Auto detailing is an important part of the automotive industry. It helps used cars look their best for new buyers and prepares new cars for showrooms. But there’s another important function of auto detailing that many customers find essential: it can help get rid of tough-to-remove odours.
For many drivers, a bad odour can make a car unpleasant to drive. Their car might be in perfect working order and have many more years left, but if it smells terrible once they get behind the wheel, they’ll dread using it.
If you plan to become a professional automotive detailer, then these customers might soon turn to you for help. Once you’ve completed an in-depth training program on car detailing, you’ll know exactly how to remove even the toughest odours and help your customers enjoy their cars once again.
Here’s a look at some of the steps you might take to remove odours during your career.
1. Finding the Source of Bad Odours is Key to Professional Automotive Detailing
The first step to eliminating a bad odour is to find its source. That’s why students learn to ask customers about when they first noticed the smell, and if they might know what caused it. In most cases, bad odours are caused by the following:
- pets riding in the car
- spilled drinks and forgotten food
- Mildew or mold
- smoking in the car
By knowing where an item was spilled or where a food was left, you’ll be able to begin eliminating those odours at the source and get your clients’ cars smelling their best again.
2. Wiping Down Surfaces and Shampooing Carpets Can Help Reduce Bad Odours
Once the source of the bad odour has been identified, the next step is to carefully wipe down, shampoo, and vacuum the car. Auto detailing pros know this step is crucial since bad odours can often cling to carpets and other surfaces, helping them to linger in the air. By carefully cleaning each nook and cranny, you might also encounter other bad odour culprits hidden in cracks or under seats.
Carefully wiping down a car helps to eliminate odours
Once you’ve finished, not only will your client have a clean car, but it should also be odour-free. If some bad odours are still present, though, there are a few more tools you’ll have up your sleeve.
3. Auto Detailing Pros Use Odour Eliminators to Help Neutralize Bad Smells
Students training to become auto detailing pros learn how to use a variety of professional-grade cleaners throughout their program. Some of these odour eliminators might contain enzymes that stop bacteria and organic material from decomposing. Others, like odour bombs, can remove even the toughest smells like cigarette smoke. If you encounter a tough odour during your auto detailing career, you’ll be able to use one of these products to neutralize that smell instead of just mask it with an air freshener.
4. Ozone Shock Treatment is an Effective Professional Automotive Detailing Technique
When even the toughest odour eliminators don’t stop a bad odour in its tracks, professional automotive detailing students know that there’s still one option left: an ozone shock treatment. An ozone shock treatment can kill all bacteria, mold, and mildew in a car by exposing them to lethal amounts of ozone.
As you’ll learn throughout your training and auto detailing career, ozone shock treatments need to be carefully performed to ensure all safety procedures are followed. No people or pets should be in the car during the treatment, and the car should be properly sealed to ensure that there are no leaks. Once the ozone treatment is done, detailing pros should make sure to air out the car.
Through each of these steps and treatments, you’ll be able to help your clients make their cars look and smell their best.
Are you ready to start your auto detailing career?
Visit ATC to learn more about our auto detailing training program or to speak with an advisor.
