What Is Automotive Detailing?

automotive detailing

Whether it’s called a wash, valet or a detail, the process of cleaning a vehicle can be defined by its level of thoroughness and quality of results. A professional detailing service goes above and beyond simply cleaning a vehicle by applying restorative processes to the paintwork, wheels, tires, interior leather, plastics, and fabrics of the car.

The first step of a detailing service involves a careful washing with specialized products and a reputable source of water to remove dirt, road grime, pollen, tar, and other surface contamination. Using microfiber towels and a low pH car wash shampoo is key to reducing the chance of scratching or marring the surfaces being cleaned.

After a thorough cleaning, many detailing services will apply a clay bar treatment to remove contaminants like industrial fallout and tree sap from the paint before polishing and waxing. The resulting smooth and glossy finish helps protect the paint from damage and provides a richer color that is more reflective.

Many services will also vacuum the seats, carpets and mats to remove loose debris and dirt. Steam cleaning may be used for heavily soiled or stained areas that traditional vacuuming can’t reach. Leather surfaces are usually conditioned and sanitized to keep them soft, flexible and odor free. The carpets and upholstery are shampooed and deodorized, if necessary, to remove deep stains and leave them looking new again.

Auto detailing can permanently reduce defects in automotive clear coat, single stage and even two-stage painted surfaces by machine abrasion. It is important to note that the capability of defect removal from a one step polish is completely dependent on the skill and knowledge of the detailer who is operating the polisher.