What`s in the Word Detail???

[Beemerboy]

I read and post on a few detail sites. I just love it (not) when someone posts pics of their car and say I detailed my car. In reality all they did was wash and wax, and they call it a detail.

I feel like the word "detail" is used fairly loosely and or those that do, don`t understand the true meaning of what goes into a real detail.

Thoughts?

[dc52nv]

I know exactly what you mean. I may be guilty in this regard. I`ve used the word detail once or twice but that`s only because I did more than just a wash and wax. If I clean and protect my interior, condition my leather seats, apply wheel wax or seal my wheels with a sealant, seal my headlights and tails, thoroughly clean my engine and polish my exhausts, I feel like it warrants more than just a wash and wax title. I do this every 3 months or so with a simple wash and wax in between.

[TroyScherer]

I read and post on a few detail sites. I just love it (not) when someone posts pics of their car and say I detailed my car. In reality all they did was wash and wax, and they call it a detail.

I feel like the word "detail" is used fairly loosely and or those that do, don`t understand the true meaning of what goes into a real detail.

Thoughts?

I fully agree.

Just had a neighbor ask me how much to "detail" their car. After asking a few questions we come around to the fact that they really just want awash & wax. That fine by me, but not what I would consider detailing.


I really like the term that is used over in the UK for a guy that simply does “wash & wax”. They call it “Valet”. It simply separates the simple everyday from the true craft and art of detailing. People can say paint is paint; and it’s just another job. But to me what some people do with a polisher / extractor / tool / knowledge they have is more of an art form. And obviously it is some go much more in-depth than others.



I guess for me true detailing is more about: Looking at & focusing on the details and minor things of an entire project

[Merlin]

Detailing is more than just washing off dirt or putting on a coat of wax.

Detailing is thoroughly cleaning, removing contaminates, swirls, scratches, oxidation and other imperfections. Then polishing the paint to produce a show-quality level of clarity and gloss.

I agree a lot of folks do not know the difference. I do NOT do the soccer Mom`s mini-van with gum in the seats and vomit in the carpet. I give that business to the "wash & wax" guys.

They don`t do what I do and I don`t do what they do. For me it`s not about wax the swirled paint, vacuum the carpet, clean the windows and shine the tires. To me that is NOT detailing!

[dc52nv]

There are two types of "detailing" terms to me.

1) Quick Detail - wash inside and out, polish, wax/seal, condition interior, treat all trim, clean engine.
2) Full Detail - same above and add decontaminate paint, clay, paint correction, permanent seal, headlight restoration.

[Bunky]

I think many people who pay someone to wash/wax and generally clean up a car detailing so you just need to be sure you understand their definition when discussing it. I got the impression that Valet was just as broad as detailing.

[Trouble]

I read and post on a few detail sites. I just love it (not) when someone posts pics of their car and say I detailed my car. In reality all they did was wash and wax, and they call it a detail.

I feel like the word "detail" is used fairly loosely and or those that do, don`t understand the true meaning of what goes into a real detail.

Thoughts?

I stopped being such a purist. If someone wants to wash and qd; and call it a detail more power to them

[Wheelzntoys]

I have to call "wash and wax" a detail in my area.

Paint Correction is decon, clay, compound/polish and seal/wax.

[Addicted2Bling]

To me, (and I am probably going to get flamed for this) but a detail is simply making something look better, and however far you want to take it is up to you. Some people think detailing is just washing a car, others think it`s polishing, I`ve heard of some people taking parts off a car and detailing behind them, I`ve heard of people polishing the nuts and bolts on a car. However far you want to take it is up to you. When someone tells me they want a detail I just take it as, "They just want their car to look better than what it is."

[Nth Degree]

It doesn`t bother me that the word "detailing" encompasses a broad spectrum of services. There will always be the express details, the concourse prep, and everything in between and beyond. The only problem is educating people/customers of the differences. Not really much different than classifying both a Kia and a Bugatti as a "car". Technically they have the same classifications but there is clearly a difference in quality.

[ca.detailchick]

To me, (and I am probably going to get flamed for this) but a detail is simply making something look better, and however far you want to take it is up to you. Some people think detailing is just washing a car, others think it`s polishing, I`ve heard of some people taking parts off a car and detailing behind them, I`ve heard of people polishing the nuts and bolts on a car. However far you want to take it is up to you. When someone tells me they want a detail I just take it as, "They just want their car to look better than what it is."

Yup.Ive even heard people here call getting their car detailed when its just a wash.

Detailing in San Diego includes ALL levels of detailing and prices accordingly.

[ca.detailchick]

Detailing is more than just washing off dirt or putting on a coat of wax.

Detailing is thoroughly cleaning, removing contaminates, swirls, scratches, oxidation and other imperfections. Then polishing the paint to produce a show-quality level of clarity and gloss.

I agree a lot of folks do not know the difference. I do NOT do the soccer Mom`s mini-van with gum in the seats and vomit in the carpet. I give that business to the "wash & wax" guys.

They don`t do what I do and I don`t do what they do. For me it`s not about wax the swirled paint, vacuum the carpet, clean the windows and shine the tires. To me that is NOT detailing!

My advice is if being associated with car washing detailing bothers you then call yourself a " Paint correction specialist" if that is your specialty.

[Ronkh]

My advice is if being associated with car washing detailing bothers you then call yourself a " Paint correction specialist" if that is your specialty.

So then I`m a "Bovine fecal artist"?

[ca.detailchick]

So then I`m a "Bovine fecal artist"?

YES! If that is your specialty!

[Swanicyouth]

I read and post on a few detail sites. I just love it (not) when someone posts pics of their car and say I detailed my car. In reality all they did was wash and wax, and they call it a detail.

I feel like the word "detail" is used fairly loosely and or those that do, don`t understand the true meaning of what goes into a real detail.

Thoughts?

It depends what the car needs. Sometimes a "detail" for me could just mean I want to try a new wax. So, my garage queen has no swirls, but I will polish it with a paint cleaner none the less to remove all the old LSP.

To me, a "detail" is bringing the car up to a pretty high standard of paint correction, interior cleanliness, wheels cleaned, and protecting the exterior and interior. If the paint is swirl free and glossy, all that may be required is a wash and wax to bring it up to a high standard.

If the car is just your average heap, no, I would not call washing and waxing a detail, as other areas likely need attention or are just blah:

-trim
- wiper arms
- wheel barrels
-wheel wells
-clean door seals and jambs