Find Your Flow in the Ritual of Detailing

From the first wash to the final walk-around, detailing is more than maintenance. It's a practice that transforms you and your car.

If you're reading this, you're either on your way to discovering or already believe detailing is important. For some, detailing is about cleaning their car because they hate seeing it dirty; they want their car to be the best-looking vehicle on the road – or the best on their street. It's an outlet, a way to get in the flow, or all of the above.

Regardless of the reason for the detail, there is a ritual in the act of detailing. 

Defining the Ritual

Webster's Dictionary defines a ritual as an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set, precise manner. A ritual is more than just a habit – it's structured, accurate, and intentional. Detailing differs from the regular act of washing your car because it involves a series of procedures that help you bring out the best in your car's appearance.

Detailing is about selecting specific products specifically made for caring for your car, rather than grabbing the dish soap because it's handy and you want it done fast.

A ritual helps you shift your mindset from a simple 'wash' to an authentic 'detail'.  

Tools of the Ritual

As I just alluded to, the ritual of detailing requires the right tools for the job. For those just getting into detailing, this is where they can end up going down the deep rabbit hole of forums and influencer videos to figure out what tools and products they need for a proper detail.

For proper detail, we must shift away the ragged, used bath towel to quality microfiber towels, and a toothbrush to a quality detail brush. Establishing a core set of products and tools is key.

Steps in the Ritual

Wash: foundation for everything else.

Every proper detail begins with a thorough wash. At Detailers Finest Academy, we recommend using a car wash shampoo that's safe for automotive surfaces (either in the form of a hand wash shampoo or foam wash shampoo) and utilizing a two-bucket wash system (one for wash and one for rinse). All applied with a quality microfiber wash mitt and dried with a quality microfiber towel.

Decontaminate: clay, iron removers, tar removal.

Once a year (ideally, twice a year), clay bar your car's paint to remove unseen contaminants that can cause the paint to feel gritty even though it appears clean. Your paint will be incredibly smooth afterwards and will prevent the appearance of those mysterious yellow spots, caused by iron contaminants.

Correct: polishing, restoring clarity and depth.

Polishing is the step most people forget, but it's the one that makes the most significant difference. Polishing is what cleans the paint, removes oxidation, conditions the paint to prevent future failure, removes scratches and swirl marks, and overall makes the paint pop with depth and color. I recommend you do this twice a year. Minimum, once a year.

Protect: wax, sealant, ceramic sprays.

With a polished paint finish that looks its best, you can now protect it. Choose your level of protection: waxes for weeks, sealants for months, ceramics for years.

Maintain that look with:

• Quick detail sprays to refresh your paint and maintain its gloss between washes.

• Interior detailer to keep the cabin — where you spend most of your time — clean and inviting.

• Tire shine for the finishing touch that completes the detail.

The Experience It Creates

Laying out the tools, making a cup of cappuccino (a ritual in itself), and then diving into the detail. As time passes, you occasionally step back to take it in and see the incremental improvements. An hour passes, and you begin to hit that flow state – that moment where you lose track of time. And then, finally, completion.

You take that final step back, do a walk around, and admire what you've accomplished. You look at your watch and realize that several hours have passed - you barely noticed. The paint is gleaming, and the interior smells clean and fresh.  Your car never looked so good. Your car is renewed, and you feel good about a job well done.

You feel good not only because your car looks incredible, but because you made it happen. There's a pride in ownership, and it literally reflects.

Why It Matters

Most people think, 'It's just a car." But not you. It's more than just metal and rubber. It's more than aesthetics. It's about preserving value and respecting the process – the craftsmanship.

Just like daily rituals build discipline, the ritual of detailing builds consistency in how you care for your car.

Every day, I have a ritual of waking up early, saying morning prayers and meditating, working out, and then heading off to work. I've been doing this for decades. I was telling this to someone recently when he asked me if I had a routine. He was looking to discipline himself. That's what rituals are about: discipline. It's the details that matter – hence 'detailing'.

The discipline, the consistency in everything you do, the rituals – this is what becomes a part of your identity.

Closing Takeaway

The next time you detail, consider it as part of building up your skillset – your knowledge of care and maintenance. A skillset that helps you become better at caring for the investment you make in your car. A car is more than a mode of transportation – it's a ticket to opportunity and freedom. Not something everyone has the luxury of owning. The pride you put into caring for your car is reflected not only in its shine, but in you as well.