Before Detailing

Before you do detailing , there are some initial things that (in my opinion) should be done:

1. Vehicle Inspection

Take a look around your car.. What contamination that stuck on your car? What type of defect that happens to the car? It’s better to write it into list so you can work more organized.

2. Prepare the product according to their respective functions

This is the function of vehicle inspection list, you can easily determine which products should be prepared and used. For example, suppose there is tar contamination,  prepare Tar Remover  or if paint surface feels rough,  prepare a clay.

3. Spare 1-2 minutes to read and learn the product direction

Sometimes people ignore the direction and just using the product based on the packaging. For example, the packaging is a sprayer.. Usually people will spray and wipe it. After that, they complaining about the product “It’s useless.. Doesn't work well.. Bla bla bla”.

Well, in detailing a car, using a product isn't that simple (maybe that's why They call it "Detailing"). We should pay attention to the each direction. Same packaging doesn't mean same direction. 

Read and learn the description prior to product application. There are product curing time, shake well before use, shake after each spray, work best on what applicator etc..

4. Prepare drinking water and towel

Drinking water for what? What is the correlation to detailing? Of course for refreshment .. Detailing need concentration and focus. You’ll easily get tired.. Drink some water, it helps you to refresh your brain and body. And towel to wipe off your sweat to keep your body smells good. :D

5. Pray

Pray before work. Perhaps you could pray and ask the God to protect you from slip or fall when washing the car. Pray that everything is gonna be okay. Amen.

Auto Detailing 5W1H

What?

According to Wikipedia, the definition of Auto Detailing is "the performance of an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing of an automobile, both inside and out, to produce a show-quality level of detail. Besides improving appearance, detailing helps to preserve resale value of a car”

Most Indonesian people often misunderstand what the purpose of Auto Detailing is. They deem Auto Detailing with "moles or  polish ". In fact as defined Wikipedia, the term "polish or moles" that's just one part of the Auto Detailing.

Why?

People often ask "What the heck is the difference from regular car wash? Why should i detailing?"

The first answer is DIFFERENT. Auto Detailing is very different from regular car wash. Ordinary car wash as the ORDINARY driver or the ORDINARY car wash do for cars it's just a Rinse > Shampoo > Rinse > Dry. And of courseeee... The result is just an ORDINARY shine. In fact, regular/ordinary car wash, can cause fine scratches that called swirlmark, waterspot, browning effect on the tires etc...

Well this is where the difference is.. Detailing is extraordinary job done by a Professional Detailer in proper place using proper tools. So, that make sure your car get the Ultimate Care. And also Detailing can makeover your ORDINARY car into EXTRAORDINARY one.

Example:

You were trapped in traffic jam and between your car, there are 2 cars with much different level of price and brand. For example on the right there is the BMW M5 and the left there is the Honda Jazz (usually people will say “WOW” when look into BMW M5 and "straight face" when look into Honda Jazz). 

BUT, the condition will be much different when the BMW M5 was dull and full of swirlmark plus dirt soiled throughout the body of the car. Meanwhile, the condition of the Honda Jazz is no swirlmark at all , there is no dirt even a bit, paint color is really sharp and glossy, shiny tires etc..

Guess what? The response will definitely turned into "WTF. This car is so disgusting, nasty bla bla bla” (BMW M5) and for Honda Jazz “WOW.. Its really shiny.. The owner definitely clean and tidy" (Remember the word "cleanliness is part of faith") 

The second answer is many benefits that you can get from Detailing . Start from material needs, physical until spiritual..

1. Material

Detailing can increase the resale value of your car. Where the principle “There is a price behind good quality products” always used. Peoples usually prefer to pay more but they get good or best quality products than pay less but the quality is standard or worse. 

2. Physical

Yep.. You can consider detailing  as sport. Instead of sitting in front of your TV eating snack while watching drama or cartoon.

3. Spiritual

In my opinion, 8 out of 10 peoples would care about his car. Well, when you care about the stuff, you’ll always want to see your favorite stuff looks clean and shiny. So, when you can clean up and polish your car with your own, you’ll certainly get aa "inner satisfaction".

Other benefits are protecting your vehicle from hazardous contaminant that can harm your vehicle. And also raise your pride. Proverb says "It’s better cheap but shiny than expensive but dull and nasty"

When?

Another common question is.. "When i have to detailing? How many times per months i should do?”

It’s all depend on your car condition and your maintenance. If you are planning to sell your car, if your car gone bad (oxidation, scratches, swirlmark etc).

How many times you should do? It’s depend on your maintenance. Usually once you detail your car, the next thing you should do is just maintenance (wash & wax with proper method). If your properly maintain, it can last for years or even forever.

Who?

"Who wants to detail my car? "

It's the most vital question.. Who is willing to take time for detailing a car?

Choose someone who is basically a car care enthusiast. Usually these people have big passion in the automotive especially cars / motorcycles care.. Automatically, those peoples will give more attention and careful for your car.  Of course, the result is definitely better than people who don’t have passion in car care.

If you’re car care enthusiast too, you can do it yourself at home.. However, there are few things you have to learn. But, if you’re too lazy to do it yourself, you can call car detailing services near your house.

Where?
"Where i have to do all the work?"

Everywhere as long as there is access to water, electricity and shade.. Or you can call Auto Detailing Service to do it at your house or at their workshop.

How?

For step by step detailing , I’ll share in the next post ..