5 Steps To Clean Your Car Using A Power Washer

Back in the day, washing a vehicle involves jacking it up, taking off the wheels and manually scrubbing every surface and crannies of your car. Although pressure washers are already available then, not many car owners have one since they’re way too pricey to buy. The closest thing a car owner can probably get is to borrow if he knows someone who has it or use a typical garden hose and make do with that.

But nowadays, it has become a typical home garage tool for most households not only because of its usefulness but as well as it’s relatively cheaper price compared to before. If you’ve ever had to deal with manual scrubbing of stubborn dirt and grime on your car, you understand how much of a pain that is. But with power washers, the pressurized water does the job for you without as much struggle.

If you’re still not fully convinced why you should get your hands on one, here’s what sets a power washer apart from the typical garden hose as well as the bucket and sponge combo.

· It lessens aggressive and damaging contact with the car that often leads to scuffing of dirt and debris onto the pain finish which we all know causes unsightly scratches.

· It saves you the time and effort of doing the tedious manual scrubbing since the pressurized water will simply blast the caked dirt away.

· You no longer have to figure out how to bend your body in weird ways and fit into tight spaces around your vehicle because power washers can effortlessly reach those nooks and crannies.

· In general, you’ll be able to do the cleaning so much faster and easier which makes this task less of a drag.

All that points makes it clear that a power washer is a better option in terms of cleaning your car. However, since we’re dealing with a tool that generates power, we cannot deny that it can also cause damage if not used the right way. You will need to learn how to go about it with care and precision if you want to accomplish the task effectively without accidentally damaging your paint. There are even pressure washers that are designed to take off paint from cars, so it’s reasonable to be careful when handling such tools because you can potentially cause damage even with one that is intended for cleaning.

To be on the safe side, before using this on your car, make sure that the pressure that it puts out is less than 2,000psi. That should be safe enough for your paint. And if you have chipped paint, common sense says not to concentrate the water blast on those damaged areas. Otherwise, you could make the damaged area worse. Make sure you’re always careful to not concentrate on the door handles and the bottom edge of the windows. This is to avoid water getting into the doors, window mechanisms, and door locks where it can get trapped and cause rust. 

For the step to step instructions, here they are:

Step 1: Begin By Rinsing Your Car Thoroughly

You need to get rid of loose dust and dirt off your car first. Make sure you go from top to bottom and not the other way around.

Step 2: Use The Pressure Washer To Shampoo Your Car

Now you can grab your power washer. Take your favorite car shampoo and pour it onto the detergent tank of the washer. Attach that to your power washer and use that to shampoo your vehicle.

Step 3: Make Sure You Spray The Wheels

Once you’re done shampooing the entire body, time to focus on the wheel wells and wheels. Dirt is usually really caked up and stuck in there so you may have to check and work those areas more.

Step 4: Soap Down The Car

Take a soft sponge soaked in your soapy solution and soap down the car, being careful not to put too much pressure but getting as far into the nooks and crannies as you can. Use a different sponge for the bottom part of the car, wheel wells, and wheels.

Step 5: Finish Cleaning With Another Thorough Rinse

After shampooing everything, time to rinse it all down. You can use the pressure water to do this thoroughly. Just be careful around the door handles and window bottoms.

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 make all the difference on how frequently you should 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 service that is 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.

Things You Should Know To Remove Water Spots On Your Car

Swirl marks and scratches are the results of improper methods of removing water stain. 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 isn'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 on 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.

· Vinegar

White vinegar is a mild acid, and the minerals and pollutants in water spots can be broken down by this mild acid. To apply, simply follow these steps:

1. Mix white vinegar and distilled water in equal parts in a bucket.

2. Soak a sponge or a microfiber cloth in the solution.

3. Apply the solution to the water spots, allowing the solution to soak into the stains for about a minute or two. The key is to allow the vinegar to break down and loosen the contaminants’ grip on the surface so they can be wiped off gently.

4. After the waiting period, try to gently wipe off the spot. Avoid the tendency to wipe vigorously as you will be merely grinding the minerals and the pollutants onto the paint finish, creating scratches.

· Clay Bar

Detailing clay is a synthetic resin compound designed to pick up minerals and pollutants on your car’s finish as you glide it on a car’s well-lubricated paint finish. Use this if white vinegar wasn’t enough to get rid of the stains. Check out the following instructions:

1. Get some detailing clay and clay lubricant.

2. Spray lubricant onto the paint finish.

3. Glide the clay over the lubricated surface gently, with light pressure. It may take several passes to remove the water spots.

Things You Should Do To Protect Your Car From The Blazing Heat Of Summer

Road trips, longer days, and warmer weather are just a few of the joys of living in a tropical country like Singapore where it’s basically summer most of the time. But having the sun high in the sky most days can mean scorching car seats, muggy interiors, and potential damage to your vehicle's surfaces when it's exposed to hours of sunlight at a time. As much as the heat can take a toll on your car's interior, it's also rough on a vehicle's working parts. Aside from all these tips to help keep your car cool you should also head to your mechanic for routine summer maintenance, like a cooling system and fluid check, so that you'll not only stay cool, you'll stay safe.

Invest In Car Paint Protection

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 weather, 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 in cracking where water or moist can seep through the cracks and create rust. Like most things, prevention is better than cure. A good paint protection system should protect your car long-term. Repainting can be costly, so if you can do something to avoid doing it too often, wouldn’t you do it and save yourself some cash and stress?

Apply A Silicone Protective Substance To  The Rubber Weather Stripping

All around the doors is rubber weather stripping that keeps air, water, dust, and debris from entering the nooks, crannies, and cabin of the car. Some of them are exposed to sun damage, but those that are not can also suffer from dry-rot. These can be protected by silicone protective substances that can be wiped on every few months to keep them lubricated and to keep them from rotting.

Tint Your Windows

Since glass allows sun to penetrate easily, the car gets hot in an instant especially during summer. This makes your entire car ride uncomfortable because of the heat and your air conditioning to work harder to keep the car cool which increases gasoline consumption. However, installing heat resistant window tint will solve this problem. Solar films for your car keep UV rays from penetrating your car windows. Aside from that, it can also protect your car’s upholstery from premature damage like color fading as well as cracking.

Charge Your Ac Unit

When you live in a tropical country, driving with your air condition unit running is a must. That is unless you like driving uncomfortable and drenched in your own sweat which I highly doubt applies to anyone. So if the hot days are coming up, check if your AC unit is in tip top condition or if it’s time to replace it. If you’re scheduled to visit your mechanic for maintenance anyway, don’t forget to get your guy to see if your AC needs some work. Whether it needs to be recharged, cleaned or completely replaced, it’s best to do this before summer time rolls in.

Top Up Your Coolant

Summer is an important time to regularly check your coolant is topped up - after all, you never know when your car will overheat! If you don't top up your coolant and allow your car to overheat, you risk vehicle damage that could cost you a pricey bill, with some moving metals melting together under the heat causing significant issues. Coolant should also be a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze during summer, but you don't have to worry too much about getting this ration exactly right with premixed coolant also available. 

Clean And Flush The Radiator

When dirt, bugs, or road grime gets stuck and accumulates in your radiator, it becomes harder for the air to flow through it. As a result, it’s harder to cool the engine especially when the vehicle is stopped and the radiator has to rely on just the fan to keep it cool which is why it overheats when idle. So aside from getting rid of anything that your radiator has accumulated, fill it up with coolant (preferably) too especially if it’s in the brink of overheating. But if you don’t have it on hand, water works too. While you’re at it, see if your car’s hose is still intact and undamaged. Otherwise, you need to replace it so that the car’s cooling system would go back and function to normal.

Check Your Tires

You’ll want to check to make sure that your tires are properly inflated during the summer months. You’ll save an average of $600 a year by not having to prematurely replace them. It’s important to check that your tires are properly inflated because hotter temperatures can increase tire pressure, leading to unnecessary wear and tear.

Check Battery

It’s easy to assume that car battery works better when the temperature is high, but in reality its strength actually decreases when it gets too hot out. Aside from the outside temperature, the temperature under the hood can also contribute to quickened corrosion of car batteries. So if you have been having trouble with your car battery often lately, and it’s been scorching hot as well take your car to the servicing shop to have it checked.

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. 

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.

Invest In Paint Protection For Your Car Exterior

Rusts on your car is not only unsightly to look at but also means your vehicle’s value drops as the damage develops. If the area affected by rust is very small, repairing it on your own is still an option. But if the rust has eaten through the metal or if the damage is extensive, you’ll need to seek professional car repair services. But you can also do the paint job on your own provided that you prepare carefully and study the techniques thoroughly.

How To Do A DIY Paint Job

· Wash the exterior of your car using the bucket of soap and water. This will keep any dust and dirt from causing any more abrasion on your car’s paint or get in the way of a smooth paint job finish. Don’t forget to wipe it dry.

· If it's just the exterior you're looking to improve, then simply mask the areas you don't want painted.

· Sanding the area is an important step you can’t skip out because it smoothens the area you want to work on which allows a consistent look when you apply the new paint.

· Scuff the surface. To further break down the area you want to work on and prepare it for new paint, use a scuffing pad. Scuffing pads create a rough surface, which is easier for the paint to stick to. Rub the scuff pad along the surface back and forth until the surface feels rough to the touch.

· Wipe the whole surface down with a clean rag and thinners to remove dust, and wait until residue from the thinners evaporates completely before continuing.

· Apply primer. But don’t forget to mix the primer with thinners using the ratios recommended on the paint can instructions. It will vary for different paints. Let the primer dry overnight before you begin painting.

· Practice priming if you haven’t done it before. When you've got your technique down, start applying the primer on the car, working from the roof down. Apply the primer in thin, even coats. It will usually take two or three coats to cover the surface completely.

· Don’t forget to mix the paint with thinners using the ratios recommended on the paint can instructions. Apply the paint the same you did with the primer.

· Each coat will take about 10 minutes to apply per panel and between 20 minutes to an hour between re-coating for the paint to cure.

· It usually requires three to four coats of paint to cover the surface completely. Make sure you’re following the recommended drying time specified on the paint can instructions between coats.

· Before applying the last coat, remove any powdery residue with 2000-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper and wipe down with a clean rag. Repeat the last two steps with the clear-coat lacquer.

· While the clear coat is still wet, slowly remove the masking. Let the clear coat cure for the recommended time. Once that time is over, check for any imperfections. If you find any, use the 2000-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper to sand that area and respray.

· Buff paint in circular motions with a buffer, being careful not to burn the paint by holding the buffer in one spot too long.

It sucks to find that rust has slowly developed on your car right? Well, even getting an unsightly scratch on your car’s paint is never fun because touching up even the smallest one cost time and money. So why not invest in a paint protection film for your car and avoid paint damage in the first place? 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.

But for paint protection, it is highly suggested that you seek a professional to do it! Okay, maybe you’re a bit reluctant to avail custom installation because you know it costs more and you want to save money as much as possible. But, remember that smart investments, in terms of paint protection, are those where you spend quite a bit but offer better fit and best coverage which you know will last longer.

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7 Reasons To Invest In Ceramic Coating For Your Car

7 Reasons To Invest In Ceramic Coating For Your Car

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.

One way to do that is by paint coatings. 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. 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. It Gives 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.

2. It Is 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.

3. It Is 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.

4. It Prevents 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.

5. It Is Temperature Resistant And UV Protective

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.

6. It Offers 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!

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

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.

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Which Is Better?  Ceramic Coating Paint Protection Vs Car Glass 

Which Is Better? Ceramic Coating Paint Protection Vs Car Glass

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. In this article we’re going to talk about two options you can try which are ceramic coating paint protection and car glass.

The problem is, if you’re not as well versed in car grooming, it’s easy to get confused with what option to go for since they may look similar.  In fact, some car owners get tricked by auto detailing and grooming specialist into availing deals that your vehicle may not even need at that moment. To save yourself and your wallet from that, take note on their differences so that you’ll know which suits your car’s needs in the future.  

Ceramic Coating Paint Protection

Another way to protect your car is via paint coatings. 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. 

Glass Coating

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. 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. However, unlike ceramic coating, glass coating often bonds to the paintwork quickly. This then results to better insulation of the paintwork from effects of harsh chemicals and other elements of damage in the environment. Glass coating is quite strong and easy to apply.

So the question remains, which procedure is better for your car? Well, the answer actually depends on where and how your car is used. Ceramic coating is a 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. On the other hands, 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.

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13 Things That You Should Keep In Your Car At All Times

Reasons Why You Should Polish Your Car

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.

Increases The Value Of Your Car

Every time you do something on your car to either upgrade its look or performance, it either maintains or increases its value. By polishing your vehicle after washing it you increasing its value because it removes stubborn dirt that are difficult to do so by just washing.

Brings Out The Bright Color Of Your Car Again

Since car polishing is an abrasive compound, it helps remove imperfections off the paint. By scratching off the topmost layer of paint, polishes help reveal the bright color of your car again and leaves behind a glossy surface.

It Eliminates Minor Imperfection Like Scratches

It’s such a bummer when your beloved car’s good looks get ruined due to scratches. When this happens, it loses its shine, it appears worn out than it really is and no longer looks covetable. The thing is that it doesn’t even take an accident for your car to get scratches, even bird poop that you failed to clean soon enough or loose stone that hits your car while driving can cause that. But don’t worry, car polishing removes scratches and creates a perfectly clean and even surface that also shines more brightly.

You Don’t Have To Do It As Frequently

Car polishing effectively removes surface impurities as well as under-surface imperfections, therefore the procedure needs to be repeated only 2-3 times per year, depending on the initial condition of the paint and on the location where you usually park the car – cars kept in the garage are more protected, so they don’t need too frequent polishes.

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How To Maintain That Showroom Gleam Of Your Car

How To Maintain That Showroom Gleam Of Your Car

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. Whether it’s summer or not, once the sun is up it can easily warm up the entire space. Do you know why it seems like when the temperature inside any establishment seems to be higher than when you are outside? That’s because of the windows because they’re making it easier for the outside temperature to penetrate as well as the harmful UV rays that can cause damage to you skin. But the help of heat resistant window tint, 67% of the sun’s heat will be reduced which reduces cooling cost by 30% too.  It can also spare you car’s upholstery from premature damages which, of course, saves you money from repair or repurchasing if your car is tinted.  

But before you worry about your car’s interior, remember that the first thing the sun hits is your car’s paint. So you should take steps in order to protect that just as well as you try to prevent sun from messing with your interior. Here ways for you to do that.

Don’t Expose Your Car To The Sun If It’s Not Necessary

If you’re not driving or using the car, always park it somewhere covered. This is the easiest and cheapest way to prevent UV damage to your car’s paint job.  Even a warm garage beats being parked in the sun all day. So whenever there’s an available garage, use it. Not only that your interior will stay cool, but your paint job won’t suffer to premature damage either. Also, when you’re washing your car make sure you don’t do it under direct sunlight. Remember that the water and cleaning agent is already making your paint job vulnerable, don’t mix UV rays into that. And when you can’t find a covered parking lot, use a car cover to at least give a barrier for your car’s paint from the sunlight.

Apply Paint Coating

Another way to protect your car is via paint coatings. 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. 

Watch Out For Bird/Animal Dropping

Aside from the fact that having your car splattered with bird droppings looks completely disgusting, it can also lead to damage on your paint. Try not to park under tall trees. But if you happen to catch your car with droppings already, remove it right way using warm, soapy water and gently rub using microfiber cloth.

Avoid Rough Roads And Don’t Use Dirty Cloth When Cleaning The Car

Microfiber cloths may be the most recommended material to use for cleaning your vehicle but if it’s dirty it may cause chips and other damage as well. So make sure you clean it before using it on your car. Also, 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.

Avoid Spillages When Refueling or Topping It Up With Brake Fluid

Without gas and brake fluid, you won’t be able to drive your car. However, when these substances come in contact with the paint, it can also peel it off.  So whenever you have to refuel or top it up with brake fluid, try to avoid spillage. Wash your car right away if it happens, though.

Stay Ahead Of Issues

Whatever the problem with your car’s paint, do not wait too long to get it fixed, especially if the car’s body has been exposed. If you wait until chips and dings on your car turn into rust before you take care of it, prepare yourself for bigger problem and heftier car repair costs. Without protection, the bodywork of the car can begin to corrode. Regular cleaning and drying of the car will be sufficient to handle most problems. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to inspect your car for more serious damage.

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5 Things That You Should Know About Car Waxing And Polishing

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. There’s car waxing, car sealant, as well as paint protection coating.

1. Positive Prep

To get the smooth paint job finish that we all want on our vehicles, it’s not only the waxing and polishing that matters, preparing the exterior of your car is important too. Wash the exterior of your car 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. Don’t forget to wipe it dry.  After that, sanding the area is an important step you can’t skip out because it smoothens the area you want to work on which allows a consistent look when you apply the new paint. To further break down the area you want to work on and prepare it for new paint, use a scuffing pad. Scuffing pads create a rough surface, which is easier for the paint to stick to. Rub the scuff pad along the surface back and forth until the surface feels rough to the touch. Mask up areas where you don’t want the paint to get onto like the headlights. You can do this by using the masking tape and newspaper or plastic sheet.

2. Thin Film Of Wax

When it comes to waxing your car, less is definitely more! If you haven’t waxed your car before, it may be best to let a professional do it because it takes control and skill to apply the thinnest layer of wax to make sure that it cures evenly. Piling on too much wax on one go can make the wax less effective. Use the tiniest amount and keep burnishing it until it’s barely visible.

3. Add Some Coats

Once the first thin layer of wax has dried and cured, buff it and repeat the process. The best way to be the best result when waxing a vehicle is to build up the application than applying it all on one go.

4. Towels Are Important

You probably already know that microfiber towels are the only towels that you should use when working on your car. That said, you should still make sure that the microfiber towel that you’re using are the clean and right washed ones. Don’t use a dirty towel even if it’s microfiber.

5. Removing The Wax

Buffing can be made more difficult by over-application of wax, allowing it to dry too long or other accidental issues. If you do happen to run into problems with the wax being too dry and hard to remove, you can always mist a quick wet wax over the top or add just a touch of wax over the top to soften it all back up and get the wax ready for removal.

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To Remove Brake Dust From Alloy Wheels

8 Steps That You Can Easily Follow To Remove Brake Dust From Alloy Wheels

Brake dusts accumulate over time. If you don’t want that to start making your car look awful and start causing damages which might require you to visit the car repair shop, it’s best that you try to set aside some time to clean that off. We say set aside because brake dust don’t easily come off with your regular car cleaning agent that you use when washing your vehicle. If you didn’t know that and it surprised you, don’t worry because it’s not exactly rocket-science either. All you have to do is follow these simple steps and you can definitely handle this on your own and at the comfort of your own home or garage.

Step 1: Prepare The Things You’ll Need

You’ll need the following:

· Wheel Cleaner (Specific To Type Of Wheel)

· Clean Towels

· Hose And Nozzle

· Soft Bristle Brushes In Various Sizes

· Wash Glove Or Mitt

· Bucket And Sponge

· Wax

Step 2: Prepare Your Garage Or A Makeshift Roof

Whenever you’re cleaning or doing any kind of grooming on your vehicle, it’s always best to do it in your garage or at least somewhere that’s out from direct sunlight. This way the wheels stay cooler and won't dry before you're done cleaning.

Step 3: Rinse The Wheels

To start off, go get the hose and nozzle to spray rinse the wheel and loosen up any heavy dirt and debris. Doing this prevents those things from scratching the wheels when you start giving it a good scrub.

Step 4: Spray The Brake Dust Cleaner For Rims

Always make sure to use a brake dust cleaner specific to the type of your wheels. Read the instructions on how to use the cleaner and follow them carefully in order to get the best result.

Step 5: Start Gently Scrubbing The Wheel Surface

Once you’ve let the cleaner soak according to instructions, get your soft-bristle brush and or washing glove mitt to start gently scrubbing the wheels’ surface. Try to reach every nooks and crannies of the wheels as you scrub.

Step 6: Rinse The Wheel With Water

When you’re done with that, get the hose again to rinse out the brake dust cleaner along with all the dirt. As you rinse, if you see any spots that you missed simply repeat steps four through six.

Step 7: Don’t Skip Drying

Always towel dry after cleaning to prevent water marks and get a thoroughly cleaned wheels.

Step 8: Apply A Layer Of Vehicle Wax To The Wheel Surface

Once you’re satisfied with the wheel’s appearance, and it’s completely dry, apply a layer of vehicle wax to the wheel surface, following the wax manufacturer’s directions. The wax helps prevent brake dust build up and makes it much easier to remove during future cleanings.

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