The term auto detailing is applied to performing an extremely thorough washing and cleaning, polishing and waxing of an automobile in the exterior and interior components to produce a good show-quality of detail. This is usually practiced for personal gratification, to prepare cars for promotional product presentations and most importantly, as preventive measures to help lengthen the car’s life and increase its resale value.

Components of Auto Detailing:

• Exterior Detailing

This procedure includes cleaning the car’s exterior sections such as the paint, windows, chrome trim, wheels and even the tires; and restoring its brilliance – washing, polishing and waxing. Car waxing and polishing are essential procedures to auto detailing and each one is intended for a purpose.

• Interior Detailing

This procedure includes cleaning the car’s interior sections – vacuuming, steam cleaning, removing stains on upholstery with liquid cleaners, dusting and polishing of some non-absorbent surfaces. Some auto detailers may offer to do Engine Detailing in which the car’s under the hood is cleaned with high pressure water, steam, degreasers and all-purpose cleaners.

Simple Guidelines for Car Cleaning and Auto Detailing:

Car cleaning and auto detailing are purposely done to serve as good preventive maintenance measures and a great way to have your car look its best. Cleaning refers to getting rid of dirt and all foreign particles on the car’s surface – atmospheric pollutants, animal droppings, dust, dirt particles, highway bugs, road salt, stains and tar. This is done through dusting, washing, polishing and waxing.

Step 1: Washing.

• Spray water slowly then progressively to wet the surface of the car.

• Devise a washing scheme by dividing the car into sections – left side, right side, top, hood and the trunk.

• Start washing from top moving down to the hood, the trunk, and focusing on the left side and the right side. This a highly recommended pattern so the dirt particles and soap do not muddle with the freshly washed areas.

• Always be gentle in doing the washing to avoid dirt particles scratching the car’s paint.

• Wet and wash each section following the same order – top, hood, trunk and the sides.

Step 2: Polishing.

• Polishing is purposely done to achieve a clean and glossy finesse. It removes a layer eliminating dirt but at the same time, thinning the top coat of paint. Polish that are specially created for dark color paint are designed to prevent the color from fading; while polish for pale color paint is created to keep colors clean and bright.

• Polish small section at a time. Put an even coating of the polish on the towel.

• Apply the polish to the car’s surface gently in small, even-circular motions.

• Begin from the top and working your way down the trunk and hood, lastly ending with the right and left sides.