Washing

Achieving a perfect paint finish requires that every stage in the detailing process is safe for the paintwork, starting at the very beginning with the wash. Most swirls and light scratches are inflicted by poor washing technique and poor equipment. A good washing technique will also help maintain the finish. Taking a soapy sponge to a car simply moves the dirt particles around the paint surface and causes those swirls and scratches.

Initially, the vehicle should be thoroughly rinsed with a pressure washer to remove as much dirt and grit as possible. This process followed by a foam wash which will cling to the surface to soften up and remove even more dirt.

For the main wash, use of good quality tools such as a lambswool mitt rather than a sponge is a must, as is the "two bucket" method of washing (one bucket holding a good quality shampoo and one with clean water and a grit guard for regular rinsing of the wash mitt).

Vehicles should be dried using microfibre drying towels or a blower.

Decontamination

Washing alone will not clear the paint's surface of all contaminants. Things such as tree sap, tar, bird lime and bug splatter can be effectively removed by a decontamination process. Some detailers favour a chemical process to break down and dissolve contaminants; others use only clay, which is glided over the wet paint surface and picks up anything protruding.

We use both methods to ensure a contaminant free, silky smooth paint surface.

Polishing

Many usually understand the term "polish" to simply mean applying some sort of "bottled" shine to a vehicle, but in detailing parley it refers to the rather complex process of removing or masking paint defects by hand or machine polisher and significantly enhancing the gloss. A good knowledge of the vehicle being worked on, the hardness of the paint, the hundreds of different compounds, polishes, cleaners and glazes available and which combination of polish/pad to use is essential.

Protection

Protection comes mainly in the form of either a carnauba wax or a synthetic polymer sealant (some of the latest products combine both), but which to use?

Carnauba is derived from a tree native to Brazil and in its natural state would be as hard as concrete. It is mixed with oils and solvents to make it usable, and sometimes blended with other waxes e.g. Beeswax.

Wax sits on top of the paint surface and imparts a rich, warm, glossy finish, especially on darker colours. It beads well and can hide minor paint defects, but is not as long lasting as a sealant.

Polymer sealants are synthetic. They bond to the paint surface and last longer than waxes. They result in a sharper, more reflective but less glossy finish. They may, however, highlight rather than hide paint defects and sometimes mask true paint colour.

Some paint colours benefit more from one than the other. It is possible to layer wax over sealant and have some of the benefits of both.