum, and a buff if necessary, to be done weekly.“You can polish the car every two weeks and an interior clean can be done every six months to a year. Undercarriage and engine wash, depending on the amount of rainfall and dirt, are normally done once a month or once every 3 months,” she said.Another important aspect of auto detailing is tyre manicure.“The tyre manicure removes scratches and blackened areas from the rims. We polish and shine the rims, after which we do a tyre shine. We clean all four tyres as well as the spare,” said Farquharson.As a woman operating in a male-dominated environment, Farquharson has armed herself with the knowledge and the best products to use.“When you are able to speak logically with most men, showing knowledge of business, you don’t have a problem. There are a few who have no regard for what you say, but once you give their vehicles the keep and care treatment, it’s fine,” she said.“I get the level of respect from my staff needed to make it work. I’m a fair manager, but I’m hard when it comes to work because customers don’t give you a second chance; you have to get it right the first time,” she added.Powtronics Auto Care, located at 26 Half-Way-Tree Road, also does general and basic servicing, diagnostic services, wheel alignment, and repairs the vehicle’s air conditioner. Opening hours are 7:00 am to 7:00 pm Mondays to Saturdays. They can be contacted at 620-2886 or 960-0018 or email: powtronicshelp@yahoo.com or www.powtronicstech.com. A 24-hour wrecker service is offered and can be reached at 371-4612.Powtronics runs a full-service company where customers can conveniently access other services while waiting on their car. They operate a restaurant that offers breakfast and lunch, a sports bar, hair and nail salon, and a barber shop to take care of their customers’ needs.