The Process

Unlike the very limited durability of wax and paint sealants which are measured in months, ceramic coating durability is measured in years!

We use Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra 9 year ceramic coating.

We use a variety of professional buffing pads and polishing compounds depending on the paint surface with two professional dual action buffers – one for large surfaces, one for medium to small ones. On medium or light-coloured cars, a medium cut polish is sufficient.  On darker colours, a medium and fine cut polishing process are needed.  These stages of polishing generally provide all the paint correction that is needed and is included in our packages.  Where vehicle scratches are more pronounced we do have 2 additional lower stages of polishing available.  Our variety of quality polishing compounds are:

• Extra heavy cut
• Heavy cut
• Medium cut
• Light or finishing cut

STEP 1 – CLEAN – Start With a Clean Canvas!

We wash with a two-bucket system; one for rinse water and one for soapy water. We use only automotive grade detergent to wash (better lubricating agents ++). We use clean, high quality microfiber cloths.  We dry the cars immediately to avoid water stains.

STEP 2 – Polish Medium Grade (included in Package 1 and 2)

This process provides light paint correction and involves removing defects on the top of the paint layer.  The machine polishing produces a very beautiful finish.

STEP 3 – Optional – Needed for Package 2 (Darker Coloured Vehicles)

On dark-coloured cars, we use medium grade polish as well as a fine grade polish.  This provides an ultra beautiful finish.  From our experience, a medium polish on dark colours is not enough to get the deepest gloss out of the darker paints.

STEP 4 – Optional – ADDITIONAL PAINT CORRECTION

Any paint defects that are ignored could be sealed in for years with the ceramic coating – this is why paint correction performed as needed.  We work with the client to determine what is needed on a case by case basis.

Paint correction is the restoration of damaged paintwork.  Paint correction involves removing defects in the top paint layer by machine polishing producing a more desired look or finish. On average, medium cut polishing is sufficient.  The work removes swirl marks, hard-water marks, etching, light scratches and fading.  

Where deeper scratches are present, we use extra heavy cut and / or heavy cut compounds.  

Where even deeper scratches exists, if the clear coat thickness permits, we wet sand, followed by extra heavy cut polishing,  heavy cut, medium cut and finish cut polishing – four stages.  As needed, where cuts are enough to warrant touch up paint, we can do this as well.  This process involves preparing a decontaminated surface, applying one or several coats of dealer-bought paint stick touch up paint followed by wet sanding, extra heavy, heavy and medium cut polishing.  Paint correction needs to be evaluated in person in order to provide an estimate of time and costs.

 If the vehicle does not incur any additional paint damage during its ownership, the deep cut and scratch repairs will never be visible again except on older vehicles.  On older vehicles, the sun usually has faded the paint to a certain degree,  Deep scratches on old paint that are repaired with ‘fresh’ paint from a dealer purchased paint stick may leave the repair looking darker than the rest of a faded car paint.  The workaround for us perfectionists, is to get a computer reading from an auto-body shop from the faded paint and get a professional paint mixer such as PPG or other companies to prepare a  custom paint colour stick.  We do not use aerosol spray to correct any major defects and we will happily refer you to our partner auto collision repair center.

LAST STEP – PROTECT- Protect the Now Corrected Paint

Once the paint correction is complete, the paint surface has to be decontaminated to remove lubricants from the polishing compounds.  Once decontaminated, then the ceramic coating can be be applied. Once applied, the coating must cure for 12 hours in my shop.  Then, no washing for another 5 days.