A clean and well-maintained car can significantly improve your driving experience by making it more comfortable and enjoyable. PHOTO | ROLAND D NASASIRA
When you visit Elite Auto Detailing at Tales Lounge in Bukoto, Kampala, you will find a bustling atmosphere. Various detailers are engaged in different aspects of car care; some focus on washing the exterior, others vacuum the interior, and some polish the dashboard. This comprehensive approach goes far beyond a simple car wash, ensuring that every part of your vehicle is thoroughly cleaned and well-maintained.
For instance, consider the case of Rose Namara, who recently returned from a 10-day road trip with her family. The seats of her Toyota Noah, which were originally cream-coloured, had become brown due to food spills and stains, and the interior had developed an unpleasant odour. Despite regularly washing the car at home, Rose realised it needed professional help. She took it to a detailer, and after a week of intensive cleaning, her car looked as good as new. The cost for this level of service was Shs1.2m, but Rose felt it was worth it.
Esther Mpanju, the general manager at Elite Auto Detailing, explains that each car undergoes a thorough inspection before any cleaning begins. This inspection determines the level of cleaning required. In some cases, this might involve removing seats, carpets, and even tyres to ensure every inch of the car is meticulously cleaned.
Many people mistakenly believe that basic detailing is merely a simple wash, but true detailing requires significantly more effort and a higher level of cleaning.
Types of detailing
Car detailing can be divided into several categories based on the depth of the cleaning involved.
Basic detailing focuses on a deep cleaning of the interior. It typically includes removing the carpets and vacuuming every nook and cranny of the car, including under the seats and in the trunk. The dashboard is also thoroughly cleaned. Additionally, basic detailing covers the car's engine. Engine cleaning is essential to prevent rust and oxidation, and the method used; water, foam, or steam, depends on the type of engine to avoid damaging electrical components. For electric cars, foam or steam is preferred to ensure the safety of the electrical systems.
During standard detailing, the seats are often unscrewed and removed from the car for individual cleaning, which is particularly beneficial if the seats are stained or have developed odours. Specific cleaning agents are used for different parts of the car; leather seats are treated with a leather polish, plastic components receive a plastic shine, and tyres and rims are cleaned with a degreaser. This thorough cleaning is ideal for vehicles with heavy stains, food residue or odours that basic washing might not address.
Ceramic coating is a more advanced type of detailing used primarily to protect the car’s paint. Isaac Einau from Elite Auto Detailing, explains that this process involves applying a special coating that bonds with the car’s paint, offering long-lasting protection from harsh weather and environmental conditions. The application of ceramic coating is meticulous and can take two to three days to complete; rushing this process is discouraged. This detailing method helps maintain the car’s paint in a new condition for an extended period, shielding it from scratches, fading, and contaminants that could damage the finish.
Headlight restoration
This service can restore faded or foggy headlights to their original clarity. In some instances, headlights can even be re-chromed to improve their reflective properties.
Paint correction
If the exterior paint of your car has started to fade, paint correction is another available service. This process involves carefully sanding and polishing the faded paint before applying a protective film to prevent further damage.
After the detailing process, it is advisable to maintain your car by washing it regularly (every two weeks is ideal). This helps preserve the car's appearance and ensures that the cleaning agents used do not harm the paint over time.
Products used
A big part of car detailing is the use of specialised detergents that are designed for specific parts of the car. For example, car shampoo is used to clean the exterior of the car, while watermark removers are used to clear spots left on the windows when the car dries unevenly. Tyre wax and tyre shine restore the appearance of the tyres, giving them a fresh, glossy look. For the interior, vinyl and leather sprays are used to clean and restore plastic and leather components. Additionally, a de-rust lubricant is applied to remove rust from various parts of the car.
Once the car has been washed with shampoo, the next steps involve buffing, polishing, and waxing. Polishing is done using a rubbing compound, followed by the application of wax, which serves as the final protective layer for the paint.
Each of these steps uses different products designed to restore the car’s original condition and protect it from future damage.
Whether you plan to keep your car for years or are thinking about selling it, regular detailing ensures that your car stays in top condition. If your car has been exposed to dirt, stains, or odours, detailing can bring it back to life and restore that fresh, new-car feeling. So, next time your car is looking a little worse for wear, consider a professional detailing service.
