Removal of Water Marks from Glass Panels

This post covers one of the most common forms of automotive surface care issues in our region – water marks or stains on windows and windscreens. Take a closer look at your own car for signs of water stains after drying up the glass panels during a car wash. Chances are you will witness these irksome stains appearing!

Sampling of a window pane tainted with accumulated stains

caused by our tropical climate.

We have tried and tested many products and working procedures, finally coming out with a process that works brilliantly for us! We are confident that most of the glass stains found in 90% of our rides can be solved, and the offending glass protected.

This process typically takes about two hours for completion (an entire car's exterior glass panels). It involves cleaning, solvent cleansing, chemical removal of 'permanent water stains', a second light solvent cleansing and finally, the application of a glass sealant protection for a hydrophobic effect during rain. 

Here are some shots taken during a recent job on a 7 year old Honda CRV.

Before

After

Before

After

50-50 shot of a glass panel clearly revealing the difference glass

cleaning makes to tainted and often neglected glass surfaces.

Back to Black

With COE prices on the up, most of our customers have come to realize that frequent changing of rides just isn't going to be possible. Most have decided to keep their rides, instead revamping them with brand new looks. Our project GTR was one such example.

From frozen white, experimenting with the world's best car care products for matte finishes, back to striking solid black paintwork that left onlookers in awe of its menacing deep black gloss. Total turnover time: 21 days.

The paintwork was topped off with a modern water-based nano clear coat (lacquer) that allowed for a deep crystal clear finishing, requiring meticulous work to polish out all the fine swirls and halograms that were evident after compounding.

Swirls and halograms were painstakingly exposed

 and removed with the help of strong lighting.

Swapping on a new carbon fibre hood.

With only two days left prior to CNY, we had an uphill task of transforming the freshly painted GTR into a head turner by eliminating swirls and enhancing its gloss to a whole new level. Our in-house Nano Ceramic Coating Treatment was applied and the show car parked 24hrs before Swissvax Crystal Rock was laid on for protection.

Day 2 with lots of baking time under the sun

Memories of the Arctic Beast

Thanks to everyone for the overwhelming response during the pre-CNY period. We could not have asked for more!

As we progress into the first quarter of 2013, there are so many fond memories of all the mentally and technically challenging rides we have detailed the year before. Here's one of the rare few we definitely have a soft spot for - 2009 GTR R35 meticulously painted in frozen white.

Custom painted in frozen white, this Godzilla promised to be doubly hard to maintain. Our Swissvax Opaque Series Paint Protection System was put to the test, and came out triumphant!

Paint Correction on a 6 Month Old Mk6

Many people feel that brand new rides do not require paintwork attention. Most new car owners wait for their paint to lose its lustre before looking for solutions or polishing services to restore its former glow.

At Detail Lab, we feel preventive measures like the application of Paint Protection Systems early on in a car’s life is a better approach.

Here we have a six month old Mk6 GTI weather-beaten by our hot and wet tropical climate. Within the short span of six months, the candy white paintwork had lost its lustre and smoothness, and accumulated grime.

We knew we had an uphill task ahead to revive the dying paintwork!

After an intensive car wash and claying session.

After Stage 2 paint correction and polishing.

With an additional layer of Dupont PPS laid on.

Limited edition 35^th anniversary seats given 

a new lease of life with Swissvax Alcantara Cleaner

M5 in Monte Carlo Blue

One of the perks of the job is the opportunity to appreciate nice cars up close and personal, and today was no exception.

We were fortunate to have a brand spanking new BMW M5 in a gorgeous monte carlo blue come in for paint protection, and it was an absolute beauty!

Whenever possible, leveling up any crevices within

 the clear coat is a proven method to maximise reflection.

Double dose of nano-ceramic sealant laid onto the paintwork
before a bask in the sun to help with curing.

Frozen Grey M3 on Swissvax Opaque wax

In recent days, DETAIL LAB has had the opportunity to continually touch base with frozen/matte finish paintwork.

To put it simply, and contrary to popular belief, matte finish paintwork does require the same amount of attention and care as its high gloss counterparts, if not more! One layer of basecoat (in this case - U83 Frozen Grey Metallic) followed by a second layer of matte clear coat for protection.

The matte pigmentation found in this type of paint requires special attention, techniques and products during the car wash, paint cleansing, and paint protection (wax or sealant) process, in order to maintain the overall "dullness" of the car.

Feel free to approach us for advice on dealing with frozen/matte paintwork if you are having issues with it. We're more than happy to assist or offer a second opinion.

Here we have a BMW frozen grey M3 receiving a full detail session using Swissvax Opaque Series products specially engineered for matte finish paintwork.

Pleasant viewing!


Swissvax Opaque wax served as paint protection for this frozen coloured ride!




Carbon fibre roof with an armour of Swissvax Crystal Rock

Ferrari 458 Comes in for Paint Correction

Currently obsessed with new sealants from the US, and we're doing our own field tests to see how they hold up in the tropics.

We're also working on further studies with Swissvax on the reliability of their Opaque Car Care Series meant for matte finish rides!

Will be sharing with you our findings real soon! Today we had one of our regulars, a 458 Italia, return for paint correction on 2 LH panels.


Love it when our supporters are back - visiting or troubleshooting!

 
Lucky him, we recently launched some new polishes aimed at high-end continental paintwork & voilà did they work well! Light scratch removed & light swirls gone too! Up went a layer of sealant for protection & we topped it up with Swissvax's top of the line Crystal Rock!


Looking better than new with a radiant glow!

 
Rear view of the 458 looks menacing! Love the modernity of the 458 Italia!

 
Kudos to the owner for a well-kept ride!