I respectfully disagree with this.
IMO the heart of detailing is correcting both whatever it is the client is concerned about, and all the DETAILS that the client doesn't even realize makes the vehicle "pop". I know paint correction is perhaps the most glamorous to many, but I think calling it the "heart of detailing" is a bit overboard.
What about the client that has paint in good condition but stains all over the interior, would not completely renewing and correcting the interior be just as much at the heart of detailing as removing some swirls?
Consider the completely faded and dried trim on an Avalanche or Jeep, wouldn't restoring it to like new appearance be just as critical as polishing the typical swirls out?
I've detailed vehicles both professionally and personally that I have spent just as much if not more time on the interior as I did doing paint correction. Not all paint requires heavy correction, but the vehicle still needs a good detail.
Don't get me wrong, I agree full heartedly that there is a large difference between washing a car and detailing a car, but as someone mentioned earlier "detailing" is very subjective. I work with a gal who bragged about how good her car looked cause she just got it detailed, I looked at it and it was no more than washed, vacuumed and wiped down with some shiny stuff, but in her mind that was detailed, and she was a very pleased client.
A detailer in my mind should be able to offer expertise and proficiency in all areas of reconditioning requiring no paint or material replacement. The exception being paint less dent removal, although if I was going to do Detailing full time for a living, I would likely add that to my repertoire of skills.
Now on the flip side, I understand why a true detailer would be miffed by a company calling themselves a detailer and not really detailing. In many demographics it makes it very difficult to explain why your detail is in the neighborhood of $700-$1,000, when the other "detailers" are in the $150 range (those prices are just for my market).
Well said and very good points.
This conversation has been a bit over simplified, and we have all been speaking in very general terms for the most part.
It is important to point out that the nature of the word detail implies a host of professional services.
The majority of businesses that advertise detail, but only offer simple interior and exterior cleanings:
- Do not offer paint correction.
- Are often not licensed and insured, nor paying taxes.
- Do not typically inventory necessary tools and products to address challenges that present themselves on the job, even for thorough cleaning only jobs.
- Etc.....
There are vehicles with paint and clear coat in good shape, and not in immediate need of paint correction.
However, all paint and clear coat could use a complete decontamination and complete protection application at the end.
These steps would not be covered under a thorough cleaning.
Interior details are as important as exterior details, in my opinion.
I always advise new detailers to become interior experts first, before paint correction experts.
Trashed interiors are common on most details, and all detailers will serve themselves much better to know the different types of stains they are dealing with, know the best products to address the specific stains, and have the right tools that make everyone's life easier.
I also find interiors to be a very time consuming process, and often as much time as exteriors.
Trim restoration is certainly part of detailing.
It is necessary for almost all vehicles at some point, and beneficial for all detailers to offer such a service.
This is another thing not included in a thorough cleaning.
There is certainly a level of subjectivity in professional detailing.
However, the more qualified, skilled, and experienced the detailer, the less subjective the profession of detailing becomes.
The less qualified, less skilled, and less experienced the detailer, the more subjective everything becomes.
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