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.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
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, 17 December 2009
Vehicle Detailing Secrets
Like many automobile enthusiasts, you probably find yourself wishing you could keep that bright, showroom shine all the time. The problem is, most people do not have the spare time to spend hours each week on their vehicle, and even more people do not have or do not want to spend the money for a detailing company to do the work for them.
The fact of the matter is, there are a handful of secrets, tips, and tricks that can make detailing easier, less time consuming, and longer lasting. You really do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on those 5-hour step-by-step kits you find in stores. With the right knowledge and a few basic items, you can have a professional looking detail job for a fraction of the cost and very little time commitment.
1. The Clay Bar
Clay bars have been a long-time secret employed by almost every detail shop in existence. In fact, it has been such a well-kept secret, that commercial, consumer-level detailing clay hadn't even seen the shelves until around 2003. This is, for sure, going to be one of your best tools when it comes to detailing your vehicle.
The trick to a solid, long-term detail job is applying polish and wax on the cleanest possible surface. When you wash your car with soap and water, you will notice that, after drying, you can rub your hand across the seemingly clean surface and feel tiny bumps. These are minor bits of road gunk and other imperfections, and that's where clay comes in - to remove this debris.
Detailing clay is used with a spray-on lubricant (usually silicon-based) and rubbed across the surface of the vehicle. The clay will pick up all the little bits of grime that normal washing leaves behind, and also strip away any remaining wax on the vehicle.
2. Multiple Polishes
Most detailing kits come with a single hand-applicable polish. A trick that many detailing shops use is to apply polish at more than one level, in multiple coats.
You will need to select the level of polish right for you, based on the condition of your vehicle. Typical use consists of using a medium-heavy polish that cuts into the clear coat fairly aggressively, and then a second coat with a very light polish to remove even the smallest scratches and marks.
3. Electric Polisher
The biggest, most effective tip in detailing your vehicle is to use an electric polisher. This step alone will greatly reduce the amount of time and arm work required to get the job done. One coat of polish by hand will generally take an experienced detailer about one hour, whereas using an electric polisher, that same coat can be applied in 15 minutes.
Many people never look into using a polisher because of fear of damaging their cars finish. That would be a valid concern with older style rotary buffers, but in the highly technological world of today, it is no longer a concern. Random orbital polishers are very gentle on paint, and can be used by a complete novice safely.
Look into applying these three tips, and your own car detailing can be easier, faster, and can last longer.
The fact of the matter is, there are a handful of secrets, tips, and tricks that can make detailing easier, less time consuming, and longer lasting. You really do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on those 5-hour step-by-step kits you find in stores. With the right knowledge and a few basic items, you can have a professional looking detail job for a fraction of the cost and very little time commitment.
1. The Clay Bar
Clay bars have been a long-time secret employed by almost every detail shop in existence. In fact, it has been such a well-kept secret, that commercial, consumer-level detailing clay hadn't even seen the shelves until around 2003. This is, for sure, going to be one of your best tools when it comes to detailing your vehicle.
The trick to a solid, long-term detail job is applying polish and wax on the cleanest possible surface. When you wash your car with soap and water, you will notice that, after drying, you can rub your hand across the seemingly clean surface and feel tiny bumps. These are minor bits of road gunk and other imperfections, and that's where clay comes in - to remove this debris.
Detailing clay is used with a spray-on lubricant (usually silicon-based) and rubbed across the surface of the vehicle. The clay will pick up all the little bits of grime that normal washing leaves behind, and also strip away any remaining wax on the vehicle.
2. Multiple Polishes
Most detailing kits come with a single hand-applicable polish. A trick that many detailing shops use is to apply polish at more than one level, in multiple coats.
You will need to select the level of polish right for you, based on the condition of your vehicle. Typical use consists of using a medium-heavy polish that cuts into the clear coat fairly aggressively, and then a second coat with a very light polish to remove even the smallest scratches and marks.
3. Electric Polisher
The biggest, most effective tip in detailing your vehicle is to use an electric polisher. This step alone will greatly reduce the amount of time and arm work required to get the job done. One coat of polish by hand will generally take an experienced detailer about one hour, whereas using an electric polisher, that same coat can be applied in 15 minutes.
Many people never look into using a polisher because of fear of damaging their cars finish. That would be a valid concern with older style rotary buffers, but in the highly technological world of today, it is no longer a concern. Random orbital polishers are very gentle on paint, and can be used by a complete novice safely.
Look into applying these three tips, and your own car detailing can be easier, faster, and can last longer.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Auto Detailing: Making A Used Car Look Like New
Auto detailing is a strategy and activity to make any used car look like new. Throughout the years, the practice has transformed into an art itself. Through auto detailing, an old and used car is transformed to look as if it is a brand new car in an effort to win the admiration of car onlookers.
Auto detailing is important to car grooming. In turn, this is very significant especially if the car owner is intending to divest or put up the car for sale. The old or used car definitely would not be attractive to potential buyers no matter what model it is if the overall physical and exterior appearance is not very appealing.
Prior to any auto detailing activity, there is a need to fully evaluate the car. When taking the usual and effective procedures to auto detailing, you surely would be asked to take three auto detailing primers. First and foremost would be the paint evaluation.
The exterior of the used car is the first recognizable and seen part of the vehicle. Impressions are made and unmade just by mere looking at and evaluating the car's exterior. Thus, for auto detailing, the initial aim is always to groom the car through good spray painting.
The second auto detailing procedure would be wheel and tire evaluation. Wheels of old cars usually suffer from black stains caused by the accumulation of tar from brake dust. If the wheels do not receive usual and regular washing and the necessary waxing, chances are greater that you need to spend more effort to groom the car parts.
Third consideration would be the car interior. After you have taken care of the exterior concerns, auto detailing would lastly require you to take care of the insides.
Remember that the car interior is the general indication of how the car has been used and taken care of the user. That is why as much as possible auto detailing would always set it as a goal to make the interior look very superior and in good shape, just like the exterior.
Here are additional simple tips that would surely help make auto detailing a worthwhile and more effective practice.
1. During the auto detailing procedure, make sure the car is in a shade, probably a cool garage or a roofed space. This is because majority of usual and effective auto detailing products like paint and wax do not work well when applied to hot surfaces. Thus, washing the car exterior under the sun is not as advisable as well.
2. When washing the car clean from the top first down to the bottom. The law of gravity would be self explanatory.
3. Do not wash or auto detail a car that has just been from the road. When using cold water when washing, remember that cold water can very much damage the car's hot parts, like the exhaust components, the brake rotors and the engine itself. Before auto detailing, let the hot car cool for about 20 minutes to half an hour.
4. Use detailing towel, brush or spray to wipe away excess wax on the car's exterior. It is inevitable that the wax would eventually form residue around the trim. Now you know how to remedy the situation.
As you carry on an auto detailing activity to make your car look new again, remember that through patience and determination, you can really make your car looking elegant and extravagant once again.
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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