Car Detailing: Step by Step Guide To An Awesome Car Detail

Everyone’s busy these days. If you want to get ahead in business and still have a life, a family, and friends, you probably don’t have the time for too much more in your life. Which is why you probably put off cleaning or detailing your car for as long as possible. For a lot of people, this is just another chore that you don’t have time for. But delaying a much-needed car detail can lower the value of your car, result in damage to the paint, and even affect how others see you.

So, if you want to make a great first impression when you drive around town, you need to take care of your moving calling card. And if you don’t have a day free on a regular basis to clean and detail your car, then you need to find a professional and expert car detailer to do it for you. To help you avoid shysters and substandard detailing, here’s everything you need to know to choose car detailers who will do the job right.

What is Car Detailing?

When you pick up your car after it’s been detailed it will not only look better on the outside. The best car detailing services include a top to bottom cleaning of your car using specialized techniques, tools and products. This will often include cleaning and reconditioning the interior and exterior of the car and some light cosmetic work. So, if you have small scratches on your car from that time you misjudged a low hanging branch, your car detailer will usually get rid of them.

Car detailing doesn’t include paintwork or body work, but it usually includes almost everything else that will improve the look and smell of your car. Every last imperfection including swirls on the paint, water spots, dull paint, food spills, and strange smells in the interior will vanish like they’ve never existed. In short, your car will look as close to new as possible without actually getting a new car. Here are some of the things that car detailing can and can’t do:

Can car detailing remove mold?

Yes. When you take your car to be detailed any mold will be removed from inside your car. You can remove mold yourself, but make sure that you wear safety gear like a mask, gloves, and goggles to prevent illness. Most of the time, it’s just easier to let your car detailer sort it out because they already have all the equipment they need.

Can car detailing remove stains?

Yes, most stains in the fabric and on upholstery will be removed during the vacuuming and conditioning process.

Can car detailing remove scratches?

Light scratches will usually be removed when your car is polished during its detail. But for deeper scratches, you will need to get the paintwork repaired separately.

Why is car detailing important?

Well, it will make your car run better, look better and raise your car’s resale value. It will also eliminate small problems before they become big problems that ruin the appearance and the function of your car.

What’s the Difference Between Car Detailing and a Car Wash?

A car wash is part of car detailing, but it isn’t nearly enough to keep your car looking and running like new. A car wash means that you scrub the outside, maybe apply some polish and some wax to make the paint sparkle. It removes dirt, dust and mud from the outside of the car. You might also run a vacuum over the interior, just to add that extra sparkle. But a car wash isn’t even close to what will happen when you take your car to be detailed, and it isn’t nearly enough to get your car sparkling like new.

A car wash is just one part of what will happen when you take your car in for detailing. It’s a cheap, superficial clean that takes a short amount of time and produces a fraction of the results you’ll get from detailing.

An expert detailer will wash the outside of your car. And when they’re done, it will look better than it ever does when you wash it because they know all the tricks of the trade. But that isn’t all they will do during your appointment. They will also restore or improve on the car’s original finish, touching up any damage, wear or tear that your car has picked up along the way. A deep cleaning of all the surfaces, trim and fabric of the car’s interior is usually included in a total detail. So, no matter what damage you’ve done to your car over the years, you’ll getting it back looking as close to new as possible on the inside and the outside.

And that’s a lot more involved than just running the hose over the paint and drying it off.

What Does Car Detailing Consist of?

When you take your car in to get detailed, you can usually choose from a variety of packages. Some packages focus on the inside of the car and others on the outside. Basically, it all depends on what part of your car you’re most concerned about and what damage time has inflicted. A complete car detailing package will include the following:

Exterior car detailing

When you take your car to a professional detailer, they’ll do a complete exterior clean and restoration. This usually includes:

An exterior wash and dry to remove dirt, mud and contaminants.
The wheels, lug nuts and other exposed metal will be cleaned using specialized tools.
Any remaining dirt is removed using a clay bar to buff away ingrained dirt.
The car is polished, either by hand or using a machine.
Wax is applied to protect your car from future problems.
Other exterior surfaces such as windows, rubber parts, and lights are cleaned and polished to give an all-over shine.

Interior car detailing

Running the vacuum over the interior of the car isn’t enough to remove ground in stains, smells or secret pockets of dirt, dust and sand. Only a complete interior detail can do that. Here’s what it involves:

The interior is vacuumed.
Fabric surfaces are shampooed.
Leather interiors are conditioned and scrubbed.
Plastic and vinyl are cleaned and dressed to protect against future damage.
Interior class is cleaned and polished.
Air freshener is applied.

Engine bay cleaning

You might think of your engine as a place where only mechanics dare to tread, but it needs cleaning as much as the rest of your car. This will keep your car running more smoothly and it will actually make your mechanic’s job easier as well. Here’s how this is usually done:

Water is sprayed into the engine bay.
Degreaser is used to remove grime on the engine components.
The engine bay is rinsed.
Once dried, silicone, rubber and plastic components must be dressed to prevent cracking.

All this is what you should expect from a top-quality car detailer. And if you don’t get it, then find someone else who will do the job properly.

The Benefits of Car Detailing

Car detailing will cost you more money than a car would ever could, so before you commit to it you need to know that it will be worth the money. Some of the benefits of car detailing are:

A thorough detail will return your car to the best condition possible. Once the full detail is done, you’ll only have to invest in smaller procedures to keep it that way.

Your car’s value will increase, so if you ever want to resell it, you’ll be able to get what it’s really worth.

Personalized services.

You’ll get a complete clean, the kind that you just can’t get on your own or at a car wash.

A professional detailer knows all the tricks to protect your car against the elements and will use them to keep your car in the best shape for as long as possible.

How Much Does Car Detailing Cost?

The cost of car detailing will vary depending on the size of your car, the type of car you have and how many additional services you need. So, if your car is really dirty and damaged and the insides are smelly and ripped, then it will definitely cost you more than a car that’s still in good condition. This is just one reason why you should take care of your car and protect it from damage on a day to day basis.

The type of car detailing package you choose will also determine the cost. At Kenzie’s we provide a variety of packages to suit any car and any customer. Here are the costs of our car detailing packages:

Express Inside and Out Clean: 200 AED + VAT.
Complete Interior Clean: 650 AED + VAT.
Complete Exterior Clean: 650 AET + VAT.
Full Detail inside and out clean: 1150 AED + VAT.

Another issue that can increase the price of car detailing is additional services. This can include providing protection for paint or fabrics or paint sealant. However, all these additional services are included as part of Kenzie’s packages. So, when you bring your car to us for detailing, you won’t have to worry about any additional charges.

Kenzie’s also provide complete mobile detailing services. So, no matter where you are, we come to you for the ultimate in convenience and premium customer service.

How to Choose the Best Car Detailing Service

There are a lot of car detailing services out there. Unfortunately, not all of them have the experience, the technology, or the know-how to make your car look the best that it can look. But you probably can’t tell that just by seeing a car detailer as you drive down the road or when you glimpse their advertisements. And it’s vitally important that you find out if a car detailer can do the job properly before you take your car to them. Otherwise, they might damage one of the most expensive items you own.

When you’re choosing your car detailer, here’s what you need to look for:

The right services

There’s no point going to a detailer who doesn’t do exactly what you want, and need done. Remember the essential parts of a good car detailing above? If your car detailer doesn’t offer these, find someone else.

A stellar reputation

This is where the internet comes in useful. Look up your prospective detailer and see what other people are saying about them. Nothing is secret anymore, and you can use this to choose a detailer who has the right combination of good customer services, expert skills, and the right experience.

Good value

Car detailing can be expensive, so make sure you’re getting value for money. Compare and contrast prices, skills and services across different car detailers and make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.

Mobility

Chances are that you’re getting your car detailed so you can save time, so don’t waste it driving to far off shops or garages. Choose a mechanic who will come to you or pick up and drop off your car. Then the disruption to your routine is minimal.

Takeaway

It isn’t easy to find a professional car detailer you can trust to do a superior job each and every time. A good car detailer will keep your car looking like new long after you drive it out of the dealer’s yard. That’s why, if you do find a car detailer who provides stellar services, value for money, and great customer services, you need to hold onto them. If you’re still looking for that diamond in the rough, contact Kenzie’s for the best car detailing you’ve ever experienced.

Have you ever taken your car to a car detailer that did a bad job or worse, actually damaged your car? Share your story with us in the comments below.