Auto Wise

Car Detailing

More Than Just a Wash

By Brie Hellbusch

That clean, new car smell isn’t just for new cars (or for old beaters with a “new car smell” air freshener). You can maintain that level of cleanliness and new car shine as long as you want, and it doesn’t even take any of your own elbow grease! It can be accomplished year after year with frequent car detailing services. For some drivers, professional detailing is unknown territory. For others, it’s the clear way forward.

One thing is for certain—professional detailing can improve the value of any vehicle, not to mention making it more pleasant for drivers and passengers alike.

Why is it so important to have your car professionally detailed? Can’t you just keep your own car clean? After all, professional detailing begins with vacuuming the interior and washing the exterior. You can do that yourself at a car wash or in your driveway, right? Maybe so, but read on: Next, a pro detailer steam-cleans doorjambs, pressure-washes floor mats, removes stains from upholstery and carpet, and takes care of the tar and road grime that car washes often miss. That’s more than just a car wash, and it’s just the beginning!

Detailing shops typically offer a variety of services, from basic to deluxe, and the price reflects how much work is performed. An exterior detailing job can include an exterior wash, cleaning the paint with a clay bar, polishing the paint by hand or with a machine to remove minor scratches, and then applying wax or paint sealant to make the paint shine and last longer. The wheels are cleaned and waxed, and the tires are shined, too.

Interior detailing can include vacuuming and shampooing the upholstery and carpeting, pressure-washing or scrubbing floor mats, cleaning and conditioning leather upholstery, cleaning and coating vinyl and plastic interior trim, and cleaning the glass. There are a lot of nooks and crannies in cars, and a professional detailer will find and clean every single one.

Most professionals recommend that you have your vehicle detailed two or three times a year. However, a car owner’s ideal detailing frequency will also depend greatly on the car owner’s approach to taking care of the vehicle. The more often a car is detailed, the better condition it will stay in—this much is true. Therefore, drivers who wash, wax, and clean their own vehicle on a consistent basis will need detailing less often than a driver who doesn’t regularly complete this type of maintenance. The longer you go between professional detailing appointments, and the dirtier your car gets in the meantime, the more thorough (and expensive) your eventual detailing service will need to be. The choice is yours.

When you’re looking for a recommendation for a great detailer, ask friends and family who drive beautifully clean cars—they probably know someone! It’s important to find potential detailers within driving range or to look for detailers who will travel to you. Detailers should be willing to share some of the work they’ve done for previous clients and to answer any questions regarding the type of work they offer and their background with cars. It’s usually easy to tell when people are experienced and passionate about cars, as they’ll most likely enjoy talking about the subject.

Other important factors for some clients might include questions regarding paint thickness measurements, risky areas on the car that may need special attention, and what type of wheel cleaner will be used on specific types of wheels. It’s also a good idea to ask about the types of detailing packages offered and whether or not there are luxury wax options available.

Some other key considerations may relate to options in the look or finish of interior surfaces. For example, the detailer may have options for a matte finish, satin finish, or gloss finish. It might also be wise to ask about no-slip products used on interior surfaces, especially pedals.

Cars are expensive investments. Like any piece of property, keeping a car in good condition is beneficial for the here and now as well as down the road. Professional vehicle detailing is an important component of maintaining a car’s value and appearance. It can also make time spent in the car much more enjoyable for the driver and passengers. Consider what you’d like your car to look like when you have unexpected passengers, like your boss, your clients, or your in-laws. Once you find the right detailer and get your car into tip-top shape, maybe you’ll be the one whose friends and family are always asking for your detailer’s phone number!

Sources for this article included: carfax.com, newroads.ca, and detailedimage.com.