The Devil is in the Details
Posted by Gregg Hall
Most reputable auto detailers follow a five-step process to
properly car for the cars and trucks they are entrusted to care
for. These steps consist of the following:
Washing - This is a very important step of course, to remove the
loose contaminates that exist on your paint finish.
Cleaning - Prepare the finish of the automobile by the removal
of oxidation, stains, and any other blemishes.
Polishing - To create a high luster reflection
Protecting - This step creates a barrier or shield on top of the
finish for protection of the automobile's finish from the
elements.
Maintenance - This is the final step, to keep the finish looking
like it was just detailed constantly.
Now, dependent upon how old your vehicle is and its condition
you may not have to take every one of these steps every time you
detail your car. Certainly, you will keep your automobile
looking great for a long time by regularly maintaining the
finish in particular.
One caveat I must advise you of is this, always test a hidden
spot before you begin applying a product to be sure that it
doesn't harm the finish of your vehicle. You must be
particularly be careful when working with solvents, polyurethane
enamel solvents can dissolve almost anything, so be careful!
Another thing that I must advise is that you always use proper
safety equipment to prevent injury, especially when using
equipment such as buffers.
Let's take a moment to go over the basic supplies you will need
to detail your car and keep it well maintained.
First off, don't use just one bucket when washing your car. The
reason for this is that you want to be rinsing the mitt or cloth
you are using in a separate bucket of water so that you are not
transferring dirty water which may contain substances that may
damage your finish.
Secondly, most professional detailers use a wash mitt instead of
a sponge. These are available in wool or terry cloth. The
advantage of using a mitt is that it carries much more of the
cleaning product you are using and also carries away much more
dirt thus reducing the damage to the vehicle. Sponges have their
uses, but are best used on chrome, wheels, etc.
The next tool is the chamois, a tool that most car enthusiasts
are very familiar with. There are two different types, natural
and man-made. The benefit of using a chamois is to soak up
water, leave the finish streak free, and not leave behind lint
the way other things like towels may do.
When using towels, you want at least two different groups. One
will be for use with silicone based products which must never be
used with anything else. Silicone can damage your finish and
also leaves a smeared surface if it gets on your windshield.
It is best to use a variety of brushes to accomplish your
detailing needs, especially when working on tires and wheels.
You will want some smaller brushes to get into the smaller
crevices in some wheels.
These are the main items needed to care for your own car, truck,
or SUV.
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