A car detailer cleans the interior and exterior of vehicles to improve their appearance. Some of the most common job duties include vacuuming, cleaning windows and leather seats, and applying protective products to surfaces in the vehicle. Other duties may include washing, painting or polishing wheels, dressing tyres, and treating and cleaning exhaust pipes, badges, exterior trim, and chrome. In some cases, the job also involves performing minor repair work, such as sanding and painting scratched or dented areas of the bodywork.
A professional detailer is required to have the right tools and supplies to perform their job, such as a pressure washer, various types of brushes, car shampoos, and a variety of other chemicals and cleaners. In addition to having these essential tools, a car detailer should have a hyper-focused work ethic and plenty of patience to produce the best results. It’s also a good idea to invest in a software platform that helps you set pricing based on the condition of the vehicle and how long it will take you to complete the task, like Mobile Tech RX.
Many detailing services start by hand washing the car, using high-pressure hoses and buckets of soapy water to remove dirt from the surface. Other car detailing companies send the cars through an automated assembly-line carwash to wash and rinse them. In any case, washing a car before proceeding to other processes usually produces better results.
The next steps for a detailer usually involve using a special cleaner to treat and remove scuff marks from the paintwork. They may also use a tool called a clay bar to remove stubborn contaminants, such as rail dust, water spots, and overspray. In some cases, the detailer may then use a machine to buff and polish the paintwork. This process, which is also known as “paint correction,” usually takes away flaws on the top layer of the paintwork, such as dull paint and oxidation.
After the paintwork is polished and buffed, the detailer may then apply wax to protect the new finish. Some services will also spray the inside of the wheels with rubber sealants to help prevent them from corroding in the future, as well as polish or dress the tires and tyres. This can be a messy and time-consuming process.
Some detailers will offer to treat and repair scratches or dents in the vehicle’s paintwork, but most do not offer this service. If the damage is too severe, the customer will need to take the car to a body shop to get it repainted.
Other details that can be included in a car detailing service are cleaning and protecting the engine, steaming and deodorizing the interior, and polishing or treating convertible tops and other glass surfaces. Some services will also include cleaning or polishing the rims and hubcaps, depending on whether they are made from chrome, steel, or another material. Some services also include the option of cleaning the trunk and rear cargo area, as well as the seats, carpets, and mats.