Car Detailing - What Is It?


We often receive the question, "What is car detailing?" so we thought it was time to provide a clear answer. The term "detailing" originated in the United States and made its way to the UK, likely in the early '90s. While we all wash our cars or have them cleaned, whether to avoid the legal issues of obscured number plates or simply out of love for our vehicles and their paintwork, detailing goes beyond a standard wash.

Cleaning a car can be approached in various tiers. So, at what point does a basic cleaning transform into "detailing"? While you might refer to the process as a simple wash, a valet, or detailing, each term has its distinct meaning. What sets them apart?

Car Detailing - What Is It? - Spraying Eradicate Engine Degreasers
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Machine Polishing
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Wheel Cleaning with Brush
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Pouring Caramics Enhancing Shampoo in Bucket
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Car Polishing

A typical car wash usually consists of a wash and vacuum service, which includes a thorough shampooing of the entire vehicle, including the wheels and tyres, followed by drying with a towel to prevent water spots and streaks. Occasionally, a spray wax may be applied as well. This is generally the extent of the service, unless you visit a more upscale car wash that tries to upsell you on air fresheners, which often have the aroma of inexpensive lemon-scented household cleaners.

Car Detailing - What Is It? - Car wiping with Microfiber Cloth
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Car Cleaning with Brush

Car valeting is a notch above your standard wash. It encompasses all the additional services you might encounter at a car wash, typically with varying price tiers. While it includes the basics of wash, dry, and wax—similar to a regular wash—valeting provides a bit more focus on the finer details, though not by much. If you’re lucky, they may even clean the door shuts. Some packages may also feature vacuuming and dashboard polishing for an extra charge, ensuring a thorough hoover and a wipe down of all surfaces, including leather seats. However, if you've ever experienced this service, you may have noticed that the products used can sometimes leave surfaces feeling slippery or greasy, which is definitely not ideal for your leather seats or steering wheel. A high-end valet typically offers additional benefits, such as paint polishing and cleaning of the windows, both inside and out. Prices for these services can vary widely, reaching up to around £75.

So, where does car washing and valeting transition into car detailing, like the kind we offer here at Auto Finesse? Car detailing delves much deeper than just the surface of the paint.

Car Detailing - What Is It? - Rinse with water

After applying a snow foam like Avalanche to eliminate loose contaminants and performing a thorough wash using the two-bucket method with a high-quality car shampoo like Lather Car Shampoo, we can proceed with full paint decontamination. This process involves a three-stage method, starting with Iron Out Contaminant & Fallout Remover to break down ingrained metal particles, followed by ObliTARate Tar and Glue Remover to remove any sticky residues.

Finally, we use a detailing clay bar or Clay Pad along with a suitable lubricant—our preferred choice is Glide Clay Lubricant—to eliminate embedded contaminants in the paint, such as tar, tree sap, or any other debris that hasn't been dislodged. Before beginning the clay barring process, we recommend running your fingers over the surface of the paint. If it feels rough to the touch, it indicates that there is embedded dirt that needs to be removed, even if it isn't visibly apparent.

Car Detailing - What Is It? - Screenshot 2024-09-25 at 13.32.20.png
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Car Cleaning with Brush
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Car washing with wash mitt
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Spraying Glide Clay Lube on Handi Puck

When cleaning wheels, detailers often go the extra mile by removing the wheels from the car. This allows them to access hard-to-reach areas for a thorough cleaning. They also take the opportunity to clean the brakes and inner components, including the inner arch linings.

Even when the wheels remain on the car, detailers will ensure they are cleaned and decontaminated using specialised products such as Iron Out Contaminant & Fallout Remover, Imperial Wheel Cleaner, and Revolution Wheel Shampoo. A skilled detailer will always apply the appropriate product for each specific wheel type, thoroughly brushing it in to eliminate grime and corrosive brake dust from every nook and cranny.

Car Detailing - What Is It? - Wheel Cleaning
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Car Cleaning with Brush

Similar to valeting, car detailing offers various levels of service. Depending on your needs, you might choose to opt for machine polishing to enhance and refine the paint finish further. While some polishing can be done by hand, it typically involves using a machine polisher. Generally, a fixed rotary polisher is preferred, although a dual-action polisher can be gentler on thinner paint.

This system effectively eliminates imperfections during the polishing process, resulting in a swirl-free finish. Machine polishing addresses fine lines, swirl marks, and even orange peel, enhancing the car’s appearance to a level better than when it originally left the factory.

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Car Detailing - What Is It? - Revitalise Compound no.2 on Polishing Pads
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Machine Polishing

Once all of this is done, a detailer will complete the paintwork by applying a high-quality car wax or ceramic coating. This step not only protects the meticulous work that has been done but also enhances the durability of the finish they have worked so hard to achieve.

Car Detailing - What Is It? - Rejuvenate Pre-Wax Cleanser - Illusion - Cloth - Handi Puck
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Hard Wax and Handi Puck
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Car wiping with Microfiber Cloth
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Polished Car

Inside the vehicle, detailers will thoroughly vacuum all areas and use a carpet shampoo to tackle any stains. Other surfaces, including upholstery, trims, and headlining, will also be cleaned with a wet method. Special detailing brushes, such as our hog hair brushes, or compressed air will be employed to clean vents and dials. Windows and seals will receive attention as well. Seats, whether leather or fabric, will be treated with products specifically designed for the material. For leather seats, detailers typically finish with a leather protector.

Car Detailing - What Is It? - Car Cleaning with Brush
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Spraying Hide Leather Cleanser
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Car Leather Cleaning with Upholstery Brush
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Wipe Out Interior Disinfectant

Depending on the level of detail desired, engine bays can also be addressed as a finishing touch. Utilizing Eradicate Engine Degreaser followed by Dressle Trim Dressing can transform any engine bay into a show-worthy spectacle in just a few minutes!

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Car Detailing - What Is It? - Screenshot 2024-09-25 at 13.53.02.png
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Cleaning Engine Bay
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Dirty Engine Bay
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Cleaned Engine Bay

Naturally, there's an entire finishing process involved. A true detailer will apply the appropriate products to protect and enhance every surface. This may include restoring plastics with Revive Trim Dressing, using Tripple 3-in-1 All-Purpose Car Polish for cleaning and protecting door jambs, dressing tyres with Satin Tyre Creme, or ensuring your windows shine with Crystal or Caramics Glass Cleaner. A genuine detailer focuses on just that—attention to detail.

Car Detailing - What Is It? - Satin Tyre Creme on Handi Puck
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Cleaning Car Wheel
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Tripple All In One Car Polish on Cloth
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Spraying Wheel Coating
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Spraying Crystal Glass Cleaner

In essence, detailing aims to achieve the best possible appearance for your paintwork and other surfaces. While a basic wash or valet focuses on cleanliness, it often overlooks embedded dirt, swirl marks, and paint fading. Car detailing goes much deeper, allowing you to achieve a showroom-like finish without the expense of a complete paint job. In our view, what truly sets a detailer apart is their meticulous attention to every aspect of a vehicle. A comprehensive detailing service can range up to £2000.

Car Detailing - What Is It? - Car with Auto Finesse Logo on
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Cleaned Car
Car Detailing - What Is It? - Cleaned Car