Car detailing is the process of cleaning, restoring and protecting a vehicle’s interior and exterior. It involves many different techniques including ceramic coating, paint correction, and paint protection film (PPF). In this guide, we’ll explain what’s involved in the detailing process, and the benefits, to help you decide if it’s the right option for your car.
We’ll address:
- Paint correction and enhancement (machine polishing)
- Ceramic coatings
- Paint protection film (PPF)
- Interior detailing
- Maintaining a detailed car
- Popular detailing packages
Paint Correction
One of the most popular car detailing services available, is paint correction and enhancement. To understand what this process does, and how it works, we first need to address what paint “defects” are.
On all modern cars, the paint system has a colour (base) coat, which is topped with a clear coat. This clear coat is the thickest layer of paint on the car, and serves to protect the colour coat underneath from fading. Despite this protective role, the clear coat is actually quite soft and is easily marked. The most common cause of clear coat imperfections is due poor wash technique.
Improper wash techniques, for example using sponges and brushes, or automatic and cheap roadside car washes, will cause scratches and “swirl marks” in the clear coat. These imperfections cause the finish to look dull and hazy, and often resemble the appearance of spider webs under direct light. These defects are particularly visible on darker paintwork.
Paint correction is the process of removing and minimising the appearance of these clear coat scratches, in order to improve the clarity, gloss and depth of colour. This happens by essentially flattening the clear coat, so that it reflects light more evenly.
Paint Correction Process
The process of correcting the paint, involves a technique called machine polishing. The machine polisher has a pad attached to it, which is primed with an abrasive liquid. The polisher then works the abrasive over the paint at a high speed, removing a microscopic amount of the damaged clear coat.
Before the paint can be machine polished, it first needs to be deep cleaned and decontaminated. Over time, the clear coat becomes clogged with embedded contamination such as tar, iron fallout, mineral deposits and tree sap. These contaminants cause the paint to feel rough.
In order to make the paint feel smooth again, it’s deep cleaned using specialist chemicals and a clay bar. Only after this decontamination process has been completed, can the paintwork be polished. Otherwise, the embedded contaminants will be picked up by the polishing pad and actually cause more defects.
Enhancement vs Correction
There are various different levels of machine polishing which can be utilised depending on the severity of the clear coat defects. The more “stages” of polishing carried out, the better the level of defect removal will be. Here’s a quick summary of the packages we have on offer:
- Single-stage correction – one stage of machine polishing is used to remove minor swirls and boost gloss and clarity.
- Two-stage correction – two separate stages of machine polishing are performed to remove heavier swirl marks and clear coat scratches.
If you’re unsure what your car needs, we can advise based on the severity of the defects, and your budget. Please visit our car detailing service page for more information.
Ceramic Coating
Once the car has been machine polished, it will then need to be protected. There are several options including waxes, sealants, ceramic coatings, and paint protection film (PPF). Car detailing services focus on ceramic coatings and PPF, as these offer far superior protection compared to waxes and sealants.
Ceramic coatings are liquids that are applied to the surface, form a chemical bond, and are then left to cure. This curing process causes the coating to harden, essentially forming an invisible shield over the surface. Ceramic coatings offer several benefits including:
- Hydrophobic and dirt repellent finish – this makes the car easier to clean and keeps it cleaner between washes.
- UV protection – to preserve the paintwork and help prevent fading due to UV exposure.
- Chemical resistance – this shields the paint underneath from environmental contamination such as road salt, bird droppings, tree sap, and traffic film.
- Enhanced gloss – the coating helps to improve the finish by maximising gloss and reflectivity.
One of the biggest advantages of ceramic coatings over traditional waxes and sealants, is the durability. Ceramic coatings last for several years, whereas waxes and sealants usually only last for a few months.
Various surfaces of the vehicle can be treated with a ceramic coating including the:
- Paint
- Glass
- Alloy wheels
- Brake calipers
- Exhaust tips
- Plastic trim
- Headlights and taillights
- Interior surfaces
Our Ceramic Coating Packages
We offer professional-grade ceramic coatings from premium brands. As certified installers, we have access to the best coatings that can’t be purchased by the general public. The result, is better protection and longevity. Here are some of the coatings we use:
- Wax is Dead: we use Wax is Dead Supreme, which is a 5-year professional-grade ceramic coating.
- Gtechniq: we use Gtechniq Crystal Serum, which is a 5-year premium ceramic coating.
Paint Protection Film (PPF)
Another option to shield your vehicle, is paint protection film (PPF). This is the best option that the car detailing industry has to offer. Not only does PPF offer chemical resistance, impressive durability, and easier maintenance, but it also offers protection against abrasion.
Ceramic coatings offer a range of benefits, but provide very little in the way of abrasion resistance, and are not “scratch-proof” by any means.
PPF on the other hand, is a clear, self-healing polyurethane film which physically covers the vehicle. This shields the paintwork underneath from stone chips and scratches. In the event that the PPF becomes scratched, heat can be applied to remove the defect. If the defect is too severe, the PPF can be removed and replaced, leaving the paintwork underneath completely unharmed in the vast majority of cases.
We use Pyramid Car Care PPF, which has a lifetime warranty covering defects not caused by accidents, scratches or intentional damage. PPF offers incredible longevity, often lasting 10-years+, so really is the pinnacle of paint protection.
PPF Packages
Paint protection film is a more considerable investment compared to a ceramic coating, so we offer different packages with various levels of coverage. Here are the options on offer:
- Front-end PPF: covers the bumper, bonnet, front wings, headlights, wing mirrors and A-pillars.
- Track-pack PPF: covers the front-end plus the side skirts and partial rear arch.
- Full-coverage PPF: covers all painted surfaces and the headlights.
Please visit our PPF service page for more information on the options available.
Interior Detailing
Car detailing isn’t just about the exterior. You can also have your vehicle’s interior detailed, in order to reset it back to factory-fresh. A thorough interior detail typically includes the following:
- Thorough vacuum of all interior surfaces.
- Deep clean and sanitisation of interior plastics, fabrics and leather.
- Odour elimination.
- Interior glass clean.
Usually the process requires specialist equipment such as steam cleaners and wet-vac extractors in order to achieve the deepest level of cleaning possible.
Maintaining a Detailed Car
Once a car has been detailed, it will need to be maintained properly in order to keep it in the best possible condition. If it is washed using poor techniques and improper tools, or taken to a roadside or automatic car wash, all that work will be undone.
We offer maintenance detailing packages so your vehicle can be cleaned to a professional standard using safe wash techniques which do not inflict clear coat swirls and scratches. We offer several options in terms of frequency, ranging from bi-weekly to bi-monthly so you can pick a schedule that suits you.
Popular Detailing Packages
Here are some of our most popular car detailing packages and the prices:
- Enhancement package (from £399): this includes a light interior refresh, exterior deep clean and decontamination, single-stage machine polish, and a paint sealant.
- Protection package (from £549): this includes an exterior deep clean and decontamination, single stage machine polish, and a 5-year ceramic coating.
- Ultimate package (from £699): this includes an exterior deep clean and decontamination, two-stage machine polish and a 5-year ceramic coating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between car detailing and valeting?
Car detailing goes beyond valeting by including paint correction and premium protection options such as ceramic coatings and PPF. If you want your vehicle to look the best it possibly can, and keep it looking that way, then professional detailing services are the best option.
What is the difference between PPF and ceramic coatings?
PPF and ceramic coatings are both designed to protect the paintwork. They both can last for many years, provide chemical resistance, and make maintenance easier. However, PPF offers more protection by shielding the paintwork against stone chips and scratches. Please visit this article for more information on the differences between PPF and ceramic coatings.
Do new cars need detailing?
New cars greatly benefit from professional detailing services. Having the vehicle detailed will remove paint imperfections which are inflicted at either the factory or dealership prior to collection. Also, having either a ceramic coating or PPF installed will protect the finish and keep it looking new for as long as possible. Please visit our new car detailing service page for more information.
Car Detailing in Cardiff
We offer a range of premium car detailing services in Cardiff including paint correction, ceramic coating and PPF. We use the best products available in the detailing industry, and have received extensive training to install professional-only ceramic coatings and paint protection film. Get in touch today to see how we can transform and protect your vehicle’s appearance.