Why is exterior car detailing important?

mm Paul Verbiton February 15, 2020
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What is Exterior Car Detailing? The term exterior car detailing refers to a detailed cleaning or rehabilitation of the exterior of an automobile to obtain its original appearance. It involves all the evident external parts including paintwork, windows, tires, headlights, and wheels.

The main objective of detailing is to revive the paint job and finish of the car by removing swirls and scratches to make it look nearly brand new while also providing an extra layer of protection.

Unlike a regular car wash, exterior detailing is done more precisely and requires an adequate amount of time and skill. Detailing your car once in a while is incredibly beneficial.

Benefits of Exterior Car Detailing

Exterior auto detailing is not only beneficial for the automobile but also offers several benefits to the vehicle owner. To understand the significance of exterior car detailing, you must first know its advantages.

Enhances the Physical Appearance of Your Vehicle

A brand new car usually appears sparkly and glossy. However, the original shine remains only for a while. Despite regularly washing your vehicle, its outer appeal will wear off with time. Car detailing can restore the initial appearance of your vehicle.

Maintains Paintwork

The paint job on your vehicle is protected by a clear-coat that not only delivers shine but also protects the paint. When exposed to sun, moisture, dust, debris, dirt, grime and other contaminants in the long run, the coat will initially wear off. A routine car detailing can help in maintaining the clear-coat and protect the paint job.

The contaminants can also cause damage to other exterior parts of the vehicle such as glass, vinyl, and metal, consequently affecting its durability. Exterior detailing is done on all the accessible surfaces of the car, hence extending its overall lifespan.

Retains Resale Value

As exterior auto detailing revives your vehicle’s look, you will be able to sell it effortlessly at a profitable price. A sparkly, spotless car will bring you more potential buyers than a dull-looking, worn-out car.

Ensures Safe and Healthy Ride

Exterior car detailing can also somehow ensure a safe ride. All the debris and haze that might obscure the driver’s view are removed in the process, reducing the chances of accidents to a large extent.

Moreover, a detailed car cleaning reduces the long term consequences of environmental exposures such as UV rays and pollutants, decreasing the risks of ill health. You may overlook these benefits in the beginning, but initially realize their importance in the long run.

Why Consider DIY Exterior Car Detailing?

Although you can always take your car to a professional car detailer to get a nice cleaning and detailing, without getting your hands dirty, you can also consider doing it yourself as it doesn’t make much of a difference.

If you are a hardcore car enthusiast you may be familiar with the delightful view of the outcome after a long and tiring car detailing task. The fact that DIY car detailing can save you a lot of money is the icing on the cake. The total amount that you may have to spend in purchasing all the necessary supplies for detailing is just a small fraction of the bill of a one-time professional car detailing.

Car detailing is not difficult for amateurs. Anybody with the basic detailing knowledge and proper supplies can get it done. However, make sure you have the right products else you may end up ruining the exterior of your car.

What are the Must-have Supplies for DIY Exterior Car Detailing?

Given below are the basic supplies that you will need in DIY car detailing:

– Car wash shampoo
– Clay Bar
– Clay Lubricant
– Car Polish
– Car Wax or sealant
– Microfiber towels or mitts
– Buffing pads

Apart from the products mentioned above, you will also need buckets, a foam gun, and a water hose or a pressure washer.

You can either buy these products individually or purchase a complete car detailing kit. Keep in mind that the requirements may vary depending on the condition of your vehicle, so before buying any product, you may want to consider spending some time browsing through the buyer’s guide and reviews of the products. You must know all the tips and tricks of choosing the right supplies for DIY exterior car detailing.

What Includes in Exterior Car Detailing Process?

A good car detailing not only rids the car of contaminants but also makes it gleam by minimizing surface blemishes. A typical car detailing process includes the following:

Cleaning the Car

The primary step of exterior car detailing is getting rid of all the debris, dust, road grime, and other stuff from the surface. Cleaning involves two most basic steps: Washing and Drying.

Most car owners use a wash soap or shampoo to soften the dirt. The shampoo is mixed thoroughly with water and sprayed on the surface of the car. The foam created by the soap pulls out all the pollutants, so you can easily wipe away the dirt.

The paintwork won’t require scrubbing, but the rims, glass, door jambs and other exterior parts may need a good buffing. You can use a special brush for cleaning the wheels as they are usually the dirtiest. Finally, rinse the car with a pressure washer and dry the surface using a microfiber towel.

Tips

– Use microfiber mitts or towels for cleaning and drying the painted surfaces.
– Clean the dirty tires first and then the rest of the car.
– Don’t use the same bucket for mixing soap and rinsing the dirty towel. Always use two different buckets for specific tasks.
– Never wash the car in direct sunlight.
– Washing with a dedicated auto detailing soap delivers better outcomes.
– Don’t let the surface air dry.

Claying

Some dirt spots are too stubborn to be removed by regular car soap, and sometimes you may notice tiny bumps on the paint due to oxidation, seizing its smoothness. In this case, you may have to clay your car using a clay bar. When you apply clay bar on the blemished surface the debris causing the imperfections in the paint finish will be removed permanently, restoring its smoothness.

Tips

– Always use a clay lubricant spray before applying the clay bar.
– Don’t put too much pressure while rubbing the clay.

Polishing

Polishing is done to restore the car paint that has lost its shine due to oxidation and exposure to various contaminants. It also conditions the paintwork to prevent further damages. A thorough polishing will eliminate firmly bonded contaminants on the surface and recover paint defects. For this, you will need a good car polish product.

Tips

– Use an automatic buffing machine for better outcomes and effortless polishing experience.
– Always rinse the car after polishing to remove any compound that persists on the surface.
– Polishing should always be done before applying sealant or wax coat.

Protecting the Exterior

Exterior car detailing also includes protecting the surface paint and other external parts. Many car owners apply sealants, car wax, or ceramic coatings. When sealants or wax coats are applied to the painted surface, they protect the finish against contamination and oxidation. Some people even use tire protectants to enhance the tires of their vehicles.

Tips

– Make sure your car is dry before waxing.
– Always wax your vehicle in the shade.

Conclusion

To keep your car looking great for a very long time, getting an exterior detailing once every four to six months is the only choice you have. However, it’s up to you to decide if you want to opt for a professional or do it yourself. In the end, it’s all about obtaining perfection and how much are you willing to pay.

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Paul Verbiton

I enjoy spotting opportunities and doing my best to grab them if I can. I am eager to see the world, I love taking photos and writing, coming up with topics that are pleasant to read, funny, and interesting at the same time.

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