5 Easy Steps To Detail Your Car

Going to the car servicing center is great but we all know we can’t always go, so we end up taking care of the car detailing ourselves. But just because we aren’t experts in that field doesn’t mean we can’t achieve professional standard results. Here are some tips to help you detail your car like an expert!

1. Paint Care

Always use microfiber cloths when cleaning your car. It only takes a rough towel or dirt on a towel to scratch your precious paint job. Do not risk it and make sure you’re always using clean microfiber cloth to wipe your car with.

Polishing is one of the most misunderstood paint care procedures and as a result many individuals skip this important step. Polish is an abrasive compound, which, when worked into the paint using the hand or a polisher, shaves off imperfections of the paint. It levels out the surface and makes it smooth, thereby preparing it for the next step of applying wax or paint sealant. If you wax without polishing the surface first, not only will the paint look dull, but you will also notice that the wax layer will wear off quicker than usual. So ultimately it is a huge waste of your time and resources. Because polish is abrasive, it is important to master polishing techniques especially if you are using a rotary buffer, or you risk burning right through the paint. Having said all that, take it up a notch and invest in a dual action while you’re at it. Perfect for ironing out areas of abrasion, and removing layers of old wax, these motorized polishers will ensure your car always has a smooth, even finish for a lasting just-bought shine.

2. Seat Care

Spills on the cloth seats are difficult to control because of the movement of the vehicle when the spill occurs. Maintaining a steady supply of towels for quick cleanup will reduce the amount of foreign matter that collects in the cloth. Dust mites feed on these substances. People who suffer from allergies will experience discomfort when riding in a vehicle where dust mites have found a healthy food source.

You may wanna get yourself a magic eraser to use in your car. Gently rubbing a magic eraser can magically remove gross sticky things off your vinyl and leather like it’s never been there. This is especially important if you have pets or children that ride your vehicle. Apparently, the spot where your kid or pet sit are usually dirtier and have higher bacteria counts.  Pathogens identified such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter or MRSA are the ones found according to a study conducted at Queen Mary University in London.

3. Dashboard And Console Care

Before starting the process of working on the dashboard and console, set up a plan of action in terms of how to navigate the areas of concern on your dash and console. Also, take note of the surface materials used in these areas.

Dashboards with a mostly plastic composition will require the use of a lot of warm water to loosen dirt and make it easy to wipe off after. Dashboards and consoles with a combination of fabric/leather and injection molded plastic will require you to be more careful and strategic with water usage. In addition, be cautious when using an all-purpose cleaner on parts of the dash that are not fully made from plastic.

The distinctive smell of mildew flooding out of your air vents is usually caused by a build-up of bacteria and mold. This can happen to older cars that have had bacteria growing behind the dashboard for years and in cars that rarely run the air conditioning, as they don’t enjoy the drying effects that it provides to excess water on the coils. So if you do your own car cleaning, make sure you clean your car AC vents too.

As you complete the process, one area that should not be ignored is the steering rack. This is an area where debris and dust can accumulate extensively and may not be easily noticeable unless you really pay attention to that area. The steering wheel also absorbs a lot of oils from your hands and over time, these can degrade the material covering the structure of the steering wheel.

Cleaning those oils at least once a month will go a long way in maintaining the natural look of your steering wheel from when it left the factory.

4. Wheel Care

Your wheels can be tricky to clean but not impossible. There are many wheel designs, but some have more tendencies to have crevices that hide dirt well and make it hard to dig deep. But, just like with any problem in life, taking the right approach will set you on the right path.

There are exhaustive amounts of wheel cleaners on the market, but the best ones are acid-free and those with water-based solutions. Avoid wheel cleaners with overly aggressive formulas which can end up damaging your wheel’s coating, they are also damaging to the environment.

Most wheel cleaners call for you to apply the first coating generously and wait for it to sit for a while before rinsing. For wheels designs that are not conventional, a compact cleaning brush should be used to manually loosen dirt that has accumulated in corners that are hard to reach.

Performance cars with larger brake components (rotors and pads) can accumulate more than typical amounts of brake dust on the wheels. For this type of scenario, used paint clay can effectively remove the brake dust.

5. Window Care

Clean the top most portion of the windows. When you don’t clean this part it comes back ruining your effort to clean because buildup dirt and grime can drip and streak eventually. So roll down the windows and make sure you clean this part first so you don’t forget it later on.

After that, make sure to dry glass surfaces in two directions. Streaks are annoying, it makes it look like you did a sloppy job cleaning your car. To avoid this, try drying the surfaces in two directions. For example, go vertical when wiping first then go over it again in horizontal direction.

How To Keep Your Car In Good Condition All The Time

If you want a clean, sleek, and brand new looking car all the time, seeking car grooming services is a must. Aside from that, it also maintains that value and warranty claim of your car. Although, most people understand the necessity of this, they also struggle with distinguishing the right time to do so. Moreover, you can also follow these tips to keep your car looking good all the time even after you’ve had it for years. People don’t just seek car servicing in Singapore due to engine problems, more often than not it’s due to exterior damage from different kinds of dirt like grease, grime, and bird poop. When left unattended for an extended period of time, they can cause serious paint damage on your car. Avoid the stress and unnecessary expenses by keeping your vehicle clean. 

Washing And Polishing

There are car owners who wash their car as often as they can while others drag it as long as possible. But is there really a schedule that you should keep up to when it comes to getting a car wash and grooming? Well, it would have to depend on a lot of factors. Do you drive all day every day? Are you a very busy person? Have you been out on a rainy day lately? All cars accumulate dust, dirt, grime, and all sorts of impurities that can affect your car’s exterior as well as interior, but those questions above makes all the difference on how frequent should you avail car grooming services.

It’s understandable that it’d be hard to squeeze in car washing everyday if you’re busy, but you should at least do it once a week or every time you get a day off and if you really can’t do it yourself then take advantage of  the car grooming services that are widely available in Singapore. If you drive on poor conditions a lot, like when it’s rainy or on rough roads you have to get it done more often than once a week. Doing so can do you a lot more favor than you’d expect.

Sure, we’re talking about car washing. But car polishing is also an important part of keeping your vehicle pristine looking. Polishing is one of the most misunderstood paint care procedures and as a result many individuals skip this important step. Polish is an abrasive compound, which, when worked into the paint using the hand or a polisher, shaves off imperfections of the paint. It levels out the surface and makes it smooth, thereby preparing it for the next step of applying wax or paint sealant. If you wax without polishing the surface first, not only will the paint look dull, but you will also notice that the wax layer will wear off quicker than usual. So ultimately it is a huge waste of your time and resources. Because polish is abrasive, it is important to master polishing techniques especially if you are using a rotary buffer, or you risk burning right through the paint.

De-Cluttering Of Mess Regularly

Granted that some people live in their cars, but that’s still not an excuse to let it go looking like a dumpster! You’re not just risking your health with the dirt build up, but you’re also weighing the vehicle down which can affect its performance and a pricier car grooming cost. So you should be on top of decluttering your car. Don’t keep things in there that doesn’t belong there and you don’t even use.

Also, if your car no longer has that new car scent, and you’ve tried a range of air freshening products without success, use a can of compressed air to give the vents a quick blast. Dust, dirt and moisture can build up on the inside of air vents, causing stale odors to circulate through the cabin whenever they’re in use. Imagine driving everyday while smelling that, definitely uncomfortable and can even make your headache especially after a long drive. Compressed air will remove the offending muck, grime and bacteria, giving your car a fresher, more neutral smell.

Being On Top Of Necessary Repairs

Do routine checkups on your vehicle. Doing this will keep you and every car owner out there from dealing with bigger car repair issues. Why? Because just by checking how everything from under your hood to dents and scratches on the body is doing, you’ll be able to detect early signs of problems and get it fixed right away. It can be hard to keep your automobile look clean all the time if it’s full of repairs that needs to be done.

Not to mention that if you’re looking to sell your car at some point in the future, keeping your car looking like you just bought it yesterday will help you get it sold faster at the price you want. You’ll want to keep up with routine service and maintenance so that it continues to run in optimal condition. Most buyers will also prefer to purchase a car that they know has been well looked after. Even if people are buying a second hand car, they would still want one that is in good running condition, looks good, offers decent gas mileage, and suits the passenger and cargo space requirements them and their family. Just because they’re opting for a less pricey vehicle doesn’t mean they should settle for any less than those criteria.

Keep Cleaning Supplies In Your Car

If a spill or bird dropping already happened, there’s no use regretting that. Just wipe it off as soon as you can. Caffeinated drinks, soda or bird dropping all have acid in them that ruins the paint so it would be best if you could wipe them off your paint job immediately.  This is why it’s important that you have cleaning supplies in your trunk at all times. This way you can clean off such things immediately as it happens to leave them no chance of causing any kind of damage.

Unclean car isn’t only unsightly but can also lead to unnecessary car repairs. While it’s easy to assume that this shouldn’t be an issue nowadays since there’s ample access to car polishing here in Singapore, a busy schedule and tight budget makes it more difficult. But if you don’t want the money you invested in your car to go to waste, keeping it clean is a simple but important factor in maintenance.

5 Most Germ Infested Areas In Your Car

Whether you accept it or not, billions of creatures we can’t see lurks around your car like germs and allergens. And that’s even after you just had a car wash, so how much more if you're the type who hardly ever do car wash and just waits for rain to kind of do the job for you? (I know this sounds ridiculous but people like this truly exist!) Letting dust, dirt or debris accumulate in your vehicle for a long time is not good because your body absorbs that in one form or another. This practically means you’re slowly putting your health in jeopardy especially if you get sick easily. So if you’ve had the chronic cough or cold, try taking your car to a detailer more regularly and you’d be amazed how the coughing and sneezing starts to fade away. While you’re at it, here are the areas you wanna pay more attention since it’s been found there often the most overlooked and dirtiest part of your vehicle.

1. Vinyl And Leather Surfaces

You may wanna get yourself a magic eraser to use in your car.  Gently rubbing a magic eraser can magically remove gross sticky things off your vinyl and leather like it’s never been there. This is especially important if you have pets or children that ride your vehicle. Apparently, the spot where your kid or pet sit are usually dirtier and have higher bacteria counts.  Pathogens identified such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter or MRSA are the ones found according to a study conducted at Queen Mary University in London.

2. Cloth Upholstery

Spills on the cloth seats are difficult to control because of the movement of the vehicle when the spill occurs. Maintaining a steady supply of towels for quick cleanup will reduce the amount of foreign matter that collects in the cloth. Dust mites feed on these substances. People who suffer from allergies will experience discomfort when riding in a vehicle where dust mites have found a healthy food source.

3. Carpets

Moldy or mildew smell is often due to A/C evaporator. But sometimes it can also come from leaky heater core especially when you see fog on the inside of your windows or water leak if the fog is accompanied by a musty smell. Strong indication of this is when your seats and carpeting are also wet.

Add that to all the dirt you step on and rubbing your shoes against the floor mat. Yeah, pretty gross. So aside from including them in your regular car detailing, remember that they’re not built to last you a lifetime too. Change them yearly as much as possible.

4. Windows

People touch their car windows all the time without even realizing it. Just imagine all the kind of dirt stuck on them in case you accidentally spilled something sticky on your windows, dust or even just the accumulation of dirt from constantly touching them and transferring dirt from your hands. This is why it’s always good to keep non-abrasive cloth and an anti-bacterial window cleaner in a small spray bottle in one of your car compartments. Microfiber ones are great because they’re so soft that it doesn’t damage the tint but still gets the job done. This way you get to wipe your car windows immediately when the need arises.

5. Air Conditioning System

We know it’s necessary to replace air filters because dirty ones restrict airflow and causing the AC system to run longer and use more energy. But only some actually do this. Be more diligent and make a reminder of it on your calendar so that you don’t ‘forget’ to do it every month.

The distinctive smell of mildew flooding out of your air vents is usually caused by a build-up of bacteria and mold. This can happen to older cars that have had bacteria growing behind the dashboard for years and in cars that rarely run the air conditioning, as they don’t enjoy the drying effects that it provides to excess water on the coils. So if you do your own car cleaning, make sure you clean your car AC vents too.

Good thing, though, is that many cars nowadays have an auto air re circulation button on their climate controls. It’s best to leave this on to prevent buildup of fog and condensation in the windows that can hamper visibility. Keeping a set temperature and leaving the air conditioning in a mode that it can manage itself is the best way to keep the windows clear and still keep occupants cool. Adjust the temperature all you want, but keep that button on.

Car Wrapping VS Spray Painting

Car wrapping and spray painting have their own advantages and disadvantages. But what’s guaranteed is that they can both deliver the same result that you want. But if you’re trying to decide which procedure is best for you and your car, it will depend on your requirements.  Car wrapping is cheaper and may take less time to perform but it may not be feasible if your car if the base paint has started to peel.  On the other hand, spray painting may be best for your vehicle once such problem arise because the procedure does fix such damage before coating it with a fresh color. To help you decide, here’s a comparison of what you can get from both procedure.

Spray Painting

Variety

With spray painting, you can choose to paint your car in more than one color. So whether you like to stick with one solid color or express your creativity with different ones, spray painting can definitely do that.

Time

Spray painting requires a bit of prepping. The exterior of your car will have to be washed using the bucket of soap and water. This will keep any dust and dirt from causing any abrasion on your car’s paint or get in the way of a smooth paint job finish. Also it needs to be wiped it dry completely.  After that, sanding the area is an important step that can’t be skip out because it smoothens the area that will be worked on which allows a consistent look when applying the new paint. To further break down the area that needs to be worked on and prepare it for new paint, a scuffing pad will be used. Scuffing pads create a rough surface, which is easier for the paint to stick to. The scuffing pad will be rubbed along the surface back and forth until the surface feels rough to the touch. And then they’ll have to mask up areas where you don’t want the paint to get onto like the headlights. This could be done by using the masking tape and newspaper or plastic sheet.

All of that is just the prepping of the car prior to the actual spray painting which requires a first coating and then a re coating. All of that would most likely take about a week to finish before your car will be handed back to you.

Price

Prices may vary on different locations as well as different car servicing shops. But generally, this process is on the pricier side considering the amount of effort and time that it requires to do this job properly. But the thing is, that price delivers you a smooth surface, brand new looking and rust-resistant vehicle.

Durability

The effect of spray painting should last you a long time provided that you drive cautiously and maintain your car accordingly. As long as you put in the effort to wash and polish your vehicle on a regular basis then you’d be able to enjoy a brand new looking car for a long time. However, the environment that you live in can play a big role in its durability too. Plus, you should know that spray painting your car also affects the base color of it which makes it impossible to revert it back to its original color. So that’s one thing to keep in mind.

Car Wrapping

Variety

With car wrapping, you also have the freedom to wrap it in more than one color. You can even choose between gloss and matte finishing. Aside from that, you can also do intricate and detailed designs which allows you to truly create a unique color customization for your vehicle.

Time

Now, unlike spray painting, car wrapping doesn’t take as much time because before and after prepping needed. But if you do choose an extremely complicated design, the process may take longer than usual.

Price

The cost of wrapping differs greatly depending on how complex the wrap job is. For basic wrapping, it only cost a fraction of a paint job, while for more complex wrapping, it can be more expensive than a paint job. So, again, it lies heavily on your choice of design.

Durability

Like a paint job, how long a wrap job is able to last depends on the owner and the environment. Based on review, a good wrap job can last between 4 to 10 years.

One thing to note is that if the base paint starts to peel, it is not advisable to wrap the car as the cracked paint or rust will still be visible. Also, if the wrapper is inexperienced, the base paint may be scratched or damaged by sharp razors, which are used during the wrapping process to tailor the foil. If done properly, the wrapping process is reversible and the wrap can be removed any time.

Features Of Automobile Ceramic Coating That Makes It Very Reliable

Nowadays, there are a lot of ways to protect your car exterior, and one of them is ceramic coating. This is a liquid polymer that is applied to the vehicle surface. It creates a chemical bond with the paint and establishes a protection and hydrophobic surface. The properties of ceramic coating makes it harder for any contaminants to damage the car paint.

We can’t really help the kind of weather you’ll have in the place you live. Whether you have four seasons or two extreme weathers, all you can do is take extra steps to protect your car from these. Paint protection in Singapore’s tropical weather will prevent your paint job from fading fast, it also keeps it from expanding and contracting which results to cracking where water or moisture can seep through the cracks and create rust. So if you’re already planning on giving your vehicle an extra layer of protection, here are reasons why ceramic coating is guaranteed to do that job well.

Because It Can Give Permanent Protection

It is able to keep your car’s paint looking polished, comparable to that of a showroom standard car and the best thing is that no re-application is required at all as it is highly durable.

Because It Scores Above 9H Hard On The Ceramic Coating Scale

Ceramic coating can be best measured on the Pencil test scale, where it scores above 9H - which is the highest level on the scale used in the coating industry to determine clear coats. In other words, the 9H means that ceramic coating always stays hard if applied and maintained correctly.

You’re Guaranteed Of 100% Chemical Resistant

Ceramic coating is so durable that it can only be removed through abrasion. So you can rest assured that it won’t be damaged by chemicals that waxing or traditional coating can’t stand.

It Protects Paint And Metal From Oxidation And Corrosion

Given that harsh chemicals can hardly penetrate ceramic coating, then you won’t have to worry about water or moisture seeping into your paint job and result to oxidation and corrosion.

It Comes With Temperature Resistance And UV Protection

Aside from water and other chemicals, it can also protect your vehicle from damages caused by extreme temperature. So whether it’s heavy rainy days or super-hot days, which are what Singapore experiences, your car won’t be affected paint job-wise.

You Also Get The Best Gloss And Shine

If you think it’s already amazing that it can protect your car paint to that extent, you’d be even more impressed because it can also provide gloss and shine!

Your Car Won’t Attract As Much Dirt And Liquid As It Does Now

People don’t just seek car servicing in Singapore due to engine problems, more often than not it’s due to exterior damage from different kinds of dirt like grease, grime, and bird poop. When left unattended for an extended period of time, they can cause serious paint damage on your car. Avoid the stress and unnecessary expenses by keeping your vehicle clean.  Having said that, another huge benefit that ceramic coating for vehicles brings to the scene is the hydrophobic protection. If you don't know what it refers to, it basically has everything to do with preventing water and dust from contacting the surface. While it obviously cannot block liquid, dust or dirt from sticking to the car, ceramic coating offers protection that minimizes the amount of water and dust that attaches to the surface. This will make your car cleaner and flashier - even after a drive in the morning rain.

Paint coatings are relatively new and are one of the up and coming leaders to car detailing in the automobile industry. It serves as an all in one protective layer to a car’s paintwork and UV ray protection is included in its specifications along with many others. It is able to keep your car’s paint looking polished, comparable to that of a showroom standard car and the best thing is that no re-application is required at all as it is highly durable. With this paint coating in place, you will not need to go through the regular hassle of consistently finding sheltered parking lots or frequent waxing sessions for your car. 

How To Get Rid Of Water Stain On Your Car Exterior

Swirl marks and scratches are the results of improper methods of removing water stains. While swirl marks happen during cleaning and detailing, it’s actually the products and tools used that does the damage. For example, using dirty wash mitts or sponge is one culprit since even the tiniest dirt trapped in those can cause fine scratches. Another reason behind swirl marks are dirty wax or polish applicator or dirty microfiber cloth.

If you’re very meticulous when it comes to cleaning or detailing your automobile, you may want to at least do the washing yourself. This way, you can be sure that everything you’re using aren't dirty which can be hard to do for car washing stations since they’re handling a lot of cars and changing cleaning materials for each car would be a bit impractical.

Another cause would be removing missed patches with a drying cloth. It happens to the best of us: you rinse your car, only to find you’ve missed a bit. But, instead of reaching for the cleaning cloth (the recommended solution), you attack the spot with your drying cloth – a big no-no. By rubbing a mucky mark with a dry cloth, you’ll effectively work the dirt into the paint, or at the very least cause a stubborn swirl mark. Remember – never clean your car with a dry cloth.

Now, if you’re still getting those swirl marks even when you’ve made sure the cleaning cloths and applicators are clean, the problem could be your car’s surface itself. If your paintwork has embedded contaminants, polishing the surface and waxing it will only drag those harmful particles round and round, thereby creating those nasty swirls. This is where prepping your paintwork prior to waxing and polishing becomes very crucial. Start by running your fingers along the body of the car, if it’s smooth all throughout then you’re good to go. If not, grab a clay bar and special lubricant and then move the bar in a back-and-forth motion (without exerting pressure) to remove embedded particles. When the clay gets dirty, you fold it to reveal the clean surface and continue. After your vehicle is done, the paintwork should feel as smooth as glass.

Causes Of Water Stains

Mineral And Dirt Deposits

Mineral and dirt deposits comprise the first category of water stains. These are mostly a result of trace minerals present in rain, sprinkler systems or in the car cleaning water, which remains to your vehicle exterior surface when it is washed but not dried off.

Corrosive Liquids

This type of water stains refers to etchings or craters that appear in the paint due to some corrosive liquids such as air con water discharge coming in contact with the car surface, which can lead to deterioration of the car paint and even the lacquer.

Ways To Remove Water Stain Properly

Wash It Thoroughly

People don’t just seek car servicing in Singapore due to engine problems, more often than not it’s due to exterior damage or imperfections like swirl marks from different kinds of dirt like grease, grime, bird poop and water. When left unattended for an extended period of time, they can cause serious paint damage on your car. Avoid the stress and unnecessary expenses by keeping your vehicle clean. 

Seek Car Polishing

Polishing is one of the most misunderstood paint care procedures and as a result many individuals skip this important step. Polish is an abrasive compound, which, when worked into the paint using the hand or a polisher, shaves off imperfections of the paint. It levels out the surface and makes it smooth, thereby preparing it for the next step of applying wax or paint sealant. If you wax without polishing the surface first, not only will the paint look dull, but you will also notice that the wax layer will wear off quicker than usual. So ultimately it is a huge waste of your time and resources. Because polish is abrasive as mentioned above, it is important to master polishing techniques especially if you are using a rotary buffer, or you risk burning right through the paint.

Apply Wax

Once you’ve polished all the areas you need to and you’re happy that you’ve removed all the polish, you can wax your car. This will protect the paintwork against water stain and future damage and give you a beautiful shiny finish which can last up to 12 months. It takes time to apply as you need to apply in small amounts and buff but your patience will be rewarded with a brand new and shiny looking car.

Why It’s Best To Leave Your Car Detailing To The Experts

People like to DIY whenever they can, but there are things that are best left to the experts. While some areas of car detailing can definitely be DIY-ed easily, you’d still want to see a professional the rest.

Getting your car groomed professionally is how you keep your car looking pristine from inside out. It’s understandable that it’d be hard to squeeze in car detailing as regularly as you should when you’re busy, but whenever you can then might as well take advantage of  the car grooming service that are widely available in Singapore. If you drive on poor conditions a lot, like when it’s rainy or on rough roads you have to get it done more often than once a week. Doing so can do you a lot more favor than you’d expect.

Proper Techniques And Tools

Detailing a car is a meticulous task. The tiniest dust or dirt that sticks on the paint can get in the way of a smooth finish. This is just one of the things that seems like an easy thing to take care of but can actually be overlooked easily, especially if you’re not used to this kind of task. But with professionals who do this for a living, and are trained to do this properly as well as knowledgeable with the right tools and techniques to ensure a smooth finish, they can do it, with careful precision, basically in their sleep because it’s already second nature to them.

Potential To Save Money

People assume that going DIY always saves money, but it may surprise you that that’s not always the case. Unless you are specifically skilled with auto detailing and servicing, where you’re sure you won’t have to redo it, make a mistake, or waste materials with trial and error, then you’d save more money it you seek a professional for the job.

Time

DIY-ing will consume a lot of your time, whether or not you are skilled in automobile grooming. But if you haven’t done this before, there is a big chance this t

ask will not only take you days to finish on your own considering you’ll have to invest on the tools as well as research on proper execution, but there’s also a fair chance you might screw it up and do it all over again. But if you let an expert do this job, you’re not only sure it will be done perfectly and quickly but you won’t have to put your daily routine and tasks on hold.

Improved Customer Service

Like any service provider, they always work towards customer satisfaction and try to exceed their customer expectation because when customers are happy then it’s good for business. Therefore taking your vehicle to professional car detailing and servicing not only guarantee a job well done but they can also give you tips to properly care and clean your newly detailed car.

Keeping Your Car Clean Ensures Your Safety While On The Road Too

If the rest of the benefits of professional car detailing doesn’t matter to you, this one should. Driving doesn’t seem like a life-threatening activity because you’re essentially just going from one place to another. But the thing is that, car accidents ranked as the 9th leading cause of death worldwide according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, so you shouldn’t take driving too lightly. This is because not a lot of people underestimated the value of running a car check before hitting the road. But also because people underestimate dirt on the windshield alone can affect your visibility while driving which can lead to an accident. Even a problem as simple as this can turn into a seriously dangerous mishap when you’re in the middle of the road, especially a busy one.  What more a crack or a more serious blemish? This is why it’s important that you take your car on a regular maintenance and car detailing to make sure you avoid this.

You Can Rest Assured That It’s Been Thoroughly Cleaned Which Means Avoiding Illness

Whether you accept it or not, billions of creatures we can’t see lurks around your car like germs and allergens. And that’s even after you just had a car wash, so how much more if you're the type who hardly ever do car wash and just waits for rain to kind of do the job for you? (I know this sounds ridiculous but people like this truly exist!) Letting dust, dirt or debris accumulate in your vehicle for a long time is not good because your body absorbs that in one form or another. This practically means you’re slowly putting your health in jeopardy especially if you get sick easily. So if you’ve had the chronic cough or cold, try taking your car to a detailer more regularly and you’d be amazed how the coughing and sneezing starts to fade away.

Things Your Car Encounter Daily That Can Damage Its Paint Job

Paint doesn't just give color to your car and make it look like new, but it also protects it from premature rusting and corrosion. This is why it is very important to protect your paint from things that causes premature damage and fades it sooner than it should like ultra-violet rays, chemicals, and natural pollutants. More importantly, car repainting can be expensive! The thing is, sometimes it’s not those things that causing damages on the paint but the car owners mistakes and carelessness.

If you don’t like to spend a huge amount of money trying to fix your car’s paint, then better do a better job at protecting your car’s paint and watch out for these everyday things that could lead to serious paint job damage like nasty blistering and rusting as well as a huge car repair bill.

Splatter Bugs

Splattered flying bugs and car fronts just seem to go together, especially during the summer.  Those dead bugs might appear harmless, but they actually can do serious damage to your vehicle’s paint due to their bodies’ acidity.  Not removed immediately, bug body imprints can actually become etched permanently into the top layers.  Experts advise washing them off right away using a bug and tar remover, soft wash cloth and old-fashioned elbow grease.

Bird Droppings

Parking in a covered lot or a spot with shade is good as it keeps your car away from direct sunlight that can damage your paint job. However, if the shade that you can find is under a tree, forget it. You’d be risking bird droppings and that can be just as damaging. This is why you should have a car cover in your trunk at all times.

Coffee And Soda

People tend to use the roof of their car as a table and puts drinks on it that often lead to spills. Coffee and soda contains acid in them, spilling them on your car’s paint can definitely cause damage. So start kicking this habit from now on.

Sunlight

While you may not have to worry about slippery roads driving which can be dangerous, it’s the heat of your car that you should be worried about when the sun is out. This is why aside from preparing thick towels to place on the seats, and windshield cover, it’s also important to try to park your car in the shade as much as possible and invest in paint protection especially in such a sunny country like Singapore. Unless you’re fine with your car paint blistering and peeling as well as premature fading and cracking of your car interior.

Small Stones And Rocks

You might want to avoid driving on rough roads if possible since small stones or rocks may hit the surface of your ride which can result to scratches. Or if there’s no other route, just drive more carefully.

How Ceramic Coating Paint Protection And Glass Coating Paint Protection Works For Your Car

Paint coatings are relatively new and are one of the up and coming leaders to car detailing in the automobile industry. It serves as an all in one protective layer to a car’s paintwork and UV ray protection is included in its specifications along with many others. It is able to keep your car’s paint looking polished, comparable to that of a showroom standard car and the best thing is that no re-application is required at all as it is highly durable.

So for those of you who treats their car like a prized possession, you may wanna look into paint coating and consider investing in it. There are different kinds of paint coatings but in this article we will talk about ceramic coating and glass coating. This may help you understand this kind of detailing and find that you favor one or the other depending on your car and your needs.

Glass Coating Paint Protection

Glass coating may be best for you if you drive a lot and take your vehicle to a lot of different locations. Though glass coating is pricier compared to ceramic, it is highly durable and shiny. So, even though cost is a huge factor when car owners are seeking car paint protection, you should consider what’s best for your car with your existing lifestyle because it may actually save you more money in the long run.  

1. Longevity

Although no specific time frame has been allotted for glass coating, users and manufacturers claim that it can last anywhere from six months to two years, depending upon natural and man-made conditions. This, they say, reduces, if not entirely eliminates car waxing.

2. Protection

While ceramic coating paint protection and glass coating products may look the same, their structural compositions usually differ. This results to varying characteristics when done to your car. But since both procedure can be performed based on nanotechnology, glass and ceramic coating can properly blend into the paint job, creating a strong and lasting layer of protective shield to the paintwork and surfaces of your car exterior. This also results to better insulation of the paintwork from effects of harsh chemicals and other elements of damage in the environment.

3. Beauty And Convenience

Other people assume that glass coating is the use of material like car windows or windshield, but it’s important to know that it’s not. Glass coating is a form of paint protection. It is performed using a sticky substance made from randomly arranged and transparent compounds. However, unlike ceramic coating, glass coating often bonds to the paintwork quickly. Glass coating is quite strong and easy to apply. Users profess that this product has enhanced the appearance of their vehicles. The superb shine that glass coating provides. This means, not only that it looks better for your car, it also won’t take that much time for the installer to finish so you can enjoy a brand new looking car without too much waiting period.

Ceramic Coating Paint Protection

Ceramic coating is cheaper and takes less time to perform but doesn't last as long. But if your car isn’t used often or isn’t exposed to harsh environment, ceramic coating may do.

1. You’re Guaranteed A Minimum Of 5 Years In Car Paint Protection

Car detailing can be expensive but if it can protect your car for a minimum of 5 years, at least, like ceramic coating can do then it’s worth the money. Ceramic coatings’ key characteristics that makes it so durable are hardness, smoothness and wear resistance. With this kind of protection, then you can keep your car exterior in pristine condition without having to get this same procedure done too often.

2. You Can DIY It

The process of applying ceramic coating to the paint is not a complicated one, and it can be divided into 5 steps. So if you’re a little short on cash, you can save a little on labor fee by doing this yourself. Remember to apply the coating in a dry room or shaded area, at an ambient temperature of 10°C to 35°C.

3. You’ll Get That Mirror Finish That We Can’t Help But Love

It’s one thing to keep your car clean looking and it’s another to make it look like it just got out of the showroom. With ceramic coating you know you’re always driving a sleek and shiny car. Because admit it, there’s something about that mirror finish that just exudes high-end, well-maintained and just overall coolness of the vehicle and you the owner.

4. It Can Even Repel Dirt

People don’t just seek car servicing in Singapore due to engine problems, more often than not it’s due to exterior damage from different kinds of dirt like grease, grime, and bird poop. When left unattended for extended period of time, they can cause serious paint damage on your car. Avoid the stress and unnecessary expenses by keeping your vehicle clean.  Having said that, one of the cool things about ceramic coating is that it is hydrophobic which means it is able to repel water molecules and dirt from the protected surface of your car. Now as a result, there’s less dirt on your car which keeps you from having to take it to car wash too often.

5. It Can Also Be Applied To Other Surfaces Of The Car

If the hydrophobicity didn't impress you, ceramic coating still got more. Aside from your paint job, it can also be applied to and protect other surfaces of your vehicle like windows, gasket, rims, plastics, chromed elements and headlights! Isn't that amazing? You can now basically protect majority of your car exterior which lessens damages on those surfaces resulting to less repairs and saved money.

ALSO READ:

Top 5 Benefits Of Investing In Ceramic Coating For Your Car

Top 5 Benefits Of Investing In Ceramic Coating For Your Car

Nowadays, there are a lot of ways to protect your car exterior, and one of them is ceramic coating. This is a liquid polymer that is applied to the vehicle surface. It creates a chemical bond with the paint and establishes a protection and hydrophobic surface. The properties of ceramic coating makes it harder for any contaminants to damage the car paint. Paint coatings are relatively new and are one of the up and coming leaders to car detailing in the automobile industry. It serves as an all in one protective layer to a car’s paintwork and UV ray protection is included in its specifications along with many others. It is able to keep your car’s paint looking polished, comparable to that of a showroom standard car and the best thing is that no re-application is required at all as it is highly durable. With this paint coating in place, you will not need to go through the regular hassle of consistently finding sheltered parking lots or frequent waxing sessions for your car. 

1. You’re Guaranteed A Minimum Of 5 Years In Car Paint Protection

Car detailing can be expensive but if it can protect your car for a minimum of 5 years, at least, like ceramic coating can do then it’s worth the money. Ceramic coatings’ key characteristics that makes it so durable are hardness, smoothness and wear resistance. With this kind of protection, then you can keep your car exterior in pristine condition without having to get this same procedure done too often.

2. You Can DIY It

The process of applying ceramic coating to the paint is not a complicated one, and it can be divided into 5 steps. So if you’re a little short on cash, you can save a little on labor fee by doing this yourself. Remember to apply the coating in a dry room or shaded area, at an ambient temperature of 10°C to 35°C.

Applying ceramic coating to the paint:

Step 1: Before you apply ceramic coating, it is important to carefully degrease the surface.

Step 2: Shake the bottle of degrease product and apply 6-8 drops to a dry satin microfiber wrapped on the applicator. Remember to moisten the microfiber abundantly the first time.

Step 3: Apply the coating crosswise and only once to surfaces no larger than 50×50 cm. Of course, the 50×50 cm is a conventional value. It is important to apply the coating once to a small portion of the surface. This way, we will avoid problems with polishing, which could occur when applying the product to larger elements.

Step 4: The next step is to observe the coating. After about 2 minutes from the application (at about 20°C) its color should begin to change.

The most important task is not to miss the moment when the coating begins to sparkle with colors, the coating should take on the colors of the rainbow. At this moment we can start to polish the surfaces with microfibers (higher temperature shortens the drying time, lower temperature lengthens it). WARNING! Do not allow the coating to dry on the paint.

Step 5: After applying and polishing the first layer, wait for at least 1 hour and repeat steps 2 to 5 (for maximum durability, you should apply 3 layers).

3. You’ll Get That Mirror Finish That We Can’t Help But Love

It’s one thing to keep your car clean looking and it’s another to make it look like it just got out of the showroom. With ceramic coating you know you’re always driving a sleek and shiny car. Because admit it, there’s something about that mirror finish that just exudes high-end, well-maintained and just overall coolness of the vehicle and you the owner.

4. It Can Even Repel Dirt

People don’t just seek car servicing in Singapore due to engine problems, more often than not it’s due to exterior damage from different kinds of dirt like grease, grime, and bird poop. When left unattended for extended period of time, they can cause serious paint damage on your car. Avoid the stress and unnecessary expenses by keeping your vehicle clean.  Having said that, one of the cool things about ceramic coating is that it is hydrophobic which means it is able to repel water molecules and dirt from the protected surface of your car. Now as a result, there’s less dirt on your car which keeps you from having to take it to car wash too often.

5. It Can Also Be Applied To Other Surfaces Of The Car

If the hydrophobicity didn't impress you, ceramic coating still got more. Aside from your paint job, it can also be applied to and protect other surfaces of your vehicle like windows, gasket, rims, plastics, chromed elements and headlights! Isn't that amazing? You can now basically protect majority of your car exterior which lessens damages on those surfaces resulting to less repairs and saved money.

We can’t really help the kind of weather you’ll have in the place you live. Whether you have four seasons or two extreme weathers, all you can do is take extra step to protect your car from these. Paint protection in Singapore’s tropical weather will prevent your paint job from fading fast, it also keeps it from expanding and contracting which results to cracking where water or moist can seep through the cracks and create rust. When it comes to paint protection, there are different ways to do that. You may wanna see if ceramic coating is suitable for your car in your daily lifestyle.

ALSO READ:

Why Regular Car Wash Is Important For Your Vehicle