The role of a car, long moved from a utilitarian means of transport to a faithful companion. Yes primarily a vehicle is for transportation, yet modern lifestyles continue to demand more from a car over and above its utility. The amount of time that some people spend in their cars continues to increase both for good reason (better road networks, hence more road travel) and bad reason (traffic jams).
Consequently automotive makers have resorted to building vehicles that are akin to a second home. No resource is spared in ensuring a high level of comfort, safety and even entertainement. However for a vehicle to continue serving you faithfuly, atmost care and mainternace has to go into the relationship.
It’s customary for cars to undergo routine maintenace after so many miles travelled. Yet for those who really love their cars, the care goes beyond just maintenance but to detailing as well. Car detailing is the frequent cleaning and pepping of the car to keep it working and looking as great as it was when it first left the show room. In a real love relationship, the looks and character of your partner is often a reflection of you. As the saying goes; “you are what you drive”, passionate car owners go the extra mile to eblemish their cars with the best care that money can buy. But really, one doesn’t have to be a car buff or enthusiast to appreciate the need for car detailing. Perharps the misconception about funky, shinny cars and their owners is born out of lack of understanding of what exactly goes into car detailing. The reality is simpler that most would imagine.
Interior detailing
The interior is a good starting point, so the dust and dirt you brush out won’t settle on a pristine exterior. Follow these steps:
- Remove any floor mats and give the carpeting, upholstery and dash a good vacuuming.
- Use a foaming cleaner to remove isolated carpet stains.
- Wash rubber floor mats and apply non-slip dressing
- Clean interior hard surfaces with a damp cloth and a mild all-purpose cleaner or a leather conditioner for leather upholstery.
- To clean the dash, blast dust and dirt from its crevices using a small compressed air can (usually used for computer cleaning). Follow up with a cotton swab doused in an appropriate cleaner
- Clean air vent grilles with cotton swabs and brighten them up by misting on some spray-on vinyl/rubber dressing or accent spray–just a touch.
- Clean glass or plastic gauge lenses with a glass or plastic cleaner, not wax.
Car Waxing
Exterior detailing
The aim here is to fully enhance and restore the vehicles paintwork by eliminating light scratches and swirl marks. Follow these steps:
- Thouroughly wash body to remove dirt and contaminants.
- Foam the vehicle completely and allow it to soak, so as to soften up any dirt and lift it off from the surface.
- Whilst soaking, use a soft bristled brush to agitate areas like the window rubbers, plastic grills, trim details and badges.
- Thoroughly rinse off the foam, along with the loosened dirt and grime then wash the paintwork, wheels and wheel arches.
- Wash paint work from top to bottom using soft micro fiber (instead of sponges)
- Clay the paintwork using a specialist automotive clay bar and lubricant to gently remove any bonded surface contaminants that washing alone cannot remove.
- Polish paint work to remove any light scratches, oxidation and other surface imperfections by hand or using a rotary or dual action polishing machine
- After polishing, protect the paintwork by applying a synthetic polymer sealant
Once the paintwork has been sufficiently polished, enhanced and protected, work on the other exterior parts( windows, metal chrome, brake calipers) waxing and polishing using designated products so as to enhance and protect them and give them a level of detail beyond that of a normal vehicle clean.
So, the next time a prestine clean cars zooms past you, don’t turn geen with envy, find a detailing expert and your car may just be the talk of your neigbourhood.
Posted by Pambo Maridadi @ Crown Paints Kenya Ltd Email: info@crownpaints.co.ke
