01: Detailing Cars in the Summer Heat

Detailing vehicles in the hot summer weather is no easy task, especially here in Boise where the average temperature this week is 102 degrees. Detailers are on a race with the clock, especially when performing exterior details, primarily because water spots accumulate quicker on the surface of the car. A detailers nightmare is washing a car, only to find out that they’ve made it even dirtier! Drawing from my experience, I will highlight some tips and tricks to help you get though detailing this summer.

First, timing is everything. It’s not too smart to detail a car during the hottest part of the day, unless there is shade available. During the summer, I choose to open my business earlier in the morning to account for the cooler temperatures, which means I can wrap up my day around 3pm, avoiding the heat.

Second, rinseless wash helps me out a ton. I am currently using Opticoat No-Rinse for my exterior details when conditions allow. It smells great and a single 16oz bottle is able to last me a few months. This product is great for detailing darker colored cars in the heat in order to avoid any hard water spots. It is also much quicker than setting up my power washing hose and equipment, so the No-Rinse allows me to increase efficiency.

Finally, shade is your friend. If possible, invest in a popup shade tent, ideally 10ft x 10ft so you can have shade anywhere you go. Its a bit expensive, but allows the car (and you) to be out of the summer sun. If purchasing a shade tent isn’t possible, try and angle the car in the shade cast by the house, trees, or any surrounding structures. Detailing is all about getting creative, but it doesn’t hurt to ask the customer to use their garage, which definitely comes in handy for interior details.

It looks like the Treasure Valley will be experiencing extreme heat for at least a few weeks, so I hope these tips came in handy for detailers and enthusiasts alike.