Email: info@prestige-valeting.co.uk

Telphone: 01782 744115

Mobile: 07947 134445

Fax: 01782 744115

So what is Detailing?

Auto Detailing is the practice of performing an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing of an automobile, both inside and out, to produce a show-quality level of detail. It can be practiced for personal satisfaction, and it is also performed to prepare a car for Concours), a car show that features the appearance of cars. Elements of exterior detailing include claying, polishing, and waxing. Interior detailing involves the cleaning of the interior of a vehicle using vacuums, liquid cleaners, and brushes. Engine detailing involves cleaning the engine bay area of dirt and grease by using degreasers and all-purpose cleaners. While there are no specific guidelines for what actually makes up a 'detail,' it is typically considered more extensive than washing and drying a car, and will often involve many steps. Main goals are typically beautification, but can also touch other areas such as minor paint repair, protection and sealant, surface restoration, as well as thoroughly cleaning areas which are normally ignored such as the engine and under chassis. A variety of shampoos, cleaners, degreasers, protectants, lubricants, polishes, clay bars, and waxes have developed over time to suit various demands of consumers and professionals.

Clay Bars

Clay is a mixture of clay base and various abrasives. Clay along with a clay lubricant is used to remove paint contamination. Road grime, tar, bugs, rust, tree sap and even paint over spray can be removed with a clay bar. Clay bars differ in color and density but what is most important, type and amount of abrasive particles they contain. Claying does not remove the clear coat of the paint but can cause marring or dullness if used incorrectly. When using a clay bar it is important to use sufficient lubrication. It takes a few passes of clay to feel the difference on the surface of the paint. To evaluate the effectiveness of claying dry the area and assess the paint and the bar. The paint should become slick to touch. The clay bar used should be turning gray. If the clay bar is dropped it must be discarded. Check often for any large particles on the clay bar as you might unknowingly scratch the paint when claying. Claying does not replace polishing. It is a process that should be used before polishing compound is used. Claying should be used once or twice a year.

Polishing

The purpose of polishing is to remove contamination, swirls, scratches and other imperfections from the paint. In contrast to the clay, which removes contamination from the surface of the paint, polishes penetrate the clearcoat or the paint itself on single stage paint. Polishes are classified based on how abrasive they are. Rubbing Compound will remove the heavy scratches and oxidation. It can be compared to a fine sandpaper. Polish is used to remove light oxidation and fine scratches. It can also be used to remove light imperfections such as swirl marks or water spots. Pre-wax cleaner is also a polish. It is used prior to waxing to remove very light contamination and dirt. Glaze is the finest polish. It does not remove the imperfections but has the power to enhance surface gloss. There are other products such as a "buff and wax" which contain a high level of cleaner and U.V. protectant or carnuba, producing a polish and a protect affect.

Waxing

Waxing your car is the ultimate form of protecting your automobile's finish. Wax comes in many forms like cream, paste, liquid, etc. Many waxes contain carnuba which contains a high amount of fatty acids. This fatty acid creates a solid layer between the paint and the outside world which protects it, and gives it a shiny finish. The best form of waxing your car is using a synthetic wax. Synthetic wax contains man made U.V. inhibitors like the ones used in sunscreen to protect your skin (However they are stronger for obvious reasons). Synthetic waxes commonly mix low amounts of cleaners with high amounts of U.V. inhibitors to create the same protective layer on your car that carnuba does.

There are various products advertising a "wash and wax" in the same use. They are a thin liquid that advise you to wash your car and that you will not have to apply a hand wax. Most of these products contain petroleum distilates that only produce a brief shine that imitates the effect of a carnuba or synthetic wax, and will soon attract dirt.

OUR PROCEDURE FOR EXTERIOR PAINTWORK CORRECTION

Here at Prestige we insist on perfection! That’s why you will always see our Detailers work to the best possible standard.

1. Prepare the car for pre-wash
2. Full Bug & Tar removal around the vehicle
3. Pre-soak the car in a safe (non caustic) citrus based cleaner to all dirty areas inc sills ,door/boot shuts & arches
4. Use a pressure washer to remove all the excess dirt and grime
5. Pre-soak car in our unique blue polish foam wax to soak into the remainder of dirt & grime, leave for 5 minutes
6. Hand Wash car using the 2 bucket method with a lambs wool wash mitt (This avoids the possibility of adding swirl marks)
7. Apply non acid wheel cleaner to all wheels and clean with quality wheel brush
8. Rinse all wheels and remove tar
9. Clay all defect areas to remove contamination and overspray etc
10. Completely rinse the vehicle including all arches, wheels etc
11. Completely dry the paintwork using a soft non abrasive drying towel
12. Check thickness of the paint using a special paint thickness gauge - thickness of paint will be logged for customer
13. Mask all areas where polishing will take place i.e on rubbers, trims etc
14. Polish defect areas with a quality Rotary polisher and polish in various stages depending on the paint thickness
15. Apply sealant/glaze to the polished area ready for the final stage of waxing
16. A good quality of wax is used to give that ‘wet look’ finish to the paintwork
17. A second coat of hard carnauba wax to protect the paintwork
18. Apply wheel wax/sealant to all wheels
19. Apply dressing to all tyres, arches and plastic and vinyl surfaces
20. Apply window polish to all exterior windows and polish

There we have it! A full exterior detail and the results will be outstanding! Time is approx 1 day

FULL INTERIOR DETAIL

A superior interior detail ensuring a showroom finish!

1. All litter removed including boot space, door pockets and compartments (all valuables will be collected and stored safely with owners permisson .
2. All rubber matts and boot mats to be removed and cleaned using a lemon scented interior fabric cleaner and then dried.
3. A full vacuum is now enforced including all carpets, vent/crevices, boot space including spare wheel well, all door cards & side of seats.
4. Roof headlining to be fully de-dusted and cleaned with a mild non caustic lemon interior cleaner
5. All seats, back of seats, under seats, boot space to be professionally wet and dry shampooed  with extraction and dried.
6. All leather seats, trims etc will be treated with leather cleaner, preserver and conditioner.
7. All plastic & vinyl areas will be treated with a matt (or shiny) non silicone finish to enhance the look of the surfaces.
8. All interior glass will be cleaned and polished to leave a streak free finish
9. Interior freshener & deodoriser will be applied to footwells and vent areas to leave a fresh scent ready for you!

Just two examples of the kind of details available to our customers always ensuring a showroom finish!

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