Detailing
From DetailingWiki
- Detailing equates to; Knowledge, Experience, and the Applicable Chemistry; balanced to provide Aesthetics
The subject of car detailing and preservation is beset with myths and misunderstandings; many products rely on ambiguous claims, outdated technology and marketing hype, manufacturers have altered the descriptions of products to the point it's hard to differentiate between polish, wax, compounds, polymers, and the chemicals they are formulated from.
The underlying objective to successful automotive detailing is to revive and preserve the original as new finish; this is not done in an attempt to disguise a poor finish with products that create an illusion of cleanliness, but to correct them by removing blemishes and providing protection from the environment. There are numerous reasons for this, pride in ownership, entering concourse d’élégance events, maintaining a higher resale value or protection of what has become a large monetary investment, or simply pride of ownership. We spend a lot of time in our vehicles, anything from eight to sixteen hours and upwards. Finding the time in our busy schedules to maintain a clean vehicle can be difficult. But done on a regular basis it's not as time-consuming as when cleaning it is neglected.
- What is Detailing?
Auto detailing is the practice of performing an extremely thorough cleaning of an automobile, both inside and out. Paint renovation is the removal of surface scratches and blemishes by 'levelling' the paint with a rotary machine, and the application of a wax or paint sealant to produce a show-quality level of detail. It can be practiced for personal satisfaction, and it is also performed to prepare a car for a Concours d'Elegance (often shortened to just Concours), a car show that features the appearance of cars. Elements of exterior detailing include claying, polishing, and waxing. Interior detailing involves the cleaning of the interior of a vehicle using vacuums, liquid cleaners, and brushes. Engine detailing involves cleaning the engine bay area of dirt and grease by using degreasers and all-purpose cleaners.
A detailer combines chemicals, equipment as well as knowledge of the materials used in automotive manufacturing (vehicle surfaces). ‘Chemicals’, refers to the cleaning and protection products used, ‘equipment,’ refers to the tools used, for example, random orbital polishers, high-speed rotary polishers, extractors and power washers, to name but a few.
Vehicle surfaces require a basic understanding of chemistry and how to rejuvenate and protect each of the many and varied material surfaces, regardless of its specific surface composition making objective observations based upon experience, the results obtained, and adjusting the techniques and products used as necessary. Detailing also takes a willingness to experiment, which usually means deviating from the product manufacturers directions, making objectives observations based upon experience and adjusting the techniques used as necessary, always keeping an open mind on manufacturer’s claims for their products.
- What's involved?
Clean - Polish - Protect
- Exterior - pre-wash soak , wash paint surfaces, use automotive detailers clay, use a chemical paint cleaner, compound or polish (dependant upon paint surface condition) wipe-down paint and inspect, apply paint surface protection. Clean wheel surfaces, wheel arches and rubber tyres, apply protection to wheels and dressing to tyres. Clean exterior trim and apply dressing. Clean glass surfaces and wiper blades.
- Interior – spot treat any stains on carpet or upholstery, brush, vacuum and apply protection to upholstery, wipe down interior trim, apply dressing and / or UV protection. Clean interior glass surfaces, door jambs. Clean / extract carpet and apply fabric guard
- Engine compartment – degrease and rinse with low pressure water, polish metal, clean and apply dressing to hoses, vinyl, and rubber and apply protection to painted surfaces
I test and research different car care products shareing my knowledge, and expertise whenever possible to car care product manufacturers, to detailers and detailing forums by answering questions and writing articles on product application methodologies, the correct use of machine tools, pads, compounds, polishes and polymer sealants and waxes.
The purpose of these articles is to show you various ways, utilizing various skills and experience levels, on how to retrieve the original or better appearance / finish to your vehicles bodywork and its interior and how to preserve and maintain it, along with product recommendations and there correct application methods. With constant advances in products and procedures, a standard published book would be out of date very quickly due to the publishing procedures and printing requirements.
I have no affiliation, professional or otherwise with the listed companies, or their products. I purchase all the car care products I use and recommend as I am unwilling to accept gratuitous products for review due to the abuses of some product vendors ‘shilling’, which has caused many excellent products to suffer undeservedly. I recommend car care products as they do what the manufacturer says they will. There are many other products in the marketplace that may be equally suited to the tasks listed, however I have used the products listed and found them satisfactory for my use.
To be of real practical use, a subject like automotive detailing requires a great deal of research, and updating as new products become available. The advent of materials like detailing clay, microfibre technologies and finely milled micro diminishing abrasives, suitable for ceramic nano-technology paints are examples of why it’s so important to monitor the industries new products, chemical technologies and ideas that are constantly being introduced, as are the techniques for applying them.
Unbiased information written by a detailer with extensive experience allied with a chemical technical background, without the need to meet corporate goals or sales quotas, requires a dynamic learning tool like a website that can be revised and updated as and when needed, plus the facility to seek clarification or ask questions in 'real time' (see Questions & Answers about detailing ? ? ? or submit your questions to information@TOGWT.com ) Let me know if you have any questions, or anything requires clarification, I’m only too glad to share knowledge / experience
A lot of company's are now writing e- books or sponsoring detailing forums and preaching that only the product they sell are able to correct problems. This is not real sponsorship, but simply paid advertising, kind of like an TV infomercial, so the advertisers look like educators as opposed to product salesman
This collection of answers to detailing problems, technical information and methodologies submitted by TOGWT have been used to answer questions on verious detailing forums over the last five or six years. While I’m certainly not a subject-matter expert, much less a guru; but after four plus decades of detailing I do know a few things about some things, and as for the rest I usually know where to look for the answers. I try to write in a way that helps the reader to understand not only "How" to do something, but "Why" they are doing it, along with the technical, scientific facts along with any relevant chemical information, but if you’ve read any of my forum posts / threads you'll already understand just what I mean
Why do I do this? It isn't for money, as I have no affiliation with any product manufacturer or vendor, nor does anyone sponsor these articles, its certainly not fame, or ego. All I hope to achieve is to inspire both the enthusiast and professional detailers by shareing both the knowledge and experience gained by more than four decades of detailing all manner of automobiles from Concours show cars to people carriers and evrything in between, just the way I am inspired by other detailers.
I have learned a lot from various detailing forums, most noticeably Autopia and the various contributors who are prepared to share their knowledge and experience and they are in large part the inspiration for these articles and the book, I would also like to make a special mention to Bill Doyle, Lg3 and others for their suggestions and for proof-reading. I would be remiss if I did not also give recognition to the following for their inspiration; Accumulator, BlgZ28conv, DETAILKING, DavidB, Ketch (Grumpy), Miracle Wax, MPhillips, Ryang, Scottwax, The other PC, TH0001, Totoland Mach, et al…
Cleaning (detailing) is an essential part in the maintaining the appearance of a vehicle. The objective when detailing a vehicle is to make a vehicle look as good as it can. In many cases make it look better than it was when new. Detailing can take a lot of time, but the results are always worth the effort. Proper detailing will also protect a vehicle from environmental hazards that can rob life away from your vehicle. In order to attain and maintain an optically perfect shine, you must protect it from natural deterioration and dullness that occurs over time.
Lease return or vehicle sale - you should not incur charges on a lease return if its in an 'as-new' condition and you will obtain a higher re-sale value for a vehicle that's been detailed on a regular basis - check dealers price guides (The Blue Book) for the value of an 'Excellent Condition vehicle compared with 'Fair Condtion', dependamt upon the vehicle, the average difference was over three thousand dollars or approximatly 15% more when comparing the value from fair to excellent (see also article Detail University - Developing a Detailing Routine - Greg )
Detailing can be very simple and fun if you use the correct methodologies and products that work. Research other options and products, test them and then make an objective decision based upon factual information not hype or brand loyalty. After all, how can you fully understand and properly use any product unless you have all the facts? It is also recommended that you should also verify any information that anyone shares with you. The only way to do this is a consistent three-step routine; Clean, Polish, Protect
My best advise; research other options and products, test them and then make an objective decision based upon factual information not hype or brand loyalty. After all, how can you fully understand and properly use any product unless you have all the facts? I would also strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you.
To formulate a car care product requires ‘balance’, you will need to give up one quality to gain another, as certain expectations are not always entirely possible. So priorities have to be set and adhered too as chemistry is very unforgiving, so at the end of the day all you can hope for is that you’ve placed the priorities in the right order.
A detailer combines chemicals, equipment as well as a knowledge of 'vehicle surfaces, ‘chemicals’, refers to the cleaning and protection products used, ‘equipment,’ refers to the tools used, for example, random orbital polishers, high-speed rotary polishers, extractors and power washers, to name a few. ‘Vehicle Surfaces’, requires a basic understanding of chemistry and how to rejuvenate and protect each of the many and varied material surfaces, regardless of its specific surface composition making objectives observations based upon the results obtained, and adjusting the techniques used as necessary
Detailing also takes willingness to experiment, which usually means deviating from the product manufacturer’s directions, making objectives observations based upon the results obtained, and adjusting the techniques and products used as necessary, always keeping an open mind on manufacturer’s claims for their products.
I’ve made the mistakes – so that you don’t have to: there are many car care products and tools on these pages, each and every one of these ‘wannabes’ had to prove itself to pass the old grey whistle test. For each item that succeeded there were at least ten or more that failed to make the passing grade. Testing involved many months of trail and error until the winners appeared, products that do what the manufacturer says they will and more. The hard work has already been done for you.
A word of caution, do not be tempted to use household cleaning products for automotive cleaning as they are formulated for very different purposes and could cause damage. Avoid any products that contain bleach, ammonia or harsh detergents as they usually also contain high levels of sodium. Neither do I recommend brush attachments for your hose, nor a nylon brush for removing snow, as they will cause serious scratching. An adjustable nozzle attachment is a must, however.
Information resource-
- “Automotive Detailing Inside & Out, A Knowledge Base for the Perfectionist"– by Jon Miller
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