Car Exterior detailing is much more than a quick wash and rinse of the car’s surface. Perth Detailer uses degreasers and products like clay bars, paint correction, and ceramic coating to give vehicles a glistening finish that also protects against environmental contaminants. Keeping a vehicle’s finish in top condition can help reduce maintenance costs and operational hazards. Here’s how it works:
When it comes to car exterior detailing, there is a lot more involved than just washing your vehicle. It is a thorough process that preserves your car’s appearance, boosts its value, and keeps it in top condition for years to come. It requires special tools like buffing compounds and polishes to resurface and improve the reflectivity of the paint finish. Other tools include a variety of applicators, brushes, and drying towels. Using these tools properly is a skill that takes time to master.
To wash a car, it’s best to begin by presoak the high-impact areas with either a pressure washer or hose. This helps loosen dirt and grime that could otherwise scratch the paint during washing. Once presoak has finished, a quality microfiber towel can be used to wash the high-impact areas of the car. Once the wash has been completed, it’s important to rinse and dry the vehicle thoroughly to prevent water spots and streaks from forming on the paint surface.
Next, a clay bar can be used to remove any remaining bonded contaminants on the paint’s surface. This step is particularly necessary for older cars that have been in the garage for a long time. Finally, the last step in the car Exterior detailing process is to apply a protective wax. Depending on your preference, you can choose between a paste wax or a carnauba wax. The former can fill in minor paint defects and provide extra shine, while the latter provides excellent protection with remarkable hydrophobic properties.
In addition to protecting the paint and glass, a car exterior detailing service also includes cleaning the wheels and tires and removing tar and bug guts from the bodywork. Lastly, a good tire shine can make your car’s tires look glossy and clean-looking.
Clay Bar Cleaning
A clay bar is a special plastic-like material that removes foreign substances from the surface of a car’s paintwork. It’s similar to a child’s play clay, except it’s much more elastic. It’s a vital step in the decontamination process that must occur before applying a paint protection product. If not done properly, claying can damage the clear coat on a vehicle’s finish.
Traditional detailing clay bars are sold in packages that can range from 100 gram up to 200 gram. They are typically divided into smaller pieces so that a single bar can be used to clay multiple vehicles. You can buy a clay bar from a detailing shop or even at car dealerships that specialize in the detailing department. You can also find clay bar kits on online retailers that sell car care products.
You’ll need to pair clay bar with a good wax to protect the paint. The clay will also remove any layers of existing wax, so it’s important to apply a fresh coat once the claying is complete. If you’re new to car detailing, you may want to consider hiring a professional to do the clay bar and waxing for you.
To use a clay bar, first spray a quarter-sized amount of clay lubricant on the surface of the car you’re going to clay. The lubricant will make it easier to move the clay bar over the surface of the car without scratching it. Then, apply the clay bar to a small section of the vehicle’s paint and begin working it over the surface. Move the clay bar in both side-to-side and front-to-back motions.
Once you’re finished, fold the clay bar and repeat the process with a different section of the vehicle. When you’re finished, rewash the car and dry it with a microfiber towel. You’ll be amazed at how much smoother your car will feel after a clay bar treatment and a fresh coat of wax. It’s an excellent way to get a show-car shine and keep your ride looking its best for as long as possible.
Chemical Decontamination
Cars are exposed to a myriad of environmental contaminants that can damage their paint. Some of these are obvious – road salt, bird droppings and rust-causing contaminants can be easily seen with the naked eye. Others are more subtle, such as the sharp metal shavings that can become embedded in your paint. These are called ingrained contamination and can cause a lot of damage, especially if left unchecked.
To remove these, you need a chemical decontamination process. The best way to do this is with a clay bar, which works by scrubbing the surface of your car’s paint to remove any contaminants that have become bonded to it. This is a crucial step in the car detailing process and can help you achieve a truly flawless finish on your paint.
There are several different types of clay bars on the market, which vary in size and texture. A good quality one will usually come in a 100-gram or 200-gram bar, which can be broken into smaller pieces to make handling easier. Alternatively, you can also use a polyshave tool which is made from polymer and replicates the clay’s action by shaving contaminants away from your paint surface. These tools tend to be more durable than a clay bar and can be used for larger areas of your car.
Before you begin the claying process, apply an iron remover to the vehicle’s bodywork. This will help to loosen any iron particles that may have been deposited on your car’s paint. Once the product has had a few minutes to react, you can rinse it off. Some iron removers will also highlight the contaminants by turning them red, which makes it easy to see when they have been dissolved.
Once your car has been clayed, it’s time to move onto the decon wash stage. This is where you will need to start removing the most harmful of ingrained contaminants – the sharp metallic shavings. These are very dangerous and can cause serious oxidation problems if they are not removed. There are a variety of products available to tackle this problem, from tar removers that can be sprayed on and wiped off, to more potent solvents that can be applied and agitated with a brush before being rinsed off.
Paint Sealant
Paint sealant is an excellent way to protect your car’s paint layer from UV rays, intense heat, moisture, chemical contaminants, and oxidation. It will also help to reduce the amount of time and effort it takes you to maintain your vehicle by eliminating or reducing the need for frequent waxing. A quality sealant can also help to reduce or even eliminate the need for mechanical abrasion, such as clay barring or machine polishing.
There are a wide variety of car paint protection products available today, from the tried and true carnauba waxes to high-tech ceramic sealants. Choosing the right product is going to be a personal decision, and there will likely be some trade-offs. The amount of protection you want will be a big factor, as well as the finish you’re looking for. Some car sealants provide a glossier look, while others offer more of a matte finish.
Whether you choose a solvent-based or water-based sealant will be another important factor to consider. Solvent-based sealants have their polymers dissolved in a petroleum-based solvent. As the solvent evaporates, the remaining polymers cross-link with each other and with the clear coat of your car’s paint. Most solvent-based sealants need to dry for several hours and must be applied in a well-ventilated area. Water-based sealants, on the other hand, have their polymers dissolved in a water-based formula that is safer and easier to work with.
Once the sealant has cured, it will be ready to be buffed off with a microfiber cloth or buffing pad. Normally, the sealant will have specific instructions on how long it should be buffed off, as well as what type of buffing technique is recommended. It is generally best to use a soft, clean microfiber towel and apply gentle pressure in a circular motion.
The durability of your paint sealant will depend on the environment in which you live, as well as how often you wash and maintain your vehicle. It is important to remember that no paint protection product will fully prevent damage, and it will need to be reapplied regularly to maintain the highest level of protection.
