Exterior Detailing

Exterior detailing involves cleaning and bringing a shine to the cars paint, chrome trim, windows, wheels and tyres as well as all other visible components on the exterior of the vehicle. Different detailers use different products to do this. Products include but are not limited to detergents, degreasers, acids, detail clay, waxes, and polishes and use a variety of applicators such as brushes and special cloths. The three main components of exterior car detailing are cleaning, polishing and protecting. Cleaning refers to the removal of all foreign surface particles from the exterior surfaces through the use of chemicals, water and heat while washing and claying. A clay bar helps to clean contamination / dirt from the surface of the clear coat that cannot be removed through weekly washing such as bugs, tar, sap, paint overspray etc. Polishing refers to using mechanical polishers by hand or with a machine and specific polishing pads that remove micrometers of the clear coat from a vehicle in order to remove scratches, swirls, oxidation and other imperfections from the paint surface produce by improper washing techniques, drying techniques and other possible causes. Protecting involves the application of protective wax (in liquid or paste form) that prevents foreign matter from adhering to the surface of the vehicle including minerals in water, bugs splatter, tar and dirt. Waxes and sealants provide the barrier against the elements. Waxes are some of the most expensive elements of the detailing process.