Is it a product or is it a service and process that you are focused on?

I am enjoying the Aquatek Singular product on my car, in lieu of a lot of thoughtful and meticulous detailing!

My motivation comes from hearing a very common contradiction.  I read the stories about failed expectations and skepticism of detailing services.  Within the text I read the customer mistakenly focused on a warranty, ceramic coating bottle, and erroneous marketing claims, but not the on the detailer and detailing process.

I am going to get straight to the point.

When you are wondering about the value of detailing are you focusing on the bottle or the person applying a coating as a step in the process?  I am referring to the standards set by the detailing business.  You are not buying a T.V.  If I told you that the guy off the street performs good surgery or some minimum wage employees will be taking care of you while you are under anesthesia, you would probably (at minimum) feel very uncomfortable.  Detailing is care for your car.  Don’t get impressed by brands, warranties, hardness ratings, or that too generous price for claimed service.

I understand detailing is not life or death, but at least in the medical arena there are systems in place that reduce malpractice.  There are minimal standards at best when it comes to holding a title of professional detailer.  The standards for product performance and durability are not as consistent or stringent as you think.  Evaluating the detailer, process, and service should rank above proclaimed product attributes from a brand or even detailing business.

What is the point of detailing?  Is it worth it?  Should you have your car coated?  These commonly asked questions, can only be truly answered by you.  It is your time, energy, and money.   If you balk at my comparison of a detailer to a medical professional based on the low value you place on detailing, that is understandable.  But for those that have expectations or care about their car, having those thoughts potentially speak volumes about your lack of intention in the vetting process for a quality service.

I have tested quite a few products.  Even dealership samples!  Often the best detailers want to use the best products.  We also spend significantly (hours to days) more time prepping your cars than those 5 to 15 minutes I have heard it takes to have the vehicle protection installed at the dealership.  Ultimately I can alter the quality of the final ‘protection’ product by altering the quality of my detailing process.  Ask yourself is a business selling someone else’s product or a professional detailing service and a process that takes real time?

“Well my paint is perfect.”  No it is not.  There are outliers and looks may not be as important to you.  Although finding out your car doesn’t look as good as you like/wished post detail, after rejecting certain packages, is your fault.  It is not about nor a detailing requisite to chase perfect paint or even removing swirls.  It is about getting a result short and long term, that you can say is worth it.  Often the process and services you may not believe are necessary are the key to getting you to that place of satisfaction.  The more advanced the service the more the question of qualifications, ethics, and mindset need to be answered.

Here are two videos produced years ago breaking down the importance of detailing processes.  I believe these are still relevant for anyone looking for a detail.