A professional car wash goes through a step-by-step process. Car wash detailing has several important steps that need to be done before your car comes out looking sparkly new again.
1. The Wash
This is when your vehicle enters into the wash and spray tunnel. The purpose of this step is to take out the mud, grime and dirt of the exterior of your car through a washing solution that is ph neutral. This is also the most outstanding way to strip off the old wax. An undercarriage wash also happens, and this is always a good inclusion in your car wash process, as it takes out all the accumulated dirt in the crevices and cracks under your vehicles.
2. Drying
This process involves wiping down the car with non-abrasive cloth strips or brushes. The next step involves the car being wiped down. Professionals use non-abrasive brushes or cloth strips. Other car wash companies also use a blower or microfiber towels.
3. Clay, Prep and Inspect
Claying the car requires a new and clean clay bar and the need to use lots of clay bar lubricant. The headlamps, tail lamps, door jambs and windows are also thoroughly clayed. Prepping means wiping each section that has been clayed down. This is an important step to ensure that all residue is removed. Washing again after claying is an option. Inspecting is the next step. This is when a professional will decide whether paint correction is needed.
4. Polish and Protect (The Wax Process)
If and when paint correction is needed, polishing is the next step. In protecting the paint, the most important thing to do is the wax process. The process starts with a well-prepared surface, that is why the steps above are necessary before applying the car wax. In wax application, the main rule is to use less, and to apply thinly. Thin application is better because it will cure better and will bond easily to the paint. Burnishing after applying is the next step. This will make the wax disappear. In the application method, what Wax products professionals do is that they actually work over the product. The product needs to be applied into the surface. Waxes and cleaners are not your normal wipe on, wipe off over the counter products. The cleaning action needs to come from the professionals.
There are also different types of wax, below are the different types of car wax that professionals use.
Cleaner/Waxes – This is what is used to clean, polish and protect the car paint. This has natural ingredients. A perfect example is Carnauba.
Cleaner/Sealants – This is another way to polish and protect the car. The protection ingredients used for this product are all synthetic.
Finishing Waxes – This is simply used for finishing. It maximizes the beauty of the paint. The protection ingredients are natural.
Finishing Sealants – This type has the same function as a finishing wax but is composed of synthetic ingredients.
Hybrids – There are also hybrid car waxes that combine both natural and synthetic ingredients.
