VEHICLE DETAILING
Vehicle detailing is more than just running your car through your local car wash or putting on a coat of wax. Detailing your car is about thoroughly cleaning it to remove contaminates, swirls, scratches, oxidation and other imperfections from your paint to produce a show-quality level of detail.
WASHING & DRYING
Washing and Drying are the first steps at maintaining a nice finish and is one of the most important parts of detailing. Most swirls (spiderwebbing) & scratches are caused by poor washing and drying techniques or using poor quality washing equipment. By using proper washing & drying techniques, a good quality PH neutral car shampoo and good quality wash mitts, you will minimize washing & drying induced swirls and scratches in your paint and be able to maintain a high gloss finish year round.
CLAY BAR
A clay bar is used to remove contaminates from the surface of your paint leaving your paint silky smooth. It works by gliding the clay across a wet surface of your paint. This will pick up and remove anything that protrudes from the paint. Even though clay bars are abrasive, if used properly they will not marr the paint. There are clay bars available that will marr the paint no matter how careful you are, these are designed to remove heavy overspray.
POLISHING
Polishing is often a misunderstood and intimidating step in the detailing process. It's unlike waxing because with polishing you must work the polish in and break down the abrasives in order for it to work effectively. This is done by using friction and/or heat. Whereas with waxing, you are applying a layer of protection on top of the paint, so there is no need to work the wax in. When a polish is worked in properly it will either round the edges of the scratches/swirls stopping the light from reflecting off of it or remove a minute layer of paint where the imperfection was. The amount of paint that is removed depend on the aggressiveness of the polish, pad and machine used. Polishing is usually a 2 –3 step process, starting first with an aggressive polish to remove imperfections, swirls, etc. then followed by a milder (finishing) polish to remove any hazing or slight marring and bring back the gloss to the finish.
WAXING/SEALING
Waxing, whether it's with a Carnauba Wax or Synthetic Sealant, is your "Last Step Product" in detailing your car. This step will not only protect your finish from the elements, it will also add depth, gloss and shine to your paint. Even though a wax or sealant will protect the finish, it will not prevent swirls and scratches from forming. This is why proper washing & drying is essential for maintaining your swirl free finish.
WAX V SEALANTS
Which is better a Wax or a Sealant? Both waxes and sealants have their own list of Pro's and Con's, so to answer this question, it will depend on the person you ask or your desired look/need you want for your paint.
CARNAUBA WAX
A Pure Carnauba Wax is made up of using a natural ingredient, Carnauba. Does it mean that the a good Carnauba wax is 100% Carnauba? No, since Carnauba is rock hard substance, it is only a percentage of the wax ingredients, no matter what quality or brand it is. Other ingredients include (but not limited to) solvents, oils and petroleum distillates, these help soften the carnauba and make it spreadable. Carnauba waxes can come in either a liquid or paste form.
Pros · Appearance and ease of use. A Carnauba Wax gives your paint a deep, wet, dark, rich shine and can also hide minor swirls. Carnauba waxes are wipe on, wipe off products and have no cure time. Carnauba wax differs from a Sealant because they sit on the top of your paint instead of bonding to it. Since it's a wipe on wipe off product it can take as little as 5-10 minutes to wax your car. It is also very effective at slowing or stopping bird poop and water spots from etching into the paint.
SYNTHETIC SEALANTS
A Sealant is made of synthetic polymers or acrylic that will bond to the paint surface when applied and cured. This bonding action gives sealants greater durability over Carnauba wax.
Pros · Durability. A Sealant can last up to 6 months and more under good conditions. They tend to be more reflective then a Carnauba, this will help to make Metallic type paints "Pop"
TWO BUCKET METHOD
One bucket has the soapy water for washing, the other is clean water for rinsing. It helps keep dirt and debris out of your soap water bucket so you don't pick it back up and scratch your car. It will also allow the soap to last longer.
