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Detailing
Contributed by
Paul Gasporola
People are always asking me how
I keep the body clean. The answer is simple.
The car gets a good wax twice a year. I use a commercially available
high quality wax product.
Washing before waxing is the key. The car gets completely done with a
detailing clay. Detailing
clay removes all the contaminants that have embedded in the paint. This
leaves the paint finish
silky smooth. Then apply a good wax and polish. The rest touch-ups for
the next three to four months
I use a good show quality polish and that’s it. The secret is in the
clay. The rest is detailing, detailing,
detailing.
What is detailing anyway?
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The first step in this process is to define
"detailing." Each seminar you attend or detailing manual you read will
have a slightly different definition of detailing. Which definition you
put into use is not important, just as long as you have a definition
that defines what detailing is and why it is of value. The definition I
use on a day to day basis that helps me answer "What is detailing,
anyway?" goes like this. "Detailing can be defined as the systematic
rejuvenation and protection of the various surfaces of a vehicle."
Simple enough, but let's break down this definition into its components.
"Systematic" refers to the fact that as we detail a vehicle, we use
specific procedures in a specific order that allows us to do the work
in the most effective manner. |
"Efficiency" is a measure of the quickness of the
procedures whereas "effectiveness" is a measure of how well the
procedure works. For example, anyone can wash and wax a car. Most home
detailers however, would spend an entire Saturday doing so.
Professional detailers are systematic in what they do. They can
complete the same activities in fewer hours, with far better results
than your average home detailer. "Rejuvenation" refers to the
procedures we use to return the vehicle to near showroom condition.
These procedures range from removing the excess dust from a vehicle
stored indoors, to all procedures necessary to revitalize a never
cleaned mini van that has taxied four sloppy kids for 10 years! I
purposely do not include "restoration" in this range of activities
because detailing activities on a restored vehicle (e.g. a '62 Corvette
pulled from a junkyard) occur only after the restoration activities
(repair, re-construction and re-surfacing) are complete.
"Protection" refers to the procedures we use to keep the vehicle
looking new after we leave. That is, when the rejuvenator activities
are complete, it includes the protectants we apply that keeps the paint
from oxidizing and the leather from drying. |
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"Various surfaces of the vehicle" refers to the fact
that a vehicle is made of dozens of surfaces (paint, exterior trim,
wheels, carpet, seating, interior trim, etc.), each of which has a
number of possible compositions. It is the professional detailer’s
responsibility to understand how to rejuvenate and protect each of
those surfaces. For example, leather seating is rejuvenated and
protected in a completely different manner than upholstered seating. A
detailer combines chemicals, equipment, and knowledge of vehicle
surfaces into systematic procedures that yield quality. The art and
science of detailing includes the concrete elements such as chemicals,
equipment, and vehicle surfaces. The art is the combining of these
elements into a procedure that works for a specific situation.
"Chemicals" refers to the cleaning and protecting products used in the
detailing profession. The detailer should have a set of products that,
individually or combined, will handle virtually any vehicle surface
problem. A detailer should have contact with one distributor who
handles quality chemicals designed specifically for detailing. Other
more generally available products should supplement these chemicals.
"Equipment" refers to the tools of the trade. Within each tool category
exists many options. For instance: polishers, rags, swabs and brushes. |
"Knowledge
of vehicle surfaces" indicates the responsibility of the detailer to
understand how to rejuvenate and protect the varied surfaces of a
vehicle, regardless of the specific surface composition.
Hopefully, this examination will provide an overall view, which will
allow you to analyze your specific activities in the context of overall
detailing. If your definition of detailing includes the word
"systematic', then you are constantly balancing efficiency and
effectiveness to satisfy an acceptable margin.
Whether or not you use the definition outlined above or create your
own, the key is to have a definition that allows you to think clearly
and project a professional understanding of what detailing is and can
do. |
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