If you participate the all-American activity of dating, chances are that you’ll eventually arrive or be picked up in a car. And hopefully you’ll be inclined to present yourself and that modest, partially paid-off vehicle in the best light possible, because, believe me, it says something about you. Many a gal or guy has been shocked by car interiors that house mummified French fries under seats, and parking tickets stuffed into the console. That hoarder vibe is not something you want to give off on a date; it’s fascinating on A&E, but tragic in your car. Here are a few ways to easily spruce up your car before a date, and you (and your romance meter) will thank me.
Spruce Your Car #1 – No More Nicks
A fresh coat of paint may be out of your price range, but if you’re looking at some serious nicks and scratches, then put a little time in your afternoon into gently buffing and coloring over some of the uglier ones. With a little searching, you can find the factory paint color code on your car and spruce up your car with a quick touch up kit bought online. This Popular Mechanics article guides you through the process, and you’ll have a fresh looking ride in about the time it will take you to wash that load of fly dinner whites.
Spruce Your Car #2 – So Fresh and So Clean
Cleaning and de-smelling your car is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to spruce up your car before a date, and just because it “smells fine to me,” doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go ahead and take this step, anyway. Don’t be misguided by scented floral interior sprays, “fresh” is the direction you want to go, not “overzealous bathroom deodorizer.” To that end, sprinkle the carpets and upholstery with baking soda and allow it to absorb before vacuuming up. Also, be sure to spray an odor-eliminating product into the car’s air intake vents, which are just where the windshield meets the hood on the outside of the vehicle. Then run the vents on fresh, not recirculated air to achieve the max freshness
Spruce Your Car #3 – Hide The Carpet
If the rug in your ride has been through a lot, it may have the marks to prove it, especially if the carpeting is light. Footprints can’t hide on an old, worn out car carpet, but you can make them disappear for a bit. Hit up online retailers to find a pack of carpets that fit in your make and model and go on top of the carpeting already installed in your car. That way you can spruce up your ride and avoid causing your date to wonder if you have a messy Labrador that you let sit in the front seat after long swims in muddy creeks. Fresh carpet can transform the look of the entire interior, so this is a wise place to start.
Spruce Your Car #4 – Steer Clear
After a few years of wheel-gripping driving (especially if you have a long commute), your steering wheel can begin to look battle-worn and start to deteriorate. If you have spots that have been rubbed soft or thin, then it may be time to consider sprucing up your car before a date by covering your wheel’s imperfections. A leather wheel cover can be order online for around $60, and comes with instructions for about an hour’s worth of work stitching it into place. After that, you’re set like Gosling in “Drive.”
[photo by ktpupp]
