GLOSSARY
Have you been searching Detailing World and found yourself a little lost in the lingo? Below we have compiled a list of the most asked questions and given a short description and pictures. Providing you with more knowledge on car detailing.
WASH MITT
A wash mitt is used to agitate the dirt on the cars surface. The deeper the pile the less chance of swirls, scratches and marring. Normally made of synthetic fibres, lambswool or microfiber.
Used on all services.
BUCKET AND GRIT GUARD
Grit guards stop grit and other dirt from being picked back up and applied to the cars surface through the mitt, causing damage.
The two bucket method is used to reduce the chance even further. One clean bucket with shampoo, one with just water.
Used on all services.
CAR SHAMPOO
PH Neutral car shampoo is different to your fairy liquid. The soap is less aggressive and is designed to keep car wax and nano coatings in place. Car soap is normally more sudsy.
Used on all services.
SNOW FOAM
Snow foam provides a thick blanket of foam from a pressurised lance. This foam clings to the paints and drags offs the surface dirt and gets deep in to the gaps.
Used on all services.
DRYING TOWEL
These towels are much plusher and have a higher GSM than your bathroom towel. Their naturally softer fibres also stop marring and aid the drying process.
Used on all services.
QUICK DETAILER
Often used as a last stage product, quick detailer is used to remove water marks, add gloss and provide a light wax coating to the cars surface.
Used on all services.
CLAY BAR
Clay Bar is a bar of clay! It is mechanical decontamination, and essentially pulls out the bonded surface dirt. Imagine it like cleaning your pours. Clay bar does cause marring, however when the vehicle is being polished afterwards this isn't a issue.
Used on detailing services.
IRON AND FALLOUT REMOVER
Fallout remover decontaminates the surface and breaks down the organic material such as tree sap and bird dirt. Works wonders on wheels and doesn't stain.
Used on all detailing services.
TAR & GLUE
Tar and glue breaks down the tar which is pick up from the roads surfaces. Normally seen as a black dots. It also helps remove residue from stickers or bugs.
Used on all detailing services.
PRE-WASH
A pre-wash is a process that takes places prior to snoawfoam. This soapy detergent is used to break down the heavier dirt. We use a degreaser which is watered down 1:10. Never used TFR traffic film remover!
Used on detailing services.
DETAILING BRUSH
Detailing brushes are soft, long bristled brushes of various diameters. Great for brushing groves and and panel gaps. Make sure to buy ones which are suitable to get wet as more delicate ones can break down when wet.
Used on all detailing services.
GLASS CLEANER
Glass cleaners tend to be white vinegar based as they help cut grease and remove stains. For the best results use two clothes.
Used on all detailing services.
GLAZES
If you do not intend to polish then a glaze helps cover up swirls. After a few washes it will rinse free and return the paint to its original finish. Only good for shows or garage queens.
PAINT CLEANER
A cleaner is not a polish. Cleaners are used to pull the dirt from the pours of the paints surface ready for coating.
POLISHES
Polishes come in a variety of cutting strengths. The more course, the quicker it will cut back the damage, but in turn will leave the paint smeary. You will need to refine the paint with thinner polishes and softer polishing pads to achieve the perfect finish.
FOAM POLISHING PADS
Polishing heads come in a variety of densities designed to help cut back tired paint work. The hard the pad, the harder they cut.
WOOL POLISHING PADS
Wool pads are the best way to remove deep scratches. They can cause the most damage if not used by a professional.
POLISHING MACHINES
Polishing machines come as DA (Dual Action) or Rotary. DA's are easier to learn polishing n but do not correct as quickly as rotary. It takes a professional to use a rotary with skill.
AIR BLOWER
Air blowers are the safest way to dry your car and get the water trapped inside rubbers and in joints.
PRESSURE WASHER
Pressure washers are an essential bit of kit to safety and efficiently clean your car. One will be needed if you intend to use snow foam.
VACUUM
We recommend a George! George has been our trusty vacuum for years. Little bit more expensive, but worth it!
CARNUBA WAX
Carnuba is a premium wax which is found across the wax range. Each wax offers more or less, based on its value. Wax is easy to apply, offers cheap alternatives but is durability is lower.
Used on select detailing services.
CERAMIC COATINGS
These products offer an additional micron layer making it hard to damage the paints surface. For long term durability, this is the best product on the market.
Used on all detailing services.
SEALANTS
Sealants are the halfway house. They last longer than wax. The also provide the bead and clarity missing from nano coatings. We normally combine the two together. Applying Exo to Crystal Serum
Used on all detailing services.
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MARRING
Marring is when a car is washed incorrectly or the paint is rubbed with something rough. It causes a wavey pattern in the paint. Can often be polished out with a light polish. Depending on severity.
SCRATCHES & SWIRLS
Caused by dirt mitts, cloths or dirty paint. They dull the finish. Can often be removed with polishing providing they haven't broken through the lacquer.
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BUFFER TRAILS
Similar to marring, buffer trails are caused by being too rough with a machine polisher and not applying the "zenith" process. Normally this is seen after a re-spray due to the cutting back needed.
BEADING
Last stage products cause water tension, making the water form little beads of water. This makes caring for your car easier. We suggest always applying an LSP, no matter your budget.
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SHEETING
Say that out load carefully! Normally seen on un-coated cars or nano protected cars. the water will come off as a sheet rather than in beads.
CLARITY & DEPTH
When you peer in to a cars paint, is it like looking in a mirror? This is the clarity and depth. On unpolished or coated paints, the depth of the paint is shallow and the clarity is dull.