You may value keeping your car in top shape, but a simple occasional wash and vacuum isn’t enough these days. Auto detailing entails thoroughly cleaning and restoring your vehicle to make it appear as if it were brand new. If you’ve ever wondered about services offering “auto detailing near me,” then you’re likely ahead of the curve already. Here’s what you should know before making the trek to your local auto body repair shop.
Auto Detailing Basics
Before you go to get your car detailed, you’ll want to understand the basic terminology. The complete cleaning, restoration, and finishing of an automobile’s exterior and interior is referred to as car detailing. Beyond just giving a car a wash, the detailing procedure completely cleans every component of a car of dirt, filth, and other wear and tear that accumulates over time. Ultimately, the goal comes down to making your automobile look and feel better, not just for the short-term, but for the foreseeable future as well.
Exterior Detailing
The primary tasks of exterior detailing involve polishing and cleaning the vehicle’s outside components (essentially anything that’s not inside the car). This includes cleaning, waxing, and polishing the vehicle. Even if particles that are not removed by routine washing remain, a thorough car wash should remove excess dirt and pollution. After that, buffing removes paint swirl marks and scratches. The car gets glossy after waxing because of the protective coating that reflects off environmental harm. To leave it with a perfect finish, detailers frequently employ specialized tools like dual-action polishers and premium microfiber cloths.
Interior Detailing
The interior detailing is just as crucial as the exterior, so equal priority should be given to both areas of the car. The initial step of interior detailing is using a vacuum to remove any loose dirt or debris. The surfaces will be cleaned and conditioned using a variety of cleaning products and brushes. Conditioners are applied to carpets and leather-type surfaces within the car to maintain their freshness. Fabric seats and carpets can also benefit from steam cleaning and shampooing, particularly if they have built up difficult-to-remove stains and odors. By taking these steps, your car’s interior should be newly fresh and clean.
Engine Bay Cleaning
Another important stage in car detailing is cleaning the engine bay. Keeping this part of the car neater is more aesthetically pleasing while driving, so it’s easier to spot out-of-place malfunctions like leaks or worn-out components. The engine and all of its working parts must be meticulously cleaned and degreased to prevent harm to the car, but also to prevent harm to the driver and its passengers (essentially, keeping the engine running while decreasing the likelihood of car failure and/or getting into a road accident). To make sure every part of the engine bay is cleaned and dried, use low-pressure water and specialist cleaning solutions.
Benefits of Regular Auto Detailing
Beyond just keeping your automobile shiny and clean, regular auto detailing has numerous long term benefits for the health and safety of your car. Preventing deterioration of the paint and interior materials helps to preserve the vehicle’s worth, if you plan to sell it one day for profit. Additionally, when the engine is kept clean and in working order, performance is maximized to the fullest. A clean automobile both inside and out gives it a fresher appearance and feel, which appeals to both the driver, its passengers, and other occupants of the road who will pass by your vehicle.
