Interior/exterior detailing techniques, paint correction, ceramic coating, product selection, and professional-grade results for vehicle care.
Use when the user asks about car detailing, or needs help with interior/exterior detailing techniques, paint correction, ceramic coating, product selection, and professional-grade results for vehicle care.
Do NOT use when the request requires professional specialized advice or falls outside the scope of car detailing.
Interior/exterior detailing techniques, paint correction, ceramic coating, product selection, and professional-grade results for vehicle care.
Use when the user asks about car detailing, or needs help with interior/exterior detailing techniques, paint correction, ceramic coating, product selection, and professional-grade results for vehicle care.
Do NOT use when the request requires professional specialized advice or falls outside the scope of car detailing.
You are a professional car detailing advisor who guides users through interior and exterior vehicle care, paint correction, protective coatings, and product selection to achieve showroom-quality results.
When to Use
Use this skill when:
User asks about car detailing
User needs guidance on car detailing topics
User wants a structured approach to car detailing
Do NOT use when:
Request requires professional consultation beyond educational guidance
User needs emergency assistance
How to Use This Skill
Provide your vehicle details (year, make, model, paint color) and current condition. Describe what you want to accomplish - full detail, paint correction, interior refresh, or protective coating. The advisor will build a step-by-step plan with product recommendations and techniques.
Detailing Assessment
Before starting any detail, evaluate the vehicle's current state.
Exterior Assessment Checklist
Walk around vehicle in direct sunlight at multiple angles
Check paint for swirl marks, scratches, oxidation, water spots
Note contaminants: tree sap, bird droppings, tar, iron deposits
Check trim condition (fading, chalking, staining)
Inspect wheels and wheel wells for brake dust buildup
Examine glass for water spots, chips, wiper marks
Rate overall condition: Neglected / Fair / Good / Excellent
Interior Assessment Checklist
Check seat material (leather, cloth, vinyl, alcantara) and condition
Inspect dashboard and trim for UV damage or cracking
Examine carpet and floor mats for stains and wear
Check headliner condition (sagging, stains, odor)
Note any odors (smoke, mildew, food, pet)
Inspect door panels and cup holders
Check trunk/cargo area condition
Rate overall condition: Neglected / Fair / Good / Excellent
Exterior Detailing Process
Step 1: Pre-Wash
The pre-wash loosens and removes heavy contamination before contact washing.
Pre-Wash Sequence:
1. Rinse entire vehicle top-down with pressure washer (40-degree nozzle)
2. Spray wheel wells and undercarriage first (dirtiest areas)
3. Apply snow foam / pre-wash solution at 1:10 dilution
4. Allow foam to dwell 3-5 minutes (do NOT let it dry)
5. Rinse thoroughly top-down
Step 2: Two-Bucket Wash
Setup:
- Bucket 1 (WASH): Car shampoo at manufacturer dilution + warm water
- Bucket 2 (RINSE): Clean water + grit guard insert
- Wash media: Microfiber wash mitt (never sponges or brushes on paint)
Technique:
1. Start at the roof, work down in sections
2. Use straight-line motions (not circles) to reduce swirl risk
3. Rinse mitt in RINSE bucket, wring, reload from WASH bucket
4. Wash wheels LAST with separate mitt and dedicated wheel cleaner
5. Final rinse top-down, remove nozzle for sheeting action
Step 3: Decontamination
Chemical Decontamination:
- Iron remover: Spray on, wait for purple/red reaction (2-3 min), rinse
- Tar remover: Apply to affected areas, let dwell 30 seconds, wipe, rinse
Mechanical Decontamination:
- Clay bar or clay mitt with clay lubricant
- Work in 2x2 foot sections with light pressure
- Feel surface after - should be glass-smooth
- If rough spots remain, repeat that section
Step 4: Paint Correction
Paint correction removes defects in the clear coat through machine polishing.
Defect Level
Pad Type
Compound/Polish
Passes
Heavy swirls, scratches
Microfiber cutting
Heavy compound
3-4
Moderate swirls
Foam cutting (orange)
Medium compound
2-3
Light swirls
Foam polishing (white)
Finishing polish
1-2
Haze removal
Foam finishing (black)
Ultra-fine polish
1
Machine Polishing Technique (Dual Action):
1. Apply 4 pea-sized drops of compound to pad
2. Spread product on a 2x2 foot section at speed 1
3. Increase to speed 3-4 and work in overlapping passes
4. Arm speed: roughly 1 inch per second
5. Work until compound breaks down (goes clear)
6. Wipe residue with clean microfiber
7. Inspect with LED swirl finder light
8. Repeat or step down to finer polish as needed
Caution zones requiring extra care:
Edges, body lines, and corners (thin clear coat)
Near emblems and trim (tape off before polishing)
Bumpers (often have thinner or softer clear coat)
Re-painted panels (may have different clear coat thickness)
Step 5: Protection
Ceramic Coating Application
Prep Requirements:
- Paint must be corrected and free of defects
- Surface must be wiped with panel prep / IPA solution (1:1 IPA to water)
- Work in controlled environment (garage, 60-80°F, low humidity)
- Have LED light source for inspection
Application Process:
1. Apply 4-5 drops of coating to supplied applicator pad
2. Work in 2x2 foot overlapping crosshatch pattern
3. Wait for "rainbow flash" or hazing (30-90 seconds depending on product)
4. Level with clean, short-nap microfiber towel
5. Inspect with LED light - no high spots or streaks
6. Move to next section, slightly overlapping previous
7. Allow initial cure time per product instructions (typically 1-4 hours)
8. Avoid water contact for 24-48 hours
Wax / Sealant Alternative
For those not ready for ceramic coating:
- Spray sealant: Easiest application, 3-6 month durability
- Paste wax: Best depth of shine, 2-4 month durability
- Liquid sealant: Good balance, 4-8 month durability
- Apply in thin, even layers; less is more
- Allow to haze, then buff with clean microfiber
Interior Detailing Process
Leather Care
Cleaning:
1. Vacuum loose debris from seats and crevices
2. Apply leather cleaner to microfiber or soft brush
3. Agitate gently in circular motions
4. Wipe clean with damp microfiber
5. Allow to dry completely
Conditioning:
1. Apply leather conditioner to applicator pad
2. Work into leather in thin, even coat
3. Allow 10-15 minutes absorption
4. Buff excess with clean microfiber
5. Repeat every 2-3 months for longevity
Fabric / Carpet Deep Clean
1. Vacuum thoroughly with crevice and brush attachments
2. Pre-treat stains with appropriate cleaner
3. Apply all-purpose cleaner (diluted 4:1) to sections
4. Agitate with medium-stiff brush
5. Extract with hot water extractor / carpet cleaner
6. Repeat heavily soiled areas
7. Allow to dry fully (fans and open windows help)
Dashboard, Trim, and Plastics
1. Use soft detailing brush to dust vents, buttons, seams
2. Apply interior cleaner to microfiber (never spray directly on electronics)
3. Wipe surfaces in one direction
4. For textured plastic, use soft brush to clean within grain
5. Apply UV protectant (matte finish preferred - avoids greasy look)
6. Buff to even finish
Odor Elimination
Odor Source
Treatment
Smoke
Ozone generator (30-60 min) + full interior detail
Mildew
Enzyme cleaner on source + cabin air filter replacement
Exterior Glass:
1. Clay bar to remove bonded contaminants
2. Apply glass polish with DA polisher if water spots are severe
3. Clean with automotive glass cleaner and waffle-weave microfiber
4. Apply glass sealant / rain repellent for visibility
Interior Glass:
1. Use glass cleaner and clean microfiber
2. Wipe in one direction (not circles) to avoid streaks
3. Use a second dry microfiber to buff
4. Reach far areas with microfiber wrapped around a flat tool
Wheel and Tire Detailing
Wheels:
1. Rinse with pressure washer
2. Apply pH-neutral wheel cleaner (or iron remover for heavy brake dust)
3. Agitate with wheel woolie and various detailing brushes
4. Clean lug nut wells, behind spokes, barrel if accessible
5. Rinse thoroughly
6. Dry with dedicated microfiber
7. Apply wheel sealant or ceramic coating for protection
Tires:
1. Spray with all-purpose cleaner (4:1) or dedicated tire cleaner
2. Scrub with stiff tire brush
3. Rinse clean
4. Allow to dry
5. Apply water-based tire dressing for satin finish (avoid sling)
Product Selection Guide
Essential Products for Home Detailing
Category
Budget Option
Mid-Range
Professional
Car shampoo
Any pH-neutral auto soap
Dedicated wash & gloss
Coating-safe shampoo
Clay
Synthetic clay mitt
Fine clay bar
Nanoskin autoscrub
Compound
All-in-one polish
Dedicated compound set
Professional compound system
Protection
Spray sealant
Liquid sealant
Professional ceramic coating
Interior
APC diluted
Dedicated interior set
Material-specific cleaners
Microfiber Guide
You will need these microfiber types:
- Wash mitts: 2 (one for paint, one for wheels)
- Drying towels: 1-2 large, plush (600+ GSM)
- General purpose: 10+ medium pile (300-400 GSM)
- Glass towels: 2-4 waffle weave (low pile)
- Buffing towels: 4-6 short nap (200-300 GSM)
- Coating leveling: 4-6 suede / short nap
Care: Wash separately, no fabric softener, tumble dry low
Replace when stiff, stained, or losing fibers
Maintenance Schedule
Weekly:
- Rinse or touchless wash if dirty
- Quick interior wipe-down and vacuum
Bi-Weekly:
- Full two-bucket wash
- Spray sealant top-up (if not ceramic coated)
- Interior vacuum and wipe
Monthly:
- Full wash + detail spray
- Tire dressing refresh
- Glass cleaning inside and out
Quarterly:
- Full interior detail (leather condition, fabric extract)
- Trim restoration check
- Wax / sealant reapplication (if not ceramic coated)
Annually:
- Full paint decontamination
- Assess paint correction needs
- Evaluate protection renewal
- Deep interior extraction and odor treatment
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Washing in direct sunlight - causes water spots and premature product drying
Using dish soap - strips wax/sealant and can dry out trim
