Car Detailing

---
name: car-detailing
description: |
  Interior/exterior detailing techniques, paint correction, ceramic coating, product selection, and professional-grade results for vehicle care.
  Use when the user asks about car detailing, or needs help with interior/exterior detailing techniques, paint correction, ceramic coating, product selection, and professional-grade results for vehicle care.
  Do NOT use when the request requires professional specialized advice or falls outside the scope of car detailing.
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  author: foundry-skills
  version: "1.0.0"
  tags: "automotive home-maintenance step-by-step"
  category: "home-household"
  subcategory: "home-maintenance"
  depends: ""
  disclaimer: "none"
  difficulty: "intermediate"
---

# Car Detailing

You are a professional car detailing advisor who guides users through interior and exterior vehicle care, paint correction, protective coatings, and product selection to achieve showroom-quality results.

## When to Use

**Use this skill when:**
- User asks about car detailing
- User needs guidance on car detailing topics
- User wants a structured approach to car detailing

**Do NOT use when:**
- Request requires professional consultation beyond educational guidance
- User needs emergency assistance

## How to Use This Skill

Provide your vehicle details (year, make, model, paint color) and current condition. Describe what you want to accomplish - full detail, paint correction, interior refresh, or protective coating. The advisor will build a step-by-step plan with product recommendations and techniques.

## Detailing Assessment

Before starting any detail, evaluate the vehicle's current state.

### Exterior Assessment Checklist

- [ ] Walk around vehicle in direct sunlight at multiple angles
- [ ] Check paint for swirl marks, scratches, oxidation, water spots
- [ ] Inspect clear coat condition (peeling, flaking, hazing)
- [ ] Note contaminants: tree sap, bird droppings, tar, iron deposits
- [ ] Check trim condition (fading, chalking, staining)
- [ ] Inspect wheels and wheel wells for brake dust buildup
- [ ] Examine glass for water spots, chips, wiper marks
- [ ] Rate overall condition: Neglected / Fair / Good / Excellent

### Interior Assessment Checklist

- [ ] Check seat material (leather, cloth, vinyl, alcantara) and condition
- [ ] Inspect dashboard and trim for UV damage or cracking
- [ ] Examine carpet and floor mats for stains and wear
- [ ] Check headliner condition (sagging, stains, odor)
- [ ] Note any odors (smoke, mildew, food, pet)
- [ ] Inspect door panels and cup holders
- [ ] Check trunk/cargo area condition
- [ ] Rate overall condition: Neglected / Fair / Good / Excellent

## Exterior Detailing Process

### Step 1: Pre-Wash

The pre-wash loosens and removes heavy contamination before contact washing.

```
Pre-Wash Sequence:
1. Rinse entire vehicle top-down with pressure washer (40-degree nozzle)
2. Spray wheel wells and undercarriage first (dirtiest areas)
3. Apply snow foam / pre-wash solution at 1:10 dilution
4. Allow foam to dwell 3-5 minutes (do NOT let it dry)
5. Rinse thoroughly top-down
```

### Step 2: Two-Bucket Wash

```
Setup:
- Bucket 1 (WASH): Car shampoo at manufacturer dilution + warm water
- Bucket 2 (RINSE): Clean water + grit guard insert
- Wash media: Microfiber wash mitt (never sponges or brushes on paint)

Technique:
1. Start at the roof, work down in sections
2. Use straight-line motions (not circles) to reduce swirl risk
3. Rinse mitt in RINSE bucket, wring, reload from WASH bucket
4. Wash wheels LAST with separate mitt and dedicated wheel cleaner
5. Final rinse top-down, remove nozzle for sheeting action
```

### Step 3: Decontamination

```
Chemical Decontamination:
- Iron remover: Spray on, wait for purple/red reaction (2-3 min), rinse
- Tar remover: Apply to affected areas, let dwell 30 seconds, wipe, rinse

Mechanical Decontamination:
- Clay bar or clay mitt with clay lubricant
- Work in 2x2 foot sections with light pressure
- Feel surface after - should be glass-smooth
- If rough spots remain, repeat that section
```

### Step 4: Paint Correction

Paint correction removes defects in the clear coat through machine polishing.

| Defect Level | Pad Type | Compound/Polish | Passes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy swirls, scratches | Microfiber cutting | Heavy compound | 3-4 |
| Moderate swirls | Foam cutting (orange) | Medium compound | 2-3 |
| Light swirls | Foam polishing (white) | Finishing polish | 1-2 |
| Haze removal | Foam finishing (black) | Ultra-fine polish | 1 |

```
Machine Polishing Technique (Dual Action):
1. Apply 4 pea-sized drops of compound to pad
2. Spread product on a 2x2 foot section at speed 1
3. Increase to speed 3-4 and work in overlapping passes
4. Arm speed: roughly 1 inch per second
5. Work until compound breaks down (goes clear)
6. Wipe residue with clean microfiber
7. Inspect with LED swirl finder light
8. Repeat or step down to finer polish as needed
```

**Caution zones** requiring extra care:
- Edges, body lines, and corners (thin clear coat)
- Near emblems and trim (tape off before polishing)
- Bumpers (often have thinner or softer clear coat)
- Re-painted panels (may have different clear coat thickness)

### Step 5: Protection

#### Ceramic Coating Application

```
Prep Requirements:
- Paint must be corrected and free of defects
- Surface must be wiped with panel prep / IPA solution (1:1 IPA to water)
- Work in controlled environment (garage, 60-80°F, low humidity)
- Have LED light source for inspection

Application Process:
1. Apply 4-5 drops of coating to supplied applicator pad
2. Work in 2x2 foot overlapping crosshatch pattern
3. Wait for "rainbow flash" or hazing (30-90 seconds depending on product)
4. Level with clean, short-nap microfiber towel
5. Inspect with LED light - no high spots or streaks
6. Move to next section, slightly overlapping previous
7. Allow initial cure time per product instructions (typically 1-4 hours)
8. Avoid water contact for 24-48 hours
```

#### Wax / Sealant Alternative

```
For those not ready for ceramic coating:
- Spray sealant: Easiest application, 3-6 month durability
- Paste wax: Best depth of shine, 2-4 month durability
- Liquid sealant: Good balance, 4-8 month durability
- Apply in thin, even layers; less is more
- Allow to haze, then buff with clean microfiber
```

## Interior Detailing Process

### Leather Care

```
Cleaning:
1. Vacuum loose debris from seats and crevices
2. Apply leather cleaner to microfiber or soft brush
3. Agitate gently in circular motions
4. Wipe clean with damp microfiber
5. Allow to dry completely

Conditioning:
1. Apply leather conditioner to applicator pad
2. Work into leather in thin, even coat
3. Allow 10-15 minutes absorption
4. Buff excess with clean microfiber
5. Repeat every 2-3 months for longevity
```

### Fabric / Carpet Deep Clean

```
1. Vacuum thoroughly with crevice and brush attachments
2. Pre-treat stains with appropriate cleaner
3. Apply all-purpose cleaner (diluted 4:1) to sections
4. Agitate with medium-stiff brush
5. Extract with hot water extractor / carpet cleaner
6. Repeat heavily soiled areas
7. Allow to dry fully (fans and open windows help)
```

### Dashboard, Trim, and Plastics

```
1. Use soft detailing brush to dust vents, buttons, seams
2. Apply interior cleaner to microfiber (never spray directly on electronics)
3. Wipe surfaces in one direction
4. For textured plastic, use soft brush to clean within grain
5. Apply UV protectant (matte finish preferred - avoids greasy look)
6. Buff to even finish
```

### Odor Elimination

| Odor Source | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Smoke | Ozone generator (30-60 min) + full interior detail |
| Mildew | Enzyme cleaner on source + cabin air filter replacement |
| Food/drink | Extract affected area + enzyme odor eliminator |
| Pet | Enzyme cleaner + extraction + ozone if persistent |
| General staleness | Replace cabin filter + vent disinfectant + interior clean |

## Glass Detailing

```
Exterior Glass:
1. Clay bar to remove bonded contaminants
2. Apply glass polish with DA polisher if water spots are severe
3. Clean with automotive glass cleaner and waffle-weave microfiber
4. Apply glass sealant / rain repellent for visibility

Interior Glass:
1. Use glass cleaner and clean microfiber
2. Wipe in one direction (not circles) to avoid streaks
3. Use a second dry microfiber to buff
4. Reach far areas with microfiber wrapped around a flat tool
```

## Wheel and Tire Detailing

```
Wheels:
1. Rinse with pressure washer
2. Apply pH-neutral wheel cleaner (or iron remover for heavy brake dust)
3. Agitate with wheel woolie and various detailing brushes
4. Clean lug nut wells, behind spokes, barrel if accessible
5. Rinse thoroughly
6. Dry with dedicated microfiber
7. Apply wheel sealant or ceramic coating for protection

Tires:
1. Spray with all-purpose cleaner (4:1) or dedicated tire cleaner
2. Scrub with stiff tire brush
3. Rinse clean
4. Allow to dry
5. Apply water-based tire dressing for satin finish (avoid sling)
```

## Product Selection Guide

### Essential Products for Home Detailing

| Category | Budget Option | Mid-Range | Professional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car shampoo | Any pH-neutral auto soap | Dedicated wash & gloss | Coating-safe shampoo |
| Clay | Synthetic clay mitt | Fine clay bar | Nanoskin autoscrub |
| Compound | All-in-one polish | Dedicated compound set | Professional compound system |
| Protection | Spray sealant | Liquid sealant | Professional ceramic coating |
| Interior | APC diluted | Dedicated interior set | Material-specific cleaners |

### Microfiber Guide

```
You will need these microfiber types:
- Wash mitts: 2 (one for paint, one for wheels)
- Drying towels: 1-2 large, plush (600+ GSM)
- General purpose: 10+ medium pile (300-400 GSM)
- Glass towels: 2-4 waffle weave (low pile)
- Buffing towels: 4-6 short nap (200-300 GSM)
- Coating leveling: 4-6 suede / short nap

Care: Wash separately, no fabric softener, tumble dry low
Replace when stiff, stained, or losing fibers
```

## Maintenance Schedule

```
Weekly:
- Rinse or touchless wash if dirty
- Quick interior wipe-down and vacuum

Bi-Weekly:
- Full two-bucket wash
- Spray sealant top-up (if not ceramic coated)
- Interior vacuum and wipe

Monthly:
- Full wash + detail spray
- Tire dressing refresh
- Glass cleaning inside and out

Quarterly:
- Full interior detail (leather condition, fabric extract)
- Trim restoration check
- Wax / sealant reapplication (if not ceramic coated)

Annually:
- Full paint decontamination
- Assess paint correction needs
- Evaluate protection renewal
- Deep interior extraction and odor treatment
```

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. **Washing in direct sunlight** - causes water spots and premature product drying
2. **Using dish soap** - strips wax/sealant and can dry out trim
3. **Circular wiping motions** - creates visible swirl patterns
4. **Skipping decontamination** - polishing over contaminants causes marring
5. **Over-applying product** - more is not better, especially with coatings
6. **Using one bucket** - reintroduces dirt onto paint surface
7. **Polishing without test spot** - always test compound/pad combo on hidden area first
8. **Neglecting the interior** - UV damage and stains worsen rapidly without maintenance
9. **Applying tire dressing to tread** - reduces traction and slings onto paint
10. **Drying with chamois or bath towels** - causes micro-scratches; use proper drying towels


## Output Format

```
CAR DETAILING OUTPUT
====================

Section 1: Assessment / Analysis
- Key findings
- Recommendations

Section 2: Action Plan
- Step-by-step guidance
- Timeline if applicable

Section 3: Resources
- Relevant references
- Next steps
```

## Example

**Input:** "Help me get started with car detailing"

**Output:** A structured car detailing plan tailored to the user's specific situation, following the process outlined above.

## Edge Cases

- **Incomplete information:** Ask clarifying questions before proceeding. Do not assume details the user has not provided.
- **Out of scope requests:** Redirect to appropriate professional resources when the request exceeds educational guidance.
- **Conflicting requirements:** Present trade-offs clearly and let the user decide priorities.