Detailing Products / Methodologies

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Detailing Products / Methodologies


  • Detailed is a term used to describe the process of cleaning, polishing and applying protection to vehicle surfaces. Implying that every part of the vehicle has been cleaned and protected from the elements; including, the engine compartment, trunk, tools, wheels and fender wells, tyres, paint film and glass surfaces (convertible top) and the entire interior. Extra points are gained for original owners handbook, invoice


Always select a chemical / cleaner that are biodegradable, environmentally friendly and safe to use by observing any precautions recommended so that they won’t harm you, your vehicle or the environment


  • When cleaning a stain, try detergent and water first. If this does not remove the stain, then try a stronger type cleaner (303'M Cleaner & Spot Remover) once fabric is clean apply a fabric protection (303TM High Tech Fabric Guard) You should always test the cleaning product on an inconspicuous area first to make sure you won’t be incurring further damage.


When the inevitable happens, remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting, not rubbing with paper towels, etc). Try not to let the stain `set' for too long before you remove it. Within a day or two, most spills will set and permanently stain your upholstery or become very difficult to remove. Even without fabric protection, you would be amazed at how easy it is to clean up most stains with nothing more than a neutral detergent (Woolite or Dreft) and water. A neutral (or balanced) detergent will not bleach fabric or remove fabric protection.


Heated water breaks down water-soluble soiling faster as it reduces overall chemical usage because it reduces the surface tension of the fibre. Heat acts as a catalyst promoting quicker reactions between chemicals and the soil thereby minimizing dwell time.


To remove stains the surface tension that bonds them must be released, then the stain encapsulated and held in suspension to be removed. I’m repeatedly asked which product is the best interior cleaner. There is no one-product answer; as the so-called all purpose cleaners (APC) do not remove every stain, different stains require different solvents to remove them.


  • Between these cleaners you should be able to remove 99% of stains occurring in a vehicle and around the home – Start with a 10:1 solution and decrease dilution as necessary;


Fabric upholstery - 303™ Aerospace Cleaner, an industrial strength concentrate. 303™ Rug / Upholstery Cleaner & Spot Remover Protein Stain Remover HT-67 (Milk, Cream, etc) - http//:Top of the Line Auto Detailing Supplies


All purpose cleaner - P21S Total Auto Wash (its active ingredient is d-limonene (citrus) a safe all purpose cleaner (APC)


Carpet / Mats - Woolite® Heavy Traffic Carpet Foam Hoover Deep Cleansing Carpet/Upholstery Detergent Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover


Vinyl / PVC – a solution of Woolite and distilled water or a citrus-based cleaner and water to remove stains use 1z einszett Cockpit Premium as a matte, anti-static as a finish dressing.


Plastic - Plexus, BTI™ Chemicals Plastic Polish & Cleaner


Leather – Leather Master’s Leather Cleaner (and then use LM’s Leather Protection)


Washable surfaces - Distilled water / Woolite 10:1 or 303 Cleaner & Spot Remover ™ or to remove heavy stains safely, without harsh chemicals 303's Aerospace Cleaner, an industrial strength concentrate


Glass surfaces - Stoner's Invisible Glass and a (Norwex) glass cleaning cloth with a super tight knit


Wood surfaces – Klasse or Zaino All-In-One (AIO)


Ultra violet protection - for all interior / exterior surfaces- 303™ Aerospace Protectant


  • Classifying stains-

a) Organic stains- these include proteins and fats, body oils, mould yeast, bacteria, bugs and carbohydrates. Most of the stains found in the vehicle interior are of an organic nature and require an alkaline type cleaner. Some organic stains (i.e. blood, vomit, urine) should be removed with an enzyme type cleaner and a disinfectant applied to the area


* b) Non-Organic stains- mostly found on the exterior of the vehicle, hard water scale (calcium) lime deposits, Road tar, grease and oil film, and require an acidic type cleaner.


* c) Petroleum soils - substances that do not contain water, nor are they miscible, these soil types include, motor oils, and crease and road tar, and require a solvent type cleaner.


Stain Types-a) Water Soluble Stains- These stains can be dissolved in cool water or loosened with water based cleaner, coffee; soft drinks, cocoa and chocolate are good examples.

  • b) Oil soluble stains- These are stains that are comprised of oily or greasy substances, which include cooking, oil from fried foods and suntan oil.


  • c) Combination Stains- These stains contain both water based and oil-soluble properties. Cleaning these stains require treatment with a petroleum solvent followed by water based cleaning solution.


  • d) Unidentifiable Stains- Sometimes stains cannot be identified. Treat these stains like a combination stain. Clean with a petroleum solvent followed by water based cleaner.


Interiors:

All kinds of dust, fumes, smoke and dirt builds up inside of a cars interior, much of it is brought in by the driver and passengers, but traffic fumes and air-borne dirt enters via the vehicles ventilation system. Every single interior surface is affected. Periodically it needs to be thoroughly cleaned to remove pollutants and preserve the original surfaces, ensuring the vehicles like-new condition. The surfaces involved in this cleaning are; glass, vinyl, leather, plastics, fabric, carpets and various acrylic surfaces.


To remove stains the surface tension that bonds them must be released, then the stain encapsulated and held in suspension to be removed. I’m repeatedly asked which product is the best interior cleaner. There is no one-product answer; as the so-called all purpose cleaners (APC) do not remove every stain, different stains require different solvents to remove them.


Before cleaning a stain ascertain the material and try detergent and water before using a specific cleaner. Once fabric is clean apply a fabric protection (303TM High Tech Fabric Guard) Between these cleaners you should be able to remove 99% of stains occurring in a vehicle and around the home; Start with a 10:1 solution and decrease dilution as necessary;


Carpets- 303™ Rug / Upholstery Cleaner & Spot Remover, Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover or P21S Total Auto Wash (its active ingredient is d-limonene (citrus) a safe all purpose cleaner (APC) Woolite® Heavy Traffic Carpet Foam or Hoover Deep Cleansing Carpet/Upholstery Detergent


Fabric seats - 303™ Rug / Upholstery Cleaner & Spot Remover or 303™ Aerospace Cleaner Duragloss FC (Fabric & Carpet Cleaner, Aerosol Foam) is a blend of surfactants, which encapsulates and gently foams away soil, oil and grease from fabric and carpet surfaces. Spot cleaning can be done without leaving rings on fabric - http//:We Are Car Care -- Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers & Car Accessories Store


Vinyl interior trim cleaning- the interior trim consists of the dash, vents, hard plastic surfaces and vinyl trim. These surfaces all can be cleaned using a damp micro fibre towel and a 5:1 Woolite / distilled water solution and with a water-based, anti-static cleaner Iz einszett Cockpit Premium; even at high temperatures, its thermo-stable action protects the product against break-down or 1Z Cockpit Premium as a matte finish dressing. Alternative - Einszett Vinyl-Rubber Care + Protectant 'Tiefenpfleger'


Plastic - For all plastic surfaces (BTI Chemicals Plexus® Plastic Polish & Cleaner) including wood, as they are protected with a urethane clear coat


Leather – a 6:1 solution of LM Soft Cleaner and distilled water and Leather Master Protection, as a shield against stains etc


Washable surfaces - Distilled water / Woolite 10:1 or 303 Cleaner & Spot Remover ™


Glass surfaces - Stoner's Invisible Glass and a (Norwex) glass cleaning cloth with a super tight knit.


Headliner - Duragloss 451 Fabric & Carpet Cleaner Aerosol Foam (FC) Is a blend of surfactants, which gently foam away soil, oil and grease from fabric and carpet surfaces. Spot cleaning can be done without leaving rings on fabrics, carpet and velour - Products - Serious Performance.


Wood surfaces – Klasse or Zaino All-In-One (AIO)


Ultra violet (UV) protection - for all interior surfaces- 303™ Aerospace Protectant or Optimum Protectant Plus


Fabric / Carpet Protection – 303™ High Tech Fabric Guard, 3M Scotchgard™ Fabric protector Fluorochemicals (polymer latex) are mostly inert so by applying it to fabric it can be protected from stains and soiling.


Leather Protection – Leather Master’s Protection


Ultra Violet Protection (UV) - 303™ Aerospace Protectant


  • Use the Right Brush For the Job

Interiors - (Horse hair / Nylon) whether around the house or inside your automobile, have many different textures. This carpet cleaning brush is great for lifting the nap up on carpets and cloth upholstery to make for easy cleaning.


Leather - The Horse Hair Brush has soft and gentle bristles, easy to grip handles. Great for leather, headliners, vinyl door panels and rear deck covers: Groit’s Garage - Car Care, Detail Supplies, Garage Organization, Car Accessories - Griot's Garage 800-345-5789



  • Exterior Products:

Paint surface – Car wash concentrate- Zymol Clear or Zaino Z-7 Car Wash Zaino Show Car products (Z-2 Pro, ZFX, Z-6, Z-8) Swissvax Concorso, Zymol Vintage Carnauba waxes


Convertible top - Raggtopp Cleaner & Protectant, 303 Vinyl Cleaner & Protectant


Targa top - BTI Chemicals Plexus® Plastic Polish & Cleaner


PVC - Black Wow


Tyres- HiTemp Tire Cleaner Zaino Z-16 Perfect Tire Gloss™ ( also contains UV Radiation protection)


Wheel surface – P21S Wheel Surface Cleaner (100% acid free)


Glass Surface Cleaner - Stoner’s Invisible Glass



Information resource -


  • “Automotive Detailing Inside & Out, A Knowledge Base for the Perfectionist"– by Jon Miller


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