Autodetailingisseparatefromwashingandwaxing,thoughsomeautocentersoffertheseservicestogether.Ingeneral,awashandwaxjobisjustthat–theexteriorofthevehicleiscleanedandwaxed.Autodetailinggoesfurther,andthoughconcentratedontheinteriorofthecar,autodetailingalsoinvolvessomeexteriorwork.
Interiorautodetailing:Themagicofautodetailingisintakingthetimetocleanandrestorethevehicletoasclosetonewconditionaspossible.Thisinvolvesathoroughvacuuming,sometimesaidedbyremovingthefrontseats.Theupholsteryisalsovacuumed.
Aftervacuuming,carpets,matsandupholsteryarethoroughlycleaned.Dependingontheconditionofthevehicle,thiscouldinvolveanynumberofproducts,fromupholsteryfoamcleanertorugshampooandspotcleaners.Awet/dryvacmightbeusedonclothseats.Autodetailingremovesmoststainsandmakesthecarpetandseatslooknew,barringanyexistingphysicaldamage.
Vinylareasinsidethecar,suchasthedashboard,doorpaneltrimandconsole,arefirstcleanedthentreatedwithaconditionertokeepthevinylpliable.Steeringwheelcoversandfootpedalsarenotconditionedtopreventslipping.Theacrylicspeedometerfaceispolishedtoashine,andanysmallscratchesarerubbedout.
Q-tipsareoftenusedinautodetailingtocleantheslatsofairconditioningandheatervents.Seamsintheconsolethatcollectdustanddirtarealsocleanedinthisfashion.Finally,theglassisthoroughlywashedandcleaned.Itshouldbefreeofanystreakingorfilmsthatcanreflectlowanglesofsunlightornighttimeheadlightsandimpairvision.
Exteriorautodetailing:Ontheexteriorofthevehicle,autodetailinginvolvescleaningthewheelsandrimsofbrakedustanddirt.Thisisfollowedbypolishingtherimsandtreatingthetiresidewalls.Anywaxresidueiscarefullycleanedfromaroundthevehicle’sdecalsorchromeplates,andthewindowsmightbetreatedwitharainrepellent.Theengineisalsocleaned,eitherbysteamordegreasers.Theundersideofthehoodandrailsarealsocleanedandpolished.
Finally,nicksorscratchesinthepaintcanbetakencareofbyautodetailingaswell.Eachblemishiscleanedofwaxandcarefullysandedwithwet/drygritorafinesandingblock.Thecorrectautomotivetouch-uppaintisappliedinlayers,allowingeachcoattodrybeforeapplyingthenext.Theareaisagainsanded,thenpolishedandwaxed.Whendoneproperly,autodetailingleavesonehardpressedtofindtheoriginalblemish.
Autodetailingisverytimeconsumingandcanthereforebesomewhatexpensive.However,itisanexcellentwaytorestoreyourcartoitsoriginalcondition,orascloseaspossible.Autodetailerscanbefoundinyourlocalyellowpages.Besuretoaskwhatiscoveredfortheprice,andnotethatrepairingnicksmightbeextra.