New Car Prep
The first step in the car beautification process is “New Car Prep”. For those who are not familiar a new car prep, it is actually going to be the vehicle’s first very thorough detail. From cleaning every nook and cranny to addressing paint defects that are the result from manufacturing, transport, and dealer handling. This step is often overlooked or some companies think it is not needed. Starting a project with new car prep is what ensures a clean film installation or a smooth coating application. Skipping this step often results in contamination under the film or the potential to scratch the paint when applying a ceramic coating.
Unfortunately dealerships do not offer this process. However, if they do, the vehicle often left marred with many improper washing defects. A dealership typically doesn’t hire a trained knowledgeable professional that takes pride and care when handling your vehicle. Usually when a dealership washes a vehicle, they are using water or towels that have been used on many vehicle’s before yours. This causes cross contamination that results in scratches. They typically do not wash using linear motions and often go in circles, which causes swirls. Or washed in direct sunlight causing hard water stains.
When working with clients with vehicles that are on order, we always ask to inform the dealer to not wash it. We actually ask that they handle the vehicle as little possible. We find that this helps lessen the risk of unnecessary marring although there are still some defects due to manufacturing or transport. However, this allows us to concentrate on correcting and refining those defects that are typical instead of ones that could have been prevented.
The New Car Prep Process entails…
- A full vehicle suds bath; starts with a foam cannon, rinse, and foam cannon (physically we still have not touched the paint until this portion is completed)
- 3 Bucket Safe Hand Wash with Grit Guards; 3rd bucket solely for wheels only
- Pressure Steam Clean of all nooks and crannies
- IronX Decontamination to safely break down metal particles and contaminant
- Clay Pad to address any remaining stuck on contaminant
- Vehicle Rinse and Blow Dry
- Wash inside all door jams, under hood, engine bay, and trunk area
- For wheels off coating; all wheels will be pulled once car is on lift and cleaned thoroughly on front and back, as well as, calipers, lugs and caps
- Assess the paint condition; what the paint will need will vary depending on film selection, client’s overall needs, as well as, expectations for the vehicle.
- Refine the paint surfaces. This may entail a paint correction for the most severe defects. A paint enhancement for the less severe defects. Or a combination of both processes.
Once the New Car Prep is completed, the vehicle is ready for paint protection film and coating application.
Maintenance Detailing
In addition to our many services, we also offer maintenance details for our clients. This price for this service varies depending our client’s specific needs. Just because your vehicle has protective film or a coating, doesn’t mean you don’t have to maintain it. At the very least, what is underneath has been protected. Though to keep your vehicle looking it’s best general maintenance is required. At Custom Tint, we help to educate our clients on “how to wash” or “what not to do”, but let’s face it sometimes life takes over.
In some cases, it may be hard for a client to keep up on maintaining their film or coating. Maybe the vehicle doesn’t have the luxury of being garaged kept. Or maybe a client isn’t seeing the same performance compared to when it was new. Or they could be looking for that very thorough detail to be done once a year with a film inspection. By having us help maintain your purchase, you are ensuring that you gain the maximum life expectancy out of your film or coating purchase.
Generally we recommend a thorough Ironx decontamination suds wash, including wheels. This helps to safely rid the vehicle of any contaminant that may be stuck to the surface of the film or coating. We also use Gtechniq Ceramic Sealant as a drying aid to add another layer of protection. Once the vehicle is clean, we can assess the film or coating to address any issues we may see. From there our client can add on the interior or engine bay to complete their detail package.
Contact us to learn more about our car beautification and maintenance packages for your new vehicle!!!
