Have you ever noticed how so many car owners spend all of their time ensuring that the exterior of the car is finely detailed and free of any dirt or debris, but tend to ignore the finer points of interior detailing? The odd thing about this tendency is that all of us spend far more time on the inside of the car than standing around the outside admiring its spit-polish finish!
When considering the interior detailing of any car, there are two main areas of concern: the cloth materials of the seats and similar breathable areas of the car, and the harder surfaces like the vinyl of the dashboard and the various metal and transparent surfaces of the car’s interior. Interior detailing is not rocket science, and can be accomplished by any car owner who has the time and patience to go through the cleaning process.
Car interior detailing should begin with a thorough vacuuming using a real shop vacuum or a standard home vacuum cleaner. Though there are a number of smaller units that allow you to plug directly into the lighter, none of these have the power you will need to perform a complete vacuum job. Before you vacuum, remove floor mats and other removable elements of the interior so that you are able to vacuum all surfaces. If the seats will come out of the car, removing them as well can make your detailing job a lot easier.
Use a specially made interior detailing cleanser for the hard surfaces, applying the cleanser with a damp cloth. Be sure to wipe the cleansed area dry with a soft towel as quickly as you can. For areas with stains, you can use a typical stain remover to break up the unsightly mess. The key to cleaning the hard surfaces is to pay attention to the details. Use cotton tipped swabs to clean the hard to get to areas of the vents, as well as grooves and indentations in the dashboard. A standard glass cleaner is perfect for interior detailing of the dash display.
When it comes to the broad cloth areas, it is easy to clean them with a good wet vacuum or carpet cleaner. Be sure that you limit the amount of liquid that you use on any given area of cloth, particularly if you do not have the time necessary to properly dry the seats and other cloth areas. Your interior detailing count for nothing if your car ends up smelling of mildew after you are done!
As for the floor mats, you can simply power wash them as you clean the exterior of the car. Use a brush to break up any stubborn dirt, and dry them thoroughly prior to replacing them in the car. If you are like most people, your floor mats attract some of the heaviest concentrations of dirt, mud, and debris. Fortunately, they are one of the easiest parts of the car to clean during any interior detailing effort.
Interior detailing does entail an attention to the cleaners and towel types that you use. As a general rule, it is always best to use mild cleansers and microfiber towels when performing any interior detailing, to prevent unintended marring of the hard vinyl or plastic surfaces. When the interior detailing job is complete, your car should once again provide the comfort and enjoyment you deserve.
Showing posts with label clean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clean. Show all posts
Monday, 28 June 2010
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Select the Right Pressure Washer For Auto Detailing
Auto detailing is the process of cleaning the exterior and interior of vehicles. Many types of cleaning machines are used for this process, including pressure washers, steam cleaners, and carpet cleaners. Pressure washers, the most powerful of the aforementioned machines, are ideal for removing virtually all residues from vehicle exteriors. However, there are distinct specifications for selecting the right system for auto detailing applications.
Need For Specially Designed Pressure Washers
A vehicle's contains exterior is comprised of a wide range of surfaces, including the metal body, hubcaps, wheels, windshield, windows, and engine components. The hardness and durability of these surfaces varies. For example, engine components are durable and sturdy. Windshields and glass are hard, but brittle. The metal body of a vehicle is hard as well, but the paint can be damaged if exceedingly high pressure levels are used.
Therefore, an ideal machine for auto detailing must be able to clean all types and varieties of surfaces without causing damage. Some of the latest models of pressure washers are suitable for this purpose. The following are some tips on selecting suitable pressure washers for cleaning automobiles.
Check Specifications
There are three main specifications for a pressure washing cleaners: output temperature, output pressure, and flow rate.
Output Temperature
Pressure washer cleaner can provide three ranges of temperature. Cold water output is water at room temperature. Hot water output refers to water at a temperature of 210°F. Steam output means water at a temperature of up to 330°F. For cleaning automobiles, a steam car wash is the best fit to increase the speed and efficiency of the cleaning process.
Output Pressure
The output pressure level of pressure washing ranges from 500 psi to 8000 psi, depending upon the model. Any pressure washer with an output pressure rating at or below 1500 psi is suitable for cleaning vehicles.
Higher pressure means increased cleaning efficiency. However, painted surfaces of automobiles can be damaged by pressure levels over 1500 psi. Therefore, one should find a balance between efficiency of the machine and safety of the automotive surfaces.
Flow Rate
Flow rate indicates the quantity of water that flows through the output of the machine per minute. It is expressed in gallons per minute (GPM). Flow rate normally ranges from 0.5 GPM to 8 GPM. For cleaning vehicles, a flow rate of 2 GPM or less is suitable. Mobile car wash machines with flow rates of 0.5 GPM are available from top suppliers to reduce water wastage. This is particularly beneficial for mobile auto detailers traveling to their customer's locations to clean automobiles where water or drainage may be limited.
Cleaning Solution
Most distributors recommend using a cleaning solution with pressure washers, regardless of the model, to provide additional cleaning power. Green chemicals are best, as they enhance the power of pressure washers in an environmentally-safe, non-toxic manner. Look for green car wash formulas, truck wash solutions, tire shines, windshield washes, and other formulas from the industry's top suppliers.
Need For Specially Designed Pressure Washers
A vehicle's contains exterior is comprised of a wide range of surfaces, including the metal body, hubcaps, wheels, windshield, windows, and engine components. The hardness and durability of these surfaces varies. For example, engine components are durable and sturdy. Windshields and glass are hard, but brittle. The metal body of a vehicle is hard as well, but the paint can be damaged if exceedingly high pressure levels are used.
Therefore, an ideal machine for auto detailing must be able to clean all types and varieties of surfaces without causing damage. Some of the latest models of pressure washers are suitable for this purpose. The following are some tips on selecting suitable pressure washers for cleaning automobiles.
Check Specifications
There are three main specifications for a pressure washing cleaners: output temperature, output pressure, and flow rate.
Output Temperature
Pressure washer cleaner can provide three ranges of temperature. Cold water output is water at room temperature. Hot water output refers to water at a temperature of 210°F. Steam output means water at a temperature of up to 330°F. For cleaning automobiles, a steam car wash is the best fit to increase the speed and efficiency of the cleaning process.
Output Pressure
The output pressure level of pressure washing ranges from 500 psi to 8000 psi, depending upon the model. Any pressure washer with an output pressure rating at or below 1500 psi is suitable for cleaning vehicles.
Higher pressure means increased cleaning efficiency. However, painted surfaces of automobiles can be damaged by pressure levels over 1500 psi. Therefore, one should find a balance between efficiency of the machine and safety of the automotive surfaces.
Flow Rate
Flow rate indicates the quantity of water that flows through the output of the machine per minute. It is expressed in gallons per minute (GPM). Flow rate normally ranges from 0.5 GPM to 8 GPM. For cleaning vehicles, a flow rate of 2 GPM or less is suitable. Mobile car wash machines with flow rates of 0.5 GPM are available from top suppliers to reduce water wastage. This is particularly beneficial for mobile auto detailers traveling to their customer's locations to clean automobiles where water or drainage may be limited.
Cleaning Solution
Most distributors recommend using a cleaning solution with pressure washers, regardless of the model, to provide additional cleaning power. Green chemicals are best, as they enhance the power of pressure washers in an environmentally-safe, non-toxic manner. Look for green car wash formulas, truck wash solutions, tire shines, windshield washes, and other formulas from the industry's top suppliers.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Simple Car Detailing Tips
When it comes to car detailing, everyone wants the greatest results with the least amount of effort. Fortunately, the best way to keep your car in great condition is simply regular maintenance. Make a habit of washing and vacuuming your car, and these two things make up 90% of necessary care. Read on for more specific tips.
For your car's exterior:
The paint of a brand new car will last about three years with no maintenance. It's recommended, however, that you don't wait that long before starting a maintenance program, or you will find yourself trying to make up for lost time, only to realize it is too late.
The worst things for your car's finish are dirt and sun.
Apply wax every 6-12 months for lasting paint; your paint can last forever if you are consistent with maintenance.
Wash your car weekly.
Don't give your car a spray down with the garden hose and let it air dry. This is more damaging than the dirt itself. Take the time to dry your car correctly; water spots can become a permanent fixture on your paint, chrome, or glass.
Automatic car washes can be damaging to paint, so use with caution.
Using the squeegee at the gas station does not count as washing your car.
There is a difference between an "all-cloth" and "100% hand wash"- all-cloth generally refers to an automatic car wash that uses cloth brushes instead of nylon.
It's always better to seek out a 100% hand wash service.
Taking your car to a quality car wash is a great way to outsource your car washing duties. It's worth the time you'll save trying to wash it yourself, and certainly worth the better results if you are a beginner.
Waxing a car serves two purposes: appearance and protection. Don't over-focus on one and forget the other.
To keep your car's interior in tip-top shape:
Avoid bringing any food and drink that could stain into your car if spilled-you will never have to worry about removing something that never gets there in the first place.
The dyes in your clothes can actually rub off onto your car's interior- keep an eye out for this kind of damage. Blue jeans are the worst offenders.
Remove dirt as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the harder it becomes to remove.
Vacuum the upholstery regularly and keep the leather clean.
Leather conditioner will not turn inferior leather into superior leather, however if you choose to condition the leather, clean the leather before conditioning it.
Though not a necessary tool of the trade, Armor-All will not crack your dashboard, despite reports to the contrary.
Use these simple tips to get started on your car detailing program. Taking care of basic maintenance will help keep the condition and appearance of your car in great shape for years to come. Most people don't realize just how far simple maintenance will go in keeping a car looking new.
For your car's exterior:
The paint of a brand new car will last about three years with no maintenance. It's recommended, however, that you don't wait that long before starting a maintenance program, or you will find yourself trying to make up for lost time, only to realize it is too late.
The worst things for your car's finish are dirt and sun.
Apply wax every 6-12 months for lasting paint; your paint can last forever if you are consistent with maintenance.
Wash your car weekly.
Don't give your car a spray down with the garden hose and let it air dry. This is more damaging than the dirt itself. Take the time to dry your car correctly; water spots can become a permanent fixture on your paint, chrome, or glass.
Automatic car washes can be damaging to paint, so use with caution.
Using the squeegee at the gas station does not count as washing your car.
There is a difference between an "all-cloth" and "100% hand wash"- all-cloth generally refers to an automatic car wash that uses cloth brushes instead of nylon.
It's always better to seek out a 100% hand wash service.
Taking your car to a quality car wash is a great way to outsource your car washing duties. It's worth the time you'll save trying to wash it yourself, and certainly worth the better results if you are a beginner.
Waxing a car serves two purposes: appearance and protection. Don't over-focus on one and forget the other.
To keep your car's interior in tip-top shape:
Avoid bringing any food and drink that could stain into your car if spilled-you will never have to worry about removing something that never gets there in the first place.
The dyes in your clothes can actually rub off onto your car's interior- keep an eye out for this kind of damage. Blue jeans are the worst offenders.
Remove dirt as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the harder it becomes to remove.
Vacuum the upholstery regularly and keep the leather clean.
Leather conditioner will not turn inferior leather into superior leather, however if you choose to condition the leather, clean the leather before conditioning it.
Though not a necessary tool of the trade, Armor-All will not crack your dashboard, despite reports to the contrary.
Use these simple tips to get started on your car detailing program. Taking care of basic maintenance will help keep the condition and appearance of your car in great shape for years to come. Most people don't realize just how far simple maintenance will go in keeping a car looking new.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
How to use Car Detailing Clay
There's a new car cleaning product in town and it is about to become one of the staple weapons in the car owners arsenal in the fight against the dirt found on the car.
I am talking about detailing clay. Detailing clay is used for removing what's known as bonded contaminants from your paintwork.
You might find that after washing your car, although it looks all clean and shiny, it actually feels kind of rough or bubbly to the touch. The next time you wash your car, once it is dry, try running your hand gently over the paintwork. Does it feel a bit rough to the touch? Those are the contaminants left behind after the washing process that have bonded to your car's paintwork. They could come from anywhere and include things such as break dust and other airborne contaminants encountered while driving, tree sap or bird droppings etc.
Detailing clay has been developed to remove the above contaminants from your car's bodywork to leave it as smooth as glass. In fact, you can also use detailing clay on your glass work and wheels. One word of caution though, use a different one for each, the last thing you want is for the brake dust that has been removed from your wheels and transferred to the clay to then scratch your paintwork.
So how do you go about using detailing clay?
Well, just to re-iterate, a detailing clay is all about removing dirt that ordinary washing leaves behind. It should leave you with a smooth to the touch finish that can then be polished, waxed and sealed. Simply waxing your car straight after waxing will simply wax over those hard to remove contaminants.
If you are new to using detailing clay, you need to ensure that you start off with a gentle one, as they are available in different grades depending on how stubborn the contaminants are on your paintwork. The least aggressive clays should be adequate enough for most people. Only move onto a more aggressive grade if you have demonstrated your current clay is not up to the task.
The detailing clay works by simply pulling off the dirt particles which are then held onto by the clay. It is important to note here that you use detailing clay along with a suitable lubricant. It is also necessary to knead the clay to move the contaminants that have been removed from your car from the surface of the clay. If you don't do this, or you don't use enough lubricant then you could cause marring on the surface of your paintwork. If after properly kneading the clay you can no longer see a clean surface to use then the clay should be discarded and a new piece used.
Examples of lubricants that you may want to consider can be found by manufacturers such as Autoglym, Meguiars, Clearkote and Pinnacle, and there are others.
You should constantly knead the clay while you are using it to ensure that it remains soft and warm. When it goes cold, it may become brittle and it will not be effective in lifting off the contaminants from the paintwork. This could also leave surface marring.
Work on small areas of the car body at a time, say one panel at a time. Wet the surface thoroughly with your lubricant and then gently work the clay over the surface. Use only light finger pressure. Don't press on too hard. Let the clay do the work.
Don't use the clay on dry panels, if the lubricant dries before you get to a bit, spray on some more. Once you are happy that the surface is smooth, wipe off any clay left behind with a soft cloth.
Finally remember that the claying process will also remove any previously applied layers of wax, so you should always follow the claying process with polishing, waxing and sealing.
A number of manufacturers are starting to produce detailing clays along with their corresponding lubricants. They vary in grades and price.
I am talking about detailing clay. Detailing clay is used for removing what's known as bonded contaminants from your paintwork.
You might find that after washing your car, although it looks all clean and shiny, it actually feels kind of rough or bubbly to the touch. The next time you wash your car, once it is dry, try running your hand gently over the paintwork. Does it feel a bit rough to the touch? Those are the contaminants left behind after the washing process that have bonded to your car's paintwork. They could come from anywhere and include things such as break dust and other airborne contaminants encountered while driving, tree sap or bird droppings etc.
Detailing clay has been developed to remove the above contaminants from your car's bodywork to leave it as smooth as glass. In fact, you can also use detailing clay on your glass work and wheels. One word of caution though, use a different one for each, the last thing you want is for the brake dust that has been removed from your wheels and transferred to the clay to then scratch your paintwork.
So how do you go about using detailing clay?
Well, just to re-iterate, a detailing clay is all about removing dirt that ordinary washing leaves behind. It should leave you with a smooth to the touch finish that can then be polished, waxed and sealed. Simply waxing your car straight after waxing will simply wax over those hard to remove contaminants.
If you are new to using detailing clay, you need to ensure that you start off with a gentle one, as they are available in different grades depending on how stubborn the contaminants are on your paintwork. The least aggressive clays should be adequate enough for most people. Only move onto a more aggressive grade if you have demonstrated your current clay is not up to the task.
The detailing clay works by simply pulling off the dirt particles which are then held onto by the clay. It is important to note here that you use detailing clay along with a suitable lubricant. It is also necessary to knead the clay to move the contaminants that have been removed from your car from the surface of the clay. If you don't do this, or you don't use enough lubricant then you could cause marring on the surface of your paintwork. If after properly kneading the clay you can no longer see a clean surface to use then the clay should be discarded and a new piece used.
Examples of lubricants that you may want to consider can be found by manufacturers such as Autoglym, Meguiars, Clearkote and Pinnacle, and there are others.
You should constantly knead the clay while you are using it to ensure that it remains soft and warm. When it goes cold, it may become brittle and it will not be effective in lifting off the contaminants from the paintwork. This could also leave surface marring.
Work on small areas of the car body at a time, say one panel at a time. Wet the surface thoroughly with your lubricant and then gently work the clay over the surface. Use only light finger pressure. Don't press on too hard. Let the clay do the work.
Don't use the clay on dry panels, if the lubricant dries before you get to a bit, spray on some more. Once you are happy that the surface is smooth, wipe off any clay left behind with a soft cloth.
Finally remember that the claying process will also remove any previously applied layers of wax, so you should always follow the claying process with polishing, waxing and sealing.
A number of manufacturers are starting to produce detailing clays along with their corresponding lubricants. They vary in grades and price.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
How to Detail the Exterior of your Car
If you investigate you will find that there is no formal definition for taking care of the both the inside and outside of your vehicle. You would assume that there would be some common agreement on a process that may cost several hundred dollars. Most people assume that they know what car detailing means. Since there is not a common agreement on what car detailing, be careful when you ask someone to do it to your car. Insure they are planning on doing what you want and expect to receive. We suggest you ask very specific questions and understand what the company is planning on doing.
However there are certain common steps that are done in a typical car detailing project. Usually the average car detailing job consists of doing a thorough washing, cleaning, polishing and waxing the exterior of the vehicle. There should also be a through cleaning of the interior, but this article will not address those interior detailing techniques.
Some companies start on the exterior of the car, and others begin on the interior. Most of the professional detailers will begin on the interior. This is because if any of the chemicals used in the interior wind up on the outside of the car, they will be removed as part of the cleaning step.
Assuming we start on the exterior the first step in detailing is to wash the car to remove all heavy particles of dirt and related materials. This car detailing step removes surface contamination. Special soap are made for the car's paint and they are designed not to strip off the wax. If you use dishwashing soap, then you must rewax the car.
In the next step a Clay Bar is used with some type of liquid lubricant such as spray wax, window cleaner or sometimes even water. This step should remove road grime, tar, bugs, light rust, tree sap and even some paint over spray. Clay helps removes contamination that is embedded in the paint. The first two steps remove contaminates which are on and in the surface. A good detailing job should always have both of these steps as part of the process. If someone tells you that they do not do the claying step, you are not receiving a professional job.
The third most common step is polishing the vehicle. Polishing is a critical major step as it can usually remove oxidation, swirls, water deposits, light scratches and some other minor surface imperfections. A good car polish can be just a chemical that cleans the surface and removes oxidation for a new car. For heavier needs such as an older car which has been left in the sun a different type of polish containing various abrasive materials will be used. The most severe polish used in detailing is usually called rubbing compound. It looks like a heavy paste but acts like a very very fine sandpaper. Rubbing compound can remove too much paint if done incorrectly. This is why you want a professional to do your work. A professional will use a rotary buffer, while an amateur should use an orbital buffer which is less apt to remove too much paint. Remember that the goal of polishing is to give your car a deep shine. The next step protects the finish, but it does not create the shine.
The last major step in taking care of the exterior is the use of a sealant or a wax. The newest sealants are typically a polymer based product which seems to offer more durability from than the best wax. They are liquid based and applied like a liquid wax. One factor should be kept in mind if you want a sealant instead of wax. Sealants must not be applied over wax or any surface contamination, If you did it can slow down or stop the bonding of the sealant to the paint surface. There is always disagreement between owners if a chemical product or a real wax looks better. The wax can enhance the gloss of the paint and give it the appearance of depth.
You can apply a carnauba based wax or a synthetic wax. Car crazy owners and most owners who show their cars, are on a never ending quest to find the best wax to use. Some car waxes are even being sold today with instructions that should be applied with your bare hands. The heat from your hands rubbing in the wax is supposed to give you a better finish. I have never seen proof that this is a better wax than others.
There are various one-step products which claim to clean, polish and protect at the same time. A professional shop will never use these type of products because of the compromises that must be made for each one of the steps. Reports that I have seen suggest that the synthetic products for car detailing go on easier and last longer than pure wax. But don't try and convince most owners of this. On the typical car, either one will give you a great finish.
Taking care of the chrome, trim and tires must also be accomplished for that truly show car finish.
However there are certain common steps that are done in a typical car detailing project. Usually the average car detailing job consists of doing a thorough washing, cleaning, polishing and waxing the exterior of the vehicle. There should also be a through cleaning of the interior, but this article will not address those interior detailing techniques.
Some companies start on the exterior of the car, and others begin on the interior. Most of the professional detailers will begin on the interior. This is because if any of the chemicals used in the interior wind up on the outside of the car, they will be removed as part of the cleaning step.
Assuming we start on the exterior the first step in detailing is to wash the car to remove all heavy particles of dirt and related materials. This car detailing step removes surface contamination. Special soap are made for the car's paint and they are designed not to strip off the wax. If you use dishwashing soap, then you must rewax the car.
In the next step a Clay Bar is used with some type of liquid lubricant such as spray wax, window cleaner or sometimes even water. This step should remove road grime, tar, bugs, light rust, tree sap and even some paint over spray. Clay helps removes contamination that is embedded in the paint. The first two steps remove contaminates which are on and in the surface. A good detailing job should always have both of these steps as part of the process. If someone tells you that they do not do the claying step, you are not receiving a professional job.
The third most common step is polishing the vehicle. Polishing is a critical major step as it can usually remove oxidation, swirls, water deposits, light scratches and some other minor surface imperfections. A good car polish can be just a chemical that cleans the surface and removes oxidation for a new car. For heavier needs such as an older car which has been left in the sun a different type of polish containing various abrasive materials will be used. The most severe polish used in detailing is usually called rubbing compound. It looks like a heavy paste but acts like a very very fine sandpaper. Rubbing compound can remove too much paint if done incorrectly. This is why you want a professional to do your work. A professional will use a rotary buffer, while an amateur should use an orbital buffer which is less apt to remove too much paint. Remember that the goal of polishing is to give your car a deep shine. The next step protects the finish, but it does not create the shine.
The last major step in taking care of the exterior is the use of a sealant or a wax. The newest sealants are typically a polymer based product which seems to offer more durability from than the best wax. They are liquid based and applied like a liquid wax. One factor should be kept in mind if you want a sealant instead of wax. Sealants must not be applied over wax or any surface contamination, If you did it can slow down or stop the bonding of the sealant to the paint surface. There is always disagreement between owners if a chemical product or a real wax looks better. The wax can enhance the gloss of the paint and give it the appearance of depth.
You can apply a carnauba based wax or a synthetic wax. Car crazy owners and most owners who show their cars, are on a never ending quest to find the best wax to use. Some car waxes are even being sold today with instructions that should be applied with your bare hands. The heat from your hands rubbing in the wax is supposed to give you a better finish. I have never seen proof that this is a better wax than others.
There are various one-step products which claim to clean, polish and protect at the same time. A professional shop will never use these type of products because of the compromises that must be made for each one of the steps. Reports that I have seen suggest that the synthetic products for car detailing go on easier and last longer than pure wax. But don't try and convince most owners of this. On the typical car, either one will give you a great finish.
Taking care of the chrome, trim and tires must also be accomplished for that truly show car finish.
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