What Is Car Detailing?

Whether you’re a road warrior, a local commuter, or somewhere in between, your car needs regular maintenance as the miles add up. External stressors such as tree sap, inclement weather, and gravel can chip your car’s paint and lower its overall value.

Detailing protects your investment by providing a deeper, more comprehensive clean than you can achieve with a car wash. The process removes dust, allergens, and other contaminants from your vehicle’s interior, protecting your health and the well-being of your passengers.

Professional detailing also is the first step in preparing your car for paint protection solutions, such as paint protection film and ceramic coatings. Protecting your vehicle will keep it from getting damaged by corrosive materials and wear and tear, increasing its value and longevity.

When you book a full car detail from a professional detailer, you can expect rigorous cleaning and restoration services that cover your entire vehicle. Both the inside and the outside of your car will receive meticulous attention using top-of-the-line products.

Professional car detailing is done by hand, which allows the technician to spot and address problem areas you may not have noticed yet. Having your vehicle detailed regularly ensures that any trapped grit, residue, or mold growth will be discovered and dealt with before it spreads or causes damage.

Here’s a closer look at the services your car will receive during a professional detail.

During your detail, the technician will first go over the exterior of your vehicle by hand and note every issue they find. It is followed up by a thorough exterior car care process to bring your exterior back to life and look new.

The detailer will start the exterior detail by selecting high-quality cleaning products to wash your car. They will use clean microfiber towels to remove dirt, grime, tree sap, and dead bugs, keeping a close eye on any problem areas they found earlier. After a thorough wash, they will dry it off with a plush microfiber or shammy towel.

Next up is to clay the car. They will use a clay bar and a lubricant spray to remove any baked-in contaminants panel by panel. If your clear coat is marred with swirl marks, the detailer will do a paint correction.

After the claying process or paint correction comes the polish and wax to correct and restore your paintwork to its original, showroom shine.

They don’t just focus on the car paint, but all exterior parts.

Your detailer may use a degreasing agent and a microfiber towel to remove congealed grease from your engine bay. This can take anywhere from 25 to 40 minutes, depending on the level of dirt.

Next, your vehicle’s glass will receive extensive attention during the detailing appointment. Glass cleaning removes unsightly smudges and improves visibility.

Finally, your wheels will get cleaned. They will ensure your rims are free from brake dust, oils, and dirt.

The detailer will start the interior detailing by vacuum cleaning your vehicle’s interior. They will remove debris and dander from the seats, mats, floor areas, and trunk. Minor stains may be addressed with a scrubbing brush, while deeper or more permanent marks may require steam cleaning.

Regarding car interiors, dirt and grime can hide in any nook and cranny. The process can take 30 – 45 mins to complete.

If you have leather seats, they will finish them off with a leather cleaner to bring back the supple look and shine. A good leather cleaning product keeps your leather from quickly cracking or looking dull from UV rays and daily usage.

After they’re finished cleaning the inside of your vehicle, the detailer may use a deodorizing spray to freshen your car’s interior and make it smell brand new.

A car wash may be effective in removing dirt from your car’s exterior, but it doesn’t protect the paint or extend the life of your vehicle the way detailing can. Detailing is more thorough because it’s done by hand using professional materials such as a clay bar to achieve like-new results.

Furthermore, detailing requires a higher degree of skill and a wider range of knowledge than simply washing your vehicle. The precision pays off by increasing your vehicle’s value and making you feel like you’re driving a brand-new car all over again.

The cost of car detailing services depends on where you live, the size of your vehicle, and the amount of cleaning it requires. Car owners can expect to pay anywhere from $25-75 for basic detailing services. A more experienced detailer will likely charge more than a company that hasn’t been operating as long.

On-the-job experience and adherence to proper techniques are two good reasons to hire a trained technician to handle the detail for you. However, you can save money by purchasing professional-grade detailing products and learning to use them yourself.

Before purchasing detailing supplies, research the brands used by reputable professionals in your area. Cheap products can damage your car and reverse the work you’ve put into your detail.

Enter Blask — our full line-up of professionally formulated auto detailing products designed to restore your vehicle to a like-new condition.

We use the highest-grade formulas and materials to ensure your car receives the care and attention it deserves. There’s a Blask product for every detail stage to ensure your ride looks just like new.