Auto detailing
Encyclopedia
Auto detailing is the performance of an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and wax
ing of an automobile
, both inside and out, to produce a show-quality level of detail. Besides improving appearance, detailing helps to preserve resale value of a car.
Today, the United States may have more than 50,000 detailers in operation. Some are franchisees
of national auto detailing chains. Many have no actual business address, instead working as mobile operators or in vacant parking lots. Detailing/valeting can be practiced for personal satisfaction, and it is also performed to prepare a car for car shows that feature the appearance of cars.
, windows, wheel
s, and tire
s. Different detailers use different products to do this, including detergent
s, detail clay, waxes, polishes, and a variety of applicators and special cloths.
The three main components of exterior car detailing are cleaning, polishing, and protecting. Cleaning refers to removing all foreign surface particles from exterior surfaces through the use of washing and claying. A clay bar helps to clean contamination/dirt from within the clearcoat that cannot be removed through weekly washing such as bugs, tar, sap, etc. Correcting refers to using mechanical polishes by hand or with a machine and specific polishing pads that remove micrometres of clearcoat from a vehicle to remove fine scratches and swirls from a paint surface produced from improper washing or drying technique. Protecting involves the application of a protective wax (in liquid or paste form) that prevents foreign matter from adhering to the surface of the vehicle, including water, bugs splatter, tar, and dirt. Waxes and sealants provide this barrier against the elements. Waxes are some of the most expensive elements of the detailing process.
ing is standard, and steam cleaning
, liquid cleaners, and brushes may be used to remove stain
s on upholstery
. Some nonporous
surfaces may also be polished. Some detailers remove seats to provide the most thorough clean possible.
s and all-purpose cleaners are used to clean under the hood
of the car.
Detailing does not include body work
, painting, mechanical or upholstery repair.
Wax
thumb|right|[[Cetyl palmitate]], a typical wax ester.Wax refers to a class of chemical compounds that are plastic near ambient temperatures. Characteristically, they melt above 45 °C to give a low viscosity liquid. Waxes are insoluble in water but soluble in organic, nonpolar solvents...
ing of an automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
, both inside and out, to produce a show-quality level of detail. Besides improving appearance, detailing helps to preserve resale value of a car.
Today, the United States may have more than 50,000 detailers in operation. Some are franchisees
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
of national auto detailing chains. Many have no actual business address, instead working as mobile operators or in vacant parking lots. Detailing/valeting can be practiced for personal satisfaction, and it is also performed to prepare a car for car shows that feature the appearance of cars.
Exterior detailing
Exterior detailing involves cleaning and bringing a shine to the car's paint, chrome trimChrome plating
Chrome plating, often referred to simply as chrome, is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a metal object. The chromed layer can be decorative, provide corrosion resistance, ease cleaning procedures, or increase surface hardness.-Process:A component to be chrome plated will...
, windows, wheel
Rim (wheel)
The rim of a wheel is the outer circular design of the metal on which the inside edge of the tire is mounted on vehicles such as automobiles. For example, on a bicycle wheel the rim is a large hoop attached to the outer ends of the spokes of the wheel that holds the tire and tube.In the 1st...
s, and tire
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
s. Different detailers use different products to do this, including detergent
Detergent
A detergent is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with "cleaning properties in dilute solutions." In common usage, "detergent" refers to alkylbenzenesulfonates, a family of compounds that are similar to soap but are less affected by hard water...
s, detail clay, waxes, polishes, and a variety of applicators and special cloths.
The three main components of exterior car detailing are cleaning, polishing, and protecting. Cleaning refers to removing all foreign surface particles from exterior surfaces through the use of washing and claying. A clay bar helps to clean contamination/dirt from within the clearcoat that cannot be removed through weekly washing such as bugs, tar, sap, etc. Correcting refers to using mechanical polishes by hand or with a machine and specific polishing pads that remove micrometres of clearcoat from a vehicle to remove fine scratches and swirls from a paint surface produced from improper washing or drying technique. Protecting involves the application of a protective wax (in liquid or paste form) that prevents foreign matter from adhering to the surface of the vehicle, including water, bugs splatter, tar, and dirt. Waxes and sealants provide this barrier against the elements. Waxes are some of the most expensive elements of the detailing process.
Interior detailing
Interior detailing involves cleaning the passenger compartment of the car. All of the dash area, panels, windows, and seats are cleaned extensively. VacuumVacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner, commonly referred to as a "vacuum," is a device that uses an air pump to create a partial vacuum to suck up dust and dirt, usually from floors, and optionally from other surfaces as well. The dirt is collected by either a dustbag or a cyclone for later disposal...
ing is standard, and steam cleaning
Steam cleaning
Steam Cleaning involves using steam for cleaning. Its uses include domestic applications in cleaning carpets, and industrial uses in removing grease and dirt from engines.See:* Vapor Steam Cleaners* Carpet Cleaning with steam....
, liquid cleaners, and brushes may be used to remove stain
Stain
A stain is a discoloration that can be clearly distinguished from the surface, material, or medium it is found upon. Stains are caused by the chemical or physical interaction of two dissimilar materials...
s on upholstery
Upholstery
Upholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. The word upholstery comes from the Middle English word upholder, which referred to a tradesman who held up his goods. The term is equally applicable to domestic,...
. Some nonporous
Porosity
Porosity or void fraction is a measure of the void spaces in a material, and is a fraction of the volume of voids over the total volume, between 0–1, or as a percentage between 0–100%...
surfaces may also be polished. Some detailers remove seats to provide the most thorough clean possible.
Engine detailing
Some detailers may offer engine detailing, in which steam, high pressure water, degreaserParts cleaning
Parts cleaning is essential to many industrial processes, as a prelude to surface finishing or to protect sensitive components. Electroplating is particularly sensitive to part cleanliness, since molecular layers of oil can prevent adhesion of the coating. ASTM B322 is a standard guide for cleaning...
s and all-purpose cleaners are used to clean under the hood
Hood (vehicle)
The hood or bonnet is the hinged cover over the engine of motor vehicles that allows access to the engine compartment for maintenance and repair. In British terminology, hood refers to a fabric cover over the passenger compartment of the car...
of the car.
Detailing does not include body work
Automobile repair shop
An automobile repair shop is a place where automobiles are repaired by auto mechanics and electricians.- Types :The automotive garage can be divided in so many category....
, painting, mechanical or upholstery repair.