Is your car looking less than its best? Learn what car detailing is and how our detailing experts can improve your vehicle’s appearance and resale value.
What is Car Detailing ?
For many people, their car is the second most expensive purchase they will make after a house. Unsurprisingly, many of us want to keep our precious vehicle in top condition by regularly cleaning it. But washing a vehicle only scratches the surface of proper maintenance. For deep cleaning, you need the expert services of a car detailer.
But what is car detailing, and how does it differ from a car wash? In this guide, we explain the in-depth, precision cleaning process of car detailing and share the different types of car detailing available at Star Car Wash.
What is Car Detailing ?
Car detailing is a professional cleaning service that restores a vehicle to like-new condition. It usually involves intensive cleaning of both the interior and exterior of a car, although specialist detailing services, including wheel and tyre detailing and engine bay detailing, may be offered as additional services.
Many steps are completed by hand for expert precision that goes well beyond a standard hand or machine car wash experience. Expert detailers thoroughly clean your vehicle using specialist tools and equipment for impressive car deep cleaning. They also correct your vehicle’s paintwork, smoothing out any blemishes before finally protecting your car’s paintwork and interior using wax and sealants.
Book your car in for expert detailing services today .
The Different Types of Car Detailing
Now you know what auto/vehicle detailing is, we can jump straight into the different types of the car detailing process :
Cleaning
The first step in any car detailing procedure is to clean the car thoroughly. Using a specially formulated car soap allows expert detailers to prepare the vehicle for any additional detailing steps without exposing it to any chemicals that could harm the vehicle’s paintwork. In addition, car detailers may use specific products to tackle the wheels of brake dust or remove any signs of soot around the exhaust. Once the car has been thoroughly cleaned, an expert detailer will dry it using a shammy or microfibre cloth.
Correction
Once clean, paintwork correction is the next step in the car detailing process. Over time, paint changes on a microscopic level in response to external and environmental factors. This can leave your car looking tired and dull. Paint correction restores the lustre of your vehicle by ensuring the paint is level and any imperfections, including swirls or cleaning marks, are removed. This is a labour-intensive process in which both polishing machines and elbow grease are needed. The process usually involves the following :
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- Removal of old wax and sealants – usually done with a clay bar
- Removal of minor scratches
- Removal of swirl marks
- Removal of stains or etching caused by dried-on stains like bird droppings or tree sap
- Removal of calcium deposits, i.e. water spots
Protection
Once your car’s paintwork is fully restored, it must be protected to help prevent any damage and keep it looking like new for longer. Depending on your vehicle and the car detailing service you choose, this could include the application of protective waxes or sealants, a ceramic coating, or even a clear wrap of your entire vehicle.
Interior
With the exterior taken care of for thorough car deep cleaning, expert detailers will move on to cleaning the interior. Using a myriad of techniques to restore it to an impeccable condition, this usually includes :
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- Thorough vacuuming
- Using compressed air to remove trapped or hard-to-reach dirt
- Using brushes to remove any scuff marks
- Deep cleaning leather or fabric seats and all carpets
- Removing deep grime with specialist tools designed to reach in nooks and crannies
- Polishing interior components
- Applying protective compounds
- Ensuring interior windows are clean and smudge-free
Wheel and tyre detailing
Some detailer providers also offer specialist wheel and tyre detailing services. Not only does a clean and polish improve the appearance of your car wheels, but it can also prevent corrosion.
Engine bay detailing
Engine bay detailing is a specialist service that involves deep cleaning and degreasing your engine bay. This service can help maintain your car’s engine health by preventing dirt and grime from building up.
Car Detail Vs Car Wash
| Car detailing – what’s involved
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Car wash – what’s involved
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| Thorough clean of the exterior of your car | Thorough clean of the exterior of your car |
| Thorough clean of the interior of your car | Can be carried out at home, by professionals, at an automatic or self-service car wash |
| Paintwork correction services | |
| Interior and exterior protection provided | |
| Service delivered by professional car detailers who have years of experience restoring vehicles
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As the table highlights, a car wash is just the first step of car detailing, and while it remains an important one, car detailing offers comprehensive car deep cleaning that goes way beyond that of a standard car wash.
When Should You Get a Car Detail ?
Ideally, your car should be detailed every three months to keep it in the best possible condition. However, we know that for many people sticking to this schedule can be difficult, so we’ve outlined some key instances when you may want to get your car detailed :
- After regular maintenance, like your car service – this can be a good time to prioritise treating your car to the care it deserves.
- Before a special occasion – whether that’s before you sell it or to attend a special event.
- Seasonally after a period of harsh weather conditions – UV rays, rain, and salt can all take their toll on a car’s paintwork so making sure you book a detail after harsh conditions can help restore any damage.
- After an off-road adventure – the mud and grime from off-road adventures can play havoc on your car’s paintwork if not dealt with promptly. Car detailing ensures your vehicle gets a thorough clean with limited effort on your part.
At Star Car Wash, we offer a range of car detailing services to suit your needs, including :
- Interior detailing – Our most basic car detailing services includes a deep clean of your car’s exterior as well as comprehensive interior cleaning.
- Full detail – Our full detail comes with all the benefits of our interior detailing along with clay bar treatment, scratch and swirl mark reduction, duco protective wax polish, and conditioning of external trims.
- Paint protection – Our most comprehensive car detailing service offers the additional benefit of paint protection treatment to the exterior duco protective wax polish.
Book now
How Can Star Car Wash Help ?
As Australia’s leading professional hand wash at Star Car Wash, our expert car detailers are dedicated to using the best car detailing tools and products to ensure your vehicle gets unrivalled treatment and leaves us in like-new condition.
Since 2003, we’ve detailed thousands of cars, helping to restore their showroom look and feel once more. Our services go beyond an ordinary car wash by removing blemishes, restoring paintwork, and revitalising interiors from leather seats to plastic coverings.
Book online today or visit your nearest Star Car Wash branch.
Contact Us
Contact any participating Star Car Wash today and experience the difference a professional detailing makes.
