What Is Detailing?

Detailing is going to the highest point in car care, using only the best products methods and techniques to ensure that only the best finish is achieved. Detailing packages can be anything from a clay, cleanse and wax up to full paintwork correction that removes swirl marks and light scratches.

Here is a insight on what you can expect from a detailing package;

The Wash

The wash is the first stage in a detailing package, we start with the wheels, and arches  using non acidic wheels cleaners and various brushes making sure that the fronts and the inners are cleaned to the highest standard possible. 

 

Cars lower half's are then pre treated with citrus based de-greaser. Foam is applied and left to dwell, car is then rinsed with high pressure from top to bottom to ensure that any surface dust etc is removed. Then we move onto the two bucket method. This is were 2 buckets are used with grit guards, one bucket filled with wash solution and the other clean water. Simply wash a panel with was solution and a lambs wool wash mitt, then the mitt is placed into clean water to wash out any dirt that it as picked up off the panel ready for the next panel. This ensures the safest possible wash is achieved and reduces the chances of inflicting swirl mark, finally the car is rinsed down and dried with soft micro fibre drying towels. 

Clay Bar Treatment

After the wash stage a clay bar is then used to remove bonded contaminants from the vehicles paintwork, this leaves a perfect smooth as glass finish ready for polishing stages.

 

(This picture shows contaminants removed from the paintwork with clay bar treatment)

Polishing & Paintwork Correction

A high percentage of cars will need some sort of polishing to be carried out, weather it be a simple hand cleanse prior to protection stages on a protection detail or a 1-3 step machine polish to remove swirl marks and light scratches. Machine polishing is carried out after the paintwork as been cleaned and clayed. The first step is to take paint depth readings, this is were a paint depth gauge is used to measure the depth of the paintwork to make sure it is safe to machine polish and remove swirls etc. After paint depths are recorded around the vehicle a 1-3 step machine polishing process (dependent on service) is carried out 1 being cutting stage to 3 been the refining and finishing stage.

So what paintwork defects can you remove with paintwork correction?

Buffer Marks/Holograms - These may have been caused by a previous valeter or body shop using a machine polisher and compound who have not refined the finish.

Swirls - Spider web affect on the paintwork more noticeable in direct sunlight, the possible causes are improper washing techniques and also car washes

Scratches - Possible causes are not washing vehicle correctly using drying blades, driving too close to the hedge and vandalism. (Not gone through to the clear coat/aluminium etc)

Oxidation - Faded and dull paint. UV Rays from the sun can damage paint over a period of time the most common is solid red (non metallic) where it can turn pink/white.

(Above is a selection of photos showing what can be achieved in paintwork correction.)

Protection

The protection stage is one of the most important stages in the detail, be it a wax or a sealant. This is applied after all machine polishing or hand polishing as been completed to protect the finish that as been achieved, be it from UV rays, bird deposits etchings and more. This can be applied via foam applicator and left to cure then buffed off, and multiple layers can be added if required for the ultimate protection. 

 

If you would like to have a look at our detailing services or wish to contact us for more information or to make a booking please click on the links below

    

  

 

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