Dingy, lacklustre paint. Cloudy headlights. Faded plastic trim. Do these sound like your rides’ forgotten exteriors? Grimy, weather-worn finishes drain curb appeal and value from otherwise fantastic vehicles.
Lucky for us there’s an amazing team of car detailerss at Go-Tints who make makeovers possible without the countless hours that it would take the DIYer. With the right products and techniques, you can tackle tires to roof rails for a show-stopping transformation.
Join us as we break down the exterior refreshing process like the pros do. Let’s elevate beaten bodies back to beautiful.
Step 1: Wheels First
Like foundation in buildings, wheels anchor vehicles’ design. Dull, brake dust-caked rims ruin the proportions that designers carefully crafted. Restore alloys back to flawless starting points with intense cleaners.
For baked on debris, Bilt-Hamber’s Auto Wheel clings to vertical and inner wheel barrel surfaces while colour changing ingredients soften stubborn particles before blasting them away with the pressure washer. Use wheel woolies to agitate cracks and crevices further.
Step 2: Bodywork Wash
With the wheels cleared, it’s time to clear away dirt dulling the paint. Two bucket washing keeps fresh water separate from debris you pick up. Grit guards filter out particles that cause swirl marks while cylindrical bucket shapes slow water rotation and dirt suspension.
I prefer lambswool mitts over sponges to lift firmly but gently and retract my Klin Korea brush for badges, grilles and crevices. Finish bysheeting away droplets and residues with a hydro-charged detail spray like Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic.
Step 3: Clay Away Contamination
Even freshly washed cars carry embedded brake dust, industrial fallout and more that rob paint clarity. Detailing clay bars lift away this contamination without adding swirls a polish would.
Use plenty of lubrication like car shampoo and water before gently gliding a 200g bar over sections. Fold clay frequently to expose clean surfaces until sliding smoothly. Finally, wipe away residues with microfibres.
Step 4: Exterior Decontamination
If more cleaning power is needed for neglected cars, break out heavier decontamination sprays before touching up paint. Fallout removers dissolve metal particles while tar removers cut through stubborn road adhesive.
I like ValetPro’s Citrus Tar and Fallout remover – simply mist onto dry panels and watch it bleed away ferrous contaminations easily before rinsing.
Step 5: Advanced Paint Polishing
With surfaces scrubbed contamination-free, correcting paint clarity is next. I start by filling in swirls and scratches with filler primers before polishing. Machine systems cut faster but hand application allows targeting specific defects.
All-in-one formulas like Diamondbrite’s Diamond Cut work for light clarity correction. Work in straight lines and wipe residues frequently before sealing corrections with…
Step 6: Paint Protection
Safeguard your clarity investment against contaminations and sun damage by laying down protective barriers. Diamondbrite’s Diamond Seal formula sheets away future debris while adding high-gloss depth through carnauba for under £15.
For hardcore resistance against scratches and UV rays, GTechniq’s Crystal Serum Protects paintwork for 5+ years. The glass-like 9H shell provides extreme water beading action too.
Step 7: Exterior Trim Revitalisation
Faded trim ruins refined exterior silhouettes. Restore dimension through dying agents in restorers like Simoniz Back to Black. For textured matte finishes, brush apply for maximum coverage before removing excess.
Gloss trim like mirrors and chrome accents benefit from machine buffing with all-in-one metal/trim restorers as lubricants prevent hazing and filling hides minor pits and flaws wonderfully.
Step 8: Glass Clarifying
Misting, opacity and glare stemming from etched or oilybuild up on glass annoy drivers. Reset to crystal clear visibility using dedicated glass clarifying formulas free from glossy additives.
I use AutoGlym’s Fast Glass Cleaner with a designated waffle cloth to cut through hazing residues without leaving behind streaks for glare-free driving. Apply to dry glass and buff off any residues.
Step 9: Headlight Lens Renewal
Cloudy yellowed lenses caused by UV damage and internal moisture ruin night time and inclement weather visibility. But refinishing them is easier than you think.
After wet sanding away exterior oxidation, optically clear 2K acrylic coatings provide longer lasting clarity than cheaper aerosol clear coats. Use masking tape for tidier application.
Step 10: Long Lasting Tyre Enrichment
Complete your exterior overhaul with rejuvenated tyres. Gel-based conditioners like Simoniz Back to Black penetrate deeper than sprays with colour charges refreshing against unsightly cracking and greying.
For maximum durability, I finish with a layer of shine boosting polymer sealant like Angelwax Elixir to protect the freshness of my enriching efforts.
Ready to Restore Your Rides?
With pro-grade compounds and proven techniques, we have the power to banish lacklustre, grimy exteriors for good. Let’s unleash our rides’ buried brilliance and fall in love all over again with our wheeled wonders.