The professional detailer understands that detailing is both “art and science.” The “science” of detailing includes such concrete elements as chemicals, equipment, knowledge of vehicle surfaces, industry standards, and customer requirements. The “art” of detailing is the activity of combining these elements into procedures that work for each specific situation. Success in doing so yields quality service and, ultimately, a delighted customer. This is one of our primary goals as professionals.

There is nothing like having a clean car. While anyone can simply clean his vehicle, it takes a lot of time and effort to get the car to look as if it just came off the showroom floor.

Detailers take great time and effort to ensure that your car looks its finest. Detailing is more than just washing the exterior and vacuuming the carpets. It’s about getting into every nook and cranny and removing dirt and grime that have built up over the years–thus restoring the car to showroom quality.

Sometimes an individual will have his or her vehicle detailed simply because he or she wants a clean car. At other times, detailing becomes a very serious business, especially when the person having their auto detailed intends to enter it in a car show. In car shows, a vehicle is often judged partially on how well-kept and clean it appears. One such car show that is devoted mainly to the appearance of cars is the Concours d’Elegance, sometimes referred to as the Concours.

Though it would appear that detailing covers every aspect of cleaning a vehicle, it does not encompass considerations like upholstery work, painting, body work or mechanical repair.

The purpose of detailing is to bring out the vehicle’s appearance potential via the polishing and waxing of exterior paint, wheels and chrome, and by giving the upholstery and seats a thorough cleaning.

Detailing a car is the comprehensive cleaning, waxing, and polishing of both its interior and exterior. This is done to restore the car to its former glory, making it eligible for showroom competitions and car exhibitions. Auto detailing is also done to prevent dirt build-up, thus preserving and increasing a car’s value.

It doesn’t take an expert to look around at the vehicles on the roads and filling parking lots to realize that many vehicle owners either don’t care a whole lot about the finish and condition of their vehicles, or at best, they lack the time to take care of them the way they would like to. At the same time, there are also others that range from having a pretty solid understanding of how to handle the basics, to weekend warriors who take detailing their cars very seriously. Wherever you fall into the mix, we believe that everyone has something to gain by delving into the nitty-gritty details of the art of automotive detailing.

What exactly do you mean by “detailing?” How is that different than washing and waxing?

Automotive detailing – as the name implies – is the art form (for many) of restoring and maintaining every possible aspect of the vehicle’s finishes and surfaces through the use of skilled techniques with various products and tools. Also, as the name implies, detailing focuses on the details – taking the process of simply “washing and waxing” a vehicle to entirely new levels that go well beyond driving through car washes at a local gas station.

Anyone can “wash and wax” a car with a handful of old, crusty towels, maybe a shop rag or two, a used paint bucket, dish soap and a bottle of generic wax – but are you doing more harm than good to your vehicle? The short answer is: Yes.

How so?
Automotive finishes, particularly paint, are far more delicate than the average consumer realizes. Something as simple as wiping one’s finger across a painted panel or many glossy plastic surfaces with even a day’s worth of dust and dirt resting upon it can scratch or swirl the surface.

Keeping that in mind, consider what a towel too hard and nasty for your skin can do to a surface that can be scratched so easily with a fine layer of dust. Adding to the problem – dish soaps, a common choice for do-it-yourselfers – are not pH balanced for automotive use and over time they can strip away essential oils from surfaces of the vehicle – not to mention removing all wax in a single wash.

Why should I care about getting my car detailed?
While we understand that to some a vehicle is merely a form of transportation and little more, we know you’re here because you’re interested in cars. Even if you are indifferent about how much your car shines on a day to day basis, when it comes time to sell a vehicle, proper maintenance of the paint, plastic and metal surfaces can be just as important as regular oil changes and service schedules when demanding top dollar.

In today’s economy, more than ever, many consumers are being forced to keep their cars longer. Why not get the maximum enjoyment out of your vehicle by making it look like new again.

Give us a call today to schedule your appointment!   (661) 857-7818

The Importance of Regular Car Waxing

Although waxing may not seem like an important aspect of car maintenance, it is just as important as regularly washing the vehicle or getting the oil changed after 3000 miles of driving. By understanding the reasons that it is important to regularly wax a car, it is easier to make arrangements for a professional to get it done properly.

Maintaining Shine

When a car drives off the lot, the paint is shining and beautiful. Over time, that shine begins to dull as dust and contaminants pile up on the car. Washing the vehicle may remove some of the dirt, but the paint can still look dull after the car is washed.

Professional waxing can result in a beautiful shine that makes the paint look as good as it did the day that the car left the showroom.

Preventing Contamination

Waxing a car provides a layer of protection over the paint. Airborne contaminants will slowly eat away at the wax instead of chewing through the paint. It helps protect the paint and the car from bugs, acid rain or any other contaminants that may corrode through the paint.

If contaminants are allowed to burrow into the paint, it will damage the appearance of the car. The only solution after the paint starts to corrode is getting it repainted. Unfortunately, that is an expensive project. A little maintenance and prevention is much less costly than painting the entire car.

Simplifying Cleaning

Since wax is slippery, it makes the process of cleaning a vehicle a little easier. Instead of scrubbing through dirt and grime, the layer of wax on the car allows most of it to rinse away. The remaining dirt will clean off easily with soap and warm water.

By waxing the car regularly, it is easier to maintain a clean vehicle. The process of cleaning the car is less time consuming, so car owners can easily remove dirt between professional washings.

Making Scratches Less Noticeable

Waxing a vehicle will not eliminate scratches that are in the paint, but it can help hide them. A layer of wax fills in the space so that the scratches are less noticeable. It has the best impact on shallow scratches, which may not be noticeable after waxing, but it can help reduce the appearance of any scratches in the paint.

Professional Waxing

As a general rule, it is best to have a professional wax the vehicle at least once every three months. If the area has a high level of corrosive materials in the air, then it may be necessary to wax the vehicle more often to maintain the appearance of the paint. Professional waxing will ensure that the right type of wax is used on the vehicle and a professional can offer advice about when to bring the car in next based on the location.

Washing a car is not enough to maintain the beauty of the paint. The only way to keep a car looking new and prevent the paint from being damaged by contaminants in the air is by waxing it regularly.

As a driver, it’s only natural to want to keep your car looking as good as possible – not only does it help with its “curb appeal,” but it also keeps the resale value high as a means of protecting the investment you made upon its original purchase. And that’s where auto detailing comes in. Yes, as soon as you put that first mile on your vehicle it technically becomes “used,” and while there’s no real way to keep your car looking “brand new” over the time you are the owner, there’s a noticeable difference between a car that has been cared for and well kept up versus one that has not. Specifically, auto detailing is a meticulous process that involves regularly cleaning, waxing and polishing your car so that the paint always looks fresh and new and the car always looks its best. Most experts agree that auto detailing should be done at least once a year and possibly even more, depending on things like weather conditions, the age of the vehicle, how often the vehicle is used and where the vehicle is parked when it’s not in use. Aside from the exterior of the vehicle, many detailers will also work on the interior and the engine compartments as well. We already covered the importance of appearance and retail value as it pertains to regular detailing. Here’s a look at some more benefits to make sure that you’re not ignoring this service:

Winter weather prep: One of the big factors in terms of how often you should have your car detailed involves the driving elements. For instance, if you live in the northern U.S., it’s always a good idea to have a full detailing done before winter weather arrives. This way, your exterior is better protected from the likes of snow, sleet and ice.

Eliminating scratches: If not treated quickly and properly, a small scratch can turn into a big one. That’s another benefit of auto detailing – it’s a process that can buff out scratches before they become true problems and impact the value of your car.

New car smell: For those that love that new car smell, that’s what a good interior auto detailing can do for you. It won’t just spruce up your interior fabrics, components and consoles to a like-new condition, but also provide an environment that’s odor-free and the closest thing to brand new.

Engine conditioning: You already know how important regular oil changes and recommended engine maintenance is to the life of your vehicle. Auto detailing can help, too. Professionals who offer engine detailing wash the engine with hot water and steam to clean out all the dirt and smudge to keep your engine running better for longer.

Car cleanliness: Auto detailing will also help make your car easier to clean and easier to troubleshoot any potential problems.

As you can see, auto detailing should be a part of your overall vehicle maintenance plan. The process offers a variety of benefits, which all add up to a more valuable car.