The car wash and auto detailing market in America in 2020 was estimated to be USD 14.67 billion, and analysts project that in 2025 the industry revenue will be USD 41.0 billion.
For car guys and gals, a car’s appearance is about maintaining that fresh showroom floor look inside and out. Even the smallest things matter; that’s why many people have their cars professionally detailed.
If you are thinking about getting your car detailed, read here for information that will help you understand the process and the potential benefits.
Table of Contents
What Does Car Detailing Involve?
According to Northwest Collision Center, car detailing will involve both the interior and exterior of your car. Here are some of the processes involved in car detailing:
1. Vacuuming
Interior detailing begins with cleaning dirt off interior surfaces, which involves vacuuming surfaces such as headliners, floors and carpets, trunks, shelves, seats, and under the seats. Professional car detailers will generally use a high-powered, industrial-grade vacuum cleaner to clean the interior surface of your car. Many auto body shops use air compressors to remove dirt from difficult-to-reach areas.
2. Steam-Cleaning and Brushing
Dirt and dust can harbor bacteria, viruses, allergens, and germs. The best way to get rid of your car’s interior surfaces of harmful microbes is by steam cleaning and brushing. Most modern-day steam cleaners will include a detergent that, together with the hot steam, will kill the harmful microbes in your car’s dust and dirt.
3. Glass Cleaning
All cars have glass surfaces in the interior. The glass can be in the form of a windshield, windows, or as a cover for the instrument panels. The biggest problem facing car detailers when cleaning glass is how to eliminate smears and streaks, which can blur the drivers’ vision and look unattractive.
Traditionally people have used paper towels and even newspapers to clean car windows, but these were replaced by microfiber cloths and towels specifically designed for cleaning glass.
The microfiber cloths and towels are used with a glass cleaning product, which can be foam, aerosol, or liquid spray. With going green and caring for the environment being a priority in first-world countries, you can purchase effective cleaning agents free of harsh, damaging chemicals yet still do an excellent job.
4. Leather Cleaning
Leather car seats are comfortable and welcoming and, at the same time, luxurious. Auto body shops use specialized leather cleaning tools and products to ensure that leather doesn’t incur damage when being cleaned.
When cleaning leather, car detailers will use a spray specifically made to clean leather surfaces. Professionals also use a specialized soft cloth and vacuum cleaner to prevent scratches and stains. When conditioning agents are used, the leather surfaces retain their natural luster and appear shiny and new.
5. Wiping
Wiping the dashboards is an integral part of interior auto detailing. When cleaning the dashboard, car detailers use a clean, slightly damp cloth. This way, they can avoid scratching or breaking the dashboard material. Auto detailers will also spray the dashboard with a cleaning spray.
6. Perfuming
Auto body shops often use sprays to clean the air inside the car and, simultaneously, leave a pleasant scent in the car. Numerous sprays are available that eliminate odors and replace them with a scented aroma, leaving the inside of your car smelling clean and fresh.
Auto Interior Detailing: Benefits
You’re probably wondering what you’ll get from getting your car’s interior professionally detailed. These are some of the many benefits:
Prevents Premature Deterioration
Routine maintenance and cleaning can help prevent your car from deteriorating prematurely. Dust and dirt buildup, for instance, can cause significant damage to various surfaces and car parts. Without routine maintenance and cleanup, your vehicle’s interior can quickly wear down.
Interior detailing in automobiles prevents premature deterioration and ensures that the vehicle’s interior is maintained in good condition.
Increased Safety
Many drivers fail to realize that dust and dirt on windshields, side mirrors, and windows can cause safety problems such as glare and blurred vision, impairing the drivers’ sight and increasing the risk of car accidents. Auto detailers will thoroughly clean your windows and mirrors, removing all dirt, grime, and smears.
Stain Removal and Prevention
Many surfaces in cars require detailing, including vinyl, leather, plastics, and fabrics. These parts can get easily stained if they are not appropriately maintained. Interior detailing will ensure that you can remove stubborn stains and other issues without damaging surface material.
Qualified car detailers have the necessary experience and the latest equipment to ensure that all your car’s interior surfaces are safely cleaned and come up clean, shiny, and new.
Upholstery Protection
Window tinting protects car seats against damaging UV rays but does not protect them from dirt. Interior detailing protects and preserves car seats by removing ground and surface dirt while covering the car’s interior surfaces with a protective coating.
Odor Elimination
Auto body shops use special sprays and air fresheners to eliminate odors and replace them with pleasant aromas. Interior detailing also removes dirt and grime, two of the most common causes of unpleasant odors.
Improves Indoor Air Quality
Clean interiors keep the air safe and clean inside the car, helping prevent allergies, runny noses, and puffy eyes.
Retains Vehicle Value
Auto interior detailing can also help preserve the car’s resale value. Clean and well-maintained interiors will make it easier to sell your car and attract more buyers.
Key Takeaway
Interior detailing involves cleaning, vacuuming, and restoring a car interior. Typically, it involves using specialized cleaning materials to restore and repair a car’s interior. Interior detailing also offers many benefits, including increased safety and resale value.
