TOGWT® Detailing Articles (Index & Hyperlinks)

togwt · Aug 11, 2011

[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 [email protected]. 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 â€œThe Art and Science of Detailing â€œ 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 todayâ€™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 youâ€™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 . Iâ€™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 â€œHow it worksâ€™ but â€œWhy it worksâ€� and the chemicals involved with â€œWhat works â€œand in turn be educated by them. Because Iâ€™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 donâ€™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.

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 â€œThe Art and Science of Detailing â€œa 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 itâ€™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 manufacturerâ€™s recommendations.

Using the same application methods and products of one individual may or may not give you the similar results; but itâ€™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 manufacturerâ€™s recommendations. The price youâ€™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. Iâ€™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 individualâ€™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 donâ€™t know exactly what chemicals are used; Iâ€™m just offering my opinion as to â€˜how and whyâ€™ 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. Donâ€™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, itâ€™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.

Iâ€™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

TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki

togwt · Sep 1, 2011

Threads added

togwt · Sep 12, 2011

Threads added

togwt · Sep 21, 2011

Threads added

togwt · Oct 3, 2011

Threads added

togwt · Oct 8, 2011

Threads added

togwt · Oct 18, 2011

Thread added - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/138006-leather-care-products.html#post1465895

togwt · Nov 4, 2011

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-detailing/138225-removing-stains-leather.html#post1468879

http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-...ible-roadster-top-detailing.html#post1468955

http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/138248-polymers-part-i.html#post1469073

http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/138249-detailing-training-courses.html#post1469091[/U]

http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/138250-tyre-cleaning-care.html

http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-...ers-carnauba-wax-differences.html#post1469283

[url]http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/138297-polymers-part-ii.html [/url]

togwt · Nov 12, 2011

togwt · Nov 20, 2011

Hyperlinks up-dated to reflect new Detailing Wiki forum

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