Car Wash vs. Car Detail
Have you ever wondered what a mobile car detail is? What does a car detailing include? Why
shouldn't I just go to my local car wash to get my car cleaned? If so, this blog post will help you
uncover all the information you need to understand what a car detail is and why it is more
beneficial for your vehicle than going to a self-serve wash, and drive through car wash.
What Is A Detail?
Car detailing is a lot more than just your average car wash. A detail is meant to do more than
just remove the visible dirt on your vehicle just for it to get just as dirty the following week. It’s a
thorough cleaning and protection process aimed towards maintaining your vehicle’s value and
appearance. Consistent detailing keeps your car shining, and most importantly, it increases the
valuable lifespan of your vehicle.
What Does Car Detailing Include?
Automotive detailing can be split up into two main services which can be broken down into
multiple subsections. Those two services are Interior Detailing and Exterior Detailing. Both of
these services can have drastically different effects on your vehicle depending on what you, the
customer, want out of the service.
Exterior Car Detailing
Exterior car detailing plays a vital role in the car detailing process. This process involves
restoring the car's exterior surfaces, such as paint, glass, and plastic trim, back to its original
condition, then making it shine with a high-quality wax or sealant. But what does that process look like?
1. Hand Wash and Drying
This isn't your typical car wash. Professional detailing technicians use special equipment and
techniques to insure your car's paint isn't damaged during the car washing process.
Handwashing, compared to the brushing techniques that car washes use, is a gentle and
effective way to remove all the dirt, dust, and contaminants that regular car washes miss during
their car washing process.
2. Clay Bar Treatment
The second, but arguably the most important step in the mobile detailing car wash process, is
the clay bar treatment. This process utilizes the effect of a clay bar, or clay mitt, to gently
remove contaminants, dust particles, and overspray from the car's surface. This results in a
clean and smooth surface ready for waxing and polishing.
3. Waxing & Polishing
Now, we are getting to the part where you can really see the difference in what a detailing
technician can do for your vehicle. This step not only adds a beautiful shine to your car, but it
can also remove those unattractive swirls on the paint and finally protect that freshly
reconditioned paint from being scratched up again. This process ensures that your vehicle will
look beautiful long after the detailing process has been completed.
4. Wheel and Tire Cleaning
We need to talk about the importance of keeping your car's wheels and tires clean. As you
probably know, the wheels and tires on a car typically become the dirtiest part of the vehicle for
various reasons. Wheels and tires are notorious for having a buildup of harmful debris on its
surfaces, like brake dust. This accumulation can lead to premature corrosion on both the rims
and tires if left alone. For aesthetic and performance purposes, it is crucial to keep up with the
maintenance of keeping your rims and tires clean.
5. Additional Procedures
Finally, there are other procedures that a mobile detailer can do to improve the final look of the
vehicle.
These include:
● Water Spot Removal
● Headlight Restoration
● Engine Bay Cleaning
● Chrome Polishing
● Paint Correction
● Door Jamb Cleaning
Interior Car Detailing
Now, lets take a look inside the car to see what all is included in a typical Interior Detail. This procedure is important to ensure that the interior is protected, sanitized, and fresh to create a comfortable and usable environment for driving.
1. Vacuuming
The first step but what arguably makes the most difference in a detail is the vacuuming process. Using high-powered vacuums, a detailing technician can remove bacteria, dirt, dust, and other contaminants from your carpet and seats to ensure a cleaner environment for you and your passengers to ride in.
2. Compressed Air Blow Out
Compressed air is essential in providing the most effective detailing service a vehicle can recieve. Utilizing compressed air in the detailing process has many different positive applications. Some carpets can be really good at trapping dirt and hair within its fibers, but if the detailer has compressed air and the technical skills to go with it, the amount of time it would take to clean that carpet can be cut in half. Not only that, compressed air can be used to dust off the vinyl areas and blow out contaminants from every crack and crevice the vehicle has.
3. Upholstery Clean
Next up, upholstery cleaning. This process is especially important if you have leather seats in your vehicle. With time, stains and a consistent accumulation of grime can adhere to the surfaces, which can wear out the seats and other upholstery. Detailing technicials use high quality upholstery/vinyl cleaners and conditioners to maintain the surfaces and even extend the useable lifespan of the material.
4. Glass Cleaning
If you have a dog, or children, you may understand how easily glass can get smudged. Over time, glass also gets passive accumulation of dust and dirt which can affect more than just the aesthetics of your vehicle. Clean windows and mirrors improves visibility which can make for a safer driving experience.
5. Odor Removal
Detailers typically have a wide array of equipment and products that can be used to not only mask odors in a vehicle, but completely eliminate them. This step in the process will leave your car smelling fresh, improve the air quality, and make for a more enjoyable ride for you as well as your passengers.
6. Other Interior Areas
Finally, It is not a real detail if the technician doesn't pay attention to all the additional areas within the vehicle such as the air vents, dashboard, center console, and any other surface that may need a refresh. The detailer also conditions the dashboard to prevent the vinyl from cracking under the constant sun and weather exposure. These little extra steps is what truly pushes a detailer miles ahead of a simple car wash, and contributes to you having a more enjoyable driving experience.
So Why Choose A Detail Instead Of A Car Wash?
If you are wondering "Why should I have my car detailed?" This section will tell you why.
First, car detailing plays a crucial role in protecting and preserving your vehicle. Regularly scheduled services can protect your car's surfaces from dust, dirt, contaminants like tree sap and bird droppings, UV rays, and many other things that can cause your vehicle damage over time. Services provided by detailers such as waxing, clay bar treatment, polishing, and protective coating can keep your vehicle looking like it just came off the lot for a lot longer than if it is just left alone.
Second, Getting a detail can significantly increase the resale value of your car. Think of it as an investment in the value of your vehicle. By keeping the vehicle propertly maintained, there would be no reason not to be able to command the highest prices for your vehicle when you decide to sell it.
Third, professional car detailers have nuanced and specialized experience in caring for cars. Their knowledge combined with their tools specifically designed for detailing provides premier value for any issues that you or your car may run into. With professional detailers, you can be sure that your vehicle is in the best hands.
Finally, the higher price for detailers doesnt only reflect the products or tools they use. It is mainly about the results you can expect to recive from their services. Car washes commonly offer lower prices, but that does come with a economical reason. They typically focus on high-volume services with very little attention to detail. So when you are looking to get your vehicle cleaned, it is important to weigh your budget with your expectations of the final outcome. If you are looking for a more proffessional and in-dept result, deciding on using a professional detail may be worth the additional investment.