In Auto Detailing Training? What Happens During a Deep Cleaning?

If you’re considering a career in auto detailing, understanding what goes into a deep cleaning session is crucial. Deep cleaning isn’t just a quick vacuum or wash—it’s a meticulous process that restores a vehicle to near-showroom condition. As an auto detailing student, learning the details of this intricate procedure is key to mastering the skills needed to impress future clients.

Here’s a breakdown of what happens during a deep cleaning and why it’s essential to auto detailing training.

Exterior Deep Cleaning in Auto Detailing Training

The first step in a comprehensive deep cleaning is tackling the vehicle’s exterior. 

1. Pre-Wash and Foam Treatment: A thorough pre-wash is the initial step to loosen dirt and grime from the vehicle’s surface. This stage is essential to prevent scratches and damage. A foam cannon is often used to coat the car in a thick layer of soap, allowing it to soak in and soften the contaminants.

2. Hand Wash and Decontamination: A hand wash ensures no spot is missed after the foam treatment. Once the wash is complete, the car is decontaminated using clay bars, which remove embedded dirt and metal particles that have bonded to the paint.

3. Wheels and Tires: In auto detailing, the wheels and tires are often the dirtiest parts of a vehicle. In a deep cleaning session, specialized brushes and cleaners are used to restore the wheels to their original shine. Attention is also given to cleaning inside the wheel wells, an often overlooked area that can collect significant amounts of grime.

4. Paint Correction and Waxing: Once the car is cleaned, it may undergo paint correction. This involves buffing out scratches or swirl marks, making the car’s paint look new again. A wax or sealant is applied afterward to protect the finish from UV rays and contaminants.

Interior Deep Cleaning

The real magic of auto detailing begins when attention turns to the vehicle’s interior. Auto detailing training emphasizes attention to detail in this step, ensuring that every corner of the car’s cabin is thoroughly cleaned.

1. Vacuuming and Carpet Shampooing: The first task is to remove all debris by vacuuming the seats, floor mats, and hard-to-reach areas between the seats and the console. Deep cleaning requires students to use steam cleaners or specialized shampoo to lift stains from carpets and upholstery.

2. Leather and Upholstery Care: For vehicles with leather interiors, special care is taken to clean and condition the surfaces. This step helps maintain the leather’s softness and prevents cracking over time. Upholstered seats are treated with fabric protectors to guard against future stains.

3. Dash and Console Cleaning: Plastic, vinyl, and wood surfaces inside the vehicle are carefully cleaned and treated with products that restore their shine without leaving a greasy residue. Brushes and microfiber cloths are used to dust and polish even the most miniature air vents and control panels.

4. Odour Elimination: Odour elimination is one of the more advanced techniques taught in auto detailing training. Rather than masking smells with air fresheners, professional detailers use ozone generators or steam cleaning methods to permanently remove odours from the vehicle.

The Finishing Touches

After thoroughly cleaning the exterior and interior, detailers inspect the vehicle to ensure nothing is missed. Small but important details—like cleaning the windows, polishing chrome accents, and applying tire dressings—set a professional deep cleaning apart from a regular wash.

ATC Surrey’s Auto Detailing two-week program equips you with hands-on experience and practical skills, with 85% of training in the shop. From exterior prep to interior reconditioning, you’ll master essential techniques and earn an industry-recognized certificate, boosting your career potential.

Are you looking for an automotive school?

Contact ATC Surrey for more information.