It's been said countless times - these are strange times.
Most of us never thought that we'd be living through a global pandemic, forced to endure endless stay at home orders, school closings, and job losses. Worst of all is how many of our fellow Americans are dying, it's tragic.
Many of us are feeling a loss of control as we obey social distancing orders. We spend time wondering if and waiting to see improvements in the predictions as the virus known as COVID-19 as it spreads through our community.
Thankfully we have some good news to share with you. We have a method to disinfect your vehicle and render it safe for you and your family. The cornerstone of this method is the use of an Ozone generator. Many recent studies have proven that prolonged exposure to Ozone kills viruses. To be completely transparent - there has not yet been a direct study on the effects of Ozone on COVID-19. However, there have been several studies proving the efficacy of Ozone for closely related viruses like SARS Coronavirus and influenzas such as H5N1. Based on those findings, we have a very high level of confidence that Ozone is an effective disinfectant for COVID-19.
APS in Fairfax Virginia has Ozone generators standing by ready to treat your vehicle and restore some of your peace of mind.
Please contact our shop for details, including:
- Availability, scheduling, and pricing.
Friday, April 3, 2020
Friday, August 9, 2019
Rustproofing - Worth the investment?
Rustproof
Rustproofing and undercoating your vehicle can protect it from corrosion and rust. This is especially important for the undercarriage of your vehicle, which commonly comes into contact with substances such as water, chemicals such as salt, and other dirt and debris from the road. Without some sort of protection, the bottom of your vehicle can rust and corrode, leading to part failure. Before rustproofing or undercoating your undercarriage, you need to consider a few things.
The advantages and disadvantages of rustproofing/undercoating your vehicle:
New Vehicle:
The best time to rustproof or apply undercoating protection is when you buy a brand-new vehicle that hasn't been driven yet. Do what many folks in Northern Virginia have done, set an appointment at APS in Fairfax to have the service performed shortly after your purchase.
This represents the best time to have an undercoating applied, as the underbody of the vehicle is probably the cleanest it will ever be.
Used Vehicle
For used vehicles, rustproofing requires the expertise of professionals who must remove existing rust before the application of the rustproofing and undercoating.
This applies most commonly to used vehicles. While the underside of the vehicle has already been exposed to water, dirt, and other debris from the road at this point, applying an undercoating now can protect it from further exposure.
Different types of rustproofing/undercoating
When having your vehicle rustproofed or an undercoating applied, you have a few options to choose from.
Electronic method. Using a weak electric current, this small device can stop the corroding effects of rust.
You can have these electronic devices installed at the dealership, or save some money and buy them from a source outside of the dealership.
The reviews on these devices are mixed.
Undercoating. This method involves spraying a tar-based substance on the exposed parts of a vehicle's underbody.
The tar-like undercoating acts as a barrier once it hardens, keeping out moisture, salt, and other substances.
This undercoating works best when applied to the undercarriage of a new vehicle. It also requires an expert application, or it can crack, letting in moisture.
Dripless oil spray. A wax-like substance applied to the entire body of the vehicle, it hardens once it has dried.
One of the downsides of dripless oil sprays is that you need to have holes drilled into the body of the car at specific points to make it useful. The spray also has a high viscosity, meaning that it does not always get into all of the nooks and crannies of your vehicle.
Drip oil spray. This is the most commonly recommended rust protection.
Drip oil sprays tend to continue to drip once applied until they dry. This dripping can last anywhere up to 48 hours after application.
Unlike the dripless varieties, the more watery nature of drip oil sprays means it gets into more areas on your vehicle, though you still need to have holes drilled in your vehicle's fenders, doors, and other areas to make sure that it gets to all the areas it needs to.
Tip: Use a tar-like undercoating for best results. A rubberized undercoating is more durable and seals better, protecting the metal from exposure to water.
While rustproofing is best applied when you first purchase a new vehicle, you can get undercoating protection for your used vehicle to keep it safe from further exposure to water, dirt, and other substances from the road. Check out a shop in Fairfax Virginia has an excellent process for rust remediation and protection
When having your vehicle rustproofed or an undercoating applied, you have a few options to choose from.
Electronic method. Using a weak electric current, this small device can stop the corroding effects of rust.
You can have these electronic devices installed at the dealership, or save some money and buy them from a source outside of the dealership.
The reviews on these devices are mixed.
Undercoating. This method involves spraying a tar-based substance on the exposed parts of a vehicle's underbody.
The tar-like undercoating acts as a barrier once it hardens, keeping out moisture, salt, and other substances.
This undercoating works best when applied to the undercarriage of a new vehicle. It also requires an expert application, or it can crack, letting in moisture.
Dripless oil spray. A wax-like substance applied to the entire body of the vehicle, it hardens once it has dried.
One of the downsides of dripless oil sprays is that you need to have holes drilled into the body of the car at specific points to make it useful. The spray also has a high viscosity, meaning that it does not always get into all of the nooks and crannies of your vehicle.
Drip oil spray. This is the most commonly recommended rust protection.
Drip oil sprays tend to continue to drip once applied until they dry. This dripping can last anywhere up to 48 hours after application.
Unlike the dripless varieties, the more watery nature of drip oil sprays means it gets into more areas on your vehicle, though you still need to have holes drilled in your vehicle's fenders, doors, and other areas to make sure that it gets to all the areas it needs to.
Tip: Use a tar-like undercoating for best results. A rubberized undercoating is more durable and seals better, protecting the metal from exposure to water.
While rustproofing is best applied when you first purchase a new vehicle, you can get undercoating protection for your used vehicle to keep it safe from further exposure to water, dirt, and other substances from the road. Check out a shop in Fairfax Virginia has an excellent process for rust remediation and protection
Ceramic Coating - is the juice worth the squeeze
The Truth About Ceramic Coating
APS - Fairfax
August - 2019
Ceramic coating, is the juice worth the squeeze? What is a ceramic car coating in the first place? While there are several ways to spice up the flavor of your daily drivers, such as paint correction or self-cleaning efforts, many consumers are looking into the power of ceramic coating as a viable option.
It’s certainly all over the internet these days with countless videos across social media showing mud being thrown over a hood and sheeting off instantly leaving barely a dirty mark.
For many viewers, this is the first time they’ve even heard of the terms “Ceramic Coating” or “Nano Coating”. Others are skeptical – have the videos been staged in some way? Will the coating ruin my car? And why do they seem so expensive when the bottles are so tiny?
In today’s post, we’re going to look at the realities of ceramic coating your car, whether they do what they claim and help you decide whether it’s for you or not. Although the protection these coatings offer is unrivaled, they do have some potential downsides depending on what you’re after.
Let’s spend some time clearing the facts from the fiction. This is what we’ll be covering today:
Background
You want your car to look as amazing as it did the day you drove it off the dealer’s lot. But despite your efforts maintaining and washing, the scratches, chips, and stains start to spread across your car’s exterior and the paint begins to dull & fade from the sun, which spurns many consumers to find ways of providing UV protection.
Anything and everything is constantly attacking your car’s surface. Mud, dust, dirty rain, water spots, unsightly brake dust, grime start sticking to your car almost immediately after cleaning it. And let’s face it, having to wash your car is boring, monotonous and time-consuming. Snow, ice, salted roads, tree gum, bird shit doesn’t help either.
Automatic car washes scratch and mars your paint, while the chemicals used are terrible for the surface. Not to mention daily life scratches from kids, shopping carts, bikes, and scooters.
Wax adds a good level of shine and gloss, and a small amount of protection, but lasts a few months at best. But it certainly doesn’t act as a quality glass coating product.
Here’s where auto Ceramic Coatings come in.
A Ferrari getting 9H ceramic coated.
Originally designed for the oil and space industry, the 9h ceramic technology has now expanded quickly into the automotive industry. All because of how effective it really is.
What is a Ceramic Coating for Cars?
What is a 9H ceramic coating? The easiest way is to understand Ceramics Coatings are to think of them as a second layer of skin, or a sacrificial layer of protection over your car’s clearcoat.
They utilize nanotechnology, which are essentially tiny particles that form a very fine, thin layer completely invisible to the eye. Because these particles are so small, when applied to a surface, they seal all the pores making the surface hydrophobic (water-repellent), but also resistant to UV, scratches, chemicals, extreme heat and even anti-graffiti. This 9H ceramic layer is completely transparent.
Originally designed for the oil and space industry, the 9h ceramic technology has now expanded quickly into the automotive industry. All because of how effective it really is.
What is a Ceramic Coating for Cars?
What is a 9H ceramic coating? The easiest way is to understand Ceramics Coatings are to think of them as a second layer of skin, or a sacrificial layer of protection over your car’s clearcoat.
They utilize nanotechnology, which are essentially tiny particles that form a very fine, thin layer completely invisible to the eye. Because these particles are so small, when applied to a surface, they seal all the pores making the surface hydrophobic (water-repellent), but also resistant to UV, scratches, chemicals, extreme heat and even anti-graffiti. This 9H ceramic layer is completely transparent.
What is a ceramic coating? The difference between an uncoated surface vs. a nano-ceramic coated surface.
The nano ceramic coating forms a semi-permanent bond with a vehicle’s surface, resulting in a ‘sacrificial’ layer that will not wash away under cleaning or rain, or break down over a short period of time. In fact, usually, it lasts years.
They repel dirt and water like nothing else, which makes them easier to clean. Their hardness helps to prevent swirl marks and marring from washing.
What Does a Nano-Ceramic Coating Do
There is a reason why the popularity of ceramic coatings has grown so much. A lot of the benefits are simply unheard of in the automotive industry. There are also some precautions you need to be aware of.
Hydrophobic Is Otherwise known as being very water repellent.
An important feature of a nano Ceramic Coating is that it is hydrophobic. This basically means that water will be repelled instantaneously. When your car is ceramic coated, the incredible hydrophobic effect of the coating will cause water to bead up and roll of the surface along with most dirt, grime, or mud (as it has all been unable to bond to your vehicle’s paint). When people ask “what is ceramic coating” this is often the first demonstration.
Watch the hydrophobic features on the left side of the car, which is coated vs. right side that’s not coated
Any remaining dirt on the car can be removed with less effort. A lot less effort.
Mud & Dirt Repellent Ceramic paint coating works much harder at protecting the surface of your vehicle than an ordinary paint job.
Rain and water bead as opposed to accumulating on the surface. Snow and ice does not stick to the surface. And mud as demonstrated above just slides off.
Protection from UV Damage / Oxidization / Rust Vehicles often exposed to the sun will start seeing the paint fade and look dull. This is caused by the sun’s ultraviolet sun rays, which causes oxidation to the car’s paint. By adding a layer of Ceramic Coating to your paint, you can dramatically reduce the oxidation.
Improved Durability Ceramic coatings or nano coatings, work much harder at protecting the surface of your vehicle than an ordinary paint job. The new coating bonds with the molecular structure of your car’s paint and can’t be dislodged by vibrations or external force, meaning it lasts years not months.
What Does a 9H Ceramic Coating NOT Do?
A lot of misconceptions about what the protection does not cover. Even the best ceramic coating does not make your car bulletproof. They’re not some magic all-encompassing product that will solve all potential hazards your surface is exposed to. The truth is not every vehicle will benefit from it.
The nano ceramic coating forms a semi-permanent bond with a vehicle’s surface, resulting in a ‘sacrificial’ layer that will not wash away under cleaning or rain, or break down over a short period of time. In fact, usually, it lasts years.
They repel dirt and water like nothing else, which makes them easier to clean. Their hardness helps to prevent swirl marks and marring from washing.
What Does a Nano-Ceramic Coating Do
There is a reason why the popularity of ceramic coatings has grown so much. A lot of the benefits are simply unheard of in the automotive industry. There are also some precautions you need to be aware of.
Hydrophobic Is Otherwise known as being very water repellent.
An important feature of a nano Ceramic Coating is that it is hydrophobic. This basically means that water will be repelled instantaneously. When your car is ceramic coated, the incredible hydrophobic effect of the coating will cause water to bead up and roll of the surface along with most dirt, grime, or mud (as it has all been unable to bond to your vehicle’s paint). When people ask “what is ceramic coating” this is often the first demonstration.
Watch the hydrophobic features on the left side of the car, which is coated vs. right side that’s not coated
Any remaining dirt on the car can be removed with less effort. A lot less effort.
Mud & Dirt Repellent Ceramic paint coating works much harder at protecting the surface of your vehicle than an ordinary paint job.
Rain and water bead as opposed to accumulating on the surface. Snow and ice does not stick to the surface. And mud as demonstrated above just slides off.
Protection from UV Damage / Oxidization / Rust Vehicles often exposed to the sun will start seeing the paint fade and look dull. This is caused by the sun’s ultraviolet sun rays, which causes oxidation to the car’s paint. By adding a layer of Ceramic Coating to your paint, you can dramatically reduce the oxidation.
Improved Durability Ceramic coatings or nano coatings, work much harder at protecting the surface of your vehicle than an ordinary paint job. The new coating bonds with the molecular structure of your car’s paint and can’t be dislodged by vibrations or external force, meaning it lasts years not months.
What Does a 9H Ceramic Coating NOT Do?
A lot of misconceptions about what the protection does not cover. Even the best ceramic coating does not make your car bulletproof. They’re not some magic all-encompassing product that will solve all potential hazards your surface is exposed to. The truth is not every vehicle will benefit from it.
Even the best ceramic coating doesn’t make your car bulletproof.
They do not stop rock chips, they do not prevent water spots, they do not replace proper care or maintenance, they do not prevent dings or dents, and they do not last forever.
Just because your vehicle has undergone the ceramic paint process or treatment it doesn’t mean you no longer need to dust, wash or remove bird droppings. You still do. The difference is that maintaining your paint will require less elbow grease and less time.
Ceramic Coating Myths
Myth 1: Ceramic Car Coatings Are Scratch Proof A lot of detailers and suppliers exaggerate the scratch resistance of 9H Ceramic Coatings for cars, even going so far as to call them scratch-proof or resistant to rock chips which is completely false.
Small scratches can definitely be resisted by a Nano-Ceramic Coating and the sacrificial layer the car coating forms will certainly help against minor incidents that would otherwise mar your surface. For examples, driving through brush, small little knocks from bikes, kids playing, or animals jumping excitedly against the car
Most newer coatings for cars are typically rated 9H on the pencil scale. This is the highest possible scratch resistance, however… 9H Ceramic coatings for cars are not thick or flexible enough to absorb the impact of a rock hitting your paint at highway speed or to resist against someone purposely trying to scratch your car.
Myth 2: Nano Coatings for your Car Don’t Require Maintenance Another myth is that ceramic coated cars do not require washing or maintenance. A coating will heavily cut down on the amount of washing and maintenance but not completely eliminate the need for it.
The fact is if you are going to drive your car, even if it's infrequently, the road is dirty and the surface is going to gradually get dirtier even with a ceramic coat.
It will still require washing, just with a lot less effort and less frequency. Overall with a car coating, it’s going to be much easier.
Myth 3: Car Coatings Are Permanent Partly, this is true. The nano-ceramic coating is actually semi-permanent, as to it bonds with the car surface and cures into a hard and shiny sacrificial layer. That means that you don’t have to re-apply every other month to maintain that glossy surface.
How long does ceramic coating last? With a good product and proper application, it should last at least 2-3 years, however, it is definitely not permanent.
Myth 4: They Are Really Easy to Apply This is actually relatively true. With the new DIY kits becoming available to consumers, the actual application process is relatively easy.
That said, it’s not necessarily simple. Before you can even apply the nano-coating, the surface has to be free of surface blemishes, which applies to even brand new vehicles. The process really depends on the condition of the surface. As the ceramic coating will semi-permanently add a layer over your vehicle’s paint, it’s crucial to do any paint restoration before applying the car coating. It’s up to you to decide, but we do recommend washing the car, claying, buffing, and keeping it pristine while applying the coating.
Myth 5: Ceramic Coatings Provide More Gloss Than Sealants And Waxes Not necessarily. The truth is the nano-coating for cars doesn’t provide the gloss alone – the prep work done underneath is also crucial. If you have faded paint and apply a coating to your car, it will still be faded, with a little bit of shine on top. The same applies for haze or swirl marks, they’ll also be “locked” under the coating if they’re not removed first.
What are the options?
Although they’re just now catching wings in the “mainstream” – ceramic car coatings have been around the detailing industry for several years now.
However, because of their prohibitive costs through detailers, they’ve previously only been accessible or cost-effective for enthusiasts or owners of high-end vehicles.
There are two options when deciding you want your auto surface ceramic coated:
Professional Applications
DIY Consumer Kits
Professional Application
These are (car) ceramic coatings that must be applied by trained and certified professionals and delivers superhydrophobic properties. The use of equipment, experience, and labor makes the cost relatively high, depending on your budget.
The nano ceramic process typically takes anywhere between 1-5 days depending on the condition of your paint, the size of the vehicle and the packages you select.
DIY Consumer Kits
Recently, a range of consumer-level car coatings have become available. This has opened up “nano” ceramic coatings to casual drivers who are less concerned about their cars being showroom quality and more about ease of cleaning and protection against the elements.
Specially formulated so that they are much less sensitive than professional-grade car coatings, they are also designed to be applied with little to no experience. The quality durability of these products can vary immensely, but in comparison to the costs of professional applications, they are obviously a lot more accessible to the average driver. A for how to ceramic coat a car yourself, the process is actually quite simple
Conclusion
Hopefully, that helps answer “What is a Ceramic Coating?”.
Is it worth it?
Yes, absolutely, for most cars. The marginal investment, particularly from a DIY standpoint makes a ceramic car coating well worth purchasing. The upfront cost will pay for itself in savings in less than a couple of months. A professional application is also worth exploring if you're not confident that you can do the paint correction on your own.
The important thing is to not expect a magic product that forms a bulletproof force field of protection around your car. What it does do is keep your car looking like its been recently waxed for years, makes dirt fall off super easy, and does a better job of protecting your paint than any wax or sealant.
They do not stop rock chips, they do not prevent water spots, they do not replace proper care or maintenance, they do not prevent dings or dents, and they do not last forever.
Just because your vehicle has undergone the ceramic paint process or treatment it doesn’t mean you no longer need to dust, wash or remove bird droppings. You still do. The difference is that maintaining your paint will require less elbow grease and less time.
Ceramic Coating Myths
Myth 1: Ceramic Car Coatings Are Scratch Proof A lot of detailers and suppliers exaggerate the scratch resistance of 9H Ceramic Coatings for cars, even going so far as to call them scratch-proof or resistant to rock chips which is completely false.
Small scratches can definitely be resisted by a Nano-Ceramic Coating and the sacrificial layer the car coating forms will certainly help against minor incidents that would otherwise mar your surface. For examples, driving through brush, small little knocks from bikes, kids playing, or animals jumping excitedly against the car
Most newer coatings for cars are typically rated 9H on the pencil scale. This is the highest possible scratch resistance, however… 9H Ceramic coatings for cars are not thick or flexible enough to absorb the impact of a rock hitting your paint at highway speed or to resist against someone purposely trying to scratch your car.
Myth 2: Nano Coatings for your Car Don’t Require Maintenance Another myth is that ceramic coated cars do not require washing or maintenance. A coating will heavily cut down on the amount of washing and maintenance but not completely eliminate the need for it.
The fact is if you are going to drive your car, even if it's infrequently, the road is dirty and the surface is going to gradually get dirtier even with a ceramic coat.
It will still require washing, just with a lot less effort and less frequency. Overall with a car coating, it’s going to be much easier.
Myth 3: Car Coatings Are Permanent Partly, this is true. The nano-ceramic coating is actually semi-permanent, as to it bonds with the car surface and cures into a hard and shiny sacrificial layer. That means that you don’t have to re-apply every other month to maintain that glossy surface.
How long does ceramic coating last? With a good product and proper application, it should last at least 2-3 years, however, it is definitely not permanent.
Myth 4: They Are Really Easy to Apply This is actually relatively true. With the new DIY kits becoming available to consumers, the actual application process is relatively easy.
That said, it’s not necessarily simple. Before you can even apply the nano-coating, the surface has to be free of surface blemishes, which applies to even brand new vehicles. The process really depends on the condition of the surface. As the ceramic coating will semi-permanently add a layer over your vehicle’s paint, it’s crucial to do any paint restoration before applying the car coating. It’s up to you to decide, but we do recommend washing the car, claying, buffing, and keeping it pristine while applying the coating.
Myth 5: Ceramic Coatings Provide More Gloss Than Sealants And Waxes Not necessarily. The truth is the nano-coating for cars doesn’t provide the gloss alone – the prep work done underneath is also crucial. If you have faded paint and apply a coating to your car, it will still be faded, with a little bit of shine on top. The same applies for haze or swirl marks, they’ll also be “locked” under the coating if they’re not removed first.
What are the options?
Although they’re just now catching wings in the “mainstream” – ceramic car coatings have been around the detailing industry for several years now.
However, because of their prohibitive costs through detailers, they’ve previously only been accessible or cost-effective for enthusiasts or owners of high-end vehicles.
There are two options when deciding you want your auto surface ceramic coated:
Professional Applications
DIY Consumer Kits
Professional Application
These are (car) ceramic coatings that must be applied by trained and certified professionals and delivers superhydrophobic properties. The use of equipment, experience, and labor makes the cost relatively high, depending on your budget.
The nano ceramic process typically takes anywhere between 1-5 days depending on the condition of your paint, the size of the vehicle and the packages you select.
DIY Consumer Kits
Recently, a range of consumer-level car coatings have become available. This has opened up “nano” ceramic coatings to casual drivers who are less concerned about their cars being showroom quality and more about ease of cleaning and protection against the elements.
Specially formulated so that they are much less sensitive than professional-grade car coatings, they are also designed to be applied with little to no experience. The quality durability of these products can vary immensely, but in comparison to the costs of professional applications, they are obviously a lot more accessible to the average driver. A for how to ceramic coat a car yourself, the process is actually quite simple
Conclusion
Hopefully, that helps answer “What is a Ceramic Coating?”.
Is it worth it?
Yes, absolutely, for most cars. The marginal investment, particularly from a DIY standpoint makes a ceramic car coating well worth purchasing. The upfront cost will pay for itself in savings in less than a couple of months. A professional application is also worth exploring if you're not confident that you can do the paint correction on your own.
The important thing is to not expect a magic product that forms a bulletproof force field of protection around your car. What it does do is keep your car looking like its been recently waxed for years, makes dirt fall off super easy, and does a better job of protecting your paint than any wax or sealant.
“Look at this thing, it’s like black glass” –
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Spring Automotive Detailing - APS in Fairfax Virginia
Spring has sprung - This means your car is probably covered with layers stuff that won't do your paint any favors.
 |
| APS - Fairfax |
- Undercarriage cleaning: Remove the salt residue from your undercarriage and engine bay (remember those pre-treatment brines are still active on your vehicle months later)
 |
| Undercarriage Cleaning |
- Leaf and seed Removal: Remove all that stuff that falls
from trees and gets trapped in your vehicles cowl, door jambs, hood, and engine
jambs - that material will break down over time and cause damage to your paint.
 |
| Paint Protection |
- Paint Protection: Apply either wax or sealant to your
paint and protect it against the harsh sun that will increase in intensity over
the coming weeks and months of summer.
 |
| Interior Protection |
-Window Clarity: Clean your windows: properly cleaned
windows and wiper blades are a safety matter, as a good vision when we're
driving is critical. We also encourage the use of Aquapel to keep rainwater
beading and running off your windows in heavy rain events.
Spring is a time when a lot of folks look to have their
vehicles cleaned in anticipation of the summer months to come. The thought is
that they will be able to enjoy the value of the money spent on a detail longer
before bad weather makes their car dirty again. It's understandable, however
much of the purpose for detailing is actually to protect your vehicle against
damage, not only the aesthetic value gleaned from a freshly detailed car.
Proper detailing, the way it's done at APS in Fairfax
We look forward to seeing you this spring for the year-round
protection that your vehicle deserves.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Automotive Detailing Tips and Tricks
Taking care of your car's appearance doesn't qualify as vanity, it's smart vehicle ownership. You can hire a professional auto detailer to care for your car -- or you can swipe their secrets, do it yourself and save some dough.
There are a few professional organizations for detailers, like the National Association for Professional Detailing & Reconditioning (NAPDR) and the Professional Detailers Association, where you can find references for local detailers, but membership in either or any organization does not guarantee competence.
If you're going to hire a detailer, ask a lot of questions, ask for references and to see sample work, and agree to a price in writing before the detailing work begins.
"There are no secrets in this business anymore," said NAPDR Membership Chairman Randy Lowe, who also owns Randy's Custom Detail in Salem , Oregon
If you choose to detail your own ride, be prepared to spend a little bit of money gathering the proper tools and materials.
You may already have most of the right stuff handy in your garage; if you must gather everything from scratch, you might spend from $30 to $100 or more, depending on how extensive you want your detail job to be
The most important material that you'll need is already in your tool kit. For Lowe, the secret ingredient is hard work and elbow grease.
"Good detailing is 90% application and 10% product," he said. "The best detailer can get decent results with decent products, but the worst detailer can't get great results even with great products."
There are few automotive maintenance chores that are more satisfying, accessible to all skill levels and truly beneficial for your car than a good detail job.
We've collected the top secrets that will help you to get professional results, make your detailing more fun, more successful and easier.
Secret #1: Use two buckets to wash
Detailers know that the two bucket method is the best way to get your exterior clean. Use one bucket to hold your clean suds, and another bucket to hold clean water. Before you dip your cleaning mitt into the clean suds, rinse it off in the clean water bucket and wring it dry.
Then, you're always putting a clean mitt into the clean suds that will go on your car. If you only use one bucket, you're just moving dirt off of your car, into your suds and back onto your car.
Secret #2: Join the microfiber revolution
We're living the microfiber revolution. Pro detailers use color-coded, task-specific microfiber cloths and towels for greater efficiency, lower friction and scratching and easier washing, rinsing and drying.
Microfiber will trap the lint from cotton towels, defeating the purpose of the wash. Use very little detergent and skip the fabric softener, which will coat the fibers and inhibit micro fiber's qualities. Double up on the rinse cycle, and your microfiber will perform at its best. Remove any labels and stitching before you use your towels to avoid scratching.
Secret #3: Detail your trim first
This tip comes from Hugo, Master Detailer. He suggests using a trim protestants/restorer like Mothers' Back to Black before waxing your paint. Wash and dry your vehicle, then apply the trim protestants.
The product will repel polish and wax that might otherwise stain your trim. Some pro detailers use masking tape to protect the trim during waxing -- this application can help save time and cleanup.
Secret #4: Use a buffer to apply the product, a towel to remove
Consumers sometimes get confused by the name of the tool and use a power buffer to remove wax or polish from the painted surfaces of their cars. A buffer can leave erratic swirl marks in your clear coat and paint is used to remove the product, that's not what it's for.
Use the buffer to apply wax, and then use a soft, dry cloth to remove it. You'll avoid burning the paint or damaging the clear coat, and you'll wind up with a thin, even coat of wax.
Secret #5: Get a dual action polisher
For just a little bit more than you'd spend on a good direct drive polisher and an orbital polisher, you can get the perfect blend of both tools with a dual action polisher like the Flex XC 3401 VRG, which retails for around $280.
Based in Stuttgart , Germany
Secret #6: Use a clay bar system
This secret may be out of the bag already, but it's such a good one that it bears repeating. There's no better way to remove surface contaminants from paint than with a good clay bar system. Pros have been using clay for years, and consumer versions have been on the market for at least a decade.
A good clay bar system includes a spray lubricant, usually a detailing spray, an 80 - 100-gram clay bar, and a towel. According to Hugo, our Master Detailer, after washing and drying your car, you rub the clay bar on the paint to remove "bonded environmental contaminants" without removing paint thickness.
Secret #7: Use a plastic grocery bag to check the paint surface
Here's another tip from Hugo Castillo - APS Master Detailer. Once you have cleaned your paint's surface of contaminants with a clay bar system or another cleaner, it's important to make sure that you've really removed all the dirt before you seal the surface with wax.
Put your hand in an ordinary thin plastic grocery bag, and run it over the surface of the paint. The plastic bag will amplify any bumps and imperfections so that you can go back and detail again. Keep rechecking until the surface is totally smooth, then polish (if necessary) and apply protective wax.
Secret #8: Dry your glass in two directions
Here's a great tip from Hugo: Dry your glass in two directions. Get into the habit of doing your final wipe of interior glass in a horizontal direction, and the final wipe on the exterior in a vertical direction.
Then, when you find the inevitable streak, you'll instantly know whether it's on the inside (horizontal) or the outside (vertical) of the glass. You'll get perfectly clear glass without jumping in and out of the vehicle chasing that streak.
Secret #9: Brush it first
Hugo says that when it comes to cleaning interiors, mechanical agitation is always better than chemical intervention. That means that your first line of attack is a good brush.
For instance, before vacuuming your carpeting, de-mat the fibers by using a stiff nylon brush. Then, when you vacuum, the dirt will be free in the carpet and will be much easier to extract. The same goes for door panels, though you'll want to use a gentler brush. If more aggressive cleaning is necessary, start gently, use a gentle solution of fabric cleaner, and dry with a soft cotton cloth.
Secret #10: Make static electricity your friend
To remove stubborn pet hair from your car's carpets, put on a pair of nitrile gloves (readily available in boxes of 100 from any home improvement store) and then rub your hand over the carpet. The static electricity caused by the glove will help bring the pet hair up to the surface of the carpet for easy removal by hand or vacuum. Professional detailers use a more effective method of high-pressure air in conjunction with a vacuum cleaner.
Secret #11: Leave the headliner alone
According to Hugo, there's one part of the car that detailers avoid if at all possible: the headliner. Even a little bit of agitation can cause the glue in a headliner to fail, causing way more problems than it is worth. Keep your ministrations to a minimum when it comes to cleaning, brushing and tending to the headliner fabric.
If you positively must clean your headliner, use very little moisture, and never allow it to soak through the outer fabric.
Auto detailing can be a great way to bond with your car and to make your automotive investment go farther, last longer and look better. Hopefully, these top secrets will help you and your ride along the way.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Undercoating & Rust Proofing
What is the difference between Undercoating and Rust Proofing?
Simply put, undercoating protects the frame of your vehicle and rust proofing protects the body of your vehicle. Below we are going to walk you through each of the procedures so you can get a clear idea of what the purpose of each service is. Many people ask us which is the best protection for the potential corrosion due to winter road salt application, and we always recommend undercoating for this type of protection. It gives a solid protective barrier against any salt deposits and will greatly increase the life of your vehicle’s frame.
Undercoating: WHY and HOW we do it.
Why: To have your car or truck undercoated means having a layer of protection sprayed onto the undercarriage of your vehicle, including the floorboards, wheel wells, and frame. Since the underside of your vehicle is not washed during regular maintenance and is not even rinsed by regular rainwater, it is important to protect the exposed parts from rust and corrosion.
How: Applying an undercoating the very first thing that we're going to do is clean the whole underside of your vehicle - remove all the road grime, road salt, mud, grease - anything that contributes corrosion. Then we'll put the vehicle on our four post drive on lift, put it up in the air and dry the underside of the vehicle with our high-pressure air system. Then we'll apply a thick coating of our abrasion-resistant undercoating to the underside of the vehicle, the floor pans, frame rails, rocker panels - everything on the underside of your vehicle that doesn't move or get hot (like your exhaust system, drive train or shocks).
Rust Proofing: WHY and HOW we do it.
Why: Rust is a sneaky beast to deal with. We have all seen cars completely rusted out on the side of the road or abandoned in a ditch, and we can picture doors with huge holes rusted out with only a hint of original paint showing. The interesting thing is that rust actually starts to accumulate on a car very early in ownership, it is just hidden away inside the floor panels, inside the doors, and underneath the wheel wells so it is impossible to see. Once you start to see the first signs of rust, it has already been growing from the inside all along. When you realize where the rust starts, the solution is a no brainer.
How: To bake up a delicious batch of rust, you only three ingredients: Iron, water, and oxygen. Since we drive out in the elements all day in vehicles made of steel, we are creating the perfect environment for rust to form, grown, and eventually devour everything in its path.
Once you know how rust forms the solution is simple. The rust proofer we use is a type of extremely thick wax that can be sprayed onto surfaces or into tight spaces using a hose. By laying a thick durable wax coating inside the doors, the hood, and between the pinch welds of the frame we remove all three of the ingredients needed for rust to form. Oxygen can’t get to the iron ore in the steel and water and condensation are repelled away on contact.
We do not spray rust proofing on the underside of the vehicle. Since it is a waxy finish it makes an awful mess, dirt sticks to it, and your mechanic will be cursing your name if they need to get in there to repair something. Since the exposed areas of the vehicle are able to dry, unlike the inside of the panels, it is much less of a risk for rust.If you'd like to protect your vehicle against corrosion - Undercoating and Rust Proofing are great options - reach out to Automotive Protection Services in Fairfax Virginia (703) 591 0900
Monday, February 25, 2019
Winter Time Paint Finish Protection
winter is often a time of year that we hear folks saying the same thing - "I think I'll wait until the spring before I get my car detailed "- and sure we get that... But there is more to consider. The harsh conditions of the winter weather, combined with the strong chemicals that the road crews put down can cause some serious impacts to your vehicle, it's actually the time of year when the most vigilance must be employed to protect your cars finish. Here are a few strategies that will help you protect your pride and joy until the weather turns warm again. Get a Quality Paint Sealant Designed to Withstand Winter Weather
Superior paint protection can withstand exposure to road salt and cold temperatures. Dirt, snow, salt, and grime are easier to clean off your car’s exterior when there is a synthetic paint sealant. The polymers in modern paint sealants create an effective shield from water, road salts, and chemicals. Paint sealant will also seal paint chips and scratches, thus reducing further damage caused by oxidation.
Talk to your auto detailer about the best paint sealant options for the winter condition
ions in your area.
Protect Your Vehicle’s Tires & Wheel Wells
Freezing temperatures can damage your tires. The rubber needs to stay hydrated to prevent cracking. Get your tires treated with a quality tire dressing that not only keeps them looking good but also acts as a barrier from the harsh elements of winter and the ozone that causes rubber to deteriorate. A protective wax for your wheels will repel snow and ice. It requires regular reapplications to provide maximum protection.
Treat your wheel wells with a silicone based dressings to prevent the buildup of snow, ice and road salt. Undercoating in your wheel well is the best way to protect your vehicle against the formation of rust.
While you are at your professional auto wash, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Colder temperatures make tires under-inflated, thus making it difficult to maneuver on icy roads.
Treat the Interior of Your Car
Winter can be troublesome to leather and cloth upholstery. Cold air removes moisture from leather. In order to restore moisture to the leather, treat it with a special conditioner before the temperature dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The leather is poorly receptive to conditioner if the temperature is below 50 degrees.
Cloth upholstery can easily get water stained from even the smallest amount of snow or freezing rain on your coat and gloves when you sit in your vehicle. Professional auto detailing services wash your car seats and treat it with special products that make cloth upholstery more stain resistant. Alternatively, you can have your detailer spot clean stains as well.
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