All vehicles serviced by Vogue Automotive Detailing undergo and receive a 10 step detailing process.
Step one: Wheels
We always begin with the wheels. The wheels are the most difficult and dirtiest parts of your ride with a combination of road grime and brake dust. We most definitely do not want these contaminants splashed all over your clean paint.
Step two: Pre-Cleansing
Pre-Cleansing is a two stage process. This process utilising a combination of a pre-cleaner and snow foam to assist in the break down of stubborn road grime, bug splatter and removal of loose dust particle from the surface of your vehicle.
It is imperative to ensure all foreign objects are removed from the paint surface before you begin to contact wash the vehicle.
Step Three: Two Bucket Wash Method
We are now ready to contact wash your vehicle using the two bucket method alongside a good quality wash mitt.
Fill the 1st bucket with your shampoo and water. The 2nd bucket is to be filled with plain water, this is to rinse any remaining loose particles away before the mitt is reapplied to the vehicle. This will drastically reduce any risk of swirl marks appearing during the wash stage.
Step Four: Decontamination stage
Depending on the condition of the vehicle, there are a number of options available when it comes to decontamination. Some of these products include; Iron Dissolver, Tar Removers, Clay Bars & Paint Cleansers.
Spraying the car with an Iron Dissolver will assist to break down an build up brake dust or industrial fallout which may have settled and bonded to the paintwork over time. Applying a Tar Remover is the next step to soften any tar particles which have come into contact with your vehicle.
These two steps remove any inhibitors to the final Clay Bar process. The Clay bar is now free to glide over the surface of the paint, removing any tree sap or low levels of over spray, without causing any further damage to the surface of the paintwork.
Step Five: Drying
There are a couple of techniques when it comes to drying your vehicle.
Firstly, you should start off with a Microfibre Drying Towel, working your way down from the top to the bottom. you will systematically work your way around the vehicle, one panel at a time to ensure no water spots are left on the surface.
For grills, headlights and trim sections, a blower will force any remaining water drops out onto the paint surface for you to wipe away. This will prevent drips marks when you vehicle start moving down the driveway and downtown on your next trip.
Step Six: Polishing
As with drying, there are two main techniques when it comes to polishing, hand and machine polishing.
Hand polishing will provide a nice finish to any paint surface, however nothing compares to the finish provided by machine polishers. Due to the nature of machine polishers, sometimes it is best to leave it to the professionals!
Step Seven: Glaze
Using a glaze is a perfect product to fill any fine swirls that may not have been removed during the polishing stage. Not all vehicles will require this stage, as this is come down to a case by case scenario.
Step Eight: Wax / Sealing
This is one of, if not the most important steps in the detailing process. Without providing a protective layer over the paint surface, damage can be caused within minutes. Not only do Sealant and Wax coatings offer protection, they also provide a deep glass like finish for your vehicle.
Step Nine: Trim and Tyre Dressing
Once you have finished protecting your vehicles paintwork, it is now time to turn your attention to exterior Trim and Tyre Dressing.
We have a number of products available to restore and protect exterior trims, returning them to their original colour and condition.
It is once again immensely important when applying Tyre Dressing, to make sure you are using the correct products. The last thing you want to do, is to spray your pristine paintwork with greasy silicone based product when you cruise down the road in your freshly detailed vehicle.
Step Ten: Glass
One area of the car which is often overlooked is the glass. Whether it be fine scratches, fingerprints or built up dust and condensation on your windscreen, finishing off these areas will help not only your vision, but the overall look and appearance of your vehicle.
Hopefully by the following the steps above with the appropriate products, you too will be able to protect and enhance the overall look and appearance of your pride and joy or daily driver.