Divine Details
A luxurious car detail is just the ticket to keep your ride in top condition. Read on for insider tips from a polishing professional.
Remember when you first drove your car off the showroom floor? How proud you felt at the wheel of a meticulously clean vehicle that gleamed in the sunlight? For many of us, that was the last day it ever looked like that, as tough winters and routine wear-and-tear had their unfortunate effects.
But there is a way to bring back that brand new look. It’s called car detailing, the process of a deep and thorough cleaning and restoration that returns a vehicle to optimal condition. Not only do regular car details make for a more pleasant driving experience, they also preserve resale value and prevent costly damage.
Not all detailers are equally meticulous or use state-of-the-art tools and techniques, so it’s best to do your online research or ask around before making your selection. When it comes to finding a specialist, customers have their choice of those who operate out of a dealership or shop vs. those who come to you.
Clint Allerton has run Auto Detail Doctor in Columbus, Ohio for the past twelve years. “My assistant and I do all the work ourselves and we really focus on being very thorough. For example, we use steam on everything on the interior – the carpets, seats, plastic and cup holders. A lot of places just spray and wipe, but steam gives better results so that’s why we use it.”
A quality detail can cost up to $300 depending on the make and model of vehicle. That price goes higher if you choose to add on things like fabric guard, headlight restoration, engine cleaning or paint protection. If you’re on a budget, many detailers offer an option of interior or exterior only.
As far as the process goes, Allerton starts with whatever is dirtiest. “Typically the interiors are in the worst shape so we start with that,” he said. “That also takes the longest because we do a shampoo and steam clean to extract all the dirt and debris.” Once the inside is spotless, he works on the exterior for about an hour. The dirtiest part of the exterior is the wheels, so it’s best to start with those if you’re going to do it yourself, making sure to switch to a clean sponge or cleaning tool afterwards so that you don’t accidentally scratch the car surface with any tiny road pebbles or coat it with a greasy film.
Allerton said customers who want to prolong the benefits of a car detail would be advised to reduce or eliminate the habit of eating in their cars. He also recommends they invest in quality floor mats that cover a larger floor surface, not just a little square. “And then take your carpet floor mats out of the car and keep them in the garage because they still get dirty even if there’s another mat on top of them,” he said. He added that it’s important to avoid any interior cleaning product that contains ammonia, as ammonia damages window tint and dries out vinyl and plastic surfaces.
As far as frequency, some people who prize their vehicles or are especially rough on them have details performed every six months. For others it’s once every year to 18 months, Allerton said. In Ohio, the mobile detail season runs from March or April up until November, depending on weather.
When you consider all you invest in your vehicle, as well as how much time you spend in it, regular professional car details seem like a sensible habit, and just think of how much you’ll save by enjoying that new car feeling in your same old car.
Barbara Wayman is the author of Living An Extraordinary Life: 9 Transformational Strategies to Live Your Best Life Now.
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