TOGWT® Detailing Articles (Index & Hyperlinks)

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[I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn] Albert Einstein



[If a writer knows enough about what he is writing about, he may omit things that he knows. The dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one ninth of it being above water] -Ernest Hemingway

These articles may be copied and / or translated to your blog, newsletter, website, etc; providing the source is acknowledged thus - Copyright © 2002-2012, TOGWT® (Established 1980) all rights reserved) Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at anytime at togwt@mail.com. All e-mail inquiries are answered within 24 hours.



The articles posted are extracts from a series of in-depth technical articles that make up “The Art and Science of Detailing “ a full list of which can be found on my Blog.



The Art and Science of Detailing, as far as I know the first detailer to use this description was a detailer from Texas, Anthony Orosco. I decided to adopt it as the title for my book and detailing articles as I feel it aptly describes today’s detailing industry



Science meets Aesthetics.



Science and art have been flirting with one another at least since the 16th century, and it inspired the minds and lives of Da Vinci, dividing his time between painting The Mona Lisa and inventing flying machines, as well as others like Dali and Einstein



The naked Scientist promises to strip car care chemicals to their bare essentials, biotech, nanotechnology, chemistry and the chaos theory are also involved. And this being doctor Jon you’ll require certain items, a syringe, a microscope, possibly something designed by NASA as I break down every process and examine its cause and effect, the results are nothing if not interesting . I’ve never been satisfied with simply knowing what and how things work but also why; so that I can educate others.



Science - includes such elements as chemicals, equipment, and knowledge of vehicle surfaces, industry standards, and customer requirements.



Art - many detailers can polish; but only a few have sufficient talent to polish like Rembrandt can paint. Presentation is also a very important part of detailing and their art is shown by their photographic composition and the backdrops chosen



Aesthetics is the activity of combining these elements into the proper application methodologies that produce an aesthetically pleasing outcome for each specific situation



{Knowledge Management} - Treating experience as a shared asset} Science meets Aesthetics; I contribute to these forums to pass on more than five decades of detailing experience along with three decades in the chemical industry to its members in not only the “How it works’ but “Why it works� and the chemicals involved with “What works “and in turn be educated by them. Because I’m passionate about I do and care about making sure detailing is a fun and rewarding experience for the enthusiast. Once you realize how much you don’t know; only then will you be willing to research and enhance your knowledge and understanding



Automotive original equipment (OEM) technology is becoming more and more complex requiring educated and skilled technicians to work on them. As the materials used are constantly changing we must maintain our knowledge base and utilize the correct products and application methodologies to keep up with emerging technologies. It is very important to be able to recognise the various finishes and materials used as they all require different methodologies and products for proper care and maintenance.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/TOGWT/Learning.jpg

Learning the skills necessary for proper detailing is a journey, so be patient when travelling through the learning curves.

The articles posted are extracts from a series of 150 in-depth technical articles that make up “The Art and Science of Detailing “a full list of which can be found on my Blog



Article Revisions / Updates



These articles were accurate at the date of publication; I do try to update them on a regular basis. However, information contained in it may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility. The advent of new materials is why it’s so important to monitor the industries new products, chemical technologies and ideas that are constantly being introduced, as are the techniques for applying them, hence all of the in-depth articles and these extracts are constantly up-dated and revised



To be of real practical use; a subject like automotive detailing requires a great deal of research, and updating as new products become available. To this end the list of available articles will also be updated as they become available; with the ability to ask questions in real time the way a printed book cannot.





Techniques Suggested



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.



Information Verification



Any material presented is actually my interpretation of research and information; so any reliance you place on this 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 own particular situation.



I do not have access to the product formula so I don’t know exactly what chemicals are used; I’m just offering my opinion as to ‘how and why’ it works; based upon my experience and chemical background, but if you need a full technical explanation I would suggest you contact the manufacturer



Always keep an open mind. 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 loyaltyReading these articles will not improve your detailing skills, lead to a successful business or change your life. Applying what you learn from it, however, will. That`s where your commitment comes in - you need to make a commitment to yourself right now that you will take action on what you learn.



With detailing advice you should always consider its source; a product vendor will of course recommend their own products, some detailers are vendor affiliates that are paid for product recommendations and some detailers work directly for product vendors.



This type of 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. Marketing has little if anything to do with scientific facts and a lot more often to do with widely exaggerated claims.



Constructive critique is encouraged as are alternative processes and product choices. Most opinions are at best of anecdotal value anyway, and there is always an opposing and often equally valid response, which should be encouraged 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.



I’ve always believed that the more facts and information you have at hand the easier it is to judge what information you are being given. Healthy debate should not be problematic; this should be the main purpose of a detailing forum. Dr Jon

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TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki

Suggested reading





Neophyte detailer –



“Detailing 101, the basics�



“Orbital Buffer or Rotary Polisher�





Concours d’élégance entrant –



“Concours d’élégance Vehicle Preparation�



"Automotive Leather Repair and Renovation",



"Finessing the Finish"





Automotive Renovation and Restoration-



“Renovation and Restoration Automotive Headlights�,



“Automotive Carpets Renovation and Restoration�,



“Automotive Leather Upholstery Repair�



“Renovation and Restoration and Wheel Surface Repair�





Hobbyist detailer – “



Detailer’s Automotive Clay�,



“Detailing Tips�,



“Waterless and Rinseless Car washing�,



“Foam Pads, Selection and Use�,



Orbital Buffer or Rotary Polisher�



“Environmental Pollutants�



“Using the Flex XC3401VRG Dual-Action Polisher�







Professional detailer –



“Business Marketing�,



Essentials for Starting a Business,



“Becoming a Professional Detailer�,



“Wet-Sanding (Colour Sanding)�,



“Wool Pads�,



“Rotary polisher usage tips�



"Using a Metabo® PE12-175 Rotary Polisher",



"Automotive Leather Repair and Renovation"







Specialised subjects –



“Detailing for the Physically Challenged�,



“Exercises to Minimize or Prevent Back Pain�,



“Personal Protective Equipment�,



“The Health Risks of Detailing�



“Vehicle Condition and Resale Price�,



“Aircraft Detailing�





Classic Car Renovation – “



"Aluminium Surface Re-finishing and Painting�,



“Automotive Leather 1 – Repair and Renovation�,



“Interior Detailing�,





“Paint Surface Problems-Correction�,



“Polishing Paint (Surface Correction / Renovation)�,



“ Polishing / Renovation of Various Metal Surfaces�,



“Repairing / Renovation of Scratched or Curbed Wheels�,



“Long Term (Winter) Vehicle Storage�







Specific material cleaning and care –



I am asked questions on these subjects more than any of the others-



“Automotive Leather Upholstery Care�,



“Carpet Cleaning and Care�,



Glass Cleaning Process�,



Paint Surface Problems and Correction�,



“Stain Identification and Removal�,



"Automotive Leather Repair" and Renovation",



“Removing Water Marks “



"Winter Vehicle Preparation / Driving",



"Corrosion Prevention"





What should you use to protect your vehicle -



“Polymers and Carnauba wax differences?



� Crystalline Nanotechnology Coatings�,



“Carnauba (Brasilia) Wax�



“Car Covers-Selection, Care and Maintenance�





And there are many other subjects covered or perhaps an informative page overview like “Automotive Detailing; Inside and Out�, a knowledge base for the perfectionist, a 400 page A-Z encyclopaedia of detailing







Hyperlink Index



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...nt-part-i.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...t-part-ii.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1493466



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1474876



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1489787



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1489793



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1488799



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1496775



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-will-not.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1501707



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...g-courses.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1468969



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...clopaedia.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-required.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...20-idioms.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...g-defined.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...rep-towel.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...lers-clay.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ing-paint.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...polishing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...king-tape.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...er-part-i.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1472365



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1472658



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-folklore.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...tions-faq.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-vehicles.html









Detailing 101 - Articles for the neophyte detailer or as a reminder of detailing basics





http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1497645



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-required.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...t-reseach.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...se-effect.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...lers-clay.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...g-courses.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1488799



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ing-paint.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...t-surface.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-my-paint.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1497445



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...am-pads-i.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...m-pads-ii.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ds-part-i.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...r-sealant.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...plication.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...compounds.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1532172



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ft-paints.html







Leather Cleaning and Care -





http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...e-leather.html



Aniline (Mico Pigment) Leather - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ning-care.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1504256



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1474865



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...y-leather.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...g-process.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1479003



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1488560



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ditioning.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1474058



Leather Upholstery; Surface Identification http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ification.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...orrection.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-products.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...s-leather.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ning-care.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...d-leather.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ditioning.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-products.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1487771



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1455020



Aniline Leather - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ning-care.html



Perforated Leather - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ning-care.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ing-wheel.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...d-leather.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...s-leather.html











Detailing -





http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...detailing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...detailing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...g-article.html











Detailing Pads (Foam & Wool) -







http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ation-use.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1496755



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...qualities.html



Kinetic (or dynamic) Friction - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...am-pads-i.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ning-care.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ction-use.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ng-plates.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1471848



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ol-pads-i.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...l-pads-ii.html













Detailing Towels -





http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...bre-towel.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ning-care.html











Guide to Detailing -





http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1489935



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ip-repair.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1485839



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1471715



http://www.autopia.org/forum/epic-th...polishing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...-removal.html#



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...se-effect.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...on-damage.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...amination.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ody-wraps.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...r-sealant.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-hardness.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...g-process.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ing-glass.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...t-reseach.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...detailing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ning-care.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ng-part-i.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1488674



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...l-carpets.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1487683



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...n-removal.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...oor-shuts.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...hallenged.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/epic-th...polishing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...m-vehicle.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...solutions.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ots-marks.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...detailing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-my-paint.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-products.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-cleaners.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...e-peel%92.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...t-surface.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-products.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-required.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...e-storage.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...plication.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...helf-life.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...mposition.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...urability.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...paintwork.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ver-paint.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ft-paints.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-cov...on-covers.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...on-damage.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...al-damage.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...materials.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...compounds.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...siloxanes.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...llutants.html#



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...n-driving.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...treatment.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...am-vapour.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...eat-belts.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ver-paint.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ning-care.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...n-methods.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ning-care.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...akthrough.html





Detailing Tools





http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ay-layout.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1480179



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1476604









Detailing 102 -





http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1476617



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1476713



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ification.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1476636



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...abrasives.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...t-process.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-swelling.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ymers-etc.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ed-wheels.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ing-waxes.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...tra-10%25.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-cleaning.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1506615



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...gauge-ptg.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...sage-tips.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-cleaning.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...rs-part-i.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1476919



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1477006



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...fferences.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1477198



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1476120



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1496892



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ification.html













Detailing 103 -





http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1491159



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...detailing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...detailing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1472852









Health and Wellbeing -



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...wellbeing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...pment-ppe.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...lth-risks.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...njury-rsi.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...l-systems.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1471835











Business& Marketing -





http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...marketing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...-internet.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...g-clients.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...-business.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...-detailer.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/profess...-business.html

All these articles are Copyright © 2002-2012, TOGWT® (Established 1980) all rights reserved

Threads added

Threads added

Threads added

Threads added

Threads added

Thread added - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1465895

Article Revisions / Updates



The advent of new materials is why it’s so important to monitor the industries new products, chemical technologies and ideas that are constantly being introduced, as are the techniques for applying them, hence all of the in-depth articles and these extracts are constantly up-dated and revised



To be of real practical use; a subject like automotive detailing requires a great deal of research, and updating as new products become available. To this end the list of available articles will also be updated as they become available; with the ability to ask questions in real time the way a printed book cannot.





New threads added



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1468879



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1468955



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1469073



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1469091



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ning-care.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1469283



http://<a href="http://www.autopia.o...rt-ii.html</a>

Article Revisions / Updates November 2011



The advent of new materials is why it’s so important to monitor the industries new products, chemical technologies and ideas that are constantly being introduced, as are the techniques for applying them, hence all of the in-depth articles and these extracts are constantly up-dated and revised



To be of real practical use; a subject like automotive detailing requires a great deal of research, and updating as new products become available. To this end the list of available articles will also be updated as they become available; with the ability to ask questions in real time the way a printed book cannot.





New threads added



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1468879



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1468955



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1469073



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1469091



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ning-care.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1469283



http://<a href="http://www.autopia.o...rt-ii.html</a>



http://<a href="http://www.autopia.o...ost1470373</a>



http://<a href="http://www.autopia.o...ost1470876</a>



http://<a href="http://www.autopia.o...ost1471046</a>



http://<a href="http://www.autopia.o...ost1471253</a>

Hyperlinks up-dated to reflect new Detailing Wiki forum