How Does Exterior Detailing Differ From Interior Detailing?

Maintaining the cleanliness and aesthetic appearance of a vehicle requires more than just regular car washes. While washing the exterior and vacuuming the interior are important, detailing takes cleaning to a whole new level. Detailing involves deep cleaning and restoration of a car’s interior and exterior surfaces. However, exterior detailing and interior detailing are not the same things. There are some key differences between the two. In this article, we will discuss how exterior detailing differs from interior detailing.

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Exterior detailing refers to cleaning and restoring the exterior surfaces of a car. This includes the body, windows, wheels, and tires. Exterior detailing typically involves the following steps:

Washing: The first step of exterior detailing is washing the vehicle thoroughly. The car is usually washed with a high-pressure washer to remove any dirt and grime. This is followed by a soapy wash to remove any remaining dirt and give the car a shiny appearance.

Clay bar treatment: After washing, a clay bar is used to remove any remaining contaminants such as brake dust, tar, and tree sap. The clay bar is gently rubbed over the surface of the car, and it removes any impurities that cannot be removed by washing alone.

Polishing: The next step in exterior detailing is polishing. Polishing is the process of removing any minor scratches and swirl marks from the car’s paintwork. A polisher is used to buff the paintwork and bring back the shine of the car.

Waxing: After polishing, a layer of wax is applied to the car’s paintwork. Waxing helps protect the paintwork from the elements such as UV rays and rain. It also gives the car a shiny appearance.

Tire and wheel cleaning: Finally, the tires and wheels are cleaned and polished. The wheels are usually cleaned with a wheel cleaner, and the tires are dressed with a tire shine product.

Interior detailing, on the other hand, involves cleaning and restoring the interior surfaces of a car. This includes the dashboard, seats, carpets, and door panels. The process of interior detailing usually involves the following steps:

Vacuuming: The first step in interior detailing is vacuuming. The carpets, seats, and floor mats are vacuumed to remove any loose dirt and debris.

Cleaning: After vacuuming, the interior surfaces of the car are cleaned. The dashboard, door panels, and other surfaces are cleaned with a mild cleaner to remove any dirt and stains.

Conditioning: Once the surfaces are clean, they are conditioned with a protectant to prevent cracking and fading. Leather surfaces are conditioned with a leather protectant to prevent drying and cracking.

Window cleaning: The interior windows are cleaned with a glass cleaner to remove any fingerprints and streaks.

Odor elimination: Finally, any unpleasant odors in the car are eliminated using an odor eliminator.

While both exterior and interior detailing involves cleaning and restoring a car’s surfaces, the techniques and products used in each process differ. Exterior detailing focuses on cleaning and restoring the car’s exterior surfaces, while interior detailing focuses on the car’s interior surfaces. Additionally, exterior detailing typically involves more rigorous cleaning techniques such as the use of a clay bar and a polisher to remove scratches and swirl marks from the car’s paintwork.

In conclusion, exterior detailing and interior detailing are two distinct processes that require different techniques and products. Exterior detailing involves cleaning and restoring the car’s exterior surfaces, while interior detailing involves cleaning and restoring the car’s interior surfaces. Both processes are important for maintaining the cleanliness and aesthetic appearance of a car, and regular detailing can help prolong the life of a vehicle. If you want your car to look and feel like new, consider taking it to a professional detailing service that can perform both exterior and interior detailing.