UNDERSTANDING EXTERIOR DETAILS FROM AWOMANS POINT OF VIEW

UNDERSTANDING EXTERIOR DETAILS FROM AWOMANS POINT OF VIEW 

When I was introduced to the detailing industry about 14 years ago by my husband, I truly had no interest in why or what detailing was. For me all I cared about was that the inside of my car was clean, vacuumed, smelling pretty and looking good. I took my car through car washes and thought that was acceptable for cleaning the exteriors. Since then, I have learned the importance of exterior details, and how exterior details can help me maintain the value of my car. Fast forward to about a year ago when we were working in the shop and we had gotten really busy, my husband handed me a clay bar, some compound, polish and a buffer and decided it was time for me to learn the importance of exterior detailing. I manage all aspects of our business, and it occurred to me how important it was for me to absorb everything I possibly could and learn the industry. So, I got to work and completed my first exterior detail with an understanding exactly why all those components were necessary.  I left the shop feeling proud of my results and went and got my nails done. 

WHAT DOES MY NAILS HAVE TO DO WITH LEARNING ABOUT EXTERIOR DETAILS? Well, as I was getting my nails done, I realized that the process they do to fill my acrylics and make my nails shiny and new is very similar to the same process I just did while preforming the exterior detail and suddenly it all made sense to me! 

GET READY TO BE AMAZED AND FULLY UNDERSTAND EXTERIOR DETAILING The first step to prepping a car for detailing is a wash (Not much to relate there) But step 2 is where the magic begins. Clay bar treatment! Claying a car removes all the stuck on the contaminants that the wash mitt couldn’t remove, the impeded particles of debris, rust and road grime that stick to your car's exterior. 

• Very similar to nail polish remover and the light filing necessary before applying your new coat of acrylic. 

Step 3 in an exterior detail is compounding down all the rough spots, and light surfaces from the cars paint. Compound is basically cutting into the top layer of clear coat to sand down the surface scratches and create a flat surface.

• Similar to after they apply your new coat of acrylic and they sand down and shape the acrylic to prepare for a new layer of polish. 

Step 4 in an exterior detail is polishing. Polishing a cars exterior assists in cleaning the exterior, creating a smooth flat surface and an insane depth in the shine of your cars paint. 

• Similar to when the nail tech buffs out her last stage of filing and buffs out your nails, creating a smooth flat surface and ready for nail polish. 

Step 5 in an exterior detail is applying wax, sealant or ceramic coating. This step locks in the shine, protects the work that was just done, and creates a barrier between the cars clear coat and the outside elements.

• Similar to when they apply the clear coat on top of the nail polish. It is put on to create a depth in shine, and protection from chipping. 

THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TOPCOAT Think of wax as just the normal clear coat nail polish they apply. It is the basic package. It offers protection, and shine at an affordable price, that lasts approximately 2 weeks until your nails start to dull and chip.  Same as the carnauba wax that is applied with exterior details, it is the basic protection, meant to last approximately 2 months, it is the basic, most affordable protection for the car's exterior. Now think of Ceramic coating as the Gel application of nail polish it offers a much more hardened layer of topcoat that locks in shine and durability for up to 6 weeks (I know my nails are going on 5 weeks LOL). It is a lot stronger than just clear nail polish but costs you more initially. Now as opposed to getting your nails done every 2 weeks you are now able to get them done every 4-6 weeks. Similar to the difference of wax and ceramic coating, ceramic coating lasting up to 3 years with maintenance in between. To remove the gel from your nails the nail tech needs to file down the gel, just like removing of ceramic coating, the detailer needs to compound (sand down) the exterior to remove.