Car Detailing
At the start of the year, my Uncle Joe decided that I should get a part-time
job to keep me off the streets of Sunbury. The next day he came home with
the news that there was an opening at the local car detailing and tinting
place down the road, Sunbury Car Tint.
Shop Front
I was then shown the ropes by the boss there, Grant Chapman. He showed
me how to use the pressure cleaner and how to detail the cars properly.
Later on he also trained me on how to fit and balance tyres, as well as
sell them.
Although Grant is the boss there, I also have to answer to his father,
Jim Chapman, who owns the place, as well as another business that he runs
in a nearby town called Melton.
I work on Saturday's where I do car details, car washes, and AVIS truck
and car rentals, not to mention the odd tyre fitting and balancing.
Detailing a Vehicle
(The Interior/Exterior)
Detailing a car is not very hard, and when done properly can make any
vehicle look as good as new. Here is a step-by-step introduction into
the world of vehicle detailing.
1. Firstly you bring the vehicle into the shop (carefully). Positioning
it so as the hose can reach to the rear of the vehicle and that you are
able to work around it.
Chemical Wash
2. Then the pressure cleaner is used. A soap rinse is used to soften
any dirt that may be present; it's especially great for dried bird poo.
Hot water may be used in cases where the vehicle has been caked and encased
in mud and dirt that had been prepared in earlier.
Hand Washing
3. Now the hand wash begins. A sponge and a bucket of warm soapy water
is now used to go over the whole vehicle and take off any other remaining
dirt and grime.
4. The rinse. The pressure cleaner is put onto the no chemical setting.
You then start from the top to and work your way down to the bottom, making
sure all soap is removed.
5. All water now has to be removed so as not to leave any marks (dried
bead marks), so a chamois is used. The whole vehicle is done.
6. Now all the windows of the vehicle are done, using an ammonia free
window cleaner. Two rags are used, for application and the other for drying.
Windows are done inside and out. To be done properly, the windows are
partially wound down to expose the top of the window. Now the window can
be wound back up for the rest of the window to be done.
Vacuuming
7. Next is the vacuuming is done. Firstly the mats are taken out and
done and put aside. The rest of the vehicle is done, floor carpets, seats,
not forgetting the centre console. A paintbrush can be used to dust out
the vents and the dash.
Don't forget to replace the mats!!!
8. Now that all major cleaning is done, the finer details of the vehicle
can be done. These are:
· Wiping door jams out. Depending on how dirty they are, a chamois
or a rag with GP cleaner on it can be used.
· The dash can also be wiped down with a chamois. All other trim
may be also wiped down.
· The wheels can be treated with a waterproof tyre gloss or tyre
blacker.
Note: The wheels of a vehicle are very important to the general look.
Time and effort should be taken to clean them. Well-cleaned wheels compliment
and improve the appearance of the vehicle.
· Finally a fragrance can be used to freshener the interior of
the vehicle.
9. Now an inspection of the exterior of the vehicle is done. Simply stepping
back and taking a good look for any marks and areas that were missed is
the easiest way. These marks can be easily fixed with a chamois.
Finished Product
The Interior/Exterior is the most common job that is done on a Saturday.
It is a favoured by the customers because it is a general clean and is
good value for money.
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