New car? Or new to you car?

Whether you have a relatively new car or have had one for a long time, there’s a good chance the process of professional auto detailing is a bit confusing. In fact, you might be asking yourself, “Can’t I just drive my car through a car wash?” “What exactly is car detailing?” and “Why does it cost so much?”. In this article, we will go over all of these questions, and more.

Car detailing requires focused expertise, as well as special tools, products, and other supplies. All of that time, talent, and product usage adds up to many benefits to your vehicle. A simple run through your neighborhood car wash only focuses on the look of your car on a surface level. Which in variable climates like Denver, Colorado where we are located, that just isn’t enough. The elements are rough on your vehicle, inside and out.

Professional car detailing is a service that actively works to not only improve the appearance of your vehicle inside and out, but adds longevity to the surfaces of your vehicle. A true car detailing service breaks down into four simple steps: remove, correct, protect, and condition. 

 Remove Contaminants That Can Damage Your Car

After your car has been thoroughly washed and dried, the next step is to remove any surface contaminants that remain on the paint. Things such as sap and tar, can cling to the clear coat layer of your car’s paint and damage it, which can expose the colored base coat to the elements if not treated. In colder weather climates, de-icing agents such as salt, and chemicals can eat through your paint very quickly.

It is important to remove products of the environment very quickly before they have a chance to settle into your paint. Once the clear coat has been compromised and the base coat is exposed, there is little a detailing service can do to restore the clear coat. This is why regular detailing is important. A professional detailer will use a variety of special tools, and professional grade products to skillfully remove these contaminants.

 Correct Scratches and Swirls

Though convenient, drive through car washes are notorious for leaving swirls and minor scratches on your paint. Mix this with the contaminants listed above, and you will end up with a very lack luster finish to your clear coat. This can be frustrating to a car owner. There is no quick fix product or wax that can be applied to remove scratches from your paint. This is another area where a professional detailer can step in.

 A detailer will use a combination of buffing compounds, polishes, corresponding pads, and variable speeds on a machine to restore your paint to as close to perfect as possible. Depending on the severity of the scratches, wet sanding may also be necessary. 

 Protect Your Paint at the Right Level

Once your car is all clean and shiny, it’s important to follow up with the right type of clear coat protection. The most common options for drivers to choose from is wax, which lasts for about three months. There are products called paint sealants. These are nano technology based liquid solutions. These last roughly 6 months.

Another option is ceramic coatings. Which I am sure most of you are familiar with by now. Longevity depends on the product and level or protection you choose. But on average, these are designed to last between 1-3 years. These coatings adhere to your clear coat to protect it from the environmental elements. 

 The last option is a coating called Graphene. You can read more about Graphene coatings here.

 Rejuvenate and Extend the Life of Your Interior

After you are all done with the exterior of your vehicle, it’s important to turn attention to the interior. Extracting stains, and removing embedded pet hair, and other debris is crucial for fabric interiors. If you have leather, ensuring that it’s properly cleaned and conditioned is wise to keep it from cracking, fading, and shrinking. 

 By walking through each step in detailing, your vehicle will be given a large number of benefits. Not only is it more appealing to look at, but the added layers of protection will increase the overall value. This is especially important if you are planning to sell your vehicle, or you are returning it for a lease exchange. 

 At Detail Queen, our detailing services require the use of multiple, specialized tools and chemicals, which in turn demand the expertise of our highly-trained, professional technicians. This allows us to set ourselves apart from the quick details and car washes. We are very excited to offer our services to you. As always, drive clean!