Car detailing is defined as the process of meticulously cleaning, polishing and protecting all the parts of an automobile from top to the bottom and from inside the car to the outside of the car by using special tools and other products that are not normally used by car cleaners. It does not include heavy body repairs or paintwork of the cars, but sometimes does include restorative light cosmetic work depending upon the vehicle condition and the person or Detailer attending to it. The main aim of car detailing is to thoroughly enhance and significantly restore the original looks of the vehicle involved.
Car detailing helps in the elimination of light scratches or marks on the paintwork of the car. Car detailing is classified into two major types-exterior detailing and interior detailing. Exterior detailing involves restoring, vacuuming and surpassing of the original conditions of the exterior parts of the vehicle like wheels, tires and windows among the other components. Products generally used for exterior detailing are wax, polishes, degreasers and detergents.
INTERIOR CAR DETALING
Interior car detailing involves the cleaning of the inner parts of the car or vehicle that is components like plastics, leather, vinyl, natural fibers and carbon fiber plastics. For cleaning of the interiors of the car various different techniques like vacuuming and steam cleaning are used. Interior detailing requires more time and effort when compared to exterior detailing. Interiors of a vehicle are prone to bad odor, allergens due to dust, stains, grits, which can cause switches to be prone to failure, hazy windows which obscure the driver's view etc.
Standard processes include vacuuming along with steam cleaning and brushing for interior car detailing. Vacuuming of seats, trunk, shelf, headliners and the rear area for cargo is necessary. Floor mats should be cleaned separately and air compressor can be used for areas which cannot be reached by a vacuum cleaner. Brush and steam cleaning are done for the cleaning of mats and carpets. Mats are thoroughly scrubbed to remove any blemishes or stains and for more effective results, steam cleaning is used. Glass cleaners are used for cleaning the window glasses of the vehicle. For leather parts, leather soap, saddle soap and a leather cleaner are used and wiped with a damp cloth.
Re-vacuuming and wiping of the car parts is important so as to remove any left over dirt and this helps restore the original shine of the car.
EXTERIOR CAR DETAILING
Exterior car detailing involves processes like washing, drying, claying, polishing, sealing etc. In detailing of the car, washing is done by spraying with a high powered specialized spray followed by hand washing thoroughly the different parts of the car like door jambs, tire rims, glasses etc.
The next step is using a clay bar for removing impurities like residues or overspray traces. Polishing of the car helps give it back its original shine and a sealant is applied to give the car a rich and glossy shine.
