Auto Detailing… the not-so-basics
Unlike a general car wash, auto detailing provides a thorough cleaning, inside and out, of the vehicle. This includes waxing, polishing, vacuuming, and any extras the client requests.
Auto detailing is an activity that keeps the vehicle in its best possible condition, especially cosmetic, as opposed to mechanical. This is achieved by removing both visible and invisible contaminants from the vehicle’s interior, and polishing the exterior to its original blemish-free finish. The most basic auto detailing options include an exterior wash and wax, interior vacuuming, window cleaning and surface polishing.
Auto detailing is more than a cleaning process to make a vehicle look good, but a systematic approach to help extend its life with methods and products that reduce damaging environmental elements such as dirt, sun, harsh winters, etc.
Auto detailing is the appropriate maintenance or restoration of vehicles to keep them looking outside and inside as if they came from an auto dealer’s showroom and increase their resale value. Auto detailing requires knowledge of proper techniques and use of tools and products.
Auto detailing is generally broken down into two categories: exterior auto detailing and interior auto detailing. There are products and services that focus on these two areas specifically. Exterior auto detailing involves cleaning, and either restoring or exceeding the original condition of the surface of the car’s finish (usually a paint with a glossy finish), chrome trim, windows, wheels, and tires, as well as other visible components on a vehicle’s exterior. A wide array of auto detailing products and techniques are used, based on the vehicle’s surface type and condition, or the auto detailers or customers preference. Products include, but are not limited to: detergents, surfactants, acid free degreasers (to break down dirt and soil), detail clay (to remove invisible microembedded surface contaminates), waxes, silicone and non silicone based dressings for plastic trim and tires. Buffing compounds and polishes to resurface and improve reflectivity of the paint finish, as well as a variety of applicators, brushes, and drying towels.
Interior auto detailing involves a deep cleaning of the whole interior cabin. Vehicle interiors of the last 50 years comprise a variety of materials, such as synthetic carpet upholstery, vinyl, leather, various natural fibers, carbon fiber composites, plastics, and others, which necessitates the use of a variety of cleaning techniques and auto detailing products. Vacuuming is standard, and upholstery stains may be removed using steam cleaning, liquid and foam chemicals, as well as brushes. Additionally, some nonporous surfaces may be polished.
