Whether your car is two years old or 10, it needs regular exterior detailing to look great and stay valuable. Car detailing is more than just a simple wash; it also includes vital processes like paint correction and ceramic coating.
Exterior Car Detailing Perth will make a car sparkle, minimize surface scratches, and always apply a shielding paint sealant. It will also involve thoroughly washing the rims, door handles, and glass.
Paint correction is mechanically leveling an automobile’s clear coat (the unpigmented finish that protects your vehicle’s color) back to an almost, if not better-than-new condition. This is done by using various techniques, tools and products to massage the clear coat back into an even and smooth surface. Imperfections that may be present include swirl marks, etchings, bird droppings, tree sap, water spots, etc.
The first step in the paint correction process is to prepare the vehicle for the polishing by washing it with a pH-neutral soap. This is important to remove all contaminants and dirt from the vehicle’s finish, including the undercarriage and wheels. After the car is thoroughly rinsed, iron removal agents are used to break up and loosen any oxidation on the paint. Once the oxidation is removed, a clay bar is applied to the painted surface. Once the surface is contaminant-free, it’s ready for a glaze or a sealant to be applied.
When applying a glaze or sealant, it is critical to choose the correct product for your vehicle. There are many different products available, ranging from tried-and-true carnauba waxes to high-tech ceramic sealants. These products can be used to fill in minor paint defects, as well as provide extended durability and a remarkable hydrophobic property.
If your car needs a bit more help than just a polish and glaze, we can use a product called a wet sanding. This process involves sanding the surface of your paint with automotive sandpaper in various grit stages, until the desired appearance is achieved. This is the only way to achieve a flawless, deep shine on your vehicle’s exterior paint.
The last step in paint correction is to apply a protective coating to the paint, glass and chrome. This is the best way to protect your car from harsh weather conditions, outdoor pollutants and abrasions. It will keep your resale value high, as well as protect against any future swirl marks, light scratches and etchings. This is the ideal time to apply a ceramic nano coating, as they are superior to waxes and sealants in every aspect, including longevity, type of protection and gloss enhancement.
The paintwork on your vehicle is vulnerable to all kinds of elements that can damage it. Sunshine, heat, dust, rocks, bugs, bird droppings, and even rain can cause it to deteriorate over time. A sealant is a synthetic product designed to protect the paintwork and provide a stunning shine. It also helps to prevent oxidation and other forms of damage that can shorten the lifespan of your paint job.
There are several different paint sealants available, and you will want to do some research to decide which is the best option for your car. Some will offer a shiny and glossy look, while others will have more of a matte finish. You will also need to consider what kind of environment you live in as this will affect how often you need to reapply the product.
Some sealants are solvent-based while others are water-based. Solvent-based products have the polymers dissolved in a petroleum-based solvent. This chemical starts to evaporate after the application, and you will need to apply it in a well-ventilated area. The water-based sealants have the polymers dissolved in water, and they are safer to work with. Once applied, you will need to buff the surface to remove any residue or excess.
You will need to wash your vehicle before applying either product, and you should use a quality washing mitt and low pH car wash soap. It is important that you rinse the entire surface of your vehicle thoroughly to ensure that all of the dirt, grime, road salt, bug splatter, and other gunk are completely removed from the surface. Once the surface is clean and dry, you will want to test your sealant by rubbing your thumb over an inconspicuous area of the paint. If it is dry and haze-free, you can proceed to buff the paint to a beautiful shine.
Once you are finished buffing, your paint will be protected by the sealant, and you will only need to reapply it once or twice per year to keep it looking its best. Investing in paint protection will save you money in the long run as it will keep your car safe from the elements, reduce the amount of work you need to do to maintain it, and help to preserve the value of your car.
Whether your vehicle is new, has been traded in or is an older classic car that you want to preserve for future collectability, ceramic coating is an excellent option. The industry-grade ceramic polymer protects your paint, making it easier to clean and maintain, while preserving the original factory finish. It also reduces the risk of paint damage from bird droppings, road grime and other contaminants.
Ceramic coating is a long-term nanoscopic exterior automotive paint treatment and protectant that is applied in liquid form and cures to create an invisible, durable, glossy layer on top of the clear coat. Its hydrophobic property makes water (and to a lesser degree, dirt and other grime) bead up and roll off, so that you don’t have to deal with unsightly mud or road spray marks on your vehicle.
When you see videos of people throwing mud or other substances on the surface of their vehicles and watching it sheet off, that’s because of the hydrophobic properties created by ceramic coating. This is a huge benefit because it allows you to go longer between washes, which saves time and money while reducing the chance of paint damage from contaminants.
Another huge benefit is its extreme chemical resistance, which means that your vehicle’s paint will be far more resilient against acidic contaminants such as bird droppings and tree sap. This is especially important if you live in an area with high air pollution rates, as the particles in those pollutants can be very damaging to your paint. Ceramic coating prevents these harmful chemicals from bonding to the paint and staining it.
There are many different products available, including both gel and spray-on formulations. The differences between them are mainly in the application process and how long they last. For instance, the spray-on options typically only last a couple of weeks or less. The gel-based ones can last a much longer period of time, but they’re not quite as quick and easy to apply.
No matter which product you choose, it’s important to remember that ceramic coating is not a miracle solution that will make your car bulletproof. The clear coat will still break down from oxidation, UV rays and other environmental factors over time. However, it will resist these factors far better than wax or other protective products, which can help to significantly extend the life of your paint and improve resale value.
The wheels and tires of a car may seem like a simple afterthought when it comes to detailing, but they are actually the first place on your vehicle that needs protection. Those dirty tires and wheels can easily transfer that dirt, brake dust and grime to other areas of the car, such as the paint, glass, and chrome, if not properly cleaned.
While many people think they can just run their cars through the automatic car wash and be done with it, this type of care can leave behind swirl marks, oxidation, water spots and other issues that can be expensive to correct. The best way to avoid this is by having a professional do a complete decontamination of the car, including its wheels and tires.
After decontamination, it’s time to start protecting the paint and other sensitive areas of the car with a wax or sealant. This will help improve the look of the car and provide additional protection against contaminants and UV rays.
To protect the wheel and tire area, we recommend using This can be sprayed directly onto the tire and wheel area, and agitated with a dedicated wheel/tire brush for the most effective cleaning. This product will also help remove the dreaded brown tire blooming that leaves an unsightly discoloration in the rubber sidewalls.
Spray the cleaner on a wet surface, allow to sit for several minutes, then scrub with the brush and rinse. Repeat as needed to thoroughly clean the tires and wheels.
If you don’t have a dedicated wheel/tire brush, try scrubbing them with a soft brush, such as an old toothbrush or sponge. Be careful not to use anything too coarse, as it could damage the wheel surface. Having good tools to help make these first steps of the cxar detailing process easier is always a good idea.