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What You Should Know About Paint Correction

Written by admin on . Posted in car detail, paint, paint restoration, restoration, Uncategorized. No Comments on What You Should Know About Paint Correction

Paint correction is the process of machine polishing to remove dull finish swirls, spider-webbing, and minor imperfections in the clear coat, to bring back a showroom-like finish. But what exactly does all of this mean? Here is what you should know about paint correction.

The Process

The first thing is we use a two-bucket wash system to gently hand-shampoo away any sand, debris, or loose dirt. This reduces the introduction of marring and micro-scratches.

Second, a clay bar is then used to remove bonded surface contaminants. A common misconception is that once a vehicle has been washed, it is clean. While it may be clean to the naked eye, the surface is often still embedded with dirt and covered with stubborn contaminants. These contaminants settle on your car’s paint and become “bonded” after baking in the sun. We all know how strong the Florida sun is, and how much damage it can do.

The next process is a machine polish to smooth out the micro-scratches, spider-webbing, and swirl marks. 

After all correction has taken place, it is time to seal up the vehicle’s paint to protect it from further scratching. Waxes and sealants are used to maintain a protective layer on your paint for several months. And by the way, upgrading to ceramic coatings can add years to your paint’s protection!

Why Is Paint Correction Important?

This process will keep the paint surface smooth, protected and as glossy as the day you bought it. If you see swirls or spider-webbing on your car in the sunlight, paint correction is your solution to get your car’s paint back in shape. 

We can help renew that new car gloss. Book today – 850-248-2270.

Tips For Protecting Your Car from the Summer Sun

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Living in Florida has plenty of benefits. Yet, the hot summer sun can affect your car’s interior – and not for the better. Here are some tips for protecting your car from the summer sun.

Parking Matters

One of the best ways to protect your car from the sun depends on where you park. If you can park in the shade, that’s best. Not only will it help with sunlight, you’ll have a cooler car to get into. Whether it’s a protective structure or a tarp, these are easy ways to negate some of the sun’s damage. 

Window Tinting

Tinted windows keep your car cooler. But did you know there are many other benefits? Along with more privacy, tinting minimizes the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. It also helps minimize some of the glare when you’re driving on a sunny day. Overall, this is an excellent way to keep some of the sun away – from your car and you.

Sunshades

Sunshades are fairly inexpensive and help deflect some of the sun’s rays. It will help keep your car cooler overall and they’re easy to use.

Car Seat Covers

Car seat covers are another way to help protect your investment. They not only protect your seats, but they keep the car a tad cooler by allowing your leather or cloth to take less direct heat. 

A Clean Car

A good cleaning is ideal to help protect your interior. We use conditioners that help protect your dash, seats, and door panels from sun effects like cracking and fading.

The Importance of a Car Detail After a Storm

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After our many tropical storms last year, we thought it appropriate to discuss the importance of a car detail after a storm. We realize that your car may not be the first thing on your mind, but once you have everything settled, it’s important to take care of any problems the weather may have caused to your vehicle. 

Rain Causes Damage

A good rain shower, or in this case a storm, may seem like the perfect thing to rinse off your car, it actually causes damage. The high winds throw debris onto your car’s paint, and this may cause damage like scratches, chipped paint, or corrosion. Dirt on your car also causes damage and can weaken the car’s paint, making it lose its resale value. Not to mention, looking dull or old. 

Acid Rain

While we don’t live in a huge city, acid rain is still an issue. According to the Environmental Protecting Agency of the United States, normal rain is “slightly acidic” due to the levels of carbon dioxide that dissolve in the liquid and form “weak carbonic acid.” That means that even in smaller cities, the threat of acidic rain is still relevant. 

What a Detail Does

A car detail is more than a simple car wash. Every little area is taken into account and cleaned. You’ll have a sparkling clean vehicle that looks showroom quality. And you won’t have to worry about the damage the storm did because we’ll undo that. We’ll remove any debris, clean everything like new, and ensure that you don’t have more damage from our tropical weather.

Paint Correction or Repainting?

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If your car has lost its luster, you might think that it’s time to repaint any scuffs or scrapes.. But what if you could restore your car paint’s shine and brilliance easily? Here are some tips on choosing between a paint correction and repainting certain areas..

close up photography of car wheel

What is Paint Correction?

You all know what having your car’s paint touched up does, but do you know what a paint correction is? It’s a highly meticulous way of making your car’s paint look shiny and lustrous again. 

Paint correction is a much more involved process than repainting specific areas. The professional detailer meticulously buffs out any imperfections with various polishing machines, abrasives, and polishing pads. The work the detailer must do is far more specialized than general repainting techniques, resulting in a clean, clear, brilliant finish.

While the outcome is superior,there are no shortcuts in paint correction. This is because the process is so thorough, and necessary to do the job correctly. 

So, Which is Best?

If you want a way to get rid of swirl marks, scuffs, scrapes, and imperfections – call us and ask us how a paint correction may benefit your car’s appearance. Your car will have its shine again, and you won’t have to worry about the paint being mismatched. Call and ask us about paint correction and how we bring back the shine. 

Why Hand Washing is Better Than a Car Wash

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Whether you have a brand-new car or one you’ve had, keeping it clean is important. You might think a quick trip to the car wash is a good idea. But there are many reasons why hand washing is better. 

The Little Details

When you have your car detailed, we get up close and personal. We see all of the oil, grease, dirt, and grime that is on your car – and in every tiny spot. Putting our hands on your car personally allows us to get the things missed by commercial car washes.Whether it’s brake dust, pollen, or road oil – we find it and remove it.

We’re More Gentle

Do you really want brushes or machine-generated towels rubbing against your paint? It’s true that some are more gentle than others, but what is more gentle than a hand wash? We won’t rub in dirt and grime onto your paint like a car wash can. That means no scratching or sealing in contaminants that ruin your car’s exterior gloss. 

No Water Spots

Unlike a car wash, we ensure that there aren’t unsightly water spots left on your vehicle. What’s the point of a clean car if it looks dirty? And water spots never look good on anything. 

Inside and Out 

When you go to a car wash, you try to take care of the exterior. But you’re left cleaning the interior yourself. With a full detail, we clean inside and out. Extra TLC is used to get every little bit of dust, dirt, and pet hair – and you can relax and focus on something else. 

Let Us Take Care of Your Car

We realize you might think having your car detailed takes hours out of your day. Yet, the extra time spent hand washing and caring for your car is our business. There’s a reason it takes a few hours to detail a car – we take the time to ensure a quality clean car. If you’re ready to experience the utmost in care for your vehicle, call us and book an appointment.

Swirl Marks on Your Car

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In certain lighting, you may notice swirl marks, spider webbing, and other tiny imperfections in your car’s paint. What causes this, and what can you do to fix it? Learn more about swirl marks on your car and why it happens.

How To Spot It

How well you see swirl marks depend on a few factors. For example, the color of your car. In dark colors, the marks show up more frequently, while lighter colors reflect more light and it’s harder to see any imperfections. You will mainly see these marks on areas that are flat, like the trunk, hood, and roof. Yet, in darker colored cars, these show up on doors and fenders too. And don’t let the swirl marks title fool you. They’re not always a circular area. In fact, swirl marks can be in any shape at all. 

Why Does This Happen?

Swirl marks come from different sources, but here are some of the more common reasons.

  • Buffing or polishing with the wrong type of pad
  • Using harsh paint cleaners or polishing compounds
  • Using a dirty chamois or towels and applicators containing polyester threads
  • Wiping dirt or dust off your car with a dry towel
  • Using a dirty car duster
  • Not rinsing your sponge often enough when washing
  • Driving through an automated car wash that uses brushes and other wipers
  • Failure to rinse your car completely before washing
  • Not thoroughly washing your car before drying
  • Placing a dirty cover over your car

How To Remove Them

Once you get these marks on your car’s paint, there is just one way to remove them. They must be machine polished out, AKA paint correction. 

Got Swirls? Let Us Fix It

Noticing swirl marks and imperfections on your car? Call us to find out how we make your car’s paintwork glossy and free of imperfections. 

Benefits of Interior Car Detailing

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Most people may just see the outside of your car. But interior detailing is just as important. From maintenance detailing to an intensive interior detail – here are a few reasons why it’s important to keep the inside just as clean as the outside. 

What’s Involved

Here is what we do when you book an intensive interior cleaning.

  • Thorough vacuum
  • Air purge
  • Pet hair removal
  • Interior surface scrub
  • Stain treatment
  • Hot water carpet extraction
  • Deep upholstery and carpet shampoo
  • Headliner cleaning
  • Leather coating or upholstery fabric guard

Why It Matters

Here are a few of the benefits of interior car detailing

Avoid Health Problems

That’s right, you’re in an environment closed off from fresh air. Dirt, dust, pet hair, and other irritants can affect your health – especially if you have allergies. You wouldn’t want to breathe that in while in a closed off room in your home. So why do it in your ride?

Remove Stains

Stains happen to the best of us, no matter how careful you are. No matter what kind of material you have (leather or upholstery), an intensive interior detail includes leather coating or upholstery fabric guard to help prevent stains before they happen.

Odor Removal

Pets, smoking, or just regular use can cause unwanted scents in your car’s interior. A detail ensures a fresher smelling car. And with an intensive interior detail, we use an air purge machine that takes out all the odors you don’t want. 

Better Safety

Dirty windows and mirrors make it hard to see. Especially in the Florida sun, where the glare can be blinding. 

Keep Your Value

Let’s face it, a dirty car is something that decreases its value. Even if you don’t plan to sell, you still want it to retain its value. Dirt and debris wears down your car’s surface areas and upholstery so they don’t last as long or look as good.

We Keep Your Interior Looking Great

Whether you have a maintenance detail or an intensive interior detail, we keep your car’s interior looking great. Call us to schedule or to ask more about what we can do. 850-248-2270.

Paint Decontamination

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Just like people, our vehicles are in a polluted environment. Over time, this affects your car’s paint. What is paint decontamination, and how does your car get contaminated in the first place?

How Is Your Paint Contaminated?

Even in the cleanest air, there are natural contaminants like tree sap, bird droppings, and insect residue. Your car’s paint is also exposed to things like brake dust, industrial pollution, and hard water from sprinkler systems. And while it seems that just a simple wash would remove things, that’s not always the solution.

What Do Contaminants Do To Your Paint?

No matter how much you clean your car yourself, these contaminants can remain. This causes your car’s paint to lose its shine and lustre. The paint becomes lifeless and dull, and one way to check is to run your hands along your car’s hood while it’s wet. If you feel a rough surface, then you have contaminated paint. The contamination looks different in different colors. A white car will sometimes show orange spots, and these are iron deposits. On darker colored cars, tar spots in black or brown are often evident.

How Can You Fix It?

Washing alone is not enough. Our decontamination process starts with a two-bucket wash system to gently hand-shampoo away any sand, debris, or loose dirt. This reduces the introduction of marring and micro-scratches.

Second, a clay bar is then used to remove bonded surface contaminants. A common misconception is that once a vehicle has been washed, it is clean. While it may be clean to the naked eye, the surface is often still embedded with dirt and covered with stubborn contaminants. These contaminants settle on your car’s paint and become “bonded” after baking in the sun. And we all know how strong the Florida sun is, and how much damage it can do.

The next process is a machine polish to smooth out the micro-scratches, spider-webbing, and swirl marks. 

After all correction has taken place, it is time to seal up the vehicle’s paint to protect it from further scratching. Waxes and sealants are used to maintain a protective layer on your paint. 

Want your car’s paint looking glossy? Call us at 850-248-2270, and ask about our paint enhancement service.

Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe and Happy – and Your Car Clean

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We love our pets, and it’s been proven that many vehicle owners choose the type of car or truck that caters to their pets. Here are a few tips for keeping your dog safe and happy – and having a cleaner vehicle.

Seat Protection

Your dog’s nails can be rough on both leather and cloth seats. If you regularly take your canine friend for rides, it is a good idea to invest in a cover made specifically for dogs. These often serve multiple purposes. Some act like a bucket somewhat – they curve to help keep your dog safely in the backseat, and protect your seats. Many are even waterproof in case there is an accident.

Seat Barriers and Seatbelts 

If you do not want that type of seat protection, do consider choosing some kind of barrier if your dog is not crated. This keeps them out of the front seat, and keeps you driving safer. 

And for added protection, harnesses are available that act as a seatbelt for your furry friend. Many allow for easy control, and the dog can sit or lie down without being hindered. Yet, the harness keeps them (and you) safer in case of an accident. 

Hydration Is Important

If you’re going to be on the road for a while, keep in mind that your dog needs water. You can’t always stop just anywhere, so make sure you have plenty on hand. There are many that are perfect for travelers, and these keep the spillage down so you don’t have to worry about that mess.

Ramps

If you have a dog that is a senior pup or one with mobility issues, a ramp helps the both of you. Little dogs can be picked up, but it’s harder with a large dog. You want to find something sturdy that doesn’t shake when your dog walks on it. Some are somewhat expensive, but they’re a good investment. They help your dog get in and out, and save yourself from a backache. 

Keeping It Clean

If you take your dog on trips, then you know that pet hair, slobber, and unwanted scents can become a part of your vehicle. Need your interior looking new? We can make it look as good as before. We remove pet hair, clean the entire interior, and make it smell nice and clean. Call us to learn more about cleaning your interior  – and exterior too! 

Ask about our intensive interior cleaning for added TLC. 

Car Detailing? You Might Be Surprised How Long It’s Been Around

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When you think of car detailing, you might think it’s a somewhat current thing. But you also might be surprised at how long it’s been around. 

When you think of car detailing, you might think it’s a somewhat current thing. But you also might be surprised at how long it’s been around. 

As early as the 1800s people wanted a nice ride. Even horse-drawn carriages were cleaned to perfection. In fact, a rudimentary type of wax was created from animal fat. And keep in mind that this was 100 years before the inception of motor vehicles.

In the 1900s there were cars, but typically only the very wealthy had them. Simoniz not only created a wax for the job, but they also made a car cleaner which became hugely popular. The name? They called it “simonizing” your car! You’ve probably heard of that yourself. In 1944, the Turtle Wax company came along and added to the detailing innovations. As the 1900s progressed, we’ve seen great progress with stellar products made just for cleaning your car – both professionally and at home. 

The 2000s is when car detailing really took off. Microfiber technologies became a helpful thing, as well as tools like CeramiClear for UV rays, salt, and rain paint degradation. A huge thing came about in 2007. This was the nanotechnology polymer coatings. These are the wipe-on, walk away clear paint sealants. They protect paint from outside elements like mentioned above – UV rays, salt, and acid rain. 

Auto detailing has a rich history with innovative products to maintain your vehicle’s like-new look. Let us take it to the next level with an auto detail at Pro-Clean.