The Benefits of Detailing

This posting will be about some of the benefits of detailing. How can having my vehicle detailed benefit me above and beyond getting a clean vehicle in the end?  
1. Detailing your vehicle can prolong its life.  
- Allowing dirt, dust, stains, and other things to build up on your vehicle inside and out can ultimately bring an untimely demise to your vehicle mechanically, aesthetically, and electronically. 
- When dirt and grime build up on your vehicle’s paint it wears it down not only reducing the shine and brilliance of the paint and trim, but also diminishing the ability of the paint to provide protection to the body parts, whether steel, aluminum, plastic, or carbon fiber.
- When dirt, grease, and grime are allowed to build up in your engine bay it can put your engine in a world of hurt as the dirt buildup can start to infiltrate your engine gaskets and bushings, interfere with sensors, and degrade the hoses of the cooling and oil systems of the vehicle. Keeping the engine bay clean can also make your mechanic’s job easier in identifying and fixing problems under the hood when they do occur, sometimes reducing the labor cost when repairs are needed.
- Keeping your interior clean keeps the upholstery and carpets looking fresher longer. There will continue to be wear and tear as the vehicle is used, but keeping the leather, plastic, and vinyl clean and conditioned will help keep up a more presentable appearance. Keeping the radio and controls areas clean and dust free will help prevent controls from malfunctioning causing sometimes costly repairs to restore their functions.
2. Detailing your vehicle can mean safer driving conditions.
- Keeping your glass and headlights clean and in good condition can improve visibility at night as well as in the snow and rain.
- Keeping areas like your wheel wells and the components in that area clean and in good shape can help prevent unnecessary failures in the braking system allowing your vehicle to stop more reliably.

3. Detailing your vehicle can promote better health physically and mentally.
- Keeping your interior detailed not only helps increase the life of the vehicle, but it can reduce the spread of harmful germs, bacteria, allergens, and even viruses. As we consume food and drink in our vehicles, we may drop crumbs and spill liquids and then touch handles, steering wheels, buttons, the dashboard, and other surfaces. In doing so, we transfer grease and oils onto those surfaces. The longer they are allowed to stay on these surfaces germs and contaminants are allowed to grow and spread. It would be irresponsible to say it will completely prevent health issues considering the current COVID-19 pandemic, but it can certainly help.  
- Keeping your vehicle detailed helps mental health as well. No, it won’t cure your depression or bipolar disorder, but you will feel a little happier and focused in a neat and clean area. We spend a lot of time in our vehicles just like we spend a lot of time in our homes. It’s a good feeling to enter a clean space free of debris and clutter.
4. Detailing your vehicle can be a source of personal pride and joy.
- Whether you are an automotive enthusiast, or your vehicle is mainly there to serve a purely utilitarian purpose you will still look forward to seeing and using your vehicle when it is clean and well maintained. Your vehicle is an extension and representation of what kind of person you are, and how the appearance of your vehicle is maintained helps contribute to that representation of you. While we have a purpose for buying a certain type of vehicle, we have choices in the brand and trim levels as well as buying new or used. Buying a vehicle is more than just the purchase of a thing that will most likely lose most, if not all of its value as certain celebrity financial gurus might want you to think even if she isn’t totally wrong. For many of us the purchase of a vehicle is the second largest (sometimes the largest) purchase we will ever make and make multiple times in our lives. We spend a lot of money to get our vehicles and they are an investment not so much in the object, but in our emotions and building our lives. Whether we admit it or not, our emotions toward our vehicles are quite distinct. Those monster pickups and SUVs, luxury sedans, and sports cars that feel like they ride on rails speak to us. So, the least we can do is take care of them to maintain our own pride and joy.

Next time I will cover the importance of maintaining the condition of your vehicle's paint, and it's not just for appearance. Isn't it time you did something really special for your vehicle?