What is Detailing?

[siwel]

Hi all,

Probably sounds like a silly question, but I'm not sure what it is. I usually get around to throwing some water on my car once every 3 years whether it needs it or not, so I'm not clued up on cleaning them.

I've had my new shape leon for 3 months now and I'm thinking I might clean it when it's one year old

 

[ForgeMotorsport]

Its an American term I believe that means the same as washing and cleaning .

Something like " On sunday afternoon I will wash my car , I may have to park it on the pavement "

or

On Sunday pm I am going to detail my car on the side walk"

 

[FinerDetails]

detailing is indeed an american term

Most detailers prefer to use the term as it generally separates us from the splash n dash valeters that are available.

Dont get me wrong, there are some very good valeters out there. But a detailer will tend to use products and methods to achieve the very best possible, a valeter tends to achieve the best under a time and cost header.

Huge debate, open to many many points of view.

Whoever you finally use, so long as they give you exactly what you want, and you are happy, thats all that matters.

Hope this helps you decide. If you want any pointers of what to look for shout!

Iain

 

[siwel]

Thanks a lot for the information, glad you didn't think it was too silly a question. I'm being told by my friends that I should wash my car a bit more than once every 3 years as it's a new one.

We'll see

 

[acidstrato]

my definition is spending between 4-8hrs out side

 

[andythom]

my definition is spending between 4-8hrs out side

And still not being finished lol

Seems to take me ages......

 

[siwel]

In 16 years of car ownership and 8 cars I don't think I've spent 8 hours in total cleaning my cars lol.

 

[andythom]

Don't get me wrong, i only do this once a month or 2.....

 

[siwel]

I couldn't do it that often, mine gets cleaned when it gets rained on!

 

[acidstrato]

yeah i dont spend that often everytime, i clean my car every week through the summer (fortnightly over winter periods)

and basically iv always believed that once a month il spend the whole of a sunday "detailing" basically everything in m kit bag e.g claybar, scratchX, polish, multiple waxes, trim detailer etc...but then for the rest of the month i just spend an hour with shampoo and maybe some of my cheaper wax

when the metal feels so soft and smooth i can take pride in what i have achieved. dont care about reflections as neither arctic grey or kiwi really show up that clear.

 

[andythom]

To me it just means that if i spend that one day a month, the time i wash and wax weekly will be much easier......

building up the wax layers for winter now though....

 

[FinerDetails]

no more than two or three, after thats is a waste.....

 

[siwel]

I find it much easier to do nothing lol. It really takes no time at all.

 

[andythom]

no more than two or three, after thats is a waste.....

just the two layers on......only got the second on on sunday there.....

 

[ibiza_95]

what would you say is a good procedure.
i tend to wash with megs wash n conditioner and then ive only ever used megs tech wax...
thats it, should i wax on top of the megs? if so what with?
i have more money to buy some products if i need to, but i want to make sure im buying something thatll help the depth of the paint and its protection

 

[Mr Cellotape]

I'm finding it really hard to wash the car at the moment as I have a broken leg and the Misses goes deaf any time I mention it.