Everything That You Need To Know About Car Detailing
For the majority of individuals, vehicle washing is a chore rather than a rewarding experience. To clean a vehicle from top to bottom may seem more like punishment than a reward because of the amount of work, time, and effort required.
For the majority of individuals, vehicle washing is a chore rather than a rewarding experience. To clean a vehicle from top to bottom may seem more like punishment than a reward because of the amount of work, time, and effort required.
Knowing where to begin and making the time to clean every nook and cranny of a car are typically the most difficult parts of any “detail-oriented” project. That’s why we’re here to assist you.
Today, we’ve let’s go over a step-by-step guide for learning how to detail a car correctly with advice and cautions tailored just for newbies.
Specifically, this post will cover external car washing; the topic of inside car detailing will be saved for a later day. You get a clean car in record time because we keep both guides focused on providing the most relevant information. So, let’s get cracking!
What is Car Detailing?
A “detailed” cleaning process, typically followed by repairing damaged components, is what automotive detailing entails. To keep your car looking new, take care of the outside with detailing to protect it from the elements and damage caused by driving.
It is now a multi-billion dollar industry, with hundreds of different detailing items all with their unique genetic backbone, sales strategy, and market distribution, with economic pistons pounding under its hood.
Detailing a Vehicle's Exterior
Most people will follow these basic principles when they detail their car:
Clean the Exterior:
Using excellent detailing chemicals and water from a dependable source should always be the first step in any car detailing project. While this ensures that surface crud such as dirt and debris are cleaned up, and road grime and pollen are eliminated, it also reveals any underlying problems. Use a low pH vehicle wash shampoo and a microfiber cloth or wash mitt for this stage to avoid scratching or marring the surface.
Protect the Exterior:
Automobile cleaning extends well beyond a simple wash despite the need for a thorough car wash for removing surface dirt. It includes the application of protective coatings to the vehicle’s exterior. Your options for protective products include anything from wax to paint sealants to vinyl wrap to paint protection films and ceramic coatings to clear bras to tire dressings. Tire dressing is used to improve the appearance of other external components, such as tires. In addition to cleaning windows, many individuals use glass cleaner to do their cars’ glass.
Quick Tip:
When it’s time to do some exterior detailing, you have two options: buy a DIY detailing kit or buy individual vehicle cleaning chemicals and put together your unique arrangement.
The first step in preserving the paint on your vehicle is to prep the surface using a clay bar.
Car detailing professionals recommend wheel cleanser and tyre and wheel authorized brushes as a first step in the detailed process.
Many automobile owners believe that all it takes to detail their vehicle is to replace the air fresheners or apply a tire shine. Sure, you may get the best car wash brushes, synthetic car wash shampoos, and a heavy-duty pressure washer and hope for the best. However, even with these items, you can’t expect miracles. Even the finest automotive detailing experts in the world would agree that to make a car appear beautiful, and you need the proper equipment and a concentrated work ethic, a lot of patience, and a zillion hours of experience.
How to Begin a Car Detailing Process?
Detailing a vehicle is not a tough job to do. However, even car washing can cause significant damage if done incorrectly or with the wrong materials. Knowing the procedures to take and the most acceptable items to use is only half the fight.
Do not use anything that isn’t microfiber to clean your vehicle. This includes towels, mitts, and other sponge-like materials. Other than the trash can, where do you put items that cause dings on your car? Just remember, we’re restoring a car’s paint job here, not slapping on a bunch of scratches and swirl marks to make it seem like a salaryman escaping the dominatrix prison.
Now that we’ve imparted that bit of wisdom onto you, let’s move on to the next most critical thing you can do to maintain your car’s finish looking like new: wash it consistently. Be sure to do things correctly as well.
A car’s clear coat may be corroded by contaminants, including dirt, grease, bird poop, insect guts, pollen, deicers, and tree sap if they are left to sit for an extended period. Avoid being lazy by cleaning your car wash machine once a week, and keep in mind the following six golden principles of car washes to avoid costly mistakes.
1. Never wash your car in direct sunlight
Practically no detailer performs well in direct sunlight or on a heated surface. Because heat makes soap and water dry faster, it leaves behind streaks and stains that are difficult to remove. Working on your car should only be done when it is completely cool to the touch on all external surfaces, such as indoors or in the shade.
2. Avoid cross-contamination
When doing a vehicle wash, cross-contamination may occur if you use the same cleaning products at every step. As a result, refrain from using the same cleaning supplies (such as towels and brushes) in different car parts. Since pollutants may migrate from one area of the vehicle to another, it makes sense to avoid using a dirty microfiber mitt to clean an area that should remain clean. Keep this in mind as you clean for places like wheels, lower rocker panels, bumpers, and exhaust ports that tend to become incredibly filthy.
3. Use the two-buckets technique
When preventing cross-contamination, using two buckets is just as crucial as emptying water often and not using the same towel or glove over every surface. Soapy shampoo may be kept free of pollutants by using one bucket for rinse and another for sudsy water. This allows you to dip your dirty sponge between scrubbing safely.
4. Always use lubrication
Vehicle paint and clear coat need something slippery to avoid marring, apart from a light wipe-down using an ultra-plush microfiber cleaning cloth.
5. Get the right supplies and towels
Using sponges and conventional cloth wash towels on a vehicle’s exterior is comparable to sanding with 120-grit sandpaper in the shower, as we previously said. Sure, it’ll exfoliate, but at what cost? For washing and drying your vehicle, invest in a good wash mitt and some soft microfiber towels since both of these products will significantly minimize the chance of damaging the surface. Order a pH-balanced vehicle shampoo while you’re at it since although home dishwashing liquid works wonders on bacon grease, it will wreak havoc on a car’s clear finish.
How Car Detailing is Beneficial to the Car Owner?
Satisfaction
Driving a gleaming vehicle is more pleasurable than driving one that is filthy. A spotless car shows your demeanor. It demonstrates that you value your vehicle and helps you feel proud and confident when going. Furthermore, using your vehicle for professional reasons indicates that you are a neat individual.
Saves money
In the long term, regular vehicle detailing enables you to save money in a variety of ways. One of the methods is that when the car’s lifetime is extended, the odds of it needing maintenance are reduced, and therefore expenses are reduced. Second, since the engine works smoothly and effectively, less gas is consumed. Third, headlamp repair increases the brightness of the lights, which enhances the vehicle’s performance. Maintenance expenses are minimized in the end.
Provides a healthy ride
A car’s carpet or ventilation may collect a lot of dust particles. Your vehicle will stay clean and allergy-free with auto detailing. A thorough vehicle wash also guarantees that the long-term consequences of environmental exposure are minimized, as well as instances of illness.
Reduces cases of accidents
A car wash detail ensures that all haze and dirt are eliminated to prevent obstructing the driver’s vision. Consequently, accident chances are significantly decreased.
Our Recommendation
As a car owner, only you know what is best for your car. If you can afford to get a car detailing, we highly recommend you do. It will make your car look amazing inside and out. Not only that, your car’s surface will continue to be protected from UV rays, dirt and debris over the next few months. If you’re on a budget or just need a quick clean then a car wash is the obvious choice. Just be aware that scratches can potentially occur even with an automatic car wash. We hope this article was helpful for you to make a decision towards how to clean your car. At PAD we offer top of the line car detailing service. If you’re interested in getting your car detailed you can view our services HERE. Check out our other blog articles to get updates and learn more about car detailing.