Which Paint Protection Film (PPF) is Right For Me?

In the first PPF article, Do I really need Paint Protection Film (PPF) aka Clear Bra?, we touched on some characteristics of paint protection film and whether or not it was necessary for your specific vehicle.  In this article, it’s assumed we’re going through with the PPF installation, so we’ll discuss items such as type of film, application and choosing an installer.  These can all be daunting tasks because as with any industry, there are many available options of varied price levels, both in terms of film manufacturers and installers.  The goal here is to describe some quality film types and explain what to look for when choosing a quality film installer.

Hopefully some of the items listed in the article will help those just starting the process.  For the full article, please click over to Which Paint Protection Film (PPF) is Right For Me?

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What exactly should I do with my new car?

In this article I wanted to share some insight on taking proper care of a new vehicle.  Many people have the misconception that new car detailing is not necessary and this can easily lead to quick damage usually to the painted areas.  New vehicles come in various conditions, some needing only a good wash and wax whereas others may need paint correction to remove defects left from the factory.

Take a look at the article on the Detailed Image blog and see exactly my thoughts on the question What exactly should I do with my new car?

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New Car Detailing Services at LUSTR Auto Detail

At LUSTR Auto Detail, we always try to stay on top of the newest and best products, tools and techniques. However, we also try to adapt to our clients’ needs and requests as much as possible in order to provide quality car detailing services for all. Recently, we made a few additions to our service lineup, which will be great for owners of daily driven vehicles that need proper attention.

First is our Annual Protection Detail. Our current Paint Protection Coating options revolve around thorough detailing and paint correction, which most of our clients require and request. This new service is geared mainly toward amplifying the durability of our Protection Detail, with paint correction being optional. We get this durable protection by utilizing a long lasting paint protection coating instead of a paint sealant, which means the protection will last well over a year instead of only a few months.  In addition, we thoroughly wash and decontaminate the paint before lightly polishing it as prep for the coating. This is one of those car detailing services that will help owners with long term maintenance by making it easier to wash, eliminating waxing for more than a year and simply improving the look of the vehicle.

Annual Protection Detail

This is a great option for clients with daily driven vehicles who are happy with the condition of the vehicle and not looking to perform any paint correction.  This coating option will slightly improve the paint condition and provide great looks and protection for well over a year. – Time required: 6 or more hours

  • Light Polish Detail +
  • A light polish is utilized to enhance gloss and shine while providing a good base for the coating
  • Application of a paint coating to all painted panels and headlights for great looks and 1+ years durability
  • Note: Paint Correction and custom coating applications available for an additional charge

 

The next two car detailing services we’ve introduced are the Wash & Seal and Hand Wash. The simplest way to describe these services is to say they’re a quicker Protection Detail and Maintenance Detail, respectively. The Hand Wash is geared for enthusiasts looking for a quick wash every week or two when there is no need for a thorough maintenance detail. The Hand Wash is done more frequently than the maintenance detail and is normally utilized when the vehicle needs a quick cleaning, especially during the winter months. The Wash & Seal similarly mimics the Protection Detail in that it includes a wash and adds a level of protection with an application of a paint sealant that lasts for months. Both are done using safe techniques and quality car detailing products that can be purchased through our Store.

Wash & Seal

Recommended every 6-8 weeks for any vehicle driven daily or often. – Time required: 1 or more hours

The Wash & Wax is our basic protection service that includes the Hand Wash and an application of a quality sealant to protect the paint.  It normally takes about 1-1.5 hours for cars and 1.5-2 hours for SUVs.

  • Hand Wash +
  • Quality paint sealant is applied to exterior painted surfaces for shine and protection

 

Hand Wash

Recommended every 1-2 weeks for any vehicle. – Time required: 0.5 or more hours

Our Hand Wash is a quick wash with quality products and techniques intended for clients who need to properly and efficiently clean up their vehicles every week or two.  It normally takes about 30-45 minutes for cars and 45-60 minutes for SUVs.

  • Vehicle is hand washed with a pH neutral soap and dried with soft microfiber towels
  • Door jambs are wiped down
  • Wheel faces are cleaned with appropriate brushes
  • Tires are dressed

 

Well that’s all for now.  We know these services will be welcomed by many of our regulars and we hope they catch the interest of new clients who wish to drive away with a clean and protected vehicle!  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment today.

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Do I really need Paint Protection Film (PPF) aka Clear Bra?

Paint Protection Film (PPF), also known as clear bra, is a great way to protect the front of your vehicle from road debris and prevent rock chips. It has become extremely common to also add customized protection to such areas like side skirts, lower rear bumper, trunk spoilers and headlights.

At LUSTR Detail, our installers provide tailored installation services for all kinds of vehicles, utilizing quality paint protection films like Suntek and XPEL for the best in looks and protection. Using the same care and attention to detail as with our car detailing services, we are able to provide clients with the highest quality in fit and finish.

A newer article by Ivan Rajic for the Detailed Image blog discusses the pros and cons of installing paint protection film (clear bra) to a new or used vehicle.  To read the full article please check it out here Do I really need Paint Protection Film (PPF) aka Clear Bra.

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Wheel Detailing Supplies

Here’s an article for all those DIY enthusiasts that like to take care of their prized possessions.  Whether it’s washing, waxing or interior car detailing, it’s important to have the proper tools for the job and know how to use them.  When using quality car detail products, not only will the job go by smoother, but you’re bound to get better results overall.

In this article, I have listed some key products and tools necessary for simple yet thorough wheel detailing and washing.  While it’s short, this list of Wheel Cleaning Supplies has all the basics and will surely help any enthusiast do a great job at keeping their wheels clean!

wheelcleaningsupplies

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Do I Need To Polish A Brand New Car?

Here’s a question that is asked quite a lot.  From new owners to  long time enthusiasts, many of our new clients contact us asking “not sure if it needs anything, but I was wondering if you could take a look at it?”  Sometimes the answer will be yes, sometimes no and sometimes it’ll be a choice the client might have to make based simply on what they want to do with the car.  Needless to say, it’s very difficult to answer that question without first taking a look at the car and speaking with clients to determine the best course of action.  With that, I wanted to answer the question as best as possible based on my personal and professional experience in the article Do I Need To Polish A Brand New Car? on the Detailed Image Blog.  Please visit the link for a thorough explanation based on a few different aspects of car care and ownership.

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Black Lamborghini Murcielago Paint Correction

The correction detail on this Lamborghini was one of our favorite by far.  This gorgeous exotic was in such poor condition before the correction that all the hard work over multiple days definitely paid off when we saw the results.  As you can see from the photos on our Lamborghini Murcielago SV portfolio page, the multiple stages of correction turned this swirled and damaged black paint into what it should have looked like initially, glossy and deep with lots of shine.  While we tried to put quite a few photos on the portfolio page, more info and photos can be found in our article Black Lamborghini Murcielago Paint Correction and Clear Bra Prep on the Detailed Image blog.  Please visit the link for a much better documentation of the correction detail on this amazing Murcielago.

LUSTRPortfolioLamborghiniMurcielagoSVAfter12

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