Car Detailing Course

Lesson 1 • Automotive Paint Layer Anatomy

Covers the composition and function of each paint layer from substrate to clear coat. Provides the structural baseline needed for all subsequent defect and correction work.

Lesson 2 • Environmental Factors Affecting Paint

Examines UV exposure, humidity, temperature, and contaminants as degradation agents. Understanding these factors informs protection strategy selection.

Lesson 3 • Common Paint Defects Identified

Catalogs swirl marks, scratches, oxidation, water spots, and etching with visual examples. Accurate defect identification drives correct product and technique selection.

Lesson 4 • Paint Hardness and Softness Ratings

Explains how OEM paint hardness varies by manufacturer and affects abrasive selection. Students learn to test hardness using pencil hardness and scratch tests.

Lesson 1 • Workspace Safety and Organization

Establishes lighting requirements, ventilation standards, chemical storage, and electrical safety for a detailing bay. A properly organized workspace reduces errors and protects health.

Lesson 2 • Backing Plates and Pad Attachment

Covers backing plate sizes, flex ratings, and hook-and-loop pad attachment systems. Proper plate and pad pairing prevents vibration, heat buildup, and pad failure.

Lesson 3 • Polishing Pad Materials and Grades

Explains foam, microfiber, and wool pad compositions and their cutting, polishing, and finishing roles. Pad selection directly controls abrasion level and finish quality.

Lesson 4 • Hand Tools and Applicators

Introduces clay bars, foam applicators, microfiber towels, and detailing brushes for manual work. Hand tools complement machine work and access areas machines cannot reach.

Lesson 1 • Two-Bucket Contact Wash Method

Details the two-bucket wash system with grit guards to minimize swirl introduction during contact washing. This method is the industry standard for scratch-safe washing.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Wash and Snow Foam Application

Teaches foam cannon dilution ratios, dwell times, and rinsing to loosen bulk contamination safely. Pre-washing prevents wash-induced scratches in subsequent contact stages.

Lesson 3 • Chemical Decontamination Processes

Covers iron fallout removers, tar and adhesive removers, and all-purpose cleaners for chemical contamination. Chemical decontamination dissolves bonded particles that washing cannot remove.

Lesson 4 • Panel Wipe-Down and IPA Prep

Teaches isopropyl alcohol panel wipe-down to remove oils, waxes, and residues before polishing. IPA prep ensures accurate defect visibility and product bonding.

Lesson 1 • Product Application Rates and Priming

Covers correct product volume, pad priming, and spread technique to achieve consistent abrasive performance. Incorrect application rates cause dry buffing, product waste, and uneven correction.

Lesson 2 • Finishing Polishes and Gloss Enhancement

Explains how finishing polishes remove light haze, enhance gloss, and prepare the surface for protection. The finishing stage determines the final visual quality of the correction.

Lesson 3 • Machine Settings for Compounds

Defines speed, pressure, and pass count settings for each compound type on rotary and dual-action machines. Correct machine settings maximize correction efficiency and prevent heat damage.

Lesson 4 • Compound Selection by Defect Depth

Maps defect severity to compound aggressiveness using a correction hierarchy from heavy cut to finishing. Correct compound selection minimizes paint removal while achieving full correction.

Lesson 1 • Rotary Polisher Advanced Technique

Covers rotary-specific skills including speed ramping, cross-hatch patterns, and heat management on hard paint. Rotary technique unlocks faster correction on difficult defects when used safely.

Lesson 2 • Multi-Stage Paint Correction

Teaches the two-step and three-step correction sequences for heavily defected or neglected paint. Multi-stage correction maximizes defect removal while preserving maximum clear coat thickness.

Lesson 3 • Body Panel Geometry and Access

Maps flat, curved, and recessed panel areas and explains how geometry affects machine angle and pressure. Panel awareness prevents edge burn and ensures even correction across complex surfaces.

Lesson 4 • Single-Stage Correction Workflow

Walks through a complete one-step compound-and-finish process for moderately defected paint. Single-stage correction is the most common professional service and must be executed efficiently.

Lesson 1 • Wax Application by Hand and Machine

Teaches thin, even wax application using foam applicators and finishing pads on a dual-action polisher. Correct application thickness maximizes bonding and simplifies removal.

Lesson 2 • Carnauba Wax Chemistry and Grades

Explains carnauba wax origin, purity grades, and how blending affects gloss, durability, and application ease. Wax grade knowledge guides product selection for client expectations and climate.

Lesson 3 • Synthetic Paint Sealant Technology

Covers polymer and acrylic sealant chemistry, bonding mechanisms, and durability advantages over wax. Sealants provide longer-lasting protection and are preferred in harsh climates.

Lesson 4 • Sealant Application and Layering

Details sealant application, flash time, and multi-layer stacking to build protection depth. Layering technique increases durability without causing product buildup or haze.

Lesson 1 • Curing Conditions and Verification

Covers initial cure, full cure timelines, IR lamp acceleration, and water bead testing to verify coating performance. Proper curing determines the coating's final hardness and durability.

Lesson 2 • Ceramic Coating Chemistry Overview

Explains SiO2 and TiO2 chemistry, hydrophobic bonding, and how coatings form a semi-permanent layer. Understanding chemistry enables correct application timing and environment control.

Lesson 3 • Coating Application Technique

Teaches suede applicator loading, cross-hatch application pattern, and panel-by-panel sequencing. Consistent application ensures uniform thickness and prevents high spots.

Lesson 4 • Flash Time and High Spot Removal

Explains how to read flash indicators, level high spots with microfiber, and avoid streaking during cure. Missed high spots cure into permanent blemishes requiring abrasive removal.

Lesson 1 • Film Installation on Flat Panels

Teaches hood, roof, and trunk lid installation including slip positioning, squeegee technique, and edge wrapping. Flat panel installation builds foundational film handling skills.

Lesson 2 • PPF Material Types and Properties

Compares TPU and TPH film constructions, self-healing top coats, and optical clarity grades. Material knowledge guides product selection for client budget and protection requirements.

Lesson 3 • Edge Finishing and Cure Management

Covers edge sealing, heat activation of adhesive, and cure environment requirements for PPF. Proper edge finishing prevents lifting, peeling, and contamination ingress under the film.

Lesson 4 • Pre-Cut Pattern Software and Kits

Explains how digital pattern libraries and plotters produce pre-cut kits for specific vehicle models. Pre-cut kits reduce installation time and minimize film waste on common vehicles.