The History of Auto Detailing
Auto detailing has become a common practice in the 2000s due to the invention of revolutionary and affordable cleaning techniques and solutions for vehicles of all types and sizes. Those taking their vehicle in for a full car and auto spa session might think they are benefiting from a new service, but in fact, auto detailing has a history longer than that of the car! Keep on reading to discover the most important moments in the history of auto detailing
1800
In the German town of Bischofsheim, the first wax in the world was obtained from animal fats. It was used for applying to horse carriages. That is quite far from today’s car spa!
1878
Connolly Leather Company (1878 - 2002) was founded and for over a century Connolly Bros. was synonymous with the quality leather used in the very best of British car brands, including Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, and Jaguar. This renowned English tannery had been producing and supplying highly finished, oil-based pigmented leather to car manufacturers at plants in Northampton and Ashford, Kent.
1886
Karl Benz invents the first production vehicle powered by petrol or gasoline. The company now known as Mercedes Benz was founded in 1889 by Goteborg Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach.
1888
Menzerna, a company selling products in large numbers up to this day, created various car polishing compounds, both solid and liquid.
1901
Another giant in the automobile detailing product industry initiated its activity, when Frank Meguiar, Jr., started a small furniture polish laboratory and a plant in his garage. Later, his grandson, Floyd Meguiar, left the family business and decided to create a new company, one that would live up to his grandfather’s vision and philosophy: "Never sell a product until you are convinced it is the finest product of its kind in the world". This is how Finish Kare was born in 1964, and the company maintains its vision and philosophy up to this day.
1905
Mary Anderson noticed motorists emerging from their vehicles to clean windshields by hand and decided that automobiles could use a wiper blade instead. Her spring-loaded wiper arm was patented in 1905 and then replaced by a mechanical arm in 1913. Since then, the wiper blade has remained mostly unchanged.
1910
George Simons started a company named Simons Manufacturing Company, which was renamed two years later to Simonized, and sold a carnauba wax product for car finishes.
1920
3M invented the world’s first waterproof sandpaper to reduce airborne dust during automobile manufacturing.
1925
The same company invented masking tape which enabled paint technicians to obtain very sharp lines between two different tones.
At the same time, Ditzler Color Company acquired property at 8000 W. Chicago Ave. in Detroit, where it built a factory for manufacturing the first Ditzler lacquer for automotive factory finishes. The Company was purchased by Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company in 1928 but continued to manufacture products.
1927
Connelly`s launched a revolutionary new finish which consisted of nitrocellulose resin mixed with pigments. This made it possible to obtain finished leather in a variety of colors, such as brown, tan, red, green, blue, and ivory.
1930
The acrylic resin system or stove enameling was developed. This technique produced a very hard, dense, and shiny paint finish. A man named De Vilbiss is credited with perfecting an atomizing spray gun and paint holding canister; the new device could be used to apply thin multi-coated enamel paint on car body parts.
1969
DuPont introduced a polymer sealant that was the first commercially available product of the type at that moment.
1970
Paint correction progress was made in Japan and Europe, which started to use metallic-based paints with a clear coat for enhanced gloss and lasting color. The new technology was imported to the US and improved by Cyclo U.S.A which created a polisher for the aircraft industry. The product was found to help with paint correction in automobiles, too.
1990
Detailing clay was introduced to the US after having been used for almost a decade in Japan. The clear coat system was also improved by introducing the water-based two-stage paint system.
2000
CeramiClear, a clear coat product that eliminated paint degradation caused by acid rain, salt, and sunlight, was introduced by PPG Industries.
Microfiber cloths were introduced, changing the landscape in auto detailing and home cleaning.
2004
The PPG Industries CeramiClear, a binary clear coat composition offering lasting gloss and durability was launched. According to PPG company representatives, this is the first automotive clear coat to use nanoparticle technology.
2007
Nanotechnology polymer coatings or clear paint sealants have been invented. These are wipe-on, walk-away clear paint sealants that are easy to apply and create a barrier between car paint and damaging elements.
Into the 21st century
More innovations are being added to the list of auto detailing most important moments in history. There is a growing concern for the environmental impact of auto detailing, so eco-friendly products and detailing methods are being developed.
At Stuey’s Green Auto Clean we are committed to using the best auto detailing products that are effective and safe for the environment, whether you are opting for paint correction or car seat cleaning and shampoo. We are thrilled to be able to use the highest quality detailing products and the safest car interior cleaning detergents, obtained after decades of experience and research conducted by multiple talented and passionate people. Our mission is to offer you a green auto detailing process that leaves your vehicle impeccable and safe for your health.
