This article is designed to educate the novice on auto detailing and provide concourse quality detailing tips.

Auto detailing is the process of making an automobile look its best without major dismantling or repainting. But, detailing is much more than a quick wash and vacuuming. Detailing requires careful planning and methods. Today's car detailing is an art.

The following is an overview of proven professional tips and some little secrets learned over the years.

1. Washing
2. Wheels & Tires
3. Polishing
4. Waxing
5. Glass, Trim and Moldings
6. Engine Compartment
7. Other Show Details and Tips

• Each time the brake is applied, your expensive wheels are bombarded with heated fine metallic particles. Each being baked onto the surface. As the dust remains, pitting sets in, thus destroying the appearance of the wheels. Do not let brake dust and grime build upon the wheels for more than 3 weeks. Regular maintenance with a non-abrasive cleaner will prevent etching and damage. Never use abrasive material or chemicals that can destroy the clear coat finish.
• Do not use cleaning solutions that have a high acid or alkaline content. Safe and effective wheel cleaners should have a PH factor of 8.5 to 9.5.
• Always wash wheels when cooled to prevent possible damage to brake rotors and the wheels themselves.
• When detailing custom wheels, get creative. Use everything from Q-Tips to popsicle sticks and towels to get into those difficult to reach areas. Some professionals have used a shoe polish applicator.
• Some detailers also use corn starch and a clean rag to take off any excess grit left behind by the polish. You will be amazed what will come off on the rag.
• With wheels with a protective clearcoat - use a wheel brush, an old soft toothbrush or a baby bottle brush. Never use a gritty polish on a coated wheel. You will rub the clear coat off and that will then allow contaminates to ruin the wheels.
• Whitewall cleaners do a good job, but there is chances of overspray on the body. Instead, many detailers prefer the low cost and maneuverability of SOS pads for whitewalls and raised white letters on the tires. Use a small cropped brush, soap and pads make short work of cleaning.
• After the tires are completely dry, a good protectant can be used. Professionals and show judges caution against the use of petroleum based tire dressings, as they attract dirt. Also the high gloss synthetic look is not natural to rubber or vinyl. One other item on dressings - there are dressings containing a solvent that opens the pores in the rubber allowing silicones better penetration. The solvent was blamed for drying out the rubber, thus causing cracks and splits.
• Apply a good dressing to a rag first, then to the tire. This eliminates the risk of applying the protectant unevenly as well as hitting the wheels and body.
• Water and polyurethane based protectants dry to a satin finish, rather than a high gloss and will tend to wear better and longer to have a natural look.

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