In the coming decade, experts in car detailing will become more and more in demand. This is because many baby boomers who have been working in the industry for thirty-plus years are getting ready to retire.
If you love cars, this might be the perfect career for you, as automotive workers report higher than average levels of job satisfaction despite sometimes having to work with unpleasant fluids and stains. Have no fear, though—the actual removal of these stains isn’t tough as it seems.
Interested in a career in auto detailing? Check out these three tough stains you’ll face in your career, and how to remove them as easily as possible.
1. You’ll Learn How to Remove Salt Stains that Accumulate in the Winter
Students who undergo auto detailing training learn that the kind of salt that’s sprinkled all over ice in winter—in order to dissolve it and make it easier to drive—is not the same kind of salt you put in your food. Road salt is a mixture of sodium chloride (table salt), which dissolves in water, and both magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate, which do not dissolve in water. To dissolve the carbonates, professional detailers know you need to spray a half-vinegar half-water solution over the hardened stain; the acetic acid will break down the carbonates, making them dissolvable in water. Then you can simply blot the area with a wet cloth and remove the vinegar smell by spraying fabric cleaner in the car.
2. Auto Detailing Training Teaches You How to Remove Biological Stains
Biological stains, like urine, vomit, and blood, tend to make people a bit queasy. As such, customers are generally very reluctant to clean them, because of the smells and textures that come with these stains. However, auto detailing experts know that waiting is not a good idea when removing these stains because the process gets difficult if the specimen hardens. Those working in professional automotive detailing know that while these stains might be a little difficult, they can easily be cleaned with the right tools. Professionals recommend water and dishwashing liquid for blood or urine stains, and water and baking soda for vomit.
3. If You Understand Auto Detailing, You Know It’s Important to Remove Drink Stains Quickly
Recent studies have shown that up to 84 per cent of Canadian drivers eat and drink in their vehicles; a percentage that suggests the likelihood of drinks spilling and staining the interior of cars is high. Some can be handled easily, like coffee stains, which will disappear after the application of ArmorAll, even if the stain has hardened over time. Other drink stains, like fruit juice, are more difficult to remove and might need a mixture of vinegar and water to get them out completely.
A last one, milk, can be one of the toughest stains to remove. Professional detailers begin cleaning with a mixture of dishwashing liquid and cold water, but to completely remove the smell of milk, many recommend steam-cleaning.
With these handy tips and tricks at your disposal, you’ll be able to get even the toughest stains throughout your career!
Are you interested in a career in auto detailing?
Visit ATC for more information or to talk to an advisor!
