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What really is auto detailing?

February 19, 2024

If you find yourself asking this question, you've probably heard all kinds of different things about what detailing is. Truth is, detailing is a very broad topic. But we're going to sum it up for you in this post. 

If you check out the wiki page for auto detailing, you'll see it mentions detailing is about keeping a vehicle in its best possible cosmetic condition. Now that's super broad, but a good starting point for describing detailing.
a wikipedia page with a picture of a car on it

At Procam Detailing, we consider detailing to be the maintenance of a vehicle's appearance. not necessarily keeping it in its best possible condition, this is important and we'll get back to it in a minute. Now maintaining a vehicle's appearance is important for 2 reasons. The first, obviously, is to upkeep the resale value of the vehicle. The second reason, is to make the vehicle more enjoyable.

What do I mean by more enjoyable? Well, think about it. On average, we spend about 300 hours in our vehicles a year. That's a lot of miles, dirt, dogs, and bugs on your ride. Driving a clean vehicle is a lot more relaxing than a dirty one. If you're a business with a professional vehicle, a germaphobe, or just own a really expensive car, you probably know what I mean by more enjoyable.

There are 3 critically important principles for detailing

Now we have a broad idea and reasons for detailing your car, so what really is detailing? The 3 important principles that most detailers go by are:

  1. Cleaning the vehicles, includes basic cleaning, all the way to deep cleanings like shampooing and decon.
  2. Restoring the vehicle. not everything can be cleaned. Sometimes detailers will specialize in things like leather repair, scratch removal, or even dent removal.
  3. Protection of the vehicle. This used to mean simply waxing a car, but the meaning has evolved dramatically in recent years.

So there's the simple answer, Detailing is about cleaning, restoring, and protecting the appearance of your vehicle. With that being said, remember that there are a hundred different ways to perform these steps, so each detailer has a lot of room to choose what specific services they offer, and often what their end goal with your vehicle is. That's why you'll find detailers that cost $100 and others that cost $2000. It all depends on their services, and what sounds good to you.

a black gmc sierra pickup truck is parked in front of a garage .

"Wait, so why wouldn't you want your vehicle to look its best possible condition?"

This is something I want to highlight with you, especially concerning expensive, and classic cars. This topic is extensive and deserves its own post, so I'll keep it brief.

When wet sanding, compounding, or even polishing a vehicle's paint, we remove a tiny layer of the clear coat. An owner, or detailer, may want to remove all scratches and make the paint look glossy and immaculate, but removing too much clearcoat can completely ruin your vehicle's paint job. This isn't so risky on newer cars, but on older cars or ones with a thin clearcoat, aiming for its best appearance, may not always be possible. This is why many detailers will use paint gauges when polishing a car.

I hope now you have a better understanding of what auto detailing is. 

We clean vehicles, restore them if their appearance is damaged somehow, and protect them from getting too dirty in the future.

ceramic coating bottle that has hardened under the cap

Ceramic Spray and Ceramic Coatings: Understanding the Difference

By Daniel Ortega • July 14, 2024
When it comes to protecting your vehicle's exterior and keeping it looking pristine, ceramic protection has become the gold standard in the automotive detailing industry. However, there is often confusion between ceramic sprays and ceramic coatings. At Procam Detailing and Ceramic Coating, we believe in educating our clients so they can make the best choice for their vehicles. In this blog post, we'll break down the differences between ceramic sprays and ceramic coatings, and help you understand which option might be right for you. What is Ceramic Protection? Ceramic protection involves applying a liquid polymer to the exterior of your vehicle. This layer enhances the car's gloss, repels water, and protects against environmental contaminants like dirt, bird droppings, and UV rays. The ceramic formula is typically composed of resins, solvents, and other additives. The resin is often a silicone-based polymer that is chemically inert. Activators and solvent help harden the coating once it is applied and exposed to air. This forms a covalent bond to the paint. Because Ceramic sprays are water-based and do not contain an activator, they simply sit on the surface of your paint and do not form bonds. Ceramic Sprays: The Basics Ease of Application: Ceramic sprays are user-friendly and can often be applied at home. They require less prep work compared to ceramic coatings and can be applied by simply spraying and wiping. Ideal for DIY enthusiasts or those looking for a quick and easy application process. Short-Term Protection: While ceramic sprays do provide a protective layer, they are not as durable as ceramic coatings. Typically, a ceramic spray can last between 3 to 6 months before needing reapplication. Great for those who prefer frequent, light maintenance. Cost-Effective: Ceramic sprays are generally more affordable than ceramic coatings and have multiple uses per bottle versus the single application of a ceramic coating. Perfect for car owners looking for a cost-effective way to maintain their vehicle's shine and protection. Hydrophobic Properties: Ceramic sprays offer good water-repelling properties, making it easier to clean your car and keep it looking shiny. Suitable for car owners who want to enjoy the benefits of hydrophobic properties without committing to a long-term solution. Even though both coatings and sprays offer hydrophobics, ceramic sprays do not have the durability and resistance of a ceramic coating. Ceramic Coatings: The Premium Choice Professional Application: Ceramic coatings require professional application to ensure a flawless finish. The process involves meticulous prep work, including paint correction, to ensure the coating bonds properly. The surface must be free of any contaminants, waxes, oils, and even ceramic sprays to ensure the coating bonds to the paint. Ideal for car enthusiasts who seek a professional finish and are willing to invest in a high-quality application. Long-Term Protection: Ceramic coatings provide long-lasting protection, typically ranging from 2 to 5 years, depending on the product and maintenance. They form a much harder, more durable layer than sprays. It is difficult to ensure a coating lasts more than 3 years, this makes frequent care and regular washings integral to upkeeping the performance of the coating. Perfect for car owners who want a long-term solution and are committed to maintaining their vehicle’s pristine condition. Superior Durability: Ceramic coatings offer superior resistance to environmental contaminants, UV rays, and minor scratches and marring from regular use. They are highly durable and provide extensive protection compared to sprays. Best for those who want the highest level of protection and are willing to invest in it. Enhanced Aesthetics: The glossy finish of a ceramic coating is unparalleled. It provides a deep, reflective shine that significantly enhances the appearance of your vehicle. Ideal for car enthusiasts who take pride in their vehicle’s appearance and want it to look its best at all times. Which Should You Choose? The choice between ceramic sprays and ceramic coatings ultimately depends on your needs, budget, and commitment to maintenance. If you’re looking for an easy, cost-effective way to protect your vehicle and don’t mind reapplying every few months, a ceramic spray might be the right choice for you. However, if you’re seeking long-term, durable protection and are willing to invest in a professional application, a ceramic coating is the way to go. At Procam Detailing and Ceramic Coating, we offer both ceramic sprays and professional ceramic coating services to cater to your specific needs and even sell these products to the DIY car enthusiasts. We're here to guide you through the process and help you choose the best option for your vehicle. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let us help you keep your car looking its best for years to come!

The basics of ceramic coatings and why your vehicle deserves the best protection.

By Daniel Ortega • April 11, 2024
Explaining all the complexities of a coating is difficult, so it's best to think of it in it's simplest form. A ceramic coating is basically a form of protection of your cars paint. When most people think of paint protection, they are usually familiar with waxing their car. Wax is a hydrophobic material, often made from paraffin wax, carnauba wax, or synthetic wax or sealants. When applied to a vehicle it sits on top of the paint and protects it from the elements. Unlike wax, a ceramic coating forms a robust bond with the paint surface, providing a level of protection that's both durable and semi-permanent. With proper maintenance, these coatings can stand the test of time, offering a shield that lasts anywhere from 1 to 5 years before necessitating reapplication. Because ceramic coatings are designed to last years, this means that the preparation and application is crucially more demanding. Not only do you want your car to be free of any imperfections, the surface needs to be bare and clean in order to accept the bonding of the ceramic coating. However, the extended lifespan of ceramic coatings comes with an important requirement: meticulous preparation and application are crucial. To achieve the best results, you need a surface that is not only flawlessly smooth and swirl-free but also entirely clean, free from any impurities. This meticulous process guarantees that the ceramic coating bonds seamlessly, creating a protective barrier that is both resilient and long-lasting. Once your vehicle has been ceramic coated, you'll immediately notice an enhanced gloss to your paint and a vibrant color that seems to "pop." These benefits will endure for the lifetime of the coating. As you perform regular maintenance, you'll also appreciate how effortlessly the vehicle can be cleaned. This ease of cleaning is attributed to the hydrophobic properties of the coating. Over time, the hydrophobicity of the coating may diminish, but it will still effectively protect your paint. This decline occurs because the surface gradually becomes contaminated and abraded through normal use. However, it's important to note that this doesn't signify the end of the coating's lifespan; rather, it indicates that the coating requires thorough decontamination to restore its hydrophobic nature. How do I care for a ceramic coated vehicle? Knowing how to care for your ceramic coated car is simple, yet important to know how to do it properly. Always avoid the automated carwash. Car wash tunnels are very aggressive on your paint, the rotating brushes can quickly abrade the paint, diminishing your coating's effectiveness. Wash with only ph neutral soaps, free of any waxes or protecting qualities. Soaps with wax additives can lower the surface tension of the coating and mitigate the self-cleaning effect. But don't worry, the wax can easily be removing by washing again with a wax remover. Wash every 2 weeks for optimal results. Naturally your car will accumulate contaminants over time and the coating will protect your paint from those contaminants. Eventually, more contaminants will stick to your already dirty car and begin to layer, requiring more effort than normal to properly clean the vehicle. Dry the car with a high quality microfiber towel. To many car enthusiasts, this is a no-brainer. This is even more important in my area of Mohave County. Our source of water is very hard and can leave mineral deposits if left to dry. So if you're washing with the garden hose, put the leaf blower back in the garage and opt for the towel drying method. Use a silica or water-based sio2 spray to maintain the coating. As the coating will slightly lose its hydrophobic effect over time, an sio2 spray can help restore its water-beading effect. Not all "ceramic" sprays are the same, so we can supply you with one that is designed for your coating. Our ceramic sprays are streak free and can be used on a clean car that is either wet or dry. I hope this helped those of you who are new to ceramic coating. There is much more info to share with you in the future, but I hope you learned some key points. Ceramic coatings are simply another form of protection, although they last years. Application is time consuming and requires precision. And don't forget to maintain your car's coating to keep it working at it's best! If you are looking for the best ceramic coating for your car and you're in the Mohave County area, give Procam Detailing a call at 520-518-0021, or book online at our website here
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