Detailing Q&A
What order should I clean my car in?
The order in which you tackle the cleaning of your car really does matter to prevent cross contamination and the moving of dirt from on area to another. Always start with the wheels, once the wheels are clean give them a rinse and foam on or spray a pre-wash, normally high or low PH (stick to PH neutral if coated – wax, ceramic etc) to attack and strip off the road film and various contaminants, let this dwell for a period and rinse off. Onto the wash – again foam on a PH neutral shampoo but this time work with a microfibre wash mitt or sponge (I know a SPONGE, crazy right?) making sure to use 2 buckets, one as a rinse bucket containing just water and the other with more shampoo to aid the lubrication. Once the wash is complete, rinse. At this stage you can use a drying aid to assist with drying the car, these can also add protection or at least a hydrophobic coating which helps push the water off the car, thus helping with the dying. We advise using a microfibre drying towel instead of a traditional leather shammy because of the added risk of damage associated with using a shammy. Once the car is dry spray on or apply a wax sealant and off you go!
What cloth should I use for a simple wash and shine on my car?
Microfibre is your best friend! The vital rule is to never cross-contaminate your cloths when moving from one task to another. Heat shrinks the fibres so no buckets of steaming hot water and a waffle weave microfibre are lint-free and is perfect for glass.
How do I stop water marks after I have washed my car?
Avoid washing your car in the sunshine, this heats the surface of the car, therefore, causing the bodywork to dry quickly and unevenly, it can make it look as if the car was never washed in the first place.
What’s the difference between using a local car wash and detailing?
Even a quick maintenance wash when time-poor is preferable, try using a simple wash-and-go professional detailing product for a higher standard of finish and the use of your own cloths provides a higher spec finish.
What are the swirl marks I can see on my car in the sunshine?
Dark coloured cars show up the swirls more than lighter cars, it’s a common problem in older cars and can cause deterioration in the paintwork over time. The main culprit for this damage is caused by car washes and using the incorrect micro fibre cloths. Wiping your car with a dry cloth without full decontamination will lead to you grinding particles into the finish. Our precision cut range will restore and enhance your body work to a flawless finish.
Why should I use the two-bucket method for washing my car?
The system of using two buckets to wash your car reduces the risk of introducing swirls and scratches to the bodywork. One bucket is for rinsing and the other is for washing, remember to keep the cloths separate and this prevents contamination and reduces the risk of scratching.
What is the best wax to use, spray, liquid or paste?
Waxing is commonly the favourite application for detailers as the results are amazing. The looser the wax the easy to apply, pastes leave behind more silicones and wax that helps smooth out pitted and uneven surfaces. New technologies are enhancing the performance of liquids and sprays to the extent that paint work protectors leave a more durable, high-shine finish.
What is the difference between wax and polish?
The purpose of a car polish is used to remove defects from a car’s body coat, car wax then protects that coat for that ultra high shine finish.
What are the benefits of a ceramic coating compared to a sealant or wax?
A wax protective finish will last up to 90 days, exposure to the environmental elements and maintenance washing will reduce the protective barrier over this time. Ceramic coatings are made with a base of Silicon Dioxide (SI02) found as quartz in nature. Applied by a certified specialist this chemical bond with surfaces lasts for up to 10 years.
How do I bring back the colour to faded exterior plastics?
Sun damage will fade trims, there are plenty of homemade recipes and methods to google from blow torching to Olive Oil, however, investing in a professional tire and trim dressing will not only restore but offer protection.
What’s the best way to clean car wheels?
Tyre cleaning can be daunting, intricate areas build up layers of dirt, so the first task is to hose down the rims and use a microfibre cloth to remove brake dust and dirt. Using a non-abrasive car wheel and trim cleaner helps protect your wheels finish. A long soft-bristled brush with reach into crevices and remove the brake dust and grime around the wheel lug nuts. Rinse and towel dry with the micro fibre to prevent water spots. GT Iron Eater includes a colour indicator which helps visualise even coverage and is safer than acid-based cleaners. Finish with a Tyre and Trim Jelly Protectant or professional tyre shine.
What should I do to prepare my car for winter storage?
The main objective is to ensure that before storage nothing acidic remains on the car surface, bird droppings, general grime build up, tree sap and dead insects can be acidic so invest in quality decontamination clays, lubricants, and sprays. Gliptone’s sap off spray makes dried sap, tar and insect removal easy and highly recommended.
How do I remove mould from my soft top?
Firstly, you must never be tempted to use pressured water on your soft tap! Our Fabric Top Cleaner aerosol cleans fabric without a soggy wet mess. The thick foam quickly penetrates and removes soil from fabric and upholstery. Removes stains and soil from dirt, pollen, mild road film, tree sap, coffee, food or pets. Fresh wintergreen scent. For extra durable protection Gliptone’s CERAMIC DETAIL SPRAY is a professional grade, super-hydrophobic and durable SiO2 surface coating. A simple spray and wipe application provides mild cleaning action, and extreme gloss while creating a super slick, long lasting ceramic coating with a barrier resistant to debris and the elements.
How to remove salt from my car without scratching the paintwork?
Hopefully you have been prepared and you have decontaminated, waxed and protected your car before the first frost. A maintenance wash involves a full rinse to remove excess grit and to lubricate the surfaces before applying a two-bucket shampoo wash to prevent scratching the paintwork. Microfiber dry the car completely to ensure no parts freeze overnight.
Removing Sap, Insects, Iron and Tar from my bodywork?
The longer they remain drying into the paintwork the greater risk of damage by acidity levels and with their subsequent removal. Tricky to remove, it is easier and safer to invest a specific treatment than the home-made solutions found on a web search. Sap off spray only requires a 2-minute dwell time and proved immediate results safely bot for you and your car!
How do I repair the scuff on my leather car seat?
Most scuffs on cars can be found on the bolster or seat base. The most common reason for this is friction. We offer a range of solutions to manage this common problem. We have specialist repair kits to combat this problem. We also offer a professional restoration service too.
How to remove dye transfer from my car seat?
Dye transfer can happen when the dye is released from clothing, heat and moisture both exacerbate this. Unless its removed quicky there is a high probability that the dye has stained the top coat of the leather. We have specialist cleaning fluids to safely remove this and if necessary, supply a colour matched repair coating to return the item into looking as good as new.
How accurate is colour matching my classic car leather seat?
Extremely, we use the most advanced colour matching technology to produce a perfect match.
How do you clean headlights and protect against road salt?
No detailer will ever recommend the standard sanding of the headlights – which still lists as a top solution on many search engines. Full and easy-follow kits are available that take 10 minutes of your time and results last for up to 3 years. Sanding will damage the integrity of the polycarbonate surface leaving it prone to sun damage and more vulnerable to stone chips.
What are the benefits of using snow foam?
The less contact you can have with your car when there is the potential for scratching from grit the better. Snow Foam provides even coverage and a satisfying before and after effect. Leave it on for 5 minutes and the formula is designed to remove dirt from your paintwork without the use of cloths or a mitt.
What is the best technique for removing dog hair from my car?
Don’t just rely on a pet hair removal brush and lint roller. Static inside the car increases in cold weather, you can help with an anti-static cleaner that prevents hairs from embedding into the upholstery.
My windscreen always looks smeared, what is the best solution?
A good glass cleaner may not be enough. It’s key to remember that chemicals can discolour glass so treat one half of a screen at a time to avoid evaporation. Using a clay bar with warm water can remove the smaller particles. A final thin layer of wax can be buffed for a crystal clear finish and leaves a waterproof barrier.
How long should a full detail take?
A full detail should be completed 3-4 times a year with maintenance washes (two bucket system that takes 45-90 minutes) as frequently as once a week. A full detail covers all non-mechanical components of your vehicle. Tyres and wheels, exterior paint, chrome trim, the interior surfaces, seats and carpets. If you are looking at a wash, decontamination and polish then check the weather for a 4 hour timeframe on a cloudy, dry day.
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