Car detailing is the process of deep cleaning a vehicle, enhancing the appearance and protecting the finish. Both the interior and exterior of a vehicle can be detailed with the aim of achieving a finish which is as close to new as possible, and in some cases better than new.
Car detailing involves three main stages: cleaning, enhancing and protecting. Within these three stages, several steps are involved in the process.
Cleaning:
– Thorough clean of the entire wheels (alloy faces, barrels, lug nuts, tyres, and wheel arches)
– Pre-wash of the paintwork using either a citrus spray or snow foam to remove as much traffic film/ dirt as possible
– Hand-wash of the exterior using a microfiber wash mitt and car shampoo
– Removal of tar deposits and iron fallout contamination using dedicated chemicals
– Clay barring the paintwork and glass to remove remaining contaminants and leave the paint feeling smooth
– Removing water and chemicals stains on the glass via polishing
– Thoroughly vacuuming the interior and cleaning difficult to reach areas e.g. pedals, vents etc.
– Using a wet-vac extractor and steam to deep clean fabrics and remove odours
– Using dedicated interior plastic and leather cleaners to sanitise and remove dirt
Enhancing:
– Machine polishing the paintwork to remove or minimise clear coat defects (scratches and swirl marks)
– Polishing the exhaust tips to remove carbon deposits
– Headlight restoration to remove oxidisation and improve clarity on older vehicles
– Removing water marks and staining from chrome trim using a metal polish
– Using a semi-permanent black plastic trim restorer to darken the finish on faded plastics
Protecting:
– Applying a ceramic coating, wax or sealant to the paintwork to shield it from the environment and keep it cleaner between washes
– Applying a glass coating to the windows to make the surface water repellent which improves visibility when driving in the rain
– Using a conditioning tyre serum to replenish the rubber and prevent cracking and fading
– Using a leather conditioner and sealant to reduce damage from UV, spillages and friction
– Treating the interior plastics with a coating to protect against UV and leave an anti-static finish to reduce dust build-up
Car detailing is a service aimed at vehicle owners who take pride in the appearance of their vehicle and want to keep it looking as new as possible for years to come. Detailing offers several benefits including:
– Enhanced vehicle appearance – having a vehicle freshly detailed will ensure it really turns heads
– Improved resale value – protecting and maintaining the car means it will command a higher price when it comes to selling
– Protection – detailing a vehicle ensures it stays protected against environmental contaminants and looks newer for longer
Car detailing is a skilled service which goes way beyond basic valeting and hand-washing at a local station. Here are some of the main advantages of choosing a professional detailing service like Auto Care HQ instead of a DIY-approach.
– Professional car detailers have an eye for perfection. We have worked on hundreds of vehicles and know which areas to pay special attention to which less experienced car cleaners won’t spot.
– Detailers also have access to high quality chemicals and invest in expensive equipment to ensure high-quality results.
– Services such as machine polishing and ceramic coating require experience and knowledge to avoid damaging the finish.
– Hiring a professional detailer saves time and effort. Not only is the detailing process labour intensive, but professional detailers have also spent years improving their skills to achieve the best results.
Auto Care HQ offers the following services:
– Maintenance detail (from £60)
– Exterior deep clean (from £90)
– Interior deep clean from (from £100)
– Single-stage machine polish (from £400)
– Ceramic coating (from £400)
– Two-stage machine polish (from £550)
– Glass ceramic coating (from £40)
– Wheel ceramic coating (from £80)
– Soft-top convertible deep clean & protection (from £50)
– Faded plastic trim restoration (from £40)
– Leather and plastic interior coating (from £60)
A ceramic coating is a chemical polymer which contains an active compound called silicon dioxide. It is applied in a liquid form to the surfaces of a vehicle and cures to form a hard, protective layer. Ceramic coatings are most commonly applied to the paintwork but can also be applied to glass, plastic trim, and leather. They offer the following advantages:
– Keeps the car cleaner for longer and makes the car easier to clean
– Provides UV protection, wash marring resistance and chemical resistance
– Leave a long-lasting high-gloss finish
– Excellent durability (2-7 years on average)
Here is a link to an article on ceramic coatings for more information.
Machine polishing, also know as paint correction, is the process of removing a thin layer of clear coat paint to eliminate or minimise the appearance of defects such as scratches and swirl marks resulting in increased gloss and shine.
There are several types of machine polishing:
– Single-stage machine polishing: this involves the use of a 1-step polish to tackle minor clear coat defects
– Two-stage machine polishing: this involves compounding remove deeper clear coat defects and then polishing to refine the gloss
– Multi-stage machine polishing: this involves an additional wet-sanding step to deal with deep clear coat scratches
New cars benefit from detailing for several reasons:
– When new vehicles are transported they collect environmental contaminants (namely iron fallout) which causes the paintwork to feel rough and if not dealt with, will lead to the formation of small rust spots on the surface. The detailing process removes all types of contamination including iron particles.
– When a new car is prepared for collection at the dealership it is almost always washed improperly leading to scratches and swirl marks being inflicted. Detailing a new vehicle will remove these defects and enhance the gloss.
– In order to keep a new car looking as new as possible for as long as possible, it needs to be protected. Having your vehicle professionally detailed will ensure protection is applied to both the interior and exterior surfaces so they stay in excellent condition.
