Industry Insights
THE GARAGE BLOG
Looking for in-depth guides, tutorials or product reviews?
We have informative articles on a variety of car care topics. If you want to see something specific or have a product you need tested just drop us a line.
From Detailing to High-End Protection: Why I’m Shifting Gears
We are excited to show off one our latest projects — Brian Russell’s stunning 2023 Tesla Model 3. We have meticulously enhanced both the aesthetics and functionality of this electric vehicle with a color change paint protection wrap.
Bring your car, bring your family, and enjoy the movie!
This 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder was brought to Glossy to have its condition evaluated before a complete reconditioning and PPF installation.
Early this year we had the honor of hosting the ND4SPD Club at our shop to unveil one of their member’s new HyperCar.
If you’re reading this article, odds are you have a vehicle that you care about and would like to maintain in as like-new condition as possible. The most damage that occurs to a vehicle’s sur-faces happens in the wash process. What is ultimately a necessary task, can be harmful to your vehicle if done improperly. Here’s how we wash a vehicle at Glossy.
The biggest mistakes people encounter in car care are during the wash process. Not having the right wash media for the job can cause damage to the paintwork and other delicate surfaces. This is what CarpPro's Microfiber Wash mitt was developed to combat. With an ergonomic design, quality build and an affordable price point, it's easy to see why it's our top choice at Glossy. We’ve used these mitts almost exclusively at Glossy for the past three years, and have never been let down. For a shop that uses them on a daily basis, they have held up incredibly well with minimal effort in care. Using a quality microfiber detergent to wash the mitt after every few uses insures a long lifespan and worry-free car washing. The long and soft fibers of the Microfiber Wash Mitt encapsulate dirt and dust particles and lift them off of the paint without dragging or causing marring. The synthetic cuff offers easy maneuverability around tight areas, and has just enough elasticity to be comfortable without slipping off your hand. CarPro has a full range of wash media and towels that we stock at Glossy; you are sure to find a product that best fits your style of washing and detailing. It’s important to employ the best possible products and techniques available to achieve a quality level of detailing and maintenance, over the many years of product testing and use, we've found Carpro's answer to be a favorite. Visit our virtual shop for more info.
Decontaminating is the process of removing these bonded particles so your polishing and protective steps are completely effective. Sealants, waxes and coatings are designed to adhere to a bare painted surface, contaminants interfere with the performance of your protection. Furthermore, polishing a vehicle that hasn’t been decontaminated can result in even more damage than you started out with. Here are a few steps you can take to achieve the perfect canvas for your polishing and protective steps. Thoroughly wash your vehicle with a balanced, ph neutral shampoo free of glossing agents or protective polymers. Dry your vehicle and apply an iron remover such a Iron-X from CarPro. This may take several applications until all iron oxide particles are removed. You’ll see the product working as it turns purple when in contact with the particles. Using an automotive clay lubricant, gently use a clay bar, towel, or pad, to remove the remaining contaminants. You’ll be able to feel and hear the paint getting smoother. Remember to wash out your clay towel or pad frequently, and kneed your clay bar after every panel. The final step should be wiping down your painted surfaces with an oil and residue remover. Eraser, another CarPro product, offers the perfect solution for this. Now your paint is ready to be polished, sealed, or waxed! This process is crucial to maintaining your vehicles appearance and should be done at a minimum of twice per year.
There are so many brands and product lines for car soap that it can be overwhelming picking one out for yours and your vehicle’s needs. While it’s important to have a variety of soaps for different uses, it’s even more important to have a soap that you can fall back on and rely on it’s performance every time you use it. This is where CarPro’s soap Reset stands out. Reset is a no-frills, works just as advertised, general purpose car soap. It was specifically designed to work well with ceramic coated cars so as to not interfere or add to the coated surfaces. Reset does an outstanding job of cleaning coated cars but also works well with just about every other application too.
One of the most overlooked aspects of car care is quality detailing. No I’m not talking about the shop that vacuums and washes your car for $30, that’s not detailing. I’m talking about the shops and techs that will assess your vehicles condition and advise you on all the proper and necessary steps to correct, protect, and maintain its condition. Things to consider addressing for the winter months: Paint - While the most captivating part of your vehicle, it’s not just for looks. Your paint serves to protect the metal underneath. Road salt can be extremely detrimental and should be cleaned regularly. Using a high quality wax, sealant, or coating will make this process easier and prevent harsh chemicals from destroying your paint. Glass - Technology has advanced rapidly in the past few years of the detailing industry. There are many glass specific coatings that create a hydrophobic surface that makes it harder for snow and ice to accumulate. Also a slicker surface means your wipers are working at a greater efficiency. Door Seals - Conditioning the rubber seals around your doors and trunk/liftgate will make it much harder for your doors to freeze shut. Plus it’s a good idea to condition them in the summer to keep them from drying out. This will insure they last a very long time. Undercarriage - Most vehicles come from the factory with an underbody coating to protect from rust, but over time this wears away leaving your vehicle exposed to corrosion. Having the frame and underbody components coated every few years or as needed will help prevent rust and corrosion from ruining your vehicle. Headlights - Ever see an older car with yellowed or faded headlights? This is caused by UV rays damaging the lens and greatly restricting your nighttime vision. If you have a newer vehicle, consider having the lights coated in a product like CQuartz to help prevent fading and also increase the hydrophobic properties of the surface. This will also help prevent ice and snow buildup just like the glass coating. If your headlights are already fading, don’t worry. This can be fixed by a reputable detailer and the lights can be coated to prevent it from happening again. Don’t be fooled by gimmicks and short term fixes like bug spray or toothpaste, take the time to have them sanded, polished and coated. Winter driving doesn't have to be as stressful on yourself or your vehicle if you’re prepared for it. Just do your research when it comes to the products and people you trust to help winterize your car and you’ll be set.
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