Hyundai Veloster detailing in Houston

What we watch for

Paint and interior on the Veloster

Paint and exterior

Wide hatch glass, a short roof and a steep rear window. Early Turbo cars offered a matte grey that should never be polished. The N is often in its bright blue, which shows swirls and water spots clearly in the sun.

Interior

Sport seats in cloth or leather and a tight rear seat reached through the single rear door. The hatch area is shallow, and the steep rear glass is awkward to clean from inside without streaks.

Living in Houston

Many Velosters are on their second or third owner now and parked outside at apartments. Faded black trim, dull headlights and a hot cabin with tacky plastics are common after a few summers.

• Soft clear coat: it marks from a dirty towel or an automatic wash, so every wash is two-bucket with clean mitts, and polishing finishes down with a fine pad.
• Older plastic headlights yellow in the sun: headlight restoration is an add-on worth asking about.
• Large glass roof: Houston water leaves mineral spots on it, so it is cleaned inside and out and suits the glass coating add-on.
• Factory matte or satin paint is offered: it is never polished or waxed; it gets matte-safe soap and a matte-specific sealant or coating.