In simple words, auto detailing is the process of cleaning a vehicle thoroughly, both interior and exterior of it. The process, though, is not as simp...
In simple words,
auto detailing is the process of cleaning a vehicle thoroughly, both interior and exterior of it. The process, though, is not as simple as it sounds. What complicates the matter is the potential to use different cleaning machines for the task.
Do you need a pressure wash system for auto detailing? Would a carpet cleaner be a better choice, or can a steamer be used to clean all kinds of surfaces? Not many people in the industry seem to know the answers. To learn answers to these questions, it is better to learn a bit more about the cleaning process itself first.
An overview of automobile cleaning
Auto detailing can be divided into multiple stages, comprising cleaning the vehicle body, cleaning windshield glass, cleaning tires and wheel rims, cleaning vehicle interiors, such as seat upholstery and mats, and cleaning engine parts.
Each part is kind of different from the others, as the surface to be cleaned in each task is different from that of others. The metal body of the vehicle requires a different mode of cleaning than that is required to clean the seat upholstery and mats.
It is not possible to use a single cleaning machine to clean all kinds of surfaces in an automobile. Although, steamers can remove dust and stains from hard surfaces and spot-clean mats and carpets, for best results, it is recommended to use the suitable machine for a particular stage of cleaning.
So, professional auto detailing requires multiple cleaning machines. Now, it is time to take each of the popular cleaning machines and see how each lends itself to the task of automobile cleaning.
Pressure wash systems
These are hard surface cleaners that work by pumping high pressure output onto the surfaces to wash away dirt and dust. Car pressure washers are used mainly for cleaning the vehicle body and the engine parts. Its output gets rid of the dust on windshield glasses and dirt and soil on tires and wheel rims.
One thing to note when buying car pressure washers is the output pressure level. Normally, people rate pressure wash systems with their output pressure. The higher, the better. For a portable car wash equipment, the pressure level should not exceed 1500 psi. Higher-powered machines might peel off the paint of the car body.
Carpet cleaners
Carpet cleaning machines are used for cleaning the vehicle interior, mainly seat upholstery and car mats. Two things are of the utmost importance. First, use separate wands for cleaning seat upholstery and carpets. There are special car wash equipment that offer separate carpet and upholstery wands.
Second, use carpet cleaning machines with low-flow technology. These are particularly useful for mobile car wash. These machines limit the quantity of water passed onto the output without affecting the cleaning power.
Steamers
Steamer machines too are hard surface cleaners. These machines can clean and sanitize the vehicle surfaces. Since the surfaces cleaned by steam cleaning machines dry up quickly, these are best suited for use as mobile car wash machines.
Finally, always remember that a combination of these machines work better than a single machine.
