Auto detailing

Last updated

A man vacuuming the interior of an automobile in the Netherlands, 1916 Elektron vacuum cleaner 1916.jpg
A man vacuuming the interior of an automobile in the Netherlands, 1916

Auto detailing is an activity that keeps the vehicle in its best possible condition, especially cosmetic, as opposed to mechanical. This is achieved by removing both visible and invisible contaminants from the vehicle's interior as well as polishing the exterior to its original blemish-free finish. The most basic detail options include an exterior wash and wax, interior vacuuming, window cleaning, and surface polishing.

Contents

Background

Professional detailing services and the sale of products to both professionals and enthusiasts represent a large commercial presence in places where automobiles are a primary mode of transport. In the United States alone, the professional and home detailing industry was over $9 billion in revenue, as of April 2014. [1]

Components of detailing

Detailing is more than a cleaning process to make a vehicle look good, but a systematic approach to help extend its life with methods and products that reduce damaging environmental elements such as dirt, sun, harsh winters, etc. [2] Appropriate maintenance or restoration of vehicles to keep them looking outside and inside as if they came from an auto dealer's showroom increase their resale value. [3] Auto detailing requires knowledge of proper techniques and use of tools and products. [2]

Detailing is generally broken down into two categories: exterior and interior (or cabin). Some products and services focus on these two areas specifically.

Exterior detailing involves cleaning, and either restoring or exceeding the original condition of the surface of the car's finish (usually a paint with a glossy finish), chrome trim, windows, wheels, and tires, as well as other visible components on a vehicle's exterior. A wide array of detailing products and techniques are used, based on the vehicle's surface type and condition, or the detailers' or customers' preference. Products include, but are not limited to detergents, surfactants, acid-free degreasers (to break down dirt and soil), detail clay (to remove invisible micro embedded surface contaminates), waxes, and silicone- and non-silicone-based dressings for plastic trim and tires. Buffing compounds and polishes to resurface and improve the reflectivity of the paint finish, as well as a variety of applicators, brushes, and drying towels. [4]

Interior detailing involves a deep cleaning of the whole interior cabin. Vehicle interiors of the last 50 years comprise a variety of materials, such as synthetic carpet upholstery, vinyl, leather, various natural fibers, carbon fiber composites, plastics, and others, which necessitates the use of a variety of cleaning techniques and products. Vacuuming is standard, and upholstery stains may be removed using steam cleaning, liquid and foam chemicals, as well as brushes. Additionally, some nonporous surfaces may be polished.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microfiber</span> Synthetic fiber

Microfiber is synthetic fiber finer than one denier or decitex/thread, having a diameter of less than ten micrometers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Car wash</span> Facility used to clean the exterior of motor vehicles

A car wash, or auto wash, is a facility used to clean the exterior, and in some cases the interior, of cars. Car washes can be self-service, full-service, or fully automated. Car washes may also be events where people pay to have their cars washed by volunteers, often using less specialized equipment, as a fundraiser.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chamois leather</span> Type of porous leather

Chamois leather is a type of porous leather, traditionally the skin of the chamois, a type of European mountain goat, but today made almost exclusively from the flesh split of a sheepskin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automotive design</span> Process of developing the design of motor vehicles

Automotive design is the process of developing the appearance of motor vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body in white</span> Stage in automobile manufacturing

Body in white (BIW) is the stage in automobile manufacturing in which a car body's frame has been joined together, that is before painting and before the motor, chassis sub-assemblies, or trim have been integrated into the structure. Assembly involves different techniques such as welding, riveting, clinching, bonding and laser brazing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armor All</span> Israeli brand of car care products

Armor All is an American brand of car care products that is manufactured by Armored AutoGroup of Danbury, Connecticut, United States. The company markets sprays, gels, liquids, and wipes to clean, shine, and protect interior and exterior automobile surfaces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carpet cleaning</span> Process of removing dirt and stains from carpets

Carpet cleaning is performed to remove stains, dirt, and allergens from carpets. Common methods include hot water extraction, dry-cleaning, and vacuuming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcantara (material)</span> Suede-like synthetic textile

Alcantara is the brand name of a synthetic textile with a soft, suede-like microfibre pile, noted for its durability. Alcantara was developed in the 1970s by Miyoshi Okamoto and initially manufactured by the Italian company Alcantara. The term has an Arabic root and means "the bridge".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audi A1</span> Motor vehicle

The Audi A1 is a supermini car launched by Audi at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Sales of the initial three-door A1 model started in Germany in August 2010, with the United Kingdom following in November 2010. A five-door version, called Sportback, was launched in November 2011, with sales starting in export markets during spring 2012. The second generation was released in 2019. The three-door model was discontinued.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleaner</span> A cleaning person.

A cleaner or a cleaning operative is a type of industrial or domestic worker who does the cleaning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Flex</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Flex is a full-size crossover SUV or MPV that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company; a single generation was produced from the 2009 to 2019 model years. Introduced as the successor to the Ford Taurus X, the model line also functionally replaced the Ford Freestar minivan. Slightly larger than its predecessor, the Flex was sized alongside the full-sized Ford Explorer in the Ford model line, being marginally longer, yet not as tall as the Explorer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of road vehicles</span>

Conservation and restoration of road vehicles is the process of restoring a vehicle back to its original working condition, whether the car is partially scrapped or completely totaled. Automotive restoration can be applied to many different eras of the automobile. Bus preservation groups aim to purchase buses of various eras to restore them to their original operating condition. Buses are often restored to the original authentic livery of their original owner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autoglym</span> British manufacturer

Autoglym is a British manufacturer of a range of car care and valeting products, which are sold in over 45 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turtle Wax</span> American automotive appearance products company

Turtle Wax is an American manufacturer of automotive appearance products. The company was founded by Benjamin Hirsch in Chicago in 1941 and is currently headquartered in Addison, Illinois, having relocated from Willowbrook, Illinois in 2016.

Rain-X is a synthetic hydrophobic surface-applied product that causes water to bead up and run off surfaces, most commonly used on glass automobile surfaces. The brand has since been extended to a range of automotive and surface care products, including wiper blades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Thunderbird (eleventh generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The eleventh generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a two-seat convertible manufactured and marketed by Ford from 2001 to 2005 for model years 2002 through 2005. It followed a five-year hiatus of the Thunderbird after the 1997 discontinuation of its tenth generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Corvette (C7)</span> Seventh generation of the Corvette sports car

The Chevrolet Corvette (C7) is the seventh generation of the Corvette sports car manufactured by American automobile manufacturer Chevrolet from 2014 until 2019. The first C7 Corvettes were delivered in the third quarter of 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of wooden furniture</span> Preservation of heritage collections

The conservation and restoration of wooden furniture is an activity dedicated to the preservation and protection of wooden furniture objects of historical and personal value. When applied to cultural heritage this activity is generally undertaken by a conservator-restorer. Furniture conservation and restoration can be divided into two general areas: structure and finish. Structure generally relates to wood and can be divided into solid, joined, and veneered wood. The finish of furniture can be painted or transparent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fabric treatment</span>

Fabric treatments are processes that make fabric softer, or water resistant, or enhance dye penetration after they are woven. Fabric treatments get applied when the textile itself cannot add other properties. Treatments include, scrim, foam lamination, fabric protector or stain repellent, anti microbial and flame retardant.

References

  1. ↑ "Car Wash & Auto Detailing in the US: Market Research Report". Ibisworld. April 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  2. 1 2 Taylor, Don (1998). Automotive detailing: a complete car care guide for auto enthusiasts and detailing professionals. HP Books. ISBN   9781557882882.
  3. ↑ Joseph, James (1992). Auto detailing: the professional way . Chilton Books. ISBN   9780801981968.
  4. ↑ Micahel, Roy. "108 DIY Car Washing & Detailing Tips: Fail-Safe Methods for a Cleaner Car". Autofella. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.