| If you investigate you will find that there is no | | | | oxidation for a new car. For heavier needs such |
| formal definition for taking care of the both the | | | | as an older car which has been left in the sun a |
| inside and outside of your vehicle. You would | | | | different type of polish containing various abrasive |
| assume that there would be some common | | | | materials will be used. The most severe polish |
| agreement on a process that may cost several | | | | used in detailing is usually called rubbing compound. |
| hundred dollars. Most people assume that they | | | | It looks like a heavy paste but acts like a very |
| know what car detailing means. Since there is not | | | | very fine sandpaper. Rubbing compound can |
| a common agreement on what car detailing, be | | | | remove too much paint if done incorrectly. This is |
| careful when you ask someone to do it to your | | | | why you want a professional to do your work. A |
| car. Insure they are planning on doing what you | | | | professional will use a rotary buffer, while an |
| want and expect to receive. We suggest you ask | | | | amateur should use an orbital buffer which is less |
| very specific questions and understand what the | | | | apt to remove too much paint. Remember that |
| company is planning on doing. | | | | the goal of polishing is to give your car a deep |
| However there are certain common steps that | | | | shine. The next step protects the finish, but it |
| are done in a typical car detailing project. Usually | | | | does not create the shine. |
| the average car detailing job consists of doing a | | | | The last major step in taking care of the exterior |
| thorough washing, cleaning, polishing and waxing | | | | is the use of a sealant or a wax. The newest |
| the exterior of the vehicle. There should also be a | | | | sealants are typically a polymer based product |
| through cleaning of the interior, but this article will | | | | which seems to offer more durability from than |
| not address those interior detailing techniques. | | | | the best wax. They are liquid based and applied |
| Some companies start on the exterior of the car, | | | | like a liquid wax. One factor should be kept in mind |
| and others begin on the interior. Most of the | | | | if you want a sealant instead of wax. Sealants |
| professional detailers will begin on the interior. This | | | | must not be applied over wax or any surface |
| is because if any of the chemicals used in the | | | | contamination, If you did it can slow down or stop |
| interior wind up on the outside of the car, they | | | | the bonding of the sealant to the paint surface. |
| will be removed as part of the cleaning step. | | | | There is always disagreement between owners if |
| Assuming we start on the exterior the first step | | | | a chemical product or a real wax looks better. |
| in detailing is to wash the car to remove all heavy | | | | The wax can enhance the gloss of the paint and |
| particles of dirt and related materials. This car | | | | give it the appearance of depth. |
| detailing step removes surface contamination. | | | | You can apply a carnauba based wax or a |
| Special soap are made for the car's paint and | | | | synthetic wax. Car crazy owners and most |
| they are designed not to strip off the wax. If you | | | | owners who show their cars, are on a never |
| use dishwashing soap, then you must rewax the | | | | ending quest to find the best wax to use. Some |
| car. | | | | car waxes are even being sold today with |
| In the next step a Clay Bar is used with some | | | | instructions that should be applied with your bare |
| type of liquid lubricant such as spray wax, window | | | | hands. The heat from your hands rubbing in the |
| cleaner or sometimes even water. This step | | | | wax is supposed to give you a better finish. I |
| should remove road grime, tar, bugs, light rust, | | | | have never seen proof that this is a better wax |
| tree sap and even some paint over spray. Clay | | | | than others. |
| helps removes contamination that is embedded in | | | | There are various one-step products which claim |
| the paint. The first two steps remove | | | | to clean, polish and protect at the same time. A |
| contaminates which are on and in the surface. A | | | | professional shop will never use these type of |
| good detailing job should always have both of | | | | products because of the compromises that must |
| these steps as part of the process. If someone | | | | be made for each one of the steps. Reports that |
| tells you that they do not do the claying step, | | | | I have seen suggest that the synthetic products |
| you are not receiving a professional job. | | | | for car detailing go on easier and last longer than |
| The third most common step is polishing the | | | | pure wax. But don't try and convince most |
| vehicle. Polishing is a critical major step as it can | | | | owners of this. On the typical car, either one will |
| usually remove oxidation, swirls, water deposits, | | | | give you a great finish. |
| light scratches and some other minor surface | | | | Taking care of the chrome, trim and tires must |
| imperfections. A good car polish can be just a | | | | also be accomplished for that truly show car finish. |
| chemical that cleans the surface and removes | | | | |