After planning this for a while, we finally made a quick little video to introduce ourselves at Lustr and show a few of the cars we work on every day. The plan is to do a few simple videos monthly with some input on what we do as well as provide detailing tips and tricks for our fans and clients. Check it out and leave any feedback as we greatly appreciate it.
Tag Archive for: LUSTR Auto Detail
A year ago we teamed up with Big Media Productions in their series portraying the Dodge Viper. Two Dodge Vipers were brought to use for a thorough paint correction and coating. We performed a 2-stage paint correction on the vehicles and then protected the paint with a long lasting protective coating.
Recently, our episode on correcting and protecting paint was completed and can be viewed on Youtube so please check it out and let us know how you like it. We’re very happy with how it came out.
Paint correction is our specialty at LUSTR and we always try to do our best with each vehicle. We educate clients on what’s possible and what’s practical when correcting paint on various vehicles. Sometimes multiple stages of polishing can yield a perfect finish, which provides the best looks and paint quality. Other times a single stage polishing detail will greatly improve the finish, make it look great and be practical as well as economical for a daily driven car. In the article Different Levels of Paint Correction I try to explain in depth the amount of correction we’re able to accomplish and what it means for different vehicles.
This Audi A7 belongs to a regular client, who comes roughly once every 1-1.5 years for paint correction and protective coating application. In this case we also replaced the Xpel PPF/clear bra on the hood due to it being fairly worn after almost 2 years of use. The car required two stages of paint correction to achieve a nearly perfect finish, which we then protected with the 22PLE paint protection coating. The A7 came out extremely glossy and is now well protected for 1-2 years with the paint coating. We apply the 22PLE paint coating on top of the Xpel PPF both to make it look glossy and offer great protection, making it much easier to clean going forward. For the complete article, please visit Audi A7 Paint Correction Detail & 22ple Paint Coating Application on the Detailed Image Blog.
Check out some of our recent work performed on a few very nice cars. The BMW i8 came to us brand new from the dealer for a major protection package. The paint was polished and then protected with Xpel Paint Protection Film as well as OptiCoat paint protection coating. The BMW M3 received a very similar treatment except with the CQ Finest paint coating. Both cars had a wheels off detail with coating included. Lastly, the BMW 540i was brought back to life with two stages of paint correction, then protected with GlossCoat paint coating. Click the links below for more info and photos.
BMW i8 Paint Correction with Protection Film and OptiCoat Paint Protection Coating
BMW M3 Paint Correction, Paint Protection Film and CQuartz Finest
BMW 540i Paint Correction and GlossCoat Paint Protection Coating
Most clients come to us for our paint correction and polishing services, without knowing exactly what it is that we do. We recorded this video to show exactly what we do on a daily basis and the results we can get with a thorough and careful paint polishing process. Below the video is the description of exactly what you’re seeing, so please read it before or after viewing as you wish. For best viewing select HD and full screen mode.
To explain the video… basically we did random levels of polishing on a trunk that has suffered years of neglect and bad washing techniques. We divided the trunk lid into four sections.
The first/left/driver side section received one stage of polishing, which would be our Paint Enhancement Detail. The 2nd section, just to the right, is the actual condition of the paint after receiving a wash. As you can see in the video, while the Enhancement polishing doesn’t eliminate all the deeper marks, it significantly increases the gloss of the black paint by removing all the minor swirl marks. This also creates a more level paint surface to which wax, sealant or a paint coating will adhere better and last longer.
The third section received 3 stages of correction and the last section to the right received 2 stages of correction. In the video, it’s hard to tell the difference between these two sections because the 3-stage section simply removed a few more deeper swirl marks than did the 2-stage, but you have to really look at it with the right light and the right angle to see the difference in this case. As you can see in the video, between the 3rd and 4th section we put down a tape line to indicate the difference between the Enhancement (1-stage) and Correction (2+ stage) detailing. The most notable thing of course is looking at the center of the trunk and comparing the original paint condition to the 3-stage polishing that made it practically perfect.
While results may and will vary depending on the paint type and condition, this is typically what we’re able to accomplish with a proper 2-stage Paint Correction Detail, which is mainly what we do at LUSTR Auto Detail. Whether it’s an Ehnancement or multi-stage Correction Detail you’re after, we’re more than happy to take proper care of your vehicle so don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment today.
Respectfully yours,
Ivan Rajic, Owner and Operator
Our pre-detail assessment is yet another tool that we use to provide custom tailored services for each client and vehicle. This assessment is done in order to determine the client’s concerns and give us a good idea of the overall condition of the vehicle. While we can usually give a general estimate over the phone or through email, we recommend the client bring in the vehicle to be polished so we can inspect it in person. This is almost a must for any multi-stage paint correction work.
During this assessment, we will go over any problem areas with the client, use our LED spotlights to check for swirl marks and other defects and measure the paint thickness. When a multi-stage paint correction is in question, we usually also perform a few polishing test spots to see exactly what results can be expected. When doing these test spots, we basically perform a full detail on a part of the vehicle, usually hood or trunk. After a rinseless wash on the area, we will decontaminate it with a clay bar, measure the paint and finally do the polishing to show a good before and after comparison. We can then better decide on a service based on our recommendation as well as any budget and expectations for enhancing the look of the vehicle.
The pre-detail assessment is a free service and normally takes anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on how much test polishing is done, if any. We also like this assessment because we get to meet a new client in person and discuss important topics such as: reason for contacting us/major issues, how the car is driven normally, will it be maintained by the owner or not, etc. Of course, many times if the time allows, these assessments can turn into 1-2 hour car talk, which we don’t mind at all!
Call or email us anytime with questions or to schedule an appointment for your vehicle’s assessment.
Respectfully yours,
Ivan Rajic, Owner and Operator
Here’s a question that comes up quite a bit both from friends and clients alike. Most body shops, whether they perform quality paint work or not, leave clients with only a general and vague idea of what can and should be done in terms of detailing just after a paint job. With the large mix of terminology in the detail industry, the phrase “don’t wax your car for a month” usually gets more questions, such as “Don’t wax with a certain wax or any? Can I polish the car and not wax? A month as in 30 days, or 4 weeks, or…?” Regardless, most people don’t know exactly what can be done after a paint job, which can many times even be detrimental to the finish if treated improperly, so here’s a quick guide on exactly What Can I Do After My Car Has Been Repainted?
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?
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.