Method and apparatus for detailing vehicles

Abstract

A system for detailing vehicles, including an elongate flexible tool ( 26, 28, 30 ) having first and second ends. A cloth or absorbent material ( 32 ) can be attached to the tool first end, and the second end of the tool can be grasped and manipulated to clean remote areas on the vehicle. The tool is preferably between about 10 and 20 inches long, and can be in one of several configurations, including a pointed flat paddle design, pointed rod, and/or a slotted rod. The latter in particular can be driven by a drill motor to speed up the detailing procedure. A kit according to the invention can also include a mesh bag ( 33 ) to store and wash the various cleaning cloths; and one or more broad area cleaning devices, e.g., a lamb's wool duster ( 25 ) and/or a mini-mop ( 22 ).

I claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for detailing a remote area on a vehicle, comprising: 
 a) An elongate tool having first and second ends; and    b) An elongate strip of material having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the material is removably attached to the first end of the tool, and the second end of the material is engaged with the second end of the elongate tool, whereby the elongate tool can be held at its second end and manipulated to place the material in cleaning contact with the vehicle remote area.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tool is at least 10 inches long.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tool is at least 16 inches long.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tool is at least 20 inches long.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tool is made of plastic.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the tool is injection molded.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the tool is made of Delrin.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the tool has a bending strength of at least about 10,000-psi.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the material comprises strip of terry cloth.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first end of the tool forms a point and the first end of the material is impaled on the point and the second end of the material is pinched against the second end.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tool is a pointed round rod.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tool is pointed flat paddle.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the second end of the flat paddle is notched.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tool first end has a slot to receive the material.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the tool is manually held and manipulated to achieve cleaning of the vehicle remote area.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the tool is manipulated and powered by means of a drill motor.  
     
     
         17 . A kit for detailing various remote areas on a vehicle, comprising: 
 a) A plurality of elongate tools, each having a first end and second end:    b) A plurality of elongate strips of material, each having a first end and a second end, wherein remote areas on the vehicle can be cleaned by the various tools by attaching the strips of material thereto and manipulating the resulting assembly to place the material in cleaning contact with the remote areas; and    c) An elongate clear plastic tube for displaying, shipping and storing the tools and material.    
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the kit further comprises one or more elongate large area cleaning tools.  
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein one of the large area cleaning tools comprises a swab.  
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein one of the large area cleaning tools comprises a lamb's wool duster.  
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 17 , further comprising a mesh bag for storing and washing the elongate strips of material.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for detailing a remote area on a vehicle, comprising: 
 a) A flexible elongate tool having first and second ends; and    b) A piece of absorbent material connected to the first end of the tool, wherein the tool is (i) between about 10 and 20 inches long, and (ii) constructed of a non-scratch material having a bending strength of at least about 10,000 psi, whereby the elongate element can be held at its second end and manipulated to place the absorbent material in cleaning contact with the vehicle remote area.    
     
     
         23 . A method for detailing a remote area on a vehicle, comprising: 
 a) Selecting an elongate flexible tool having first and second ends, wherein the tool is (i) between about 10 and 20 inches long, and (ii) constructed of a non-scratch material having a bending strength of at least about 10,000 psi;    b) Selecting a piece of absorbent material and attaching the absorbent material to the tool first end; and    c) Grasping the tool second end and manipulating the tool to place the absorbent material in cleaning contact with the vehicle remote area.