Time
The more time and effort you put in to your detail the better your vehicle will look and you can expect more in the vehicle’s resale value. Determining how many days a year and how much time in a day you can allocate to detailing can be a hard decision. Try and come up with a realistic amount of time that you’re willing to set aside for detailing based on your current availability. Your time commitment and process will constantly evolve as you change your detailing goals or as your vehicle’s condition warrants. Even if you change your plan it’s important to have a plan and follow through with it so your vehicle can be protected year round. Your vehicle should always have a coat of sealant and/or wax on it so you minimize the risks of damage from water marks, acid rain, UV rays, bird droppings, road grime, etc. Products will vary in durability, but protecting your paint with a sealant will typically last 3 – 6 months and a wax will last about 2 – 8 weeks. Manufacturers tend to over estimate the durability of a product so do not assume they are guaranteeing protection for as long as stated. If you don’t want to detail too often then you may want to apply a coat of sealant for longer lasting protection. If you detail very regularly than you may be able to just wax the vehicle. Ideally we recommend layering a wax on top of a sealant to get the best combination of enduring protection and a great shine.
Routine
We have now gone through all the preparation steps and it’s time to create a routine that is going to keep your vehicle looking it’s best for years to come. There is no best or right detailing process, only what works best for you and your particular situation. Typically, we recommend doing a full detail 1 – 2 times per year and then develop a maintenance routine for the in between months. A full detail can be something as simple as a quick vacuum through, wash, dry and a coat of protection. To others a full detail may be a much more involved process that takes a day or more to complete. The Spring and Fall is when we recommend doing a full details, which basically means you do your most thorough work and address major issues that are the most time consuming. After that you’ll want to develop a maintenance routine that keeps the vehicle clean and protected year round.
We’ve created three basic detailing routines below that will help you understand what steps can be involved in a detailing routine. These options are only guidelines to help you determine what type of detailing routine may work best with your schedule. Each option has many different steps listed in it at various point during the year that should consider doing. These options are strictly suggestions and you should add and delete steps in the routine based on your specific goals and time commitment. All three options below will keep your paint protected year round but as discussed above there are many other steps you might want to include in your routine. When the words “Full Detail” are listed you’ll need to read through the “Full Exterior, Interior and Engine” detailing section and select what steps you want to complete. After you have selected your “Full Exterior” we have outlined a maintenance routine that will require varying levels of time commitment. Option # 1 is very basic and gives you the minimum coverage you will need to keep your paint protected all year and your vehicle looking good. Option # 2 has two “Full Details” and a monthly detail that will protect the paint year round and add a fantastic shine. Option # 3 has two “Full Details” and a bi-weekly maintenance routine that will have the paint thoroughly protected while looking exceptional.
Full Exterior - Pre-Wash Treatment, Wash, Dry, Clay Bar, Compound Polish, Cutting Polish, Finishing Polish, Glaze, Sealant, Wax, Clean and Dress Tires, Clean and Dress Trim, Clean Wiper Blades, Scrub Wheel Wells, Clean and Protect Glass, Polish and Protect Metals, Polish and Protect Wheels)
Full Interior – Spot Treat Stains, Brush, Vacuum and Protect Fabrics, Wipe Down and Protect All Vinyl, Protect Interior, Clean and Condition Leather, Clean Glass, Clean Door Jambs, Shampoo Carpets, Fabric Guard Carpets
Full Engine – Degrease and Wash Bay, Polish Metal Surfaces, Clean and Protect Vinyl, Clean and Protect Rubber, Protect Painted Surfaces
Option # 1
April – Full Detail
July – Wash, Dry, Sealant, Wipe Down Vinyl and Vacuum
October – Wash, Dry, Sealant Quick Interior Vacuum, Wipe Down, Clean and Condition Leather
January – Wash, Dry, Sealant, Wipe Down Vinyl and Vacuum
Option # 2
April – Full Detail
May - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
June - Wash, Dry, Sealant, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
July - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum, Wipe Down, Clean and Condition Leather
August - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
September - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
October - Full Detail
November - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
December - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
January - Wash, Dry, Sealant, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum, Wipe Down, Clean and Condition Leather
February - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
March - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
Option # 3
April 1st – Full Detail
April 15th – Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
May 1st - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
May 15th - Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
June 1st - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
June 15th - Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
July 1st - Wash, Dry, Sealant, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum, Wipe Down, Clean and Condition Leather
July 15th - Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
August 1st - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
August 15th - Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
September 1st - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
September 15th - Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
October 1st – Full Detail
October 15th - Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
November 1st - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
November 15th - Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
December 1st - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
December 15th - Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
January 1st - Wash, Dry, Sealant, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum, Wipe Down, Clean and Condition Leather
January 15th - Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
February 1st - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
February 15th - Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
March 1st - Wash, Dry, Wax, Quick Interior Vacuum and Wipe Down
March 15th - Wash, Dry, Spray Wax
If you follow the process above you should have assessed your vehicle, understand the basic products and tools available, created goals, selected a time commitment and created a routine. Try to write out a detailing routine that you feel best fits your needs based on your personal situation and the information above. In a very short period of time you’ll get more comfortable with your routine and adjust it as needed. Having this thorough and methodical process will ensure you are getting the most out of your detail and keep your vehicle looking it’s best.
If anyone needs a hand putting together a routine that best fits their needs, do not hesitate to ask.
George
