Auto detailing is a career for those with a keen eye for the smallest of details and a strong dislike for dirt. The art of auto detailing entails cleaning a car to an exacting standard, both inside and out, so that it appears to be brand new. Cleaning, polishing, and waxing exterior and interior surfaces, as well as removing stains and debris, are all tasks that someone pursuing auto detailing training can expect to perform. Car detailing does not include the repair of paint, upholstery, mechanical, or chassis issues, despite the terms’ interchangeability. Automotive restoration specialists or auto body repair technicians handle these issues.
On-the-job training can help you learn a lot about auto detailing. Apprenticeships are a common way to get the training you need. Car detailing training is available at many two-year trade or technical schools. These classes are designed to teach the fundamentals of stain removal, paint and chrome sheen and luster restoration, upholstery renewal, and deodorization. Auto detailing training can be used in a variety of settings, including car dealerships, antique car specialty shops, and general auto repair shops, but it is not limited to these.
There are a number of commercially available auto detailing training videos available to the general public if automotive detailing is not intended as a career path, but rather as a hobby. While these educational videos provide a wealth of information, those interested in pursuing a career in automotive detailing will typically require more intensive hands-on training. Car detailing training can be pursued as a stand-alone specialty or in combination with other certifications to give students the ability to perform a variety of tasks and increase their employability. Auto detailing, like all professions in the automotive industry, is a physically demanding job that requires bending, stooping, kneeling, and contorting into strange positions in order to clean and polish the car to its peak condition.
When combined with other specialties such as paint restoration, upholstery, and general car maintenance, auto detailing training can provide a student with a skill set that will make him valuable in almost any job setting. Many people who have completed automotive detailer training do not work from a fixed location, but rather contract with various businesses or individuals on an as-needed basis. Workers with the aforementioned skills required for success in automotive restoration, on the other hand, are more likely to have a stable job and a steady stream of work.