Always keep an open mind and I would also strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you. Be pro-active and research others opinions and products, test them and then make an objective decision based upon the factual information gained from research. Don’t regard any source as something you can entirely rely on, least of all marketing hype or brand loyalty



Any material presented is actually one person`s interpretation of a set of information they have researched or a methodology they have used before, which provided the results they found satisfactory, so any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. I would strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you. It is the individual’s responsibility to confirm the information supplied and apply it to their situation.



Be cognizant that when you see something stated in the MSDS it is only listing hazardous ingredients or written on a label, it doesn’t state the exact quantity used. Don`t be steered or mislead by stated ingredients, just use them as a point of research.



I strive to do my best by not only using an extensive knowledge and experience of detailing and the chemicals used but also by embracing advanced techniques and the new technologies as they become available in order to put out the best information possible to both professional and hobbyist detailer alike.



I have always thought that the more facts and information you have at hand the easier it is to judge what information you are being given. After all, how can you fully understand and properly use any product unless you have all the facts? In the final analysis; it’s your vehicle, your hard earned money and your choice.



Commercialism brings with it concerns of honesty and true representation. In other words, it’s difficult to know what is true when someone is motivated by income, i.e. directly targeted at product sales, more so than an unbiased opinion. One of the advantages of being independent and not having to answer to shareholders



Most importantly - choose carefully whose advice you listen to, and more importantly what advice you act upon. The misinformation and myths that are so prevalent in the detail industry is the reason that detailers need to do research on their own. Treat all marketing claims as being just biased marketing claims and if you`re lucky they will be based on truth and the company will operate ethically.



First research the topic of car care and formulate a detailing plan and action it A lot of neophyte detailers just take action and if they make a mistake, they then do research



Detailing products



Car care chemicals are the most misunderstood component auto detailing, they should work on their real merits, not ‘smoke and mirrors`. Proceed with this in mind; the products you use constitute a very small factor in the equation. It is my opinion that when it comes to car care products its best to understand the chemicals used to enable the best result possible.



Most companies won’t release ingredients other than what`s on the MSDS sheet. Patenting chemicals is pretty risky since if you change a couple of ingredients by a few percentages it`s technically a different product. When it comes to technical specifications and chemical formulations, it is important to realize that all companies must keep secure their proprietary information and agreements. Without this, no business would have the incentive to develop new products, expand their market, stay competitive, and ultimately - exist.



A product that shows great results in the controlled environment of a laboratory may not produce the same results in the real world, this is the reality of field testing, which throws up masses of variables which lab testing just cannot replicate i.e. resistance of paint coatings against ultra violet (UV) damage, bird droppings, acid rain, alkaline sprinklers, scratching (regardless of hardness factors) gloss, dirt and surface stain repellence and temperature resistance. Also be cognizant that on rare occasions some detailers experience differing results with the same product



As a detailer, you already face an enormous number of product choices in the market, and every few months, the next "greatest" detailing product attempts to capture your attention long enough to score your dollars. Over-complication is often used in marketing to give the illusion of a more research-oriented manufacturer. The opposite of the very successful approach to product selection "keep it simple and straightforward" (KISS) this principle states that simplicity should be a key goal in design, and that unnecessary complexity should be avoided.



The products recommended are easy to use, following the stated methods, gentle towards the many different material automotive materials and finishes, safe for both you to use and the environment. It`s all about technique and your ability to apply knowledge and adjusting the techniques used as necessary.



This is not a short cut guide, but a list of recommended methods / products to provide maximum protection for your vehicle, so you will enjoy maintaining the vehicle in an as-new (or better) condition for as long as possible. Proper detailing relies on the correct preparation procedures and the correct methodology to obtain pristine results. Methodology and technique constitute 95%; the reasoning behind the choice of quality products is to eliminate any limiting factors, thus enabling you to place emphasis on technique used.



Proper Technique



Detailing isn`t rocket science, but any aspects that aren`t intuitively obvious need to be researched and thoroughly thought out. There is no `one correct way` to apply a product; the way detailing products are customized, are what each individual finds give them their desired results, which may or may not be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Using the same application methods and products of one individual may or may not give you the similar results; but it’s always best to adopt your own methodologies by experimentation with different products, after all that half the fun of detailing



The application methods set out here have been adapted for special use and may not be the same as those recommended by the product manufacturer, and you may experience different results from those stated. If in doubt follow manufacturer’s recommendations. The price you’ll pay for product / methodology experimentation is knowledge and firsthand experience.

Some of the methodologies are controversial as they do not conform to popular practices, but as with all things allow common sense to prevail. I’ve found that some myths are deliberately perpetuated by product manufacturers as negative marketing and others are just common errors of judgment.



Focusing on one person’s methodologies or the products they use will seriously limit your detailing experience and knowledge.

Most importantly - choose carefully whose advice you listen to, and more importantly what advice you act upon. The misinformation and myths that are so prevalent in the detail industry is the reason that detailers need to do research on their own. I would strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you.



Use of any information on these pages is used at the reader`s own risk. The detailing methods set out here have been adapted for special use and may not be the same as those recommended by the product manufacturer, and you may experience different results from those stated. When in doubt always use common sense



Diagnosis is the key, not guess work; the most important thing to find out before you attempt to clean or care for something is to ascertain what the material is made from. Much the same is true if you’re trying to remove a stain, what caused the stain and what is the material you are trying to remove the stain from. Formulate a detailing plan, then utilize proper detailing techniques, combined with quality products is what makes a details outcome, successful. When in doubt always allow common sense to prevail.

A sound understanding of the proper technique and the correct process will produce excellent results even with a mediocre product. A quality product used without the proper surface preparation or application technique will never obtain a satisfactory result. Application methodology is as important as the product itself. Either, product or application process; if incorrectly chosen has the potential to damage the material it’s applied to.



Using the proper methodology (surface preparation, using a quality product, along with the correct application technique) will ensure an excellent result.



Accuracy and Verifiability of Content



I strongly espouse the dissemination of accurate; commercially unbiased information, verifiability of content and information quality while trying to maintain a neutral point of view. This ensures that anything challenged or likely to be challenged, including all quotations, be attributed to a reliable source in the form of an inline citation, and that the source directly supports the material in question. By its very nature some article content is original research but I try to ensure that information quality and a neutral point of view is consistently maintained



To be of real practical use, a subject like automotive detailing requires a great deal of research, and updating as new products or technologies becomes available, so the articles are updated on a regular basis as necessary from current research. From time to time there may be information that contains typographical errors, inaccuracies, or omissions (because I’m human). These are unintended and TOGWT™ reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and to change or update information at any time without prior notice.



Recommended Products



In the interest of full disclosure, I am in no way affiliated with, employed by, have any vested interest, or in any way receive compensation from the sale or distribution of the product lines reviewed or the company that manufactures or markets it.



I have always thought that the more facts and information you have at hand the easier it is to judge what information you are being given. After all, how can you fully understand and properly use any product unless you have all the facts? In the final analysis; it’s your vehicle, your hard earned money and your choice.



The following list may help you in your own research’



Information Resources



1. 303â„¢ Products Information

2. Auto Paint & Body Question Board

3. American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)

4. Autoglym Car Care: An Expert Guide 2002

5. A Detailers Handbook, Richard Groit 2002

6. Automotive International Inc

7. Automotive Detailing Inside & Out, a Knowledge Base for the Perfectionist– by Jon Miller

8. Bane-Clene ® Professional Spotting Guide

9. Collector Car Restoration

10. Classic Motoring Accessories website articles

11. Car Cover World

12. Chemistry Definitions (Terminology) Hamilton

13. Columbia Electronic Encyclopaedia 6th Edition

14. Detailing your car for concourse competition Chuck & Sandy Imperatori

15. Detailer’s Directory

16. CarDetailingDirectory.com

17. Car Repair Terminology

18. The Basics of Silicon Chemistry - Dow Corning

19. Eastwood Company-Technical Library

20. Evolution of Automotive Paint and Protectant Technology

21. Environmentally Friendly Car Care Products

22. Glossary of Chemical Terms - Faculty of Chemical Technology

23. Glasurit, Advice on Paint and Paintwork Defects

24. Professional Car Washing & Detailing Magazine July 2003

25. Harrtz Raggtop Information-Top of the Line

26. How to Restore Auto Leather David Briggs 2001

27. Heat Vs Urethane Coatings, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

28. Irving Tanning Leather Glossary

29. Learning Centre a division of TCP GLOBAL/Auto Body DEPOT

30. Leather Care Facts Leatherique 2003

31. IICRC S300 Leather Cleaning Method

32. Learning Centre (Paint Information)

33. Making Foam Pads- A look at Lake Country Manufacturing -Jim Schneider, Lake Country`s Chairman, Dennis Pordon, Lake Country`s President and Scott McLain their Director of Sales and New Product Development.

34. New Scientist, various articles 2001 – 2004

35. National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA)

36. Professional Detailing Technician`s Association (P.D.T.A)

37. Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Library & Information Centre

38. Sunbrellaâ„¢ Information

39. SpecialChem`s Coatings & Inks News and Innovation Bulletins

40. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Certification (IICRC)

41. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website

42. U.S. National Library of Medicine -

43. The Biology Project, Department of Biochemistry and Covalent (molecular) Biophysics

44. The University of Arizona, Revised: January 28, 2003

45. The Vinyl Institute Information

46. The Royal Society of Chemistry; Cambridge, 1995 Silicon-Containing Polymers Jones, Richard, G.

47. Vinyl or Fabric Material List Autogeek website

48. Wheel & Tire Care Guide Guru Reports, 2004

49. Wikipedia Dictionary

50. The Biology Project, Department of Biochemistry and Covalent (molecular) Biophysics

51. The Royal Society of Chemistry; Cambridge, 1995 Silicon-Containing Polymers Richard, G. Jones

52. Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Library & Information Centre

53. Basic Concepts of Nanotechnology, History of Nano-Technology, News, Materials and Potential Risks

54. SpecialChem4 – Polymers

55. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics

56. National Polymer Laboratories Newsletter / Bulletins

57. Self-Healing Polymer Coatings, Cho, S.H.Cho, S.R. White, and P.V. Braun

58. The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council





[Edit: Information resources / Bibliography items added 12/11 ]