Car detailing requires a high degree of skill and knowledge. Professional detailers use an array of brushes, specialized tools and products to get the job done.
The most common processes include paint enhancement (buffing and polishing to produce a refined, mirror-like finish) and ceramic coating. Other services include vacuuming, steam cleaning and sanitizing leather trim and seat belts.
Preventative Maintenance
While it’s easy to ignore maintenance on your vehicle, if you stay on top of preventative services you can significantly increase your car’s lifespan. Some of these services include:
Oil Changes & Filters
Motor oil lubricates your engine, keeps it from overheating and helps your vehicle run properly. The oil will naturally get dirty over time and needs to be replaced periodically.
Tire Rotation & Wheel Balancing
Tires wear down unevenly over time, so it’s important to have them rotated and balanced regularly. This will help them last longer and improve your fuel efficiency.
Paint Protection
You’ve scrimped, saved and invested in your dream car, so you want to keep it looking perfect. But even the best-kept car is susceptible to rock chips and other minor paint damage over time. Fortunately, there are several products and methods to help protect your vehicle’s paint job and keep it looking new.
Sealants and waxes bind to your paint’s surface and offer protection that lasts a few months. Ceramic coatings are manmade materials that chemically bond with the painted surface, protecting it for years. These durable, hydrophobic, and scratch-resistant coatings also make your car easier to clean, as dirt wipes or washes off the surface rather than sticking.
Another option is paint protection film, which offers the highest level of impact resistance. This thermoplastic urethane film, also known as Clear Bra, is applied to your car’s vulnerable surfaces and protects them against abrasions, acid rain, bird droppings, and other environmental contaminants. It took decades for military grade protective film to evolve into the high-quality, self healing product it is today.
Interior Cleaning
Aside from a shiny paint job, regular detailing ensures that your interior is clean. The carpets, upholstery and door panels are vacuumed, shampooed or wiped down to remove stains. Unsightly odors are eliminated and the windows and mirrors are cleaned to improve driving visibility.
If you’re doing your car detailing at home, buy the best quality materials that are formulated to clean cars thoroughly without scratching. Cheaper chemicals can eat through your clear coat and cause swirl marks, so be careful.
Getting your vehicle regularly detailed is one of the best investments you can make. Regular car detailing prevents scratches and maintains a protective layer, which reduces the need for expensive repairs down the road. You’ll also save on fuel costs when your engine is running cooler and more efficiently. And you’ll always have that showroom shine! A clean, well-maintained car is a pleasure to drive. It’s hard not to smile as you cruise by.
Odor Removal
If you’re detailing cars, you need a good set of supplies that will remove all the sticky contaminants like bug splatter and baked-on bird poop without eating into clear coat or scratching surfaces. You also need something that will eliminate odors and make the interior look fresh again.
Simple regular cleaning will help with odors, too, especially vacuuming on a monthly basis and throwing away trash as soon as it accumulates. Avoid bringing food or drinks into the car, and wipe down any spills as soon as they happen.
Odors from biological fluids—like rodent urine and droppings—can be the most difficult to clean. They also require a lot of caution and time.
A little distilled vinegar can be an effective odor neutralizer for some of these smelly substances. It is best to use a small amount, as pure vinegar will linger for days in the car. You can also place activated charcoal packets in the car door pockets and glove box to absorb odors between detailing appointments.