What to Expect From an Interior and Exterior Car Wash
A detailed car washing goes far beyond a regular automatic wash. It includes handwashing by experienced detailers to make your vehicle look showroom new. Leather trim is cleaned with a cleaner, saddle soap and leather soap to clean it thoroughly. Air vents and cup holders are also wiped down so no space is left dirty.
At Kolby's Auto Spa, we redefine the standards of automotive care, delivering an unrivaled experience directly to your doorstep. We combine expertise, cutting-edge techniques, and state-of-the-art equipment to breathe new life into your vehicle's interior surfaces. Whether you drive a sleek sedan, a powerful SUV, or a classic beauty, our meticulous Interior and Exterior Car Wash process ensures every nook and cranny is impeccably cleaned and restored.
Washing
A thorough wash is an important first step in the car detailing process. It removes the dirt and grime that builds up on the outside of your vehicle, as well as any road salt or corrosive materials on the undercarriage. It also helps to clean the wheels and tires so that they stay safe from damage, and it can help to keep your headlights clearer so you have better visibility while driving.
This is a very time-consuming process, but it's necessary to make sure your car looks its best. To get the most out of this service, it's a good idea to choose a reputable car wash that uses a high-quality soap and rinse system. This will help to ensure that the soap and water are properly rinsing away dirt and grime, leaving the paint and exterior surfaces of your vehicle looking shiny and new.
A professional car wash will also use a high-quality foam gun to produce lots of bubbles, which can remove dirt and debris from hard-to-reach areas of the vehicle, like between door panels or on the bottom of the door sills. They will also use a microfiber towel to wipe down the windows, as well as any other surfaces that need it. They may even include a carpet shampoo or leather conditioner, depending on the package you've chosen.
Polishing
If you're looking to make your car look its best, polishing is the way to go. A mid liquid abrasive, polish smoothens out many of the imperfections that occur on cars over time such as scratches and blemishes. It also helps reduce oxidation and paint fade. While it's possible to hire someone to polish your car, it can also be done at home if you know how.
If working at home, be sure to set aside a dedicated area to work in. It's also wise to remove any loose objects from the vehicle. Also, if working with an electric rotary polisher, it's important to keep clothing, jewelry, pets, and other items out of its path as it can tangle and pull hair. Lastly, be sure to work in a well ventilated area.
A professional will usually use a variety of materials and products to polish a car including a degreaser, abrasives, paint sealants, a buffing pad, and a variety of applicators. Some of these products can be quite toxic so it's important to follow the instructions carefully.
Be sure to only use small amounts of each product. It's easy to over-polish an area and can result in a ruined car. It's also important to always use clean tools or you could end up rubbing dirt into the paint.
Waxing
The waxing process applies a thin layer of carnauba or synthetic wax to the body of your vehicle. The wax fills in small scratches and imperfections, creating a smooth, shiny finish that protects your paint from the elements.
It's a good idea to wax your car regularly, at least once every 6 months. The exact interval depends on your local environment – you'll likely need to apply wax more often if your car is exposed to harsh winter weather or year-round direct sunlight.
Waxing your vehicle is also a good way to reduce the number of times you need to wash it. Car washes can scratch the body of your car, especially tunnel-type car washes where scrubbing brushes can grind dirt particles into the paint. When the wax coating wears down, it allows those grit particles to slide off your vehicle rather than grinding into its surface.
Regular waxing can also make your car's paint job look better and last longer. Adding a wax coating can help restore that new-car shine, and can prevent the oxidation that causes your paint to fade and chip. The waxing process is easy, and is something you can do at home with a bit of practice.
Sealing
The process of sealing your vehicle will help to repel contaminants like road salt, mud and bird droppings that can etch into the paint surface. A polymer sealant will also protect the paint from sunlight and harmful UV rays. It will reflect a protective layer over the paint and add shine. Some auto enthusiasts choose to use both wax and sealant for the best results.
A grit guard can be added to the bottom of your wash bucket to help keep dirt from contaminating your soapy wash water. Also, it’s a good idea to have 2 buckets when washing your car; one with the dirty mitt and the other with clean water. This way you can rinse your mitt between cleanings so you don’t put contaminants back onto the cleaned area. Using a contaminant remover (like our Clean Slate) before applying a protectant will help to eliminate existing coatings and make sure you are starting with a fresh clean surface.
Detailing a vehicle takes much longer than washing it by hand and is more in depth than a typical tunnel machine wash. Typically, a detailed car gets a full hand wash, tires and wheels cleaned (soap spots are less likely on these surfaces), interior windows cleaned (what good is a clean exterior if the inside is smudged), and then an application of a sealant that will last 2-3x longer than the average wax applied at a car wash. Getting a full detail every 6 months will keep your vehicle looking great and reduce operational hazards (like hazy headlights) over time.
A detailed car washing goes far beyond a regular automatic wash. It includes handwashing by experienced detailers to make your vehicle look showroom new. Leather trim is cleaned with a cleaner, saddle soap and leather soap to clean it thoroughly. Air vents and cup holders are also wiped down so no space is left dirty. At…