Car detailing: why is it needed and how to handle it yourself

Detailing is a new approach to old concepts. The essence of the method lies in the deep care of the body and interior of the car. The measures are aimed, first of all, at preserving the novelty in appearance and removing traces of exploitation. The longer the car looks new, the more its owner will receive bonuses: both reputational and financial. But let's go in order.

What kind of detailing happens in Russia

Real detailing studios that know and correctly understand what they are dealing with are an expensive pleasure. Usually, the services are complex, but detailers always go forward when there is a need to pinpoint the elimination of any defect. Conventionally, the range of services is divided into three categories:

• ✅ Body and wheels. Multi-stage washing with subsequent polishing, application of protection (liquid glass, ceramics, waxing, etc.). Cleaning of chrome elements and light alloys, grinding and polishing, restoration of the varnish layer, blackening of tires.
  
• ✅ Upholstery and seats. Dry cleaning of floors, ceilings and seats, cleaning of plastic panels, glass, removal of dust and dirt from hard-to-reach cavities, ozonation of the cabin, trunk, application of protective compounds.
  
• ✅ Underhood space. Safe washing of the engine and engine compartment.
  

Ordinary car washes, in order to be in trend, often "stick" to detailing. They sincerely believe that if you wash your car more thoroughly and with a good shampoo, then their establishment immediately becomes a studio. In fact, detailing is advanced high-end auto chemicals and the use of specialized equipment. But this is not the main thing. A real detailing studio is necessarily an experienced and highly qualified staff with hands from the right place.

Optimal frequency of detailing

In a conventional car wash, work is carried out according to the conveyor principle and, as a rule, using the cheapest car chemicals. In detailing, a more thorough and deep approach is taken. Premium cars usually use such services on a regular basis. The result, as they say, is always on the face. Expensive cars and look accordingly, always fresh, shine with a varnish coating without "cobwebs" and polished chrome.



This does not mean at all that there is nothing to do on the detailing of an ordinary car. Just the opposite. A car for every day also requires more attention than just washing. Maybe not as often as you'd like. But even once every six months, a visit to the detailing studio maintains the appearance of the car at a fairly high level.



Time passes, mileage winds up, and the car still looks like it left a car dealership a month ago. Of course, this is an indirect manifestation of love and respect for your four-wheeled friend, who has become a support and support in many matters.

Financial benefits of detailing

Well, what is the benefit when there are only expenses, you say, and you will be right, but partially. Yes, the service costs money, and it cannot be said that it is cheap. Owning a car itself involves an endless series of expenses, but the benefits of personal transport more than offset the investment. It's the same with detailing. Regular visits to the studio keep the appearance of the car in perfect condition. When will the owner need it?
Yes, every day! And even then, when he decides to sell his car.


Well, what about the body? The most expensive car part in five to seven years inevitably acquires chips and micro-scratches, bituminous deposits and other defects. It is one thing to systematically remove flaws as they appear. And it’s quite another thing to try to fix everything in an emergency mode after years.

How to carry out car detailing yourself?

The difference between amateur detailing and studio detailing is the professionalism of the performer and, accordingly, the speed of implementing the tasks. Be prepared that this will take some time.



You will also need a minimum set of car chemicals - you will have to fork out, since you will buy more than one procedure. For detailing "at home" you will need:

• ? Foam cleaner for glass, upholstery, carpet. These are all different compositions.
  
• ? Cleaner and restorer of plastic, tires (also various auto chemicals)
  
• ? Foam compositions for cleaning discs, engine, body from bituminous stains
  
• ? Odor neutralizer
  
• ? Plastic polish
  

From the tools you need sponges, suede, microfiber and a powerful vacuum cleaner. This is only the first stage of detailing - washing the interior and exterior.
And if, in principle, thorough cleaning work is sufficient for the interior (subject to regularity), then the largest part of the car will additionally require abrasive and protective polishing of the paintwork. Special compositions effectively level out small scratches and risks, eliminate clouding of the varnish and other defects. To carry out the work, you need a power tool with a set of disk and cone nozzles (foam rubber, felt, sheepskin) and experience in owning a polishing machine.



The lack of professionalism often ends with overheating of the paintwork, and this already requires contacting a service center. For amateurs, it is better to perform manual polishing - using soft cotton or microfiber cloths. So you do not spoil the varnish and successfully cope with the task. True, manual processing will require more time.

As you can see, it doesn't take much to become a successful detailer. The main thing is to love your car and take care of it on a regular basis, and not on an occasional basis.