Auto Detailing Course

Lesson 1 • The Auto Preparer's Role

Defines the scope of work, daily duties, and professional expectations of an auto preparer. Anchors all subsequent technical training in real workplace context.

Lesson 2 • Vehicle Types and Terminology

Introduces common vehicle classifications, body styles, and trade terminology. Builds the vocabulary needed to follow instructions and complete inspection forms.

Lesson 3 • Workplace Safety Fundamentals

Covers personal protective equipment, chemical handling rules, and shop hazard awareness. Ensures safe behavior before students handle any vehicle or product.

Lesson 1 • Wheel and Tire Cleaning

Addresses brake dust removal, wheel cleaner chemistry, and tire dressing application. Clean wheels complete the exterior presentation and prevent corrosion.

Lesson 2 • Two-Bucket Hand-Wash Method

Teaches the two-bucket technique to prevent cross-contamination of wash media. Produces a clean surface free of swirl-inducing grit.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Wash Inspection

Identifies existing paint defects, trim damage, and sensitive areas before water is applied. Prevents misattributed damage claims and guides wash strategy.

Lesson 4 • Drying Techniques

Demonstrates air blowing, microfiber drying, and water-blade methods to eliminate water spots. Proper drying protects the paint before detailing steps begin.

Lesson 1 • Clay Bar Technique

Teaches clay bar lubrication, kneading, and panel-by-panel gliding to lift remaining bonded particles. Produces the glass-smooth surface required before polishing.

Lesson 2 • Iron and Fallout Removers

Covers pH-neutral and acidic iron removers, dwell times, and safe rinsing procedures. Chemical decontamination dissolves embedded particles without abrasion.

Lesson 3 • Tar and Adhesive Removal

Demonstrates solvent-based tar removers and safe application on painted and plastic surfaces. Removes road tar and adhesive residue without lifting clear coat.

Lesson 1 • Polishing Compounds and Pads

Explains abrasive grades in compounds and the cut-to-finish spectrum of foam and wool pads. Matching product to defect severity prevents unnecessary paint removal.

Lesson 2 • Paint Defect Identification

Trains the eye to classify swirl marks, buffer trails, water etching, and oxidation under inspection lighting. Accurate diagnosis prevents over-correction and wasted product.

Lesson 3 • Rotary Polisher Techniques

Introduces rotary polisher use for heavy defect removal, emphasizing heat management and pad control. Rotary work builds on dual-action skills and requires greater precision.

Lesson 4 • Dual-Action Polisher Operation

Covers speed settings, arm pressure, and panel overlap patterns for dual-action polishers. Builds safe machine technique before introducing rotary tools.

Lesson 1 • Paint Sealant Application

Covers synthetic sealant chemistry, application by machine or hand, and extended cure requirements. Sealants offer longer durability than wax for high-turnover inventory.

Lesson 2 • Ceramic Coating Fundamentals

Introduces consumer-grade ceramic coatings, surface preparation requirements, and application panels. Ceramic coatings demand a perfectly corrected, decontaminated surface.

Lesson 3 • Protection Product Selection

Guides decision-making based on vehicle age, paint condition, customer budget, and turnaround time. Connects all protection options into a practical dealership workflow.

Lesson 1 • Leather Cleaning and Conditioning

Covers pH-balanced leather cleaners, conditioning agents, and protection from UV degradation. Proper leather care preserves resale value and prevents cracking.

Lesson 2 • Vacuuming and Debris Removal

Covers vacuum attachment selection, seat track cleaning, and carpet agitation for deep debris removal. Thorough vacuuming is the foundation of every interior detail.

Lesson 3 • Interior Inspection and Preparation

Establishes a pre-clean checklist covering personal items, damage documentation, and product selection. Systematic preparation prevents missed areas and liability issues.

Lesson 4 • Odor Elimination Techniques

Addresses smoke, pet, and mildew odors using enzymatic treatments, ozone, and odor bombs. Odor removal is often the deciding factor in a customer's purchase decision.

Lesson 5 • Hard Surface Cleaning

Teaches dashboard, door panel, and center console cleaning with appropriate all-purpose cleaners. Correct dilution and agitation remove grime without damaging plastic or trim.

Lesson 1 • Exterior Glass and Mirror Cleaning

Covers exterior glass cleaning sequence, water spot removal, and rain-repellent coating application. Exterior glass clarity is a key element of first-impression presentation.

Lesson 2 • Interior Glass Cleaning

Teaches two-towel glass cleaning, off-gas film removal, and windshield reach technique. Clean interior glass improves visibility and signals quality to buyers.

Lesson 3 • Plastic Trim Restoration

Demonstrates trim restorer application on faded black plastic bumpers, moldings, and pillars. Restored trim dramatically improves the perceived value of pre-owned vehicles.

Lesson 4 • Final Inspection and Presentation

Establishes a walk-around final inspection checklist to catch missed spots before vehicle release. Consistent final checks ensure every vehicle meets dealership quality standards.

Lesson 1 • Product and Supply Management

Covers inventory tracking, product dilution discipline, and reorder triggers to prevent shortages. Controlled product use reduces waste and keeps preparation costs predictable.

Lesson 2 • Continuous Improvement Habits

Introduces self-review, peer feedback, and technique refinement as ongoing professional practices. Continuous improvement sustains quality as vehicle volume and complexity increase.

Lesson 3 • Efficient Multi-Vehicle Workflow

Introduces batch-processing techniques such as washing multiple vehicles before moving to polishing. Batching reduces setup time and increases vehicles completed per shift.

Lesson 4 • Quality Control Documentation

Establishes written inspection records, photographic documentation, and sign-off procedures. Documentation protects the preparer and dealership from damage liability disputes.