Proper Steps to Detailing a Car
Like any other hands-on, detail-oriented endeavor, the process of thoroughly cleaning a car requires a hyper-focused work ethic, a shit-ton of practice, and quality products. But even these elements don’t guarantee amazing results.
For example, some car wash brushes, clay bars, and other products wreak havoc on ceramic coatings. This is why some detailing enthusiasts believe you need to decontaminate a vehicle before polishing it.
Prep
There are a number of important steps to take before beginning any car detailing process. Many of these steps are essential for the best results and the safety of the vehicle and its occupants.
Using the right tools can make all the difference when it comes to getting great results. Purchasing the right clay bar, buffing pad, drying towel, shampoo, or other products will take time and effort, but it is vital to the success of any auto detailing job. Multiple standout brands compete for the crown of the best clay bar, rotary polisher, dual-action orbital polisher, and other car detailing tools, so it is important to read reviews and find a product that works well for your particular application.
The first step of Kolby's Auto Spa exterior car detailing is a chemical decontamination. This can be accomplished by using a clay bar or a chemical decontamination product. This process thoroughly cleans paint and removes bonded contaminants that can damage the surface of your painted finish.
This should be done before applying a new layer of protection to the paint, such as a wax or sealant. A quality wax can help fill minor paint imperfections, add shine, and give your vehicle that show-car look. There are many different waxes on the market, and it is important to decide between a paste wax or a liquid wax. Paste waxes tend to fill in paint defects better, but they are more difficult to apply and remove than a liquid wax.
Lastly, all glass should be cleaned with non-ammonia glass cleaner and microfiber cloths. This includes the windshield, windows, mirrors, sunroof instrument cluster lens, and dome light lenses.
Wash
Car detailing goes beyond a good scrub-down. Detailing typically involves the application of protective coatings such as paint sealants, clear bras, ceramic coatings, vinyl wraps and various tire and wheel dressings. It also typically involves the prepping of a vehicle's finish by using a clay bar to eliminate harmful contaminants that have bonded to the paint.
If your vehicle is really dirty, a quick spray of a snow foam or citrus prewash may be necessary before the actual washing. This will help to loosen up the bugs and road grime before they are removed with the soapy wash.
During the actual washing, work on one panel at a time, starting from the top and working your way down. Taking the time to wash each panel will prevent water spots and streaking. Rinse continually, and do not allow soap to dry on your car. A high-grade silicone squeegee can be purchased at most auto supply stores that works very well to remove moisture from the body panels of your car, thereby preventing water spotting and making drying faster.
After washing, rinse off the wheels and tires and wipe down all plastic, vinyl and rubber components on the interior of your vehicle with a mild cleanser. This will include the dashboard, steering wheel and console. For tough dirt or stains, a more powerful cleaner may be required. Always follow the instructions on your chosen cleaner. Most cleaning, protective and polishing products react poorly to direct sunlight or hot surfaces, so always work indoors or in the shade when possible. Also, avoid using household cleaning products as they may contain chemicals that are harmful to your vehicle's finishes.
Rinse
Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer, or you hire a professional detailing company, the next step is to thoroughly rinse the vehicle. This ensures that any shampoo, cleaning agents, or residue is removed. It also helps prevent surface marring during the washing process. It's far better to rinse the car than put it through an automatic touch car wash where it is likely to get scratched and swirled by dirty brushes (or, worse yet, sucked in and baked onto the paint with a pressure washer).
Rinsing also exposes contaminants that may not be readily apparent — such as bonded pollutants like iron fallout, tree sap, tar, glue, brake dust particles, etc. These can be decontaminated with a clay bar or decontamination spray.
Once the car is thoroughly rinsed it's time to apply a quality car wax. The best waxes are ones that contain a silicone-based sealant. This adds a bit of protection, as well as gloss and depth to the paint finish. A good quality car wax will last a couple of months or more before it needs to be renewed.
Lastly, don't forget to clean the cup holders, door panels, and steering wheel. These are high-touch areas that are frequently smacked by the driver's hands, and they're perfect places for germs to hide. Use a multi-purpose interior cleaner to sanitize these surfaces, and then follow up with an organic steam cleaner for the most thorough cleaning possible. This can also help with bad odors.
Dry
Upon finishing up the wash stage, it’s time to dry off the car. This step involves the use of a microfiber towel and a dedicated car drying product, which can either be a quick detail spray or a spray wax. Some people refer to quick-detail products as “drying aids,” although these typically do not replace the water and evaporate almost immediately, meaning they are more of a protective product than a true drying aid.
Start with the wheels and tires, which are always the dirtiest areas of any car, as they collect road grime, asphalt grime, brake dust, mud, etc. A good pre-soak with a quality wheel cleaner will help to loosen those contaminants and make them easier to rinse off. Using a separate detailing bucket and wash mitt for these areas will also prevent the possibility of scratches or other damage to the paint.
Once the wheels and tires are clean, it’s a good idea to rinse off the rest of the exterior in length-wise sections. This will prevent water spots and other surface damage and will also make it easier to spot any serious issues such as bird droppings, spider webbing, or tar spots.
If the car is protected with a clear coat, it’s usually best to skip this step. However, if the vehicle has scratches or other minor flaws in the finish, it’s a good idea to polish the paint and then re-apply the protection.
If the car has no clear coat, it’s often a good idea to clay the bodywork before you begin. It’s not necessary if the vehicle has a wax or sealant on it, but if you want to ensure that those protectants remain intact and effective, it’s a good idea to clay first.
Polish
Polishing, or buffing a vehicle’s paintwork can make a huge difference in the final appearance of the car. It can also help correct minor paint defects (scratches, swirls) and improve the overall gloss of the finish. The process of polishing can be done by hand, or with a dual action or orbital buffer and/or rotary machine. A quality polishing pad, polish and liquid is required.
The wheels & tires should be decontaminated of brake dust, iron contamination and tar residue with appropriate body safe cleaners and tar remover. This step is also an excellent time to inspect the condition of the lug nuts and tire sidewalls for any signs of damage or wear.
After polishing, a good quality sealant or wax should be applied. If your vehicle is in need of a more substantial protection product, such as a ceramic coating, the wheels & tires will need to be decontaminated again first.
While there are products out there that claim to be able to reduce light to medium paint defects, such as scratches and swirls, without the need for correcting or polishing, these types of products are not truly protective – they simply mask the problems rather than removing them completely. Likewise, they are not as hydrophobic as dedicated protective products and they won't bead the way that professional grade waxes and ceramic coatings do.
It is also important to avoid removing polish residue with panel wipes, as this will leave behind a film that can hinder the ability of a protective product to properly bond to the surface. The best method is to use a quality waterless spray hose.
Like any other hands-on, detail-oriented endeavor, the process of thoroughly cleaning a car requires a hyper-focused work ethic, a shit-ton of practice, and quality products. But even these elements don’t guarantee amazing results. For example, some car wash brushes, clay bars, and other products wreak havoc on ceramic coatings. This is why some detailing enthusiasts…