Q: What is detailing?
A: Detailing is a disciplined process by which every surface of your vehicle is systematically rejuvenated and treated/protected.
Q: What is paint correction?
A: Paint correction is the removal of scratches, swirl marks, clear coat etching, bird stains, buffer marks, micro marring, paint scuffs and cob webbing. This is done by re-leveling the clear coat layer of your paint so the light is reflected off your paint instead of refracted, providing a mirror like finish.
Q: What do you mean when you say you use the "least invasive methods"?
A: The use of chemicals and abrasives are needed when detailing a vehicle. By using the mildest chemicals suited to treat your unique situation the non renewable items of your surfaces such as textile pigment and paint clearcoat will not be depleted.
Q: Why do you not use over-the-counter products?
A: While there are rare "gems" in the over-the-counter car care market they are few and far between. When over the counter manufacturers are formulating a product they must keep costs down so they can compete with other over-the-counter products in the $10-$15 price range. When boutique products(like we use) are being formulated the main objective is to create a product that will be the best and price point is secondary. Boutique products not only provide a superior final appearance with exceptional durability but also are created from materials that will not create a temporary fix only to later dry out and fade the surfaces of your vehicle.
Q: I am purchasing a new vehicle, do I need to have it detailed and protected?
A: As a result of incorrect washing and polishing techniques swirls have more than likely already been *installed* by the dealer. From sitting on the lot waiting to be purchased or from being transported by boat and/or rail most vehicles paint finishes have already accumulated bonded contaminants. Left over adhesive residue from the protective film applied at the factory may also remain on the finish of your vehicle. SunGuard can remedy these issues to revive the finish to what a new car should look be.
Wash ____________________________________________________________
This is simply one of the MOST IMPORTANT steps to keeping a vehicle in good condition. However, if not done properly, it can actually cause harm to the painted surfaces as well as plastic trim and molding.
Dish soap is not safe to use on any automobile. Over time, dish soap will dry out and fade the paint, trim, rubber, and other plastics on the exterior of your vehicle. Dish soap will also remove any existing wax or over counter sealants, leaving the exterior unprotected. A good high-quality automotive shampoo is formulated with lubricants to help lift away and encapsulate dirt without causing scratches and swirls in the paint. They also contain conditioning oils to maintain or even enhance the shine without removing any wax or sealant that may be present on the paint, but just like the dish soap they are still bad for the painted surface and trim molding. the reason for this is that they ALL contain petroleum by products(this is the stuff that the oil refiners CAN NOT use)
Using the wrong type of wash mitt can easily induce more scratches and swirls. Micro-fiber wash mitts are very soft and will help lift away dirt particles instead of dragging them across the paint. Combined with an automotive shampoo that is rich with lubricants and conditioning oils, a quality wash mitt will ensure a scratch-free wash.
Just like dish soap, bath towels(terry towels) are not suitable for automotive paint. What most people don’t know is that bath towels contain heavy polyester threading that can scratch automotive paint. Pound for pound, polyester thread is stronger than steel. If you care about the appearance of your car, you definitely do not want to be using bath towels on your paint. The best type of drying towel is a waffle weave micro fiber towel. These plush towels are able to absorb large amounts of water while also being soft enough to not scratch or mar the paint during the drying process.
Here at SunGuard of South FLA, Inc or three mitt wash system along with our plant based soaps WILL not cause any type of damage or discoloration to the paint, trim, molding, plastics etc nor will it hurt the earth.
Polish ___________________________________________________________
Many people, even product manufacturers, use the term polish and wax interchangeably, which is incorrect. A polish is a product and or a step used to remove different levels of swirls/scratches in automotive paint. It is also used to restore/enhance the shine of the paint. A true polish offers no protection from the environment.
There are a few different types of polishes. Some include mild to moderate abrasives that help to remove varying levels of swirls and scratches in paint. Other polishes contain no abrasives and are solely intended to rejuvenate and restore the shine and brilliance of the paint.
A swirl mark or scratch is basically a sharp valley in the paint's surface. When light shines onto the paint, it refracts off the edges of each valley as opposed to reflecting the light. An abrasive polish helps to lessen or even eliminate those valleys. Swirls can be caused by a number of things such as improper washing techniques or automatic car washes. This is why the right washing products and techniques are vital to keeping the paint looking its best.
Many people are turned off by the thought of abrasives being used on paint because they think that it will just do more harm than good. In fact, with the right amount of abrasives in a polish and the right tools to apply the polish, those abrasives actually work to eliminate swirls and scratches instead of inducing them. However, if the paint has enough swirls and scratches, multiple polishing steps may be necessary. After proper polishing, the paint should be defect-free (or close to it), and shine better than the day it rolled off the showroom floor.
If a scratch is deep enough in the paint, it may not be repairable by polishing(see our scratch repair service). The general rule of thumb is that if you run your fingernail over a scratch and it catches on the scratch, polishing cannot fix it. The reason for this is that the scratch is so deep that it has passed through the paint. When this happens, the scratch can only be fixed with touch-up paint or a complete re-painting of the panel.
Another type of paint defect you may have seen is oxidized or faded paint. This can be quite noticeable on dark vehicles such as black or red. If the paint looks chalky or just doesn’t shine, a polish can improve or completely restore the shine that once was by removing the “dead” paint.
Any one of these paint defects will degrade the paints' gloss, depth, and clarity. While these kinds of defects are more noticeable on dark colored vehicles (especially when viewed under full sun), they are common on all vehicles that are not properly cared for.
Protect __________________________________________________________
There are two basic options for protecting paint, Carnauba wax or a sealant. Each has its unique advantages and disadvantages.
Carnauba Wax:
Carnauba is derived from the coating on the leaves of a plant native to northeastern Brazil, the Carnauba Palm (Copernicia Cerifera) which is also referred to as the “Tree of life”. The Carnauba Palm tree naturally produces carnauba to protect itself from the harsh elements of the rainforest environment.
Carnauba is the hardest and most transparent natural occurring wax available. Carnauba wax provides a deep, wet looking shine and is known as the "queen of waxes". Enthusiasts who show their vehicles prefer the look of a Carnauba wax for these traits. However, it does not protect as long as a sealant.
You can expect 2-3 months of maximum protection from a quality carnauba depending on your environment.
You can purchase a product from the store or over the counter that really has more then 5% carnauba wax in it.
Our carnauba wax is over 70% pure and then mixed w/ beeswax, aloe, almond oils, banana extract and other essential oils NO PETROLEUM
Sealant
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Paint sealants are man made polymer products. When these open linked polymer molecules join together they form an extremely durable mesh that provides a bright reflective surface which accurately represents the true color of the paintwork beneath it. While sealants are more durable than waxes they do not typically provide the depth and wet characteristics associated with a carnauba wax.
You can expect 3-6 months of maximum protection from a quality paint sealant depending on your environment.
Our SunGuard sealant contains Teflon w/acyclic and a one(1) to five(5) year warranty. we also finish our sealant off with a nice carnauba wax kick to give you protection and depth
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