Fortador Professional Detailing Intensive – One-Day In-Person Training

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM

Welcome, Training Objectives and Safety Briefing

• Introduction of the trainers and participants.

• Overview of the day’s training programme.

• Explanation of professional detailing workflow.

• Discussion of workplace organisation and efficiency.

• Personal protective equipment and safe working practices.

• Safe handling of cleaning chemicals, electrical equipment, steam equipment, extractors, vacuum cleaners, and polishing machines.

• Overview of the expected practical outcomes.

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

Professional Cleaning Equipment and Working Methods

Introduction to Professional Equipment used in the industry. 

• Overview of equipment commonly used in vehicle detailing services.

• Steam-cleaning systems vs. water-and-chemical methods.

• Pressure washers and foam systems.

• Wet-and-dry vacuum cleaners.

• Upholstery extraction machines.

• Air blowers and compressed-air tools.

• Dual-action and rotary polishing machines.

• Brushes, microfiber products, wash mitts, applicators, and detailing accessories.

Equipment Selection

• Choosing the correct equipment for different cleaning tasks.

• Understanding pressure, temperature, moisture, chemical use, and surface sensitivity.

• Differences between traditional cleaning methods and low-water or steam-assisted cleaning methods.

• Selecting tools based on efficiency, mobility, job size, and service requirements.

Safe Operation and Maintenance

• Preparing equipment before use.

• Checking hoses, cables, connections, filters, tanks, and accessories.

• Correct start-up and shutdown procedures.

• Preventing equipment damage.

• Daily cleaning and basic maintenance.

• Proper equipment storage.

Live Demonstration

• Safe handling of professional cleaning equipment.

• Correct working distance, angle, pressure, and movement.

• Demonstration of cleaning interior and exterior surfaces.

• Avoiding excessive heat, pressure, moisture, or chemical application.

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM

Exterior Vehicle Cleaning

Vehicle Assessment

• Inspecting the condition of the vehicle before starting.

• Identifying heavy dirt, road film, insects, tar, brake dust, iron contamination, tree sap, and other pollutants.

• Identifying sensitive areas and previously damaged surfaces.

• Selecting the appropriate cleaning process.

Pre-Wash

• Importance of removing loose contamination before contact washing.

• Application of snow foam and pre-wash chemicals.

• Selecting suitable dwell time.

• Avoiding chemical drying on the surface.

• Safe rinsing methods.

Efficient Vehicle Washing

• Organising equipment and products before starting.

• Working systematically from the cleaner areas to the dirtier areas.

• Techniques for completing an efficient professional wash.

• Safe washing of paintwork, glass, wheels, tyres, wheel arches, grilles, badges, and door shuts.

• Correct use of wash mitts, brushes, microfiber products, and detailing tools.

• Methods for reducing the risk of scratches and swirl marks.

Wheels and Tyres

• Identifying different wheel finishes.

• Selecting wheel-safe chemicals.

• Cleaning wheel faces, barrels, tyres, and wheel arches.

• Avoiding damage to polished, painted, coated, or sensitive wheels.

Decontamination

• Use of iron fallout removers.

• Use of tar and adhesive removers.

• Mechanical decontamination with clay bars, clay mitts, or clay pads.

• Understanding when mechanical decontamination is necessary.

• Preventing scratches during the clay process.

Drying and Basic Protection

• Safe drying with microfiber towels and air blowers.

• Preventing water spots and towel marks.

• Introduction to drying aids.

• Overview of waxes, sealants, spray coatings, and ceramic protection products.

Practical Exercise

Participants practise:

• Pre-washing.

• Contact washing.

• Wheel cleaning.

• Exterior detailing.

• Chemical decontamination.

• Safe drying.

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM

Break

Light refreshments and beverages.

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

Interior Vehicle Cleaning

Interior Inspection and Preparation

• Assessing the condition of the interior.

• Identifying fabric, leather, vinyl, plastic, rubber, carpet, glass, and delicate surfaces.

• Checking for stains, odours, damage, loose items, and electronic components.

• Preparing the vehicle and work area.

Vacuuming

• Correct sequence for efficient vacuuming.

• Cleaning seats, carpets, floor mats, boot areas, crevices, and seat rails.

• Use of different vacuum attachments.

• Reaching difficult areas without causing damage.

Fabric Seats and Upholstery

• Identifying different fabric types.

• Spot-testing cleaning products.

• Pre-treatment of stains.

• Shampooing and agitation techniques.

• Steam-assisted cleaning.

• Upholstery steam extraction vs water extraction.

• Correct moisture control.

• Preventing water marks, mould, and excessive drying times.

Leather Cleaning

• Identifying coated and sensitive leather surfaces.

• Safe leather-cleaning methods.

• Avoiding excessive moisture, heat, and aggressive chemicals.

• Applying leather conditioners and protection products.

Carpets and Floor Mats

• Dry soil removal.

• Stain treatment.

• Shampooing and extraction.

• Steam-assisted carpet cleaning.

• Moisture extraction and drying.

• Handling heavily contaminated floor mats.

Dashboard, Panels and Trim

• Cleaning dashboards, centre consoles, door panels, buttons, displays, plastics, and rubber components.

• Safe cleaning around electronic systems.

• Use of brushes, microfiber cloths, steam, and compressed air.

• Applying interior dressings and UV protection.

• Avoiding overly glossy or slippery finishes.

Glass and Windows

• Achieving streak-free results.

• Correct towel and product selection.

• Cleaning interior and exterior glass.

• Safe care of tinted windows.

• Cleaning mirrors and instrument displays.

Odour Removal and Final Details

• Identifying the source of unpleasant odours.

• Cleaning air vents and difficult crevices.

• Steam-based odour treatment.

• Introduction to ozone treatment and appropriate safety precautions.

• Final inspection of cup holders, seat belts, vents, pedals, storage areas, and door pockets.

12:15 PM – 12:35 PM

Lunch Break

Buffet lunch or a selection of light meals.

12:35 PM–1:35 PM

• Introduction to One-Step Paint Correction

Module Scope

A basic overview of paint inspection, surface preparation, polishing machines, pads, compounds, safety, and one-step polishing techniques. Advanced correction and extensive practical training are covered in Fortador’s five-day professional training programme.

• Paint Assessment

Identifying swirl marks, scratches, oxidation, water spots, sanding marks, holograms, and other defects. Using inspection lighting, distinguishing between correctable and permanent damage, and setting realistic customer expectations.

• Paint Systems and Thickness

Introduction to single-stage, basecoat, and clear-coat paint systems. Identifying repainted panels and using a paint-thickness gauge to recognise thin, repaired, or previously corrected paint.

• Surface and Work-Area Preparation

Washing and decontaminating the vehicle, removing tar, iron particles, waxes, oils, and residues, and using a suitable panel wipe. Masking rubber, plastics, badges, edges, and sensitive areas. Preparing lighting, machines, pads, compounds, cables, and protective equipment.

• Equipment Overview

Introduction to dual-action and rotary polishers, polishing pads, one-step compounds, finishing products, inspection lights, and pad-cleaning tools.

• Visual Case Review

The trainer presents examples of paint defects and explains which can be safely improved, which require advanced correction, and when polishing should be avoided.

• Learning Outcome

Participants gain a basic understanding of paint inspection, thickness measurement, surface preparation, and safe one-step polishing. This session does not qualify participants as professional paint-correction specialists.This module is a basic introduction only. Comprehensive polishing techniques and extensive practical training are covered during Fortador’s five-day professional training programme. 

1:35 PM – 2:45 PM

Introduction to Machine Polishing and One-Step Paint Correction

Introduction to Polishing Machines

• Differences between dual-action and rotary polishers.

• Advantages and limitations of each machine type.

• Selecting the correct machine for the operator’s experience and the condition of the paint.

• Safe machine handling.

Compounds and Polishes

• Cutting compounds.

• Medium polishing compounds.

• Finishing polishes.

• One-step compounds.

• Selecting a product according to paint hardness and defect level.

Polishing Pads

• Foam cutting, polishing, and finishing pads.

• Microfiber pads.

• Wool pads.

• Selecting the correct pad and compound combination.

• Cleaning and replacing pads during the polishing process.

Test Spot Procedure

• Importance of performing a test spot.

• Starting with the least aggressive suitable combination.

• Evaluating correction level and surface finish.

• Adjusting the machine, pad, compound, speed, pressure, and number of passes.

One-Step Paint Correction

• Purpose of one-step correction.

• Balancing defect removal with gloss improvement.

• Pad priming.

• Applying the correct amount of compound.

• Working in controlled sections.

• Maintaining consistent machine movement.

• Managing machine speed and pressure.

• Monitoring panel temperature.

• Avoiding dry polishing.

• Safely polishing curved panels and body lines.

Live Demonstration

The trainer demonstrates:

• Paint inspection.

• Test spot preparation.

• Pad priming.

• Compound application.

• Machine positioning.

• Correct polishing passes.

• Residue removal.

• Inspection of the corrected area.

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM

Break

Light refreshments and beverages.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Hands-On Polishing and Defect Correction

Participants practise machine polishing on demonstration panels or vehicles under instructor supervision.

Practical Skills

• Safe machine start-up and handling.

• Maintaining the pad flat against the surface.

• Controlling speed, pressure, and movement.

• Working in correctly sized sections.

• Cleaning polishing pads.

• Removing polish residue safely.

• Inspecting the results under suitable lighting.

• Identifying missed areas or remaining defects.

Spot Correction

• Correcting isolated scratches and defects.

• Selecting smaller machines and pads for restricted areas.

• Polishing around door handles, badges, edges, corners, and body lines.

• Avoiding excessive correction in one area.

• Understanding when a defect is too deep to remove safely.

Finishing the Surface

• Checking for haze, holograms, buffer trails, and polish residue.

• Final panel wipe.

• Preparing the surface for wax, sealant, or coating application.

• Introduction to finishing techniques for improving gloss and clarity.

Instructor Feedback

Instructors evaluate:

• Machine control.

• Working position.

• Pad and compound selection.

• Pressure and speed.

• Efficiency.

• Safety.

• Final finish quality.

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM

Review, Questions and Training Completion

Review of Key Skills

• Professional equipment selection and safe operation.

• Exterior cleaning workflow.

• Interior cleaning workflow.

• Chemical and mechanical decontamination.

• Paint inspection and thickness measurement.

• Surface preparation.

• One-step machine polishing.

• Final inspection and protection.

Question and Answer Session

Participants may discuss:

• Problems encountered during practical exercises.

• Different vehicle materials and paint conditions.

• Equipment and product selection.

• Efficient service organisation.

• Common cleaning and polishing mistakes.

• Application of the techniques in professional detailing services.

Final Recommendations

• Follow a systematic cleaning process.

• Inspect every vehicle before starting work.

• Use the least aggressive effective cleaning or polishing method.

• Test chemicals and polishing combinations before full application.

• Prioritise safety and surface protection.

• Maintain equipment and tools after every job.

• Perform a final quality inspection before returning the vehicle to the customer.

4:00 PM

End of Training