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From DetailingWiki
Welcome to the Automotive Detailing Wiki.
Please create an account prior to submitting new pages/articles or changed to existing content. Below is a list of content that is needed to start. I will be contacting as many manufacturers to ask their experts to contribute and add content for each of their respective companies and products.
[edit] What is Detailing?
Auto detailing is the practice of performing an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing of an automobile, both inside and out, 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.
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.
'If you cannot find the answer to your vehicle detailing question or you have any comments, or would like to make suggestions for future revisions, please discuss here: Talk:Main Page
The only way to do this is a consistent three-step routine;
Clean, Polish, Protect
A variety of shampoos, cleaners, degreasers, protectants, lubricants, paint, polishes, clay bars, and waxes have developed over time to suit various demands of consumers and professionals.
[edit] Getting Started
- A Brief History of Automotive Detailing
- Acid, pH and Alkalinity
- Detailing Supply, Equipment and Chemical Manufacturers
- Detailer’s Automotive Clay
- Basic Automotive Leather Care
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Industry Terms & Acronyms Definitions
- Connolly Leather
- Interior Detailing
- Micro fibre (Micofiber) Towels
- Pollen
- Paint Thickness Gauge (PTG)
- Acid / Rust Decontamination and Neutralization:
- Rotary Usage Tips
- Good Silicone, not so good Silicone
- Tools
- Techniques & Methods
- Tyres 101
- Water Filtration
