Frequently Asked Questions

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The main difference between a  car wash and car detailing, is how in-depth the cleaning is. A car wash is a surface clean that removes environmental debris from the exterior of a vehicle, as well as incorporating a quick vacuum of the interior, to make it look nice. A car wash does not focus on deep cleaning and hard-to-reach areas.

Car detailing by A1 Mobile Detailing involves a more thorough cleaning process than a car wash. Car detailing concentrates on meticulous deep cleaning of both the interior and exterior of the vehicle, rather than surface cleaning. 

Our car detailing professionals will prioritise cleaning all confined areas, ie, “nooks & crannies”. A car detail can restore gloss to faded / oxidized paint, rejuvenate faded plastics, rubbers and trims, as well as protecting exterior and interior surfaces by applying specific durable protective coatings. 

An auto detailing service that is completed, at minimum, once to twice a year, on your vehicle, will help to maintain exterior and interior finishes and components.

Unlike car washes, which can be completed in 45 to 60 minutes, a full interior / exterior car detail, can take 4 to 5hrs, or up to a whole day to complete, depending on the condition of the vehicle. 

If a multi-stage paint correction is also required to restore / rejuvenate paint, followed by the application of a Ceramic Coating, then the vehicle may require an additional 1 to 2 days, whereby a coating may need to “cure” overnight. The different processes required to achieve a “new car look” is time consuming, but definitely worth the wait.

This depends on the vehicle condition and how well it has been looked after. A neglected vehicle will take more time to rejuvenate or restore neglected finishes of components. A “brand new” outcome may not always be achievable, but significant improvements can be accomplished. 

Car detailing is a great investment for keeping your car in pristine condition. 

A1 Mobile Detailing (Wollongong) can assist in improving the look of your vehicle interior / exterior, as well as reducing wear and tear. 

Car detailing can act as preventative maintenance – small problems can be taken care of before they become worse or more difficult to rectify, eg, restoring faded or damaged paint resulting from lack of, or bad vehicle care / maintenance (correct wash techniques, failure to promptly remove acidic bird bird droppings). 

Other benefits to having your car detailed include: 

#1 The physical appearance of your car is improved

The sparkle of a new car will progressively decline over time. The inner and outer appeal of your vehicle, via car detailing, is restored to the original appearance.

#2 The overall value of your car is increased

Keeping a car in good condition assists in restoring and maintaining that “new car look”. In doing so, the resale /market value of your car will be more favourable. A quality car detailer can help restore the original beauty of your car. 

#3 Your car can have extra protection

Car detailing services offer the application of exterior protective coatings for paint, such as waxes, sealants and ceramic coatings. These coatings help to protect from rust and environmental contamination. The hydrophobic properties of External coatings also make ongoing car maintenance quicker and easier. 

A Windscreen / glass protection coating improves water repellency, which significantly improves visibility during wet weather driving conditions.

Interior coatings for carpets, fabrics and upholstery will assist in repelling spills, and therefore preventing staining.

Noteworthy is that we are not opposed to “car washes”. The services they provide will meet the requirements of some consumers. But we, at A1 Mobile Detailing, emphasize that our detailing services are not in the same category as car washes. Our emphasis is on using quality products and devoting unrushed time to detail your pride and joy. 

The car wash v’s detailing scenarios can be briefly compared to fast foods v’s restaurants. When you dine out at a fast food store, prices are cheaper, ingredients are more processed, and ordering is streamlined. Restaurants will not provide a menu at fast food prices.

Similarly, car washes are cheap, fast and offer a different experience / outcome.  Detailers are slower and more thorough; they charge more due to using higher quality chemicals and taking extra time to produce more meticulous results of a higher standard.  Therefore A1 Mobile Detailing is not in the business of “matching” car wash prices.  Our focus is on meeting the high expectations of customers that are looking for quality Premium Car Detailing Services.

Using specific cutting and polishing compounds with a machine polisher can be used to remove paint scratches, marring and swirls. Machine polishing can also restore faded and oxidized paint.

Severely faded textured plastics, such as unpainted bumper bars, can be restored by applying a plastic dye.

Carpet or fabric stains can be removed using steam cleaning / shampoo extraction and specific chemicals or products.

For your convenience, A1 Mobile Detailing (Shellharbour), offers the above noted services.

Light scratches can be removed with machine polishing, particularly those that are withing the clear coat paint. Deep scratches may require paint to be repaired using paint touch-up or re-spraying methods.

Generally, if you run your fingernail across the scratch, and it catches, then the scratch is deep, and unlikely that it can be removed. The clear coat is a layer of paint protection, and should not be buffed too much and too often. Doing so will reduce the overall paint thickness.

Yes: car detailing can remove stains from carpets, fabrics and upholstery. The degree of success in removing stains is affected by the staining agent, and how soon the stains are treated after they have occurred. Long term stains may not be able to be fully removed, but the severity of discolouration may be improved. Stains are removed using specific chemicals together with wither steam cleaning or shampoo extraction.

Odours can be removed using steam cleaning or an Ozone generator (a machine for treating / neutralizing odours and purifying the air), enzyme products and deodorizers.

The following can be done to maintain your “new car look”:

1. Carefully wash your car regularly using a high quality microfibre wash mitt and shampoo.

2. Regularly apply an exterior UV paint protection product.

3. Apply a Wheel Coating product which protects against corrosive brake dust, general   dirt and grime, and keeps your wheels looking shiny.

4. Immediately wash off bug splatter / bird droppings from your vehicle exterior.

5. Frequently clean the interior and apply a UV protectant to the hard surfaces (plastics / vinyls).

6. Protect the carpets, mats and fabric upholstery by applying a fabric protection product.

7. Protect leather by applying a leather protection coating.

However, if you don’t have the time to maintain that “new car look”, then contact A1 Mobile Detailing (Albion Park), to discuss how we can assist you with: long term exterior / interior protection, car maintenance and car detailing. 

While detailing can undoubtedly prolong the immaculate appearance of your car, and paint protection services will certainly help you achieve that more easily, its overall durability will depend on how you take care of your car in the long run.  No matter how good the detailing job is on your vehicle, if you fail to practice proper and regular car care, it won’t take long before you need to have your car detailed again.  

A vehicle that has too much wear and tear may not be able to restored to “like new” condition. We therefore urge our customers to think of auto detailing as a maintenance program – similar to vehicle servicing.

We recommend detailing your car at least 2 to 5 times a year, depending on your driving and car washing habits, and how you store your vehicle.  Is it parked inside or outside most of the time?  Do you wash it weekly maybe once a month?  How do you wash it?  Do you spend so much time in your vehicle that you feel like it's your home?  These are just some of the determining factors that we consider in recommending what maintenance schedule is best for you.

A Pre-Sale Detail may seem like an unnecessary investment, but a comprehensive car detail can:

• Make your vehicle look newer
• Increase your asking price
• Sell your vehicle faster

The interior of a car can make or break the deal.  If the car has a clean, pleasant smelling interior, it shows the buyers that your vehicle has been well-maintained.  It is also a major selling point.  The buyer will be happy knowing that he or she won’t have to clean the interior themselves.

Several areas that the Pre-Sale Detail will target are:

• Dash and console: This is the first area the buyer will see, and as such, it can create a lasting impression.  It is usually difficult to reach dirt in the cracks and crevices of the dash and console, but detailers are able to do so using appropriate cleaning tools and cleaning products.
• Carpets cleaned: Stained, smelly carpets are major turn-offs buyers. Having the carpets shampooed and deodorized will ensure they look and smell great.
• Leather Seats Cleaned: Leather seats increase the resale value of your vehicle. If they are not maintained properly, they can start to fade and crack.  Cleaning and conditioning the seats will restore their glossy finish and revitalize their appearance.
• Giving Your Vehicle a Near-New Exterior

The curbside appeal is the main initial focus when you are selling your car.  A Pre-Sale Detail will help accentuate the vehicle’s exterior.  Whether it’s the tyres and wheels, or the car paint finish, a thorough paint cleanse and polish, will restore the glossy paint appearance.

At A1 Mobile Detailing, we provide everything you are looking for to detail your vehicle in readiness for selling. 

Once your car is cleaned and the paint has been corrected, a layer of paint protection can be applied. There are generally three (3) types of coatings: wax (paste or spray), polymer sealants, and professional ceramic coatings. A1 Mobile Detailing (Shellharbour) is able to offer each of these protective coatings, which are explained below. 

A Paste Wax is a naturally occurring substance that has hydrophobic properties.  It repels water. The main ingredient of most professional car waxes is Carnauba wax. Carnauba serves to shed water from the paint, prevents contaminants from sticking to it, and protects from harmful UV rays. The higher the concentration of Carnauba in the product, the higher the quality. The product is applied using an applicator pad. 

A Spray Wax is thinner than paste wax, applied via a spray nozzle and spread with microfibre cloths / applicators.  Because the liquid is so thin, it is easier to spread it in a perfectly level layer. As with paste wax, a spray wax is best applied as thin as possible.  Spray waxes provide gloss and protection, but not as long as a paste wax.

Polymer Sealants are similar to waxes - they form a thin, waterproof barrier against the elements.  But sealants are synthetic, man-made products.  They bond extremely well with the paint and provide a hard protective layer.  They tend to be more durable than waxes and can last for up to a year.  Some auto enthusiasts argue that Carnauba wax holds a richer gloss and provides more intensified colour depth than sealants.  Others prefer the durability of a sealant.  Some car enthusiasts might layer a sealant over a wax, thus getting the best of both worlds.

A Ceramic Coating, offers the highest degree of paint protection. Primarily composed of silica and titanium dioxide, ceramic coatings create a strong chemical bond with your paint and form a nano-ceramic shield over your clearcoat

Once applied, it will cure and turn completely transparent (often called a “glass” finish), giving you a brilliant high gloss and long-lasting durable protection.  Being highly hydrophobic, the coating will create “water beading”, which offers long term dirt repelling properties. This makes the process of exterior cleaning easier and faster.  A Ceramic Coating will protect from light scratches, and acts as a durable UV shield to prevent paint fading and oxidisation.

It requires a lot more preparation prior to application, but will offer great resistance to environmental contaminants.  It doesn’t fill in imperfections very well and is considerably more expensive than waxes and sealants.  It excels at protection and performance.  Ceramic Coatings are currently the most advanced commercially available paint protection products on the market.

A1 Mobile Detailing (Wollongong), uses high quality paint protection products.