Automotive Paint Detailing

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Auto detailing is the practice of performing an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing of an automobile, both inside and out, to produce a show-quality level of detail. It can be practiced for personal satisfaction, and it is also performed to prepare a car for a Concours d'Elegance (often shortened to just Concours), a car show that features the appearance of cars. Elements of exterior detailing include claying, polishing, paint defect correction, and waxing. Interior detailing involves the cleaning of the interior of a vehicle using vacuums, liquid cleaners, and brushes. Engine detailing involves cleaning the engine bay area of dirt and grease by using degreasers and all-purpose cleaners.

Originating in Southern California, USA, detailing has spread across the USA and beyond and has established itself as more than a passing fad. Today, there are more than 50,000 detailers in operation across the USA and are cleaning up with average annual sales of $100,000.

Detailing does not include body work, painting, mechanical repair or upholstery work. It involves bringing the car to its maximum appearance potential through waxing and polishing the exterior paint, chrome, and wheels and thoroughly cleaning the seats and upholstery. Some detailers offer rust-proofing and undercoating services in addition to paint sealant and interior sealant applications. And some even provide vinyl or convertible top repairs, although many detailers have found that it’s more profitable to hand this work over to other tradesmen.

This little known but vital part of the huge automobile aftermarket is a “sleeper” that can be incredibly profitable. On a volume basis, detailers “prep” new and trade-in used cars for dealers. But the highest profits per car come from performing high-quality, cosmetic maintenance on automobiles owned by proud private parties.

Most auto detailers are craftsmen, not businessmen. Few promote their service aggressively; many are in out-of-the-way locations such as alley garages and parking lots. Not many realize the true profit potential. Even under these circumstances, average gross profits in this loosely-knit industry are $150,000, with pretax net profits in the $95,000 range. This is a whopping 37 to 41 percent of the sales! These lucrative margins result from low operating expenses for shoestring operations. It is possible for a bright operator with marketing savvy to get into the business for little as $1000.


What is Detailing?
While there are no specific guidelines for what actually makes up a 'detail,' it is typically considered more extensive than washing and drying a car, and will often involve many steps. Main goals are typically beautification and protection, but can also touch other areas such as minor paint repair and surface restoration, as well as thoroughly cleaning areas which are normally ignored such as the engine and underchassis, wheels, tires, and trim.

The steps of a basic exterior detail of the paint surface consist of, in this order, wash, dry, clay bar, wash again, polish, glaze, sealant, wax. Application of a glaze is optional, as is application of both a sealant and wax.

A variety of shampoos, cleaners, degreasers, protectants, lubricants, polishes, clay bars, and waxes have developed over time to suit various demands of consumers and professionals.


Clay Bar
Clay is a mixture of clay base and various mild abrasives that is used to remove paint contamination. Spray wax, window cleaner or water can work as a clay lubricant. Road grime, tar, bugs, rust, tree sap and even paint overspray can be removed with a clay bar. Claying does not remove the clear coat of the paint but can cause marring or dullness if used incorrectly. It takes a few passes of clay to feel the difference on the surface of the paint. Claying does not replace polishing. It is simply a process that should be used before polishing compound is used. Claying should be used once or twice a year depending on the year of the car or truck.


Purpose of Polishing
The purpose of polishing is to remove oxidation, swirls, scratches, water deposits, and other imperfections from the paint. In contrast to a clay bar, which removes contamination, polishes remove surface imperfections. Polishing generally is the single most time consuming step in an exterior detail.

Polishes typically are classified in two categories, a chemical polish or abrasive polish. A chemical polish, sometimes called a prewax cleaner, cleans the surface and removes oxidation. An abrasive polish removes a small portion of the clearcoat or the base paint itself on single stage paint. Abrasive polishes are classified based on how abrasive they are. The abrasive polish with the most abrasion typically is called a Rubbing Compound. A Rubbing Compound will remove heavier scratches and swirls as well as oxidation. It can be compared to a very fine sandpaper. The abrasive polish with the least abrasion typically is called a finishing polish. A finishing polish is used to remove light oxidation and fine scratches and swirls. It is also used to remove the haze resulting from application of a more abrasive polish. Abrasive polishes work best when applied with a machine rotary buffer or machine random orbital buffer. Different pads are used on the buffer depending on the abrasion level of the polish.

An "All in One" product typically combines a chemical polish and sealant to be applied in one step. A "buff and wax" contains a high level of cleaner and U.V. protectant or carnauba, producing a polish and a protect effect. Unlike a chemical polish or abrasive polish, a glaze does not clean or abrade the paint. A glaze typically contains oils and kaolin to fill and mask minor imperfections remaining after polishing, and to enhance the brilliance of the finish. If a glaze is applied, it is used after use of a chemical polish or abrasive polish or All in One product but before application of a sealant or wax.


Purpose of Sealants and Waxing
Synthetic sealants are polymer based and provide more durability than even the best carnauba wax. They are liquid in form and apply very much like a liquid wax. It is suggested that most sealants cure for 12 to 24 hours before layering additional coats on the paint or applying wax over the sealant. Curing involves the cross-linking of polymer strands. When cross-linking is completed, the product has "cured." Some sealants contain an accelerator, or are sold with a separate accelerator that is mixed with the sealant before use, which speeds up the cross-linking (curing) process. For best results, the surface of the vehicle should be properly prepared for a sealant, which involves cleaning and polishing the paint prior to application. Applying a sealant over a wax or surface contamination may inhibit the bonding of the product to the paint. Once you top a sealant with a wax you will not be able to apply additional layers of the sealant without first cleaning the paint and removing all the wax.

Waxing further enhances the gloss and depth of the paint, and provides even more but shorter lasting protection. Wax comes in many forms such as cream, paste, and liquid. Most waxes contain carnauba which contains a high amount of fatty acids. This fatty acid creates a solid layer between the paint and the outside world which protects it, and gives it a glossy finish. Synthetic waxes commonly mix low amounts of cleaners with high amounts of U.V. inhibitors to create the same protective layer that carnauba does. Synthetic wax creates a high gloss while carnauba waxes give a warm and wet looking finish.


The difference between a Wax and a Polish
Wax is a protective coating that is applied to the exterior surface of an automobile to prevent oxidation. Wax does not protect against bird droppings, acid rain or tree sap. The only reason a wax is applied to the exterior surface of an automobile is to protect the paint or clearcoat from forming oxidation.

Polish is a cleaning compound that removes impurities from the paint which prepares it for waxing, sealing, or protecting.

They are very different and should not be confused, although the retail industry has mixed them up greatly in their advertising as having a wax that polishes too. However this is not possible because the substances perform separate functions.

Experience is required when working with polishes. Polishing agents remove oxidation, surface contaminants and also some of the clearcoat surface. An inexperienced polisher can create swirl marks on the painted or clearcoat surface. Fine polishing agents can create fine swirl marks.

Swirl marks can be hidden or masked when applied with wax but will return and become very visible once the wax wears off.