Autodeteyling, i.e. professional car restoration. What do you need to know about it? What car cosmetics do you need to take care of your car?

Work on the appearance of the car is almost endless. The exceptions are those items that are stored in the garage and wait for years to gain value. However, new cars and slightly older ones that are not classics can be looked after in different ways. One of them is well-done auto detailing. It not only provides a temporary flash, but also facilitates the further maintenance of the car in proper condition. What is car detailing? Find out in our article!

Car detailing - what does it mean?

The phrase "auto detailing", borrowed from the English language, refers to improving the aesthetic value of a car, which can be achieved by focusing on details. A detailing specialist can focus on any external elements of the car, the most important of which are:

• body;
• window;
• Headlights;
• door handles;
• rims;
• grille inside plastic.

You can also take care of what is inside the car, i.e.:

• upholstery;
• cabin;
• headliner;
• plastic elements on the central tunnel;
• ventilation grates.

Car detailing - what does it give?

On the face of it, the goal of every detailer is to give shine to specific elements of the car chosen by the client. However, polishing the paintwork or cleaning the interior are just some of the many services that are carried out in specialized companies. Auto detailing relies on great attention to detail, so it can also include refinishing, ceramic coating, refinishing rims, or chassis maintenance. In this way, you can protect your car from future damage and increase its value.

Car detailing and the most important stages of work

If you thought that car detailing was just a thorough car wash, we want to gently deceive you. Preparing the outer layer for specific detailing work starts with washing, but does not end there. The whole process is divided into several stages, the most important of which are:

• washing;
• polishing;
• degreasing;
• waxing/ceramics.

Preparatory work before polishing varnish

Before polishing the varnish, you should perform a number of actions, which we will discuss below. See what the next steps look like.

Thorough cleaning of wheel arches, wheels and rims

Usually it all starts with tires and wheels, since these are the parts that are most often contaminated. Brake pad dust is so annoying that it adheres very strongly to aluminum and resists even water splashes. In order not to transfer these resinous contaminants to other elements of the car during the subsequent multi-stage wash, they must first be cleaned. Washing takes place on cold discs, and detailing cosmetics are chemicals to remove dirt and accessories in the form of soft and hard brushes.

Prewash with active foam

This is simply the primary removal of contaminants from the body, the structure of which can damage it. At this stage, work is not carried out with gloves, brushes or sponges! Auto detailing with active foam is designed to remove sand particles, dust and other solid contaminants. The specialist applies the drug to the car. When the water begins to flow down the body, pressure washing starts from the bottom up. The brush allows you to get rid of dirt from nooks and crannies.

Main wash

At this point, you need to take a glove for washing the body and prepare two buckets - with water and a solution of water with chemicals. At the bottom of each bucket there are protective gratings, that is, dirt separators. They prevent contaminants from mixing with water. After soaking the glove in water with shampoo, the remaining dirt is removed in a circular motion. Always rinse the glove before reuse.

Clay

This stage takes place only on selected areas of the body, although nothing complicated for those who wish. In order to perform effective auto detailing of the entire paintwork, it is necessary to get rid of dirt that is invisible to the naked eye or present in small scratches. Clay is formed in the form of an oval cake. Shampoo or a suitable chemical can be used to clean these tiny nooks and crannies. You apply detergents on your fingers and thus get rid of dirt.

Polishing lacquer and restoring its shine

After preparing the car body, you can proceed to the polishing stage with varnish. This action allows you to get rid of the top layer, which is often matte and has scratches. For this, planetary, rotary and double-acting polishers are used. In addition, polishing wheels and pastes are applied to the head of the equipment, corresponding to the stage of work. Cosmetics for detailing are selected taking into account the degree of damage to the paint and the level of advancement of the performer.

Paint degreasing and waxing

After careful polishing, it can be concluded that the effect is satisfactory. None of these things - auto detailing also requires proper body protection. Therefore, after polishing the varnish, it is necessary to get rid of the remnants of the polishing paste. To do this, preparations are used that are designed to remove pastes so that they do not enter into an undesirable reaction with them and do not destroy existing effects. At the next stage, a product is selected to protect the body. Carnauba-based waxes work well here, as they provide the most protection against damage.

Auto detailing - is it worth buying professional auto cosmetics?

A bucket of water and dishwashing liquid is definitely not enough for effective car detailing. Each stage of vehicle preparation must be carried out using appropriate chemicals. This is by no means a marketing ploy, because auto cosmetics are effective, and its composition is adapted for washing specific elements. car. They also provide safe dirt removal and patching.

Detailing cosmetics - what are they?

Several of the most important types of products can be found on the market that are used during detailing work. These include drugs:

• washing - among them, shampoos and active foams for varnish with a neutral or alkaline reaction are most often used. There are also products for removing dirt from scratches and depressions, such as clay. Alcohol-based liquids and special cleaners are used to remove glass from the outside and inside. The cockpit will benefit from additional measures to prevent dust settling;
• refreshing - mainly used for plastics outside and inside. They allow you to give color and shine to elements wiped after prolonged use or exposure to the sun;
• polishes - also used for cabin elements and chrome body parts. After using them, the metallized elements will become glossy;
• preservatives - protect the surface from damage. These include waxes, ceramic coatings and protective films;
• camouflage - auto detailing cannot do without means that reduce imperfections. Such preparations help mask scratches and scuffs, as well as minor defects in the paintwork.

Auto detailing - the most important car care accessories

Auto detailing products alone are not enough. Also, do not do without the appropriate equipment and tools. The most important ones are:

• buckets;
• brushes of different hardness;
• brushes;
• washing gloves;
• microfiber cloths;
• high pressure washers;
• applicators;
• leech;
• separators;
• polishing discs;
• polishing devices.

Auto detailing and do-it-yourself profitability

Does it make sense to work on your own? Just look at the list of necessary products and equipment. Then you will learn that preparing a whole arsenal of gadgets and using them correctly will require a lot of money and time. Therefore, auto detailing is usually trusted by companies specializing in such services. Trusting professionals, you do not risk damaging the elements. And such "adventures" very often happen to amateurs. The paint may burn, the upholstery will fray, the headlining will fall off, or the parts will be scratched by unsuitable detergents.

Is car detailing expensive?

Detailing the car is not required. You can do without it and still drive your car. Until recently, these were pretty premium services, but many companies have popped up and prices have dropped. This means that more and more people are regularly supported by automotive parts specialists. What are the prices for such services? The individual work steps are as follows:

• Detailed washing and blackening of tires - from 4 euros
• interior dry cleaning – from 4 euros
• upholstered furniture cleaning – from 20 euros
• full cleaning of the car interior – from 30 euros
• depilation - from 15 euros (depending on the type of wax);
• paint restoration - from 800 to 150 euros
• ceramic coatings - from 100 euros
• gluing a protective film - from 100 euros (depending on the selected elements);

As you can see, auto detailing is not the cheapest service. The above prices are indicative and may vary depending on the location, size of the car and the reputation of the workshop. Remember that the bigger and dirtier or damaged your car is, the more expensive the service will be. However, if everything is done with high quality, then the appearance and condition of the car will improve for a long time.