Auto detailing is the practice of performing an extremely thorough cleaning of an automobile, both inside and out. Paint renovation is the removal of surface scratches and blemishes by 'levelling' the paint with a rotary machine, and the application of a wax or paint sealant to produce a show-quality level of detail. It can be practiced for personal satisfaction, and it is also performed to prepare a car for a Concours d'Elegance (often shortened to just Concours), a car show that features the appearance of cars. Elements of exterior detailing include claying, polishing, and waxing. Interior detailing involves the cleaning of the interior of a vehicle using vacuums, liquid cleaners, and brushes. Engine detailing involves cleaning the engine bay area of dirt and grease by using degreasers and all-purpose cleaners. Detailing equates to; Knowledge, Experience, and the Applicable Chemistry; balanced to provide Aesthetics A detailer combines chemicals, equipment as well as knowledge of the materials used in automotive manufacturing (vehicle surfaces). ‘Chemicals’, refers to the cleaning and protection products used, ‘equipment,’ refers to the tools used, for example, random orbital polishers, high-speed rotary polishers, extractors and power washers, to name but a few. Vehicle surfaces require a basic understanding of chemistry and how to rejuvenate and protect each of the many and varied material surfaces, regardless of its specific surface composition making objective observations based upon experience, the results obtained, and adjusting the techniques and products used as necessary. Detailing also takes a willingness to experiment, which usually means deviating from the product manufacturers directions, making objectives observations based upon experience and adjusting the techniques used as necessary, always keeping an open mind on manufacturer’s claims for their products. Cleaning (Detailing) is an essential part in the maintaining the appearance of a vehicle. The objective when detailing a vehicle is to make a vehicle look as good as it can. In many cases make it look better than it was when new. Detailing can take a lot of time, but the results are always worth the effort. Proper detailing will also protect a vehicle from environmental hazards that can rob life away from your vehicle. In order to attain and maintain an optically perfect shine, you must protect it from natural deterioration and dullness that occurs over time. Detailing can be very simple and fun if you use the correct methodologies and products that work. Research other options and products, test them and then make an objective decision based upon factual information not hype or brand loyalty. After all, how can you fully understand and properly use any product unless you have all the facts? It is also recommended that you should also verify any information that anyone shares with you. The only way to do this is a consistent three-step routine; Clean, Polish, Protect The question is... Do I buy a new car or keep my present one and do my best to keep appearance at its best and maintain it at top value? Well the second part of that question is where proper detailing can help. An investment in your time and top quality products will help you maintain the finish and looks of your daily driver as well as your "toy." Any prospective buyer in the future will know that you've taken care of your vehicle and it's worth the price you're asking for it. The Detailing Article Series The purpose of these articles is to show you various ways, utilizing various skills and experience levels, on how to retrieve the original or better appearance / finish to your vehicles bodywork and its interior and how to preserve and maintain it, along with product recommendations and there correct application methods. With constant advances in products and procedures, a standard published book would be out of date very quickly due to the publishing procedures and printing requirements. To be of real practical use, a subject like automotive detailing requires a great deal of research, and updating as new products become available. The advent of materials like detailing clay, micro fibre technologies and finely milled micro diminishing abrasives, suitable for ceramic nano-technology paints are examples of why it’s so important to monitor the industries new products, chemical technologies and ideas that are constantly being introduced, as are the techniques for applying them. Unbiased information written by a detailer with extensive experience allied with a chemical technical background, without the need to meet corporate goals or sales quotas, requires a dynamic learning tool like a website that can be revised and updated as and when needed, plus the facility to seek clarification or ask questions in 'real time' Most readers / contributors to this forum seek further knowledge of detailin products and methodologies, way past "What is the best wax" type question and this (amongst others) is the reason for posting these articles on Detailing Bliss. A sound understanding of the proper technique and a good process will produce excellent results even with a mediocre product. A quality product used without the proper surface preparation or application technique will never obtain a satisfactory result. Using the proper methodology (surface preparation, using a quality product, along with the correct application technique) will ensure an excellent result. This collection of answers to detailing problems, technical information and methodologies submitted by members of the professional detailing community have been used to answer questions on various detailing forums over the last five or six years. Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate; however we make no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. The detailing methods set out here have been adapted for special use and may not be the same as those recommended by the product manufacturer, and you may experience different results from those stated. When in doubt always use common sense. Research Research others opinions and products, test them and then make an objective decision based upon factual information not marketing hype or brand loyalty. I have always thought that the more facts and information you have at hand the easier it is to judge what information you are being given. After all, how can you fully understand and properly use any product unless you have all the facts? Detailing products work on their real merits, not 'smoke and mirrors'. Choose carefully whose advice you listen to, and more importantly what advice you act upon, so I would strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you. These articles were not written as a thesis so I don’t spend a lot of time cataloguing and documenting were I source information, I do however cite reference books or articles and have supplied reference sources for further information / research. 1.Getting Started 2.An Introduction 3.Forward 4.A Brief History of Automotive Detailing 5.Car Care Product Vendors e-stores 6.Watermarking, Copyright, Intellectual Property, Public Domain and Plagiarism 7.Detailing 8.Detailing Forums 9.Detailing Training Courses 10.Detailing Supply, Equipment and Chemical Manufacturers 11.Essentials for Starting a Business 12.Frequently Asked Questions 13.Hard and Soft Paints 14.Information Resources 15.Terms Used and their Meaning 16.Acid, pH and Alkalinity 17.Basic Soap and Detergents 18.Bird Excrement (Safe removal ) 19.Basic Automotive Leather Care 20.Connolly Leather 21.Car Wash Concentrates 22.Common Causes of Paint Surface Scratches 23.Carnauba 24.Convertible Top Detailing 25.Carpet Cleaning 26.Car Covers 27.Clear Coat Paint 28.Clear Coat Failure 29.Clear Automotive Coating (Clear Bra) 30.Detailing Products / Methodologies 31.Detailer’s Automotive Clay 32.Detailing Tips 33.Diminishing Abrasives 34.Does Water Beading - Sheeting = Durability 35.Drying a Vehicle's Paint Surface 36.Engine Bay Detailing 37.Essentials for Starting a New Business 38.Eco Friendly Detailing 39.Foam Pads 40.Glass Cleaning 41.Industry Terms & Acronyms Definitions 42.Interior Detailing 43.Lather Tanning Process 44.Optimum No Rinse (ONR) Rinse less wash) 45.Micro fibre (Micofiber) Towels 46.Most Common Causes of Paint Surface Scratches 47.Optimum No Rinse (ONR) Rinse less wash 48.pH Potential of Hydrogen 49.Product Directional Application Methods 50.Pollen 51.Paint Systems 52.Paint Surface Preparation (for Polishing) 53.Paint Film Thickness 54.Paint Thickness Gauge (PTG) 55.Paint Surface Problems / Correction 56.Paint Decontamination and Acid Neutralization System 57.Polish / Compound abrasive abilities 58.Polishing (Paint Correction) 59.Polishing - Menzerna Polishes 60.Polishing Glass Surfaces 61.Polymer - Carnauba wax differences 62.Polymer Sealants 63.Questions & Answers about detailing 64.Repairing Scratched Alloy Wheels (Curb Rash) 65.Restoring (Polishing) Headlights 66.Rotary Usage Tips 67.Removal of 'Water spots' 68.Rinse less Vehicle Wash 69.Smell and Odour Removal 70.Selecting a Vapour Steam Cleaner 71.Good Silicone, not so good Silicone 72.Silicone Removal from a Paint Surface 73.The A B C of UV Radiation 74.'Touch less' Car Wash, are they safe 75.Tools 76.Techniques & Methods 77.Tyres 101 78.Vehicle Winter Preparation 79.Vehicle Washing and Drying 80.Vehicle Upholstery 81.Winter Vehicle Storage 82.Water Filtration 83.Wax 84.Wax Application 85.Wheel Cleaners 86.Wool Pads 87.Wet-Sanding / Colour Sanding 88.Water Mark (Spots) Removal 89.Zaino Application Tips © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2008, all rights reserved This is one of is one of a series of unbiased and informative, knowledge based, subject specific articles, which are dedicated to the automotive detailing enthusiast or professional detailer in search of development and further education Copyright and intellectual property rights-© This work is registered with the UK Copyright Service All original material is copyright, unless otherwise state (1) it may be copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes only provided that you retain all copyright and other proprietary notices contained in the original material, (2) the information is copied in full with no changes unless prior written agreement is obtained from TOGWT, and a reference to © TOGWT ™ is included, any unauthorized use of these materials may violate copyrights and/or trademarks
