When the car finally arrives at the dealership, it receives a quick wash from an apprentice and is handled by multiple people. This is why 99% of new cars contain swirls, scratches and other defects which require paint decontamination and correction.
We utilise both a chemical and physical clay decontamination to dissolve and remove contaminants bonded to the paint to produce a totally clean surface ready for protection. The decontamination process removes contaminants that remain even after washing.
Paint protection can either be a wax, synthetic sealant or coating with the primary purpose to protect against environmental damage, such as acid rain, bird droppings, UV oxidisation, insects and tree sap.
The microscopic structure of protectants fill the pores of the painted surface, preventing dirty water from adhering to the paint. This has the secondary function of making the car easier to clean and reducing the rate of swirling as less pressure and scrubbing motion is required to wash the car.
Further, some coatings have the added benefit of boosting the hardness coefficient of the paint, further reducing the rate of swirling.
Waxes are the oldest paint protection system available. Derived from carnauba or montan wax, modern natural waxes are normally desired for their warm glow, wet look and deep gloss. Unbeatable in appearance, waxes are almost exclusively used by enthusiasts for personal or show. Due to their organic nature, waxes are usually not very durable and may last approximately 2-3 months. High-end waxes such as Swissvax Endurance and Crystal Rock are mixed with other ingredients to enhance longevity and shine. All waxes can be layered to produce even better gloss and longevity.
Click Here to see cars finished with Swissvax Crystal Rock.
Sealant
Synthetic sealants are made in a lab and consist mostly of polymers and man-made materials. The benefit of these is that they produce excellent longevity with gloss levels that compete quite well to natural waxes. We use HD Nitro Seal which offers great gloss and 6-12 month longevity, with the benefit of being able to be topped with HD Poxy for extra gloss and durability. Synthetic sealants are the middle ground between waxes and coatings and represent great value for money.
Click Here to see cars finished with HD Nitro Seal.
Coating
Coatings are a relatively new offering to the market but have rapidly changed the industry of paint protectants. Coatings are a semi-permanent solution which can last over a year with minimal effort. Most coatings are based on silica and its derivatives which offer a boost in hardness and chemical resistance. Due to the semi-permanent nature of coatings, considerably higher amounts of prep are required as any defects present on the surface are effectively locked in once the coating is applied. Coatings often produce a hard, glassy look rather than a warm gloss.
We are an authorised Opti-Coat Pro+ applicator which offers protection of up to five years with minimal annual maintenance.
Click Here to see cars finished with Opti-Coat Pro+.