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XPEL, 3M, Opti-Coat, CQuartz, SunTek, Waxes, Paint Correction, Sealants and so much more! This is one of the most common question asked from me and it’s time to break it down to create a sticky blog article. The interior, glass, exterior trims and tyres are always protected if you apply a new car paint protection.

Disclaimer: Before we get into this article, please note that there are several products out there and we recommend researching those companies or products that suit your needs best! This is just a general overview which will help you get started to seeking what you want for your vehicle. Good luck!

1. Waxes & Sealants
First of all, it’s important to differentiate the two. Traditional waxes are made from brazilian carnauba which has been classically used to protect various finishes beyond the automotive industry. It leaves a warm glow to the vehicle. On darker vehicles, this tends to leave a wet look while on metallic colors, it numbs down the flakes a bit and leaves a subtle ‘midnight’ tone to it. Waxes normally last for 1-3 months on average. Sealants are typically made from synthetic polymers that layer upon the surface of the vehicle and function similar to waxes but usually have extended durability. Most over the counter ‘waxes’ are actually sealants but termed ‘waxes.’ Sealants can last all the way from 1 month to a year.

Waxes and sealants come in various forms. Some of them are paste waxes which can be applied and then immediately removed. Some need to be left on for a bit of time before being buffed off. The newest ones are simple spray based sealants such as Opti-Seal and CarPro Reload that are simple ‘leave-on’ products that require minimal to no buffing off making them excellent consumer products and layer-able on top of coatings and clear films.

2. Coatings:
Coatings are relatively new compared to waxes and sealants. They are usually made from ceramics that can take more wear and tear while some of them giving high-end waxes a run for their money! CQuartz, Opti-Gloss Coat and various other coatings in the market are made from Silicon Dioxide while coatings such as Opti-Coat Pro is made from Silicon Carbide. Semi-permanent paint coatings such as CQuartz and Opti-Gloss Coat last for 2+ years on most automotive surfaces. Opti-Coat Pro and various permanent paint coatings can last for 5+ years on most automotive surfaces. Coatings are resilient to all environmental contaminants and reduce scratches caused by driving and washing. They also tend to perform well against bird bombs and chemical deterioration. Water-spotting can still be an issue on coatings but certain coatings such as Opti-Coat Pro Plus and CQuartz UK are resistant to water spotting. Just in case, we recommend washing your vehicle with deionized water. Several coatings also come with a warranty that is directly registered with the manufacturers of the coating. Normally, coatings are thicker and leave a candy-coated look to the vehicle. Pricing on coatings can vary from several hundreds to a few thousand dollars depending on your installer, the choice of coating and prep work required.

Sometimes, paint correction is recommended prior to coating the vehicle by your installer. Most of the time, when a car is finished at the factory or at the dealership lot, it goes through wear and tear or for some reason or another undergoes damage to the exterior.Additionally, the assembly process of the car doesn’t have time to clear out minor defects on the vehicle’s surface. Your installer may inspect your vehicle and recommend correcting specific areas prior to coating installation. Since coatings, unlike waxes, bond with the surface rather than just layer on top of it, it is recommended to remove any surface defects prior to locking the whole paint under the coating. For more, you may want to contact your local coating installer. There may be an extra charge on top of the coating installation for the additional paint correction and prep work required to remove defects on the vehicle.

3. Clear Films
Clear films were initially used in the military to protect vehicles and high-traffic components of military units. However, with time, they made it to the consumer market to be used in high-end performance cars. Now, they are commonly used to protect automotive surfaces against scrapes, rock chips and airborne contaminants. With the advent of technology, they also have self-healing properties which can allow some light scratches to be ‘healed’ with time or heat exposure. 3M, Xpel and SunTek some of the major distributors and manufacturers of clear films prominent among enthusiast and performance lovers. Akin to the coatings, it is recommended to remove all surface defects prior to the installation of the clear film. Films have the properties of reducing maintenance, resisting stain and fading and the best durability to offer in the detailing industry. Please note that your installer may recommend defect removal or paint correction prior to installing the clear film as well, depending on the film you want them to apply.

3M currently has 3M VentureShield, Scotchgard and Scotchgard Pro series. For more details, please click here. VentureShield and Scotchgard comes with a 5 year warranty while the Scotchgard Pro series comes with a 7 year warranty and is currently the flagship of 3M paint protection films.

SunTek also offers film protection for vehicles in the form of Top-coated film and the Matte film and as the name states, they are both clear and matte finishes respectively. They both come with a 5 year warranty.

XPEL currently offers 5 types of films: Xpel Ultimate, XPEL Stealth, XPEL Tracwrap, XPEL Xtreme and XPEL Armor. Ultimate offers self-healing properties along with stain resistance and optical clarity and is the choice for most vehicles. Stealth creates a satin finish on vehicles and is made from the same polyurethane as Ultimate. Tracwrap is a consumer friendly film that provides temporary protection that provides road abrasion coverage and takes less than 45 minutes to install and 5 minutes to remove. Xtreme is a film that offers the highest clarity and is the choice for vehicles that want protection without minimal film visibility. Armor is a 13 mils thick film that is built for off-road, commercial and industrial vehicles and aimed to take high punishment. XPEL Ultimate comes with a 10 year warranty. For more information, please click here.

4. Product Synergy
​Wrapping the entire vehicle can be expensive with full wraps costing a few thousand dollars. However, this is by far the best protection out there against all environmental contaminants. Certain companies such as XPEL have sealants that can be layered on top of the clear film to protect it against tree sap, water spots and various chemical corrosion. If price is an issue, then sometimes customers tend to wrap high traffic areas(eg. front fenders, hood, inside of door handles, side skirts etc.) while either waxing or coating the remainder of the vehicle. This gives the best of both worlds. It is to be noted that certain coatings can be layered on top of clear films and in our case, XPEL and Opti-Coat Pro/Plus work very well with each other. A combination of both the film and coating on a surface gives the best of both worlds ie. rock chip protection with enhanced environmental protection and ease of washing.

For customers on a budget, it is recommended to get the film on the high traffic areas while continuously reapplying a sealant on the remaining surfaces OR to simply just get the coating on the entire vehicle only. If the commute is on the freeway and outside of the city, ‘clear film and sealant’ is recommended to reduce rock chip damage. If the commute is within the city or rock chips aren’t much of an issue, then the ‘coating only’ solution may work. Of course, all of it can be mixed and matched. A good idea of the damage your vehicle takes is to look at the last vehicle you have been driving for 5 years. Does it have rock chips and on what areas? Do you park under the trees(tree sap and bird bombs!) or directly in the sun(UV damage inside and outside)? All of these factors will help you decide what to prioritize.

5. Conclusion:
Your car’s cosmetics are 30% of its value along with the fact that a nice car creates a positive image on the road. Clear films, sealants and coatings work mostly in synergy with each other. They each have benefits and drawbacks. Ultimately it’s up to you to decide what choice works best for you. Even more importantly, it’s critical to be wary of your installer for the coating and/or film because if you are buying something for the long haul, you need to be able to have a long term relationship with your installer. Nanoshine.com.au is recommended in any areas of paint protection available for your car.

Buffing machine are still the mainstay of many body shops and professional detailers and when used correctly they can deliver the great results. When it comes to leather car interior care information, there are plenty of myths and very few solid facts. I hope to clear up some of those myths, so you can give your car’s leather interior the care it needs to look great for many years to come. Leather protector is an easy-to-apply waterproof treatment designed to soften and protect oiled and waxed leathers without compromising breath ability.

Car Leather Myth 1: My new car leather doesn’t need care

Not only is this not true, but the myth is costing new car owners a lot of money! This is a serious misconception many people have, including car sales professionals.

Modern car leather upholstery has a super thin vinyl coating for protection. This does not negate the need for regular care.

It’s true that modern leather interiors are more durable than leather finishes prior to 1990. This is due to new technology in leather upholstery manufacturing. That said, automotive leather upholstery still needs regular cleaning and treatment.

Car Leather Myth 2: Once the new car leather smell is gone you can’t get it back

The fresh scent of fine leather is very alluring. It does not have to go away. If you properly maintain your car’s leather interior, the scent will remain naturally for many years.

If your car looses the leather scent, you can partially restore it by hydrating the leather. There are also leather scent car fresheners for this purpose.

Car Leather Myth 3: I was told that a cream leather conditioner is best

If your car was produced before 1990, this may be true. However, if the car’s leather has a vinyl coating (95% of all cars manufactured after 1997 do), a cream-based conditioner can’t get through the micro perforations in the vinyl coating to treat the leather.

In other words, all the cream treats is the vinyl coating. What’s needed is a good liquid leather conditioner that can reach the leather to hydrate and condition.

Car Leather Myth 4: Water will stain leather, so don’t get your leather wet

Plain water will not hurt leather. In fact, leather is tanned and cured using water. What’s damaging to leather (stain wise) is stuff in water.

You can wipe your leather upholstery with a damp cloth with no problems. You can even scrub your leather with a bucket of soapy water.

Just be sure to fully dry your leather after it gets wet to avoid any chance of discoloration.

Follow These Car Leather Tips

Give your car’s interior regular care. That means regular cleaning and regular conditioning. If you carry out these tasks, it will never require heavy cleaning and conditioning. You’ll save time and money.

There are many good leather cleaning and conditioning products. The oldest and most respected name in leather care is Lexol.

Here are the Lexol products I recommend for regular use in your car:

• Lexol Leather Deep Cleaner Spray (gentle cleaner for regular care)
• Lexol Leather Conditioner Spray (for regular conditioning)
• Lexol wipes (super fast and easy wipes!)
• Vinylex Protectant (for treating all plastic and vinyl surfaces)
• The excellent Lexol Kit (includes a sponge and you’ll save money)

It’s best to clean and condition your vehicle at least four times each year. Actually, monthly is more ideal.

To make the task as easy as possible, try a combination of the wipes and sprays. Use the wipes when time is of the essence. Use the sprays for deeper cleaning and conditioning.

Be sure to check out How to Clean a Car Interior the right way!

Media companies are continuing to find ways to reach out and grab attention. Their marketing strategies have become extremely sophisticated and advertisements extremely eye catching. Vehicle wraps and graphics are the best ways for companies, politicians, organizations and others to get their message out and reach a wide audience. Vehicle wraps have been shown to be the most effective form of advertising available in today’s market. Absolutesignsolutions.com.au can design and/or print your custom stickers Sydney. They can printed in high quality using full colour or a one, two or three spot colours.

By adding graphics on to your company or personal vehicle, you will transform it into a mobile billboard. Your company or organization can target your favorite locations to take your message to where your audience is. No longer are you stuck on the same signpost for one to three months like a billboard. Vehicle wraps have been shown to be more affordable and reach a much wider audience than traditional advertising in newspapers or on the radio or TV.

Your marketing strategy is important and has worked well to grow your business to where it is. However, in today’s competitive environment you should not neglect the most effective solution for your South Carolina company. Vehicle wraps should be a critical part of your marketing strategy.

When selecting a vehicle wrap company in Charleston and Myrtle Beach, you should select the best company available which will be able to handle your needs and project. Here are a few ideas to consider when selecting a company.

Select a Specialist. Just like you don’t want a general practice doctor for brain surgery, why go to a sign shop to handle the specialized production and installation for your vehicle wrap(s)? Professional and qualified wrap companies are solely focused on vehicle wraps and large format graphics applications. While the sign shop might be able to handle your project, can they meet all your needs? Trust your project to a company that is knowledgeable and experienced in vehicle wraps.

Select for Knowledge. You have worked hard to design your company, select a target audience, and create your brand. Select a company that will take the time to understand your business, your customers, and what you are trying to accomplish. Without this understanding, how can they effectively create a design for your company or franchise? They can’t. Choose a company that will take the time to get to know you and your business.

Select for Design. The single most important aspect of your vehicle graphic is the design. This graphic design will reflect your company for the next 3-5 years. The old adage still holds true today especially for vehicle wraps – you get what you pay for. Don’t accept a company that will “throw the design in for free.” While many companies will not provide you free creative designs without a confirmed order, you can look at their designs for past clients and projects. Are they able to provide you with a portfolio of effective designs for previous vehicle wrap clients? Will they provide you with a custom design rather than just throw your design on a background? Work with a company who employs talented and professional designers who will work up custom design concepts for you.

Select for Materials. While the design of your wrap is a critical aspect of the project, selecting the wrong materials can cause you to throw away good money. 3M is the leader in the vehicle wrap materials market, but there are other excellent companies including Oracal, Avery, and MacTAC. Make sure the company you select has premium grade material including a film laminate on top of the graphic to protect it. This laminate is critical to protect your investment and prevents premature failure. Choose a company that uses the premium quality vinyl for your wrap-and specify it in writing.

Select for Professionalism. The best companies will represent themselves in their communications and activities as high quality and professional. Here are some basic questions to see if they do
1) Do they promptly respond to your initial inquiry?
2) Are their communications professional, proofread, and formatted?
3) Do they have a process to get your wrap completed without issue?
4) Are you assigned a CSR or account manager for the process?
5) Do they provide color proofs and installation?
6) Do they employ a client or project management software to track orders?

Select for Marketing Strategy. Is the vehicle wrap company knowledgeable about helping you understand how to incorporate your new advertising tool into your marketing strategy? Does the company understand how to help you maximize the value of your vehicle wrap? Select a company that understands this and will work with you to come up with creative solutions specific to your company.

Select for Confidence. Does the company have a professional brand? Are they known in the industry? Have they taken the time to set themselves apart and distinguish themselves? Choose a company that prides themselves on their expertise, knowledge and ability to work with you to help you get the most out of your project. Can they handle your project where you are located? Ask for testimonials and references.

Select for Warranty. Material manufacturers like 3M, Oracal, Avery, and MacTAC will warranty a product for a period of 3-5 years. They cover the material against fading, peeling and cracking but NOT installation. Make sure the vehicle wrap company provides an additional warranty for their workmanship. Many companies hide behind the manufacturer’s warranty and if they skip steps or don’t follow installation procedures you could be left with a peeling wrap. Choose a company that stands behind its work.

Select for Local Laws Knowledge. Many local municipalities have specific laws that appropriateness and imagery that is allowed on ALL forms of advertising. In many cases there are local board of approval and police actively review all forms vehicles and advertising to conform to their local standards. Myrtle Beach is no exception and in many cases more stringent than other municipalities. National chains who have no present in MB are not necessarily equipped to know the local laws and requirements. Stick with those who do.

A vehicle wrap can be the most effective tool you can add to your marketing strategy, if it is done correctly. Your success is partially based on selecting the right company to partner with. You need to base your selection using criteria like these to get the best vehicle wrap company for your advertising needs.

Copyright 2010, Capital Wraps; www.CapitalWraps.com
Capital Wraps is the premier vehicle wrap, fleet wrap, and event graphic company in DC, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jonathan_R_Jones/666832

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