Most drivers have a pretty good idea that an auto detailing
is an in-depth version of a regular cleaning. For the most part, that's a fair comparison.
However, you might not know that each has its own specific purpose and
timetable. Keep reading to discover those purposes and schedules.
Car Wash Basics
The primary purpose of a car wash is to wash away dirt, tar,
salt, and other environmental debris from the clear coat of your car. You can
wash the car yourself at home or at a traditional car wash setup. At the car
wash, you choose between hose wash and machine wash. You can also have the car
hand washed professionally.
A standard car wash can take as little as 10 to 15 minutes,
though a professional hand washing will take longer. If you use a hose to wash
your car yourself, the fee is very nominal. That said, even if you have it
professionally hand washed, the cost isn't steep. You should wash your car at
least every few weeks so that nothing damages the paint.
Main Car Wash Steps
The foundation of washing your car is basic. You rinse it,
soap it up, and rinse it again. Professional hand washers will go into greater
detail. They'll apply soap ahead of time and let it sink in. They'll then scrub
it well before they rinse. Ideally, they get into the nooks and crannies when
they wash.
Touchless car washes go through the same steps with
automatic brushes, stiff cloths, and powerful sprays. At all traditional car
washes, you have add-on services. These include undercarriage wash, wheel
cleaning, and spray-on waxes.
Auto Detailing Basics
Auto detailing is far more involved. Its purpose long-term
maintenance for that "new car" look throughout its life. It also
minimizes wear and tear and boosts the retail value of the car. While you can
find do-ityourself guides, auto detailing is typically done by professionals.
In addition to washing, waxing, and vacuuming your car, they
also deep clean both the interior and exterior. They can offer other services
such as shampooing the carpets and even restoring your headlights.
Auto detailing will take several hours or even the whole
day. The cost is significantly more expensive than a standard wash. You really
only need to have your car detailed every six months to a year, though it's
good to do seasonal waxing.
Main Auto Detailing Steps
Detailers wash and dry your car just like with a regular
cleaning. They also use special brushes and cleaning products to remove the
brake dust and other debris from the wheels. Next, they take a clay bar that
eliminates debris that's bonded to your car's surface. If necessary, they
polish and gloss your paint job to eliminate scratches and oxidation.
Detailing also involves the application of a sealant which
protects your car from the elements. They wax and buff the car to deliver
shine. They apply a similar treatment to the trim. Naturally, they also clean
the glass.
Next, they move to the interior of the car. Not only do they
clean every crevice, they usually apply a leather conditioner as needed.
They'll shine and treat the other parts of the car. Detailing also includes the
engine bay, which is a process that helps maintain the car's performance.
Car Wash Versus Auto Detailing
The main difference between car washing and auto detailing
is how in-depth the cleaning is. A car wash is a surface clean meant to keep
environmental debris from harming your car's clear coat. An auto detailing is a
maintenance service that extends the life of most external and some internal
components of your car.
Truthfully, both services should be part of an overall car
maintenance program. If you start washing your new car every two weeks and get
it detailed at least once a year, you're going to significantly extend its
retail value.
Contact Grand
Prix Car Washto get your car on a regular cleaning schedule.
