ShineCraft
Detailing
Detailing 101
Detailing 101
An ongoing series providing you information on the detailing process. To answer the questions of why and what can we do for your vehicle.
An ongoing series providing you information on the detailing process. To answer the questions of why and what can we do for your vehicle.
Paint Protection pt.1 - Wax
Paint Protection pt.1 - Wax
Wax on. Wax off.
What is the purpose of a wax? Do you even know why its used on your vehicle?
Well, the short answer is wax is a organic plant based coating used to protect your vehicle and increase its visual appeal. Its been used for a very long time and can be an enjoyable thing to apply to your vehicle on a Saturday afternoon. However, new products have come out making wax no longer the pinnacle of car care. Wax also needs to be reapplied frequently as it only lasts a couple of months at best. So what is it good for? Well, wax still has its place in the care of your vehicle. Lots of people still consider a good wax application to be the best looking due to deep warm glow it adds. This makes it great for special occasions like car shows or a weekend cruise. It also makes a great clay lubricant to reduce the marring to your paint during the decontamination process.
Paint Protection pt.2 - Sealant
Paint Protection pt.2 - Sealant
Synthetic wax
Paint Protection pt.3 - Coatings
Paint Protection pt.3 - Coatings
The new hotness
O Boy, where do I start! Coatings are the latest and greatest protection for your vehicle. Some are SiO2 based, some SiC, or the newest is Graphene (or graphene oxide) based. They are a high solid formula that can provide an extremely hydrophobic surface on your vehicle that is very chemical and abrasive resistant. They can be utilized on almost every part of your vehicle inside and out. They can provide a high level of gloss and in some ways can seem almost too good to be true due to ease of maintenance. So are there any downsides to this wonderful new invention. Of course there is and there are quite a few of them. There is such a wide variety of products and levels of coatings that it can be quite confusing to know what is what. Some coatings can also be susceptible to water spotting. They also need a very clean surface to adhere to, making prep work paramount to the longevity and durability of a coating. Another consideration is cost. The "better" a coating is and the difficulty and knowledge of installation can make coatings very expensive and time consuming to install compared to a wax or sealant. Because of these reasons the highest level of coatings may cost more than $1000 to have installed by a certified installer. It is important to find an installer that you can trust and is knowledgeable about these products.
Dressings and all things shiny
Dressings and all things shiny
Inside and out
What is the purpose of applying a dressing or coating so many parts of a vehicle? Sure it just looks good when everything is all dressed, whether its a natural finish or a finish that looks dripping wet. But dressings serve an important function to the longevity of your vehicle. It provides a barrier between your vehicle and the elements seeking to damage it. It is also a sacrificial layer that aids in the next cleaning. For example an interior dressing provides resistance to dirt, oils and other contamination from sticking to and damaging the finish. Then it aids in the next cleaning when removed with all the grime on top of it, making it easier and faster to return to that like new condition. This concept applies to all parts of your vehicle from wheels and tires to interiors to even the paint on your vehicle.
Exterior Contaminates pt.1 - the clay bar
Exterior Contaminates pt.1 - the clay bar
Making it feel smooth.
One of my favorite parts of cleaning vehicles is the claying process. After you clean all the loose dirt and debris off during the wash process, feel the paint, if it feels smooth and slippery your good to go. If not, there are embedded contaminates on the surface that need to be removed off your vehicle. It is accomplished by very lightly abrading the surface using a clay medium on a well lubricated surface. It can produce a very surprising and satisfying result once this process is completed. It allows whatever paint protection you use, be it a wax or sealant, to better bond or stick to your paint. This will help your vehicle stay cleaner, longer, before you need to wash it again. It's just harder for contaminates like dust to stick to a completely clean and smooth surface.
Exterior Bonded Contaminants pt.2
Exterior Bonded Contaminants pt.2
Tar, rail dust, fallout
There are two categories of dirty when it comes to the exterior of your vehicle. The first is referred to as unbonded contamination. This is the dust, mud, pollen, and other road grime that is easily removed during the car wash process. The second category is referred to as bonded contamination. This is the stuff that directly affects how good your vehicles paint looks and how effective the protective layer like a wax adheres to your vehicle and its longevity. We use less aggressive methods and products to remove all these undesirable contaminates on your vehicle. For example, if you see little reddish orange spots on your paint, that is referred to as rail dust. It comes from little specs of metallic dust that has embedded in your paint and started to rust. We use an iron remover to dissolve those bits of metal and break that bond to the paint. It turns a lovely shade of purple when the chemical reaction takes place. Other deposits like tar and paint have similar products that aid in their removal.