Hi everyone, I am Roger Gale owner of TT Autodetailing services. I began the business in 2007 and personally carry out all Detailing myself.
Although initially it would appear obvious how to care for you pride and joy (to most people what could be hard about washing and polishing your own car?) there are many areas that are over-looked to a well prepared and finished vehicle.
Paintwork damage
Most concerning is that cars can be damaged very easily when you wash the vehicle. In fact it is very difficult to avoid some tiny scratch marks every time you clean the car. This is due to tiny particles being trapped under sponges and being dragged across the paint surface. Even though you may not initally see these, they will build up over time.
In addition to this, today’s modern paintwork is water based and is very soft, and much less scratch resistant than older paint systems.
There are an awful lot of Valeters and even more that claim to be Detailers offering their services.
I must say like any form of business, there are some great professionals, but probably more lousy ones as well.
To keep your car in pristine condition, you would probably never have it valeted at any one of a number of side of the road convenience options. Where it takes about 4 guys no more than 10 minutes to completely valet your car for what appears a bargain.
If you think how many vehicles pass through these establishments day to day, and how many hands touch the vehicles per day, there is going to be quite a lot of room for error. (i.e. many dirt particles floating about). I know this for a fact, after I witness and cringe as dirty brushes, buckets, sponges, harsh chemicals, are picked up from wherever they are laying about. I have even been more amazed when someone turns up in their very expensive prestige or sports car. When the car is finished it probably looks clean and shiny to many people, but wait until parked in the sunlight or under street lamps at night and look at your paintwork now. After one or two of these services your car may not look quite as good.
The correct method
If you can pre-wash the car first, this is the safest way to begin any valet. Either with a hose or jet wash if possible, and some detergent would help loosen any surface dirt. The safest way is to use a snow foam to cover the car in thick foam and then left to dwell for 5 to 10 minutes. It is sometimes nearly possible for a touch free wash in some instances.
Next thing is to throw away those traditional sponges and replace them with a couple of lambswool wash mitts and two buckets, one for washing with shampoo in it and one plain water for rinsing.
It is of course very time consuming to keep your pride and joy in tip/top condition. How, when and who cares for your car will be due to many factors. Time, equipment, knowledge or just prefering somebody else to take care of this for you.
Preparation is key
Like many tasks, preparation is key to a fantastic looking vehicle. Add finest quality products to protect what you have prepared and the results can be amazing.
Regular safe Valeting every two or three weeks, depending on vehicle use is all that is required for most of the time. Every now and again however a vehicle will need more than a Valet to keep it at it’s best. This is where the term “Detailing” is used.
Detailing is explained thoroughly on my website, but in very basic terms, it is a process that decontaminates, cleanses, corrects, enhances and protects all paintwork, to restore, rejuvinate to as or better than new appearance. It is therefore completely different to just a Valet or posh wash as some people would think.
Detailing process
It can and probably will involve claying the vehicle, (removing contaminants that washing alone cannot achieve), some machine polishing and some paintwork correction, or enhancement, then followed by a quality Wax or Sealant, plus all other trim cleaned and protected.
Even a new car can be dramatically improved. This is generally because most cars will leave the production line very quickly. If you look closely at the paintwork on your car you will notice some distortion (this is known as orange peel, which are tiny ripples of uneven paint). To obtain the maximum gloss from the paintwork you need to eliminate these. This can only be achieved by a process known as wet sanding. This will flatten the ripple effect so that the paintwork is now perfectly flat and reflects all light evenly. The process involves sanding out the ripples and then machine polishing the surface back to a high gloss finish.
If you would like to talk to me about your own vehicle I am always happy to discuss individual requirements, and advise where needed.
So from a Mini to a Merc, a basic Valet to a Full Showroom Detail, just drop me a line and I will be happy to help.
Roger Gale, T T Autodetailing Services
