Car washing is a good way of maintaining vehicles, but sometimes, this gets forgotten. Unremoved dirt, debris, and other elements can reduce the value of your car. Regular car washes can prevent this from happening. However, if you want your vehicle to look brand new, the better solution is a professional auto detailing.
History of Auto Detailing
Services for auto detailing are not new. There are several records of car detailing and maintenance as early as the 1800s, although the industry became popular only in the 1900s.
Frank Meguiar, Jr., was the first person known to have polished cars in 1901, even though his initial business was engaged in furniture polishing. In any case, Frank used the same polish to protect and coat a car’s exterior.
More than a century later, auto detailing has become a professional and highly-developed industry. It uses various tools and equipment to help customers maintain their cars at the highest level. Over 198,000 people are working in this business, which has a good following in large families that own utility vehicles.
What Is Auto Detailing?
An expert in auto body repair in Pinellas Park describes full-service auto detailing as cleaning and restoring a vehicle to its near-mint condition. It is usually labor-intensive and requires precision to eliminate all dirt and debris.
Professional auto detailing focuses on two distinct areas: the exterior and the interior part of your car.
Exterior Detailing
Depending on the amount of dirt present, exterior detailing can take between 1 and 2 hours to complete. This will usually involve the following processes:
1. Car Wash
Exterior cleaning involves thoroughly washing, brushing, mopping, and rewashing your vehicle’s outer portion. Professional detailers initially wash and dry your car by hand before starting the exterior cleaning process. They use a pressure washer to remove snow or mud, then apply a soap-based solution to the car.
2. Paint Claying
This is the next step in exterior cleaning, removing iron compounds and other contaminants that could damage a car’s paint. Detailers use a block of automotive clay to complete this step.
3. Polishing
Detailers begin polishing your car after they remove iron particles and other contaminants. Polishing serves two purposes. The first is to remove layers of clear coating, and the second is to allow cleaners to fix small scratches and swirl marks.
4. Waxing
Professional auto detailing services apply wax to give your car a shiny finish. The wax is a protective layer that guards against scratches and improves your car’s appearance.
Interior Detailing
Interior detailing will depend on the condition of the car. The process involved here is labor intensive and will focus on the following:
1. Vacuuming
In this first step of interior auto detailing, the cleaner ensures that there is no dirt or solid debris left behind. They normally vacuum the seats, dashboard, carpets, floors, trunk, and cup holders.
2. Brushing and Scrubbing
After vacuuming, cleaners will give the car carpet extra cleaning and scrubbing and brushing stubborn dirt off it. While most carpets are cleaned with a soap-based solution, auto detailing uses carpet cleaner to remove any stains and prevent them from damaging your carpet.
3. Steam Cleaning
This step focuses on car cup holders, which often have dried liquid stains. Steam cleaning is generally recommended to remove and clean them effectively.
4. Window Cleaning
Many auto detailers use a special solution to clean the car windows. This step can be time-consuming and will depend on how much dirt the vehicle finds and how many detailers are involved.
5. Paint Correction
Auto detailing is more than just cleaning your car. Often, a company involved in the detailing business also offers paint correction services. This will normally see the detailer removing the top paint coat from your car to correct oxidation and apply a ceramic coating to the paint job afterward. Most auto detail companies can provide this additional protective layer on various vehicles.
Key Takeaway
Many car owners may only consider auto detailing if their cars experience serious paint damage. Yet, it is actually essential to have your vehicle regularly detailed to keep it in good condition and extend its life expectancy.
Professional auto detailing involves more than just a simple car paint job. Various processes have to be followed to complete the detailing service. This applies both to the interior and exterior parts of your car. At the end of this long but extensive service, you can have a vehicle cleaned, waxed, and polished to perfection.
