What Exactly Is Involved in Car Detailing?

Let’s take a look at some of the primary details.

Automotive finishes are quite thin and generally range from 4 to 6 mils in total thickness. This includes anti-corrosion coatings. The color coat on a vehicle is typically the thinnest coating.
The exterior paint layer is a clear coat and it is thermo set. This clear finish is only 2 mils thick, and compares to the thickness of a piece of paper.

The car’s bumper and softer parts are all plastic. The plastic is painted with a modified paint that is plasticized to endure the impact of stone chipping.

General Cleaning

In order to do an appropriate paint evaluation on all vehicles, first thoroughly wash, clean and dry. A bug and tar remover will have been used to remove any unwanted stains.

Paint Finish

Along with your customer, conduct a thorough evaluation of the paint finish. This will determine the best care treatment.

This technique works well to promote your services and products when done with the customer. Ask for their input and share your expertise on all of your services and products as it relates to their needs. 

Swirl Marks

When evaluating the paint finish, pay careful attention to any swirl marks present on the finish. The reduction of swirl marks will lead to your best service in revealing the vehicle’s shine and beauty.

Always study the paint condition while in bright light. Swirl marks will appear in bright light even on light colored cars, using this technique.

Use the palm of your hand to assess the smoothness of the finish. If the finish feels rough to your touch, this means that contaminants have bonded to the finish.

Also take note that surface stains, black marks, or water-run marks can appear to be under the paint and this will show up as a result of surface contaminants.

Swirl Removal

A variety of vehicles will have several different finishes all on the same vehicle.
Hand use of the swirl removable works best. Where there are softer coatings, such as the lower body panels and bumper areas, start with the less aggressive removals or compounds. You want to just cut into the swirl and nothing more. The harder the paint, the harder the cleaning agent can be used.

Use of Clay Bars

Clay bars work well with dark vehicles that have not been detailed properly.
Once you have washed the vehicle, use a one step liquid wax to apply to the exterior paint. This will give you the additional lubrication necessary for the clay bar cleaning process.

Clay bars are combined with a liquid spray lubricant. This will prevent the clay from sticking where the spray lubricant thins out. Using the clay bar will safely remove all surface contaminants.

Clay bars come in two types: mild cleaning and heavier cleaning formulations.

A medium grit clay bar will work well with vehicles that are more than three years in age and that may be in poor condition. A milder clay bar works well on a well-maintained vehicle where maximum gloss is wanted.  This is especially true of darker finishes.

Once you have completed the clay bar process, feel for a good smooth finish. The clay must be kneaded after applying to each panel in order to remove all contaminants.