Auto detailing
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Auto detailing (UK: Car valeting), is the performance of an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing 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.[citation needed] Some are franchisees of national auto detailing chains. Many have no actual business address, instead working as mobile operators or in vacant parking lots.[1] 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.
Components of detailing
Exterior detailing
Exterior detailing involves cleaning and bringing a shine to the car's paint, chrome trim, windows, wheels, and tires as well as all other visible components on the exterior of a vehicle. Different detailers use different products and techniques to do this. Products include but are not limited to detergents, degreasers, acids, detail clay, waxes, polishes, and a variety of applicators, brushes and special cloths[2].
The three main components of exterior car detailing are cleaning, polishing, and protecting. Cleaning refers to the removal of all foreign surface particles from exterior surfaces through the use of chemicals, water and heat while washing and claying. A clay bar helps to clean contamination/dirt from the surface of the clearcoat that cannot be removed through weekly washing such as bugs, tar, sap, paint overspray etc. Polishing refers to using mechanical polishes by hand or with a machine and specific polishing pads that remove micrometers of the clearcoat from a vehicle in order to remove fine scratches, swirls, oxidation and other imperfections from a paint surface produced from improper washing techniques, drying techniques and other possible causes. 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 minerals in 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 as well as the trunk of the car. All of the dash area, panels, windows, seats and carpet are cleaned extensively. Vacuuming is standard,[1] and steam cleaning, liquid cleaners, and brushes may be used to remove stains on upholstery. Some nonporous surfaces may also be polished. Some detailers remove seats and other interior components[3] to provide the most thorough clean possible.
Engine detailing
Some detailers may offer engine detailing, in which steam, high pressure water, degreasers 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.
See also
References
- ^ a b "Auto Detailing: Secrets Of The Experts". Web-cars.com. 2007-10-21. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
- ^ http://www.how-to-detail.com
- ^ http://www.how-to-detail.com