Auto detailing – the practice of performing an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing of an automobile, both inside and out, to produce a show-quality level of detail. It can be practiced for personal satisfaction, and it is also performed to prepare a car for a Concours d’Elegance (often shortened to just Concours), a car show that features the appearance of cars. Elements of exterior detailing include claying, polishing, paint defect correction, and waxing. Interior detailing involves the cleaning of the interior of a vehicle using vacuums, liquid cleaners, and brushes. Engine detailing involves cleaning the engine bay area of dirt and grease by using degreasers and all-purpose cleaners.

Originating in Southern California, USA, detailing has spread across the USA and beyond and has established itself as more than a passing fad. Today, there are more than 50,000 detailers in operation across the USA and are cleaning up with average annual sales of $100,000.

Detailing does not include body work, painting, mechanical repair or upholstery work. It involves bringing the car to its maximum appearance potential through waxing and polishing the exterior paint, chrome, and wheels and thoroughly cleaning the seats and upholstery. Some detailers offer rust-proofing and undercoating services in addition to paint sealant and interior sealant applications. And some even provide vinyl or convertible top repairs, although many detailers have found that it’s more profitable to hand this work over to other tradesmen.

This little known but vital part of the huge automobile aftermarket is a “sleeper” that can be incredibly profitable. On a volume basis, detailers “prep” new and trade-in used cars for dealers. But the highest profits per car come from performing high-quality, cosmetic maintenance on automobiles owned by proud private parties.

Most auto detailers are craftsmen, not businessmen. Few promote their service aggressively; many are in out-of-the-way locations such as alley garages and parking lots. Not many realize the true profit potential. Even under these circumstances, average gross profits in this loosely-knit industry are $150,000, with pretax net profits in the $95,000 range. This represents an average of 37 to 41 percent of total sales. These lucrative margins result from low operating expenses for shoestring operations.

Auto Window Film Increases Safety in Side-Impact Collisions

ST. LOUIS, October 9 /PRNewswire/ –

- LLumar(R) Safety Film Test Yields Dramatic Results

For years, car owners have turned to security window film for solar protection and to deter “smash and grab” theft. Now they can add another important reason to install LLumar(R) safety film to their vehicles’ windows: added protection in the event of a side-impact collision.

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LLumar safety film was put to the test recently at DEKRA Automobil Test Center, an independent automotive testing laboratory in Klettwitz, Germany. The test demonstrated how the film would perform in the event of a side-impact collision, and the results were dramatic.

Using the frame of an Audi 80, two different driver-side doors were installed — one with no film and one with LLumar 7-mil safety film. An acceleration sled simulated a 16-kph pole impact. The unfilmed glass shattered and flew into the driver’s face and body, while the glass using LLumar was completely contained by the film.

“This test clearly demonstrates the benefit of LLumar safety film in the event of an accident,” says Lisa Winckler, Director of Product Development and Technology for CPFilms, manufacturer of LLumar film. “With a growing body of research indicating that side-impact collisions are often more deadly to passengers than frontal collisions, the protection LLumar film provides can play a critical role in passenger safety.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that motor vehicle crashes will be the third major cause of injury and death by 2020, and studies indicate that side impacts result in more deaths and injuries to the head, chest and spine than frontal crashes. A study conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers found that one-third of the fatalities from side collisions were passengers seated on the opposite side of the vehicle from the site of impact.

LLumar safety film can not only protect passengers from flying glass and debris in these accidents; it also helps support side airbag systems by keeping the airbags from being forced outward through shattered window openings and deters passenger ejection through broken windows — the leading cause of death in accidents.

Once provided in only the most expensive lines of Audi, BMW and Mercedes vehicles, this multilayered, optically clear polyester film now can be professionally installed as a retrofit application to any vehicle in a matter of hours. Vehicle owners also have the option of selecting LLumar solar safety film, which not only protects against injury and smash-and-grab theft but also against heat gain and damaging ultraviolet rays.