Car Detailing Guide on Processes and Products Used
When you say car detailing, it means cleaning your car thoroughly from top to bottom with the use of special tools and auto detailing products. Oftentimes it includes cosmetic touchups; however, the entire procedure may also include paintwork and expensive body repairs.
It does not only involve cleaning but also reconditioning the car’s interior and exterior. It aims to remove all the scratches and swirl marks to restore the car’s brand-new image often through the aid of paintwork.
There are no set guidelines to follow for car detailing. Services under car detailing vary. You can find one that offers complete detailing using clay treatment and a high quality wax. You may opt for an advanced interior car detailing package that comes with stain removal and leather treatment, not to mention dressing on all the plastics found in the car.
Two Steps Involved
A complete car detailing procedure is composed of two main phases: interior detailing and exterior detailing. it’s crucial to ask the technicians about their art of car detailing for you to know what to expect.
Exterior Detailing
This involves an exhaustive exterior car wash to remove dirt even the deep-seated ones. It also includes the use of special type of brushes and wheel cleaning products. The wheels are the dirtiest part of the car and it requires intensive cleanup.
Paintwork is next to be worked on. It is washed and also dried from top to bottom, using washing mitts and microfiber towels. It may also be necessary to polish the paintwork to eliminate light scratches, swirl marks, and oxidation.
Other exterior parts like the windows and rubber made parts are also polished and methodically cleaned.
Interior Detailing
The upholstery inside the car is also thoroughly cleaned, vacuumed, and even shampooed to remove stains and dirt. If the car’s interior has leatherwork, it is often scrubbed, cleaned, and conditioned to remove dirt that has been deeply ingrained in the material. Plastics and vinyl too are often appropriately cleaned and dressed.
Considering the number of auto detailing products available in the market to support the wide variety of services that fall under car detailing, it’s important to categorize such products as polishes, protectants, and car cleaners.
For the cleaners you can have car washing soaps and wash mitts. Wheel cleaners and tire cleaners are also great options. For wheels that have chipped and pitted surfaces, the acid cleaners are used. However, they have to be used with great caution.
Engine and undercarriage cleaners are also important for cleaning the car’s engine and undercarriage which easily get dirty. Cleaning these with the right products is good preventive maintenance.
The plastic parts of the car can be cleaned using the glass cleaner. Just make sure that it does not contain ammonia, detergent, or alcohol.
