Refinishing the wood trim in your vehicle is a simple process that most people tend to overlook. If you approach the task with patience and the right tools, you can easily restore the glossy finish to the trim without damaging your vehicle. As with any other auto-detailing job, use caution when you work on the wood or you may do more damage than good. Use extra care when you work around buttons as well to prevent breaking them.
Mix a solution of equal parts water and isopropyl alcohol. Pour it into a cup and set it in a cup holder in your vehicle or on your passenger-side floorboard. Enter your car from the driver's-side door.
Dip a stiff-bristled toothbrush into the alcohol solution. Dab the bristles of the toothbrush on an absorbent towel to remove excess moisture.
Scrub away blemishes on the wood. Scrub at the fabric seams around the trim as well to remove debris. Dry any excess moisture left on the wood and fabric with an absorbent towel.
Rinse the brush in the solution anytime it clogs with debris. Clean every part of the trim as well as every fabric seam surrounding the wood trim.
Dip a cotton ear swab in the alcohol solution. Pinch the cotton between your fingers to ring out the excess moisture. Swab the crevices between buttons and inside creases to remove debris in the tightest places.
Place masking tape around the edges of the trim. The masking tape protects everything but the trim from the refinishing products.
Cover small imperfections and scratches in the wood with a putty stick that matches the color of your trim. Wipe the stick across the damaged area. Let the putty dry for a few minutes before you wipe off the excess with a stiff towel.
Pour a dime-sized amount of wood polish on a soft cloth. Wipe the polish onto the wood trim. Coat all the wood trim with the polish, but don't cover the buttons. Allow the polish to set for the manufacturer's recommended time.
Buff the wood with a microfiber cloth. Move the cloth in circular motions to remove clouded sections of polish and leave an even shine.
