Detailing: glossary

Here, in collaboration with the Esth'auto Forum, we offer a short glossary of technical detailing terms. 

50/50:
A comparative term between a section of bodywork or a vehicle element (seat, tire, carpet...) that has not been detailed and a section that has been detailed.
The 50/50 allows you to appreciate the result of a technique or a product.

Abrasive:
A product used to polish a surface by friction. It reduces the depth of micro-scratches (or removes them completely).
This product removes a layer of clear coat or paint.

Acrylic:
A product of the chemical industry.
Used for the purpose of protecting the bodywork. This product is often referred to in the detailing world as a SEALANT, which covers both polymer protections and acrylic polymer protections. This water-based product provides long-lasting protection for bodywork.

All In One (AIO):
The All-in-One.
A product with multiple functions. It can contain:
- cleaners (to clean the surface)
- and/or abrasives or fillers (to polish the clear coat)
- and/or oils (to nourish the paint)
- and/or a protection (provides long-lasting protection).
It is therefore often used as a base for other protections in order to best prepare the surface.

All Purpose Cleaner (APC):
A "multi-surface" cleaning product that can be used both outdoors and indoors.
It is diluted according to its application and the surface being treated. A very economical product in use.

Applicator:
Behind this name lies an indispensable accessory.
The most well-known is foam (Yellow). It also comes in microfiber. This accessory is used for applying detailing products, both indoors and/or outdoors.
There are also 'cotton swab'-type Applicators for applying products in the most hard-to-reach areas.

Backing Plate:
As its name indicates, it is a support plate.
It is used to attach Pads via Velcro and use them with the polisher.

Beading:
This is the water-repellent effect. The way water beads and slides off a bodywork that has been previously prepared and protected.

Single-stage paint:
Single-layer paint (often found on older vehicles). The gloss is built into the paint.
To find out if your car has this type of paint, simply rub a microfiber cloth on it. If the cloth picks up color, it is single-stage paint.
Note that polishing pads will be tinted with the color of the bodywork being worked on.

Buffing:
A technique generally using high-density microfiber to wipe a wax applied to the bodywork.
The purpose of this technique is to remove excess wax and achieve good protection and a beautiful shine.

Carnauba:
A wax of almost entirely natural, plant-based origin.
It can be found in liquid or paste form. It is the ultimate step in detailing.
Various Carnauba waxes are available depending on the surface and desired result.

Wax:
This is a generic term covering:
- Acrylic polymers.
- Polymers
- Carnaubas.
By definition, they provide a final finish to bodywork according to one's preferences.
They also protect paint and enable beading.

Clay Bar:
As its name suggests, it is a clay eraser.
An essential product for any detailer before any restoration work. This eraser removes the contaminants present on the clear coat.
By its action, it also removes waxes. It comes in various levels of abrasion and is used with a Clay Lube (a product that lubricates the clayed surface).

Cleaner:
A product with a cleaning (+/- degreasing) action. It is designed to prepare the surface before applying a wax.

Contamination:
This term covers the 'defects' that adhere to the bodywork — especially when it is poorly protected.
These are generally pollution and particles of all kinds. Their presence can damage the vehicle's paint.
To remove them, a simple wash is not enough; it is generally necessary to use a Clay Bar and its Clay Lube.

Compound:
It is a Polish. Therefore a renovator.
This product is also a powerful abrasive, allowing the correction of major defects.

Detailing:
This is the Anglo-Saxon term defining (generally) automotive aesthetic care.

Dry Aid:
A drying technique using a Quick Detailer (QD) spray.
This technique is carried out after rinsing the car and just before using a Waffle Weave or drying MF.
The goal is to prevent water spots and achieve a better finish.

Fillers:
A product for filling defects in the clear coat.
It is in fact a product that masks defects such as micro-scratches and Swirls.

Foam Gun / Foam Lance:
An accessory composed of a reservoir and a spray nozzle.
It attaches to a water source (high pressure or not) and enables the creation of pre-wash or wash foam.

Wash mitt:
A basic and indispensable washing accessory.
Generally made of microfiber or "sheepskin" (natural or synthetic). It provides the mechanical action during washing.

Glaze:
A product used to 'nourish' a paint finish. It somewhat replaces the oils lost through use and polishing.
It is also described as a gloss enhancer because it gives the vehicle a shiny appearance.

Grit Guard:
A car washing accessory.
It is an element placed at the bottom of a wash bucket. This type of perforated tray allows washing contaminants to sink to the bottom of the bucket and largely stay there. It helps prevent the creation of defects during washing by reducing the swirl effect.

Holograms:
This term refers to micro-scratches caused by improper washing technique or following the non-optimal use of a Compound.
These holograms are visible under any light and sometimes appear to be in motion.

Swirls :Lubrication :
A technique used to reduce friction between the surface (bodywork) and the accessory (MF).
This helps avoid micro-scratches. This technique is used during all phases of detailing with specific products (Shampoo, Clay Lube, IPA, Cleaner...).

Two-bucket method: A technique used during washing: one bucket for the shampoo, one bucket for rinsing. See FAQ: The two-bucket method, Guide Chapter 1 - washing and drying, and the tutorial The Art of Washing.

Microfiber:
Generally referred to as MF. It is a wiping accessory for products used in detailing.
There are therefore various types of MF. Generally, HD (High Density) microfibers are used for buffing, and Low Density ones for wiping polishing products or various other products.

Neutral:
Or Neutral or Safe. A product that does not affect protective products (Wax, for example). In this case, we speak of Safe-Wax.

HPW:
High Pressure Washer.

Orbital:
A polisher whose main axis follows orbital movements, which replicate the natural motion of the hand.
These polishers avoid excess heat and therefore prevent risks to the paint.
Rotation is measured in OPM (Orbits Per Minute) and not in RPM (Revolutions Per Minute).

Pad
Or pads/applicator pads. An accessory used to apply various products. Pads are available in foam or microfiber.
Depending on the pad, they can be used by hand or with a polisher.
There are also manual adapters for polisher pads.

Orange peel:
This well-known term describes a "grainy" effect on a painted surface.

Polisher:
An electric tool used to polish the bodywork.
Generally Rotary or Orbital. Available in various brands and with various options.

Polish:
An abrasive product composed of chemical elements for polishing a surface.
There are various levels of abrasion depending on the work to be carried out.

PTG:
A fairly expensive measuring tool used to determine the thickness of paint and clear coat.
Depending on the model, it can differentiate between the 2 types of layers.

Rotary:
A polishing machine based on a circular movement.
Its speed is measured in RPM (Revolutions Per Minute).
Slightly more delicate to use than an orbital due to the possibility of overheating the surface.

Sealant:
A synthetic protective wax.
Generally, this wax is composed of various 'acrylic' polymers and/or polymers.

Shampoo:
A product used for washing the vehicle.
It provides the lubrication phase and removes road film.
Always follow the dilution instructions.

Sheeting:
Represents the time it takes for water to evacuate from a protected bodywork.

Spit Shining:
A technique defined by the application of multiple successive layers of Carnauba-based wax.
This definition borrows the term used by military personnel when layering polish on their shoes.

Spots:
Marks produced by shampoo drying on the surface.
Generally, this is a defect caused by improper car washing technique. Shampoo drying due to excessive dwell time, poor rinsing, non-optimal temperature...

Swirls:
Or Swirl marks. These are micro-scratch type defects. Generally circular or V-shaped.

RPM:
Speed expressed in revolutions per minute.
Useful when working with a rotary polisher.
Generally, one works between 600 and 2000 RPM.

Clear coat:
It is a component of the painted bodywork. Generally transparent and very resistant.
It protects the paint from external aggressions such as UV rays, heat, solvents...

Waffle Weave:
A drying accessory. It is a microfiber with a large honeycomb surface.
This accessory allows a bodywork to be dried with as little contact as possible.

Water Blade:
A squeegee composed of a flexible silicone blade and a handle.
This accessory is a drying technique based on rapidly evacuating water, preferably on flat surfaces.
It is used as a substitute for or complement to other drying techniques.

Wet Sanding:
A technique consisting of sanding the paint using very abrasive products.
Generally, sandpaper ranging from coarser to finer grits, with a water-based preparation as the name implies.
This technique is used in the case of significant scratches or when touching up paint.

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