What is automotive detailing to us?

Automotive detailing is an in depth method of cleaning, preserving, correcting paint defects and protecting all visible areas and components of a vehicle. D.B. Detailing will attend to all exterior, interior, wheels, engine bay and even the undercarriage to where ever our hands/ tools can reach or fit to ensure we able to clean an area fully within our safety. Detailing incorporates various specialist techniques, experiences & skills aimed at taking a vehicle as close to its factory finish and beyond. Your vehicle will be one that looks like it has had a respray with you only spending a fraction of the cost of a full respray but definitely more than a hand wash in terms of quality and finish.

 

Why D.B. Detailing?

David Burton the lead detailer is passionate about detailing any vehicle to the best level within any budget. He is realistic, so whatever your vision or concern are with your vehicle D.B. Detailing will give you their honest realistic options with a great deal of knowledge to our customer’s request so they are fully aware of all of their choices.  We holds no secrets so whatever you would like to know we will answer and share information as we like our customers developing a better relationship with their vehicles but also looking after them if our services are required. Our customer service is an experience you can feel enjoy where your valued and welcomed regardless as we are happy to serve you.

D.B. Detailing has been operating for 18 years  and in our experience we have  detailed vehicles that have been prepared for shows & events and  we have fortunately have won awards  from the vehicles we have assisted at shows like ‘Sotheby’s RM Auctions’ ,which provides peace of mind to you that your vehicle of any age or condition is left in the best safest hands.

 

We are Accredited!

D.B. Detailing is an authorised ‘Gtechniq’ accredited detailer, which gives you confidence & guarantee that your ceramic coating is fully approved to apply all their consumer and flagship coatings to guarantee the manufacturers performance & durability. So yes flagship coatings like ‘Crystal Serum Ultra’ or other brands equivalent can be safely applied by us and we compliment their guarantees of their protections through their accredited network.

 

What is the difference between Paint Correction/ Paint Preservation Detail to my paintwork?

Paint Preservation Detail targets the removal of light defects such as swirl marks, light scratches, marring and holograms through a 2 stage paint correction process. The first stage is a coarse compound and pad with a heavy cut that will break remove the defect through a multiple of attempts per panel. The second stage is is a moderate compound and light cut pad that refines the panels clarity removing any hazing, holograms or improvements to the defects that reveals the corrected clarity. some deeper defects remain however through this process that are improved to a point they are less visible than due to to the levelling of the lacquer  in the correction process.

A Paint Correction Detail will have a third cutting stage that may slot between the first and second stages of a Paint Preservation Detail to allow the first stage to be even more aggressive as there are more stages to refine the paint to its improved finish. This is how the major defects are further improved or removed as levelling the lacquer is what our process is correcting to perfect the paint surface to every guarantee a flawless finish.

Both services have a polishing stage to maximise the gloss of the finish and clarity with a protection process to follow afterwards.

 

Why should I get my vehicle detailed?

Washing your vehicle can get to a point where its not enough and may required a through bath/ clean or better the paint will need a through level of correction and polishing to really reveal its true clarity.

Having your vehicles finish in its best condition from a detail is massive lift in the condition of the vehicle. We detail all automotive vehicles of a finishes whether its a modern vehicle or classic single staged paint vehicles.it only makes sense to restore/ maintain/ preserve or protect your vehicle as a way of protecting its future. Detailing is your only answer, we can detail the vehicle to any level required and protect it to ensure you have the ease of just maintaining the vehicle through safe washes of your preference so your enjoyment is in every mile you drive.

The investment of having your vehicle detailed is only a fraction of that cost compared to a full respray and all of our services include attention to the interior too.

You can even stretch the attention to inside of the engine bay, underneath of the vehicle and even add a durable ‘ceramic coating/ paint protection film (PPF)’ to guarantee the perfection of your vehicle from a minimum of 2 years/PPF to 5 /10 years.

 

I have a new vehicle does that still need to be detailed & do I go for the dealership paint protection services offered?

Even though your vehicle may have delivery miles or newly purchased within the registered year chances are in production, transportation or even pre delivery/ showroom prep the vehicle may have some defects from any of those processes on its paint surface that will require a level of detail service process to cleanse the paint surfaces of defects and guarantee the finish. This ensures you have a vehicle that reflects its factory condition the way its suppose to be. More than likely in most cases the vehicles paint will need to be corrected/ refined for the more durable ceramic coating to be applied.

But the expense you pay a dealership may be better invested in a detailing service with us that professionally puts your vehicle right so your first miles are enjoyed with the best protection and after care service to maintain it and you have a true vehicle representing the factory it came from from our safe hands making that come true for you.

 

Does detailing my vehicle affect my manufacturers warranty?

No. D.B. Detailing compliments and restores the vehicles finish in the same way the manufacturers of your vehicle would follow when the vehicle was new in production. With the current wear your vehicle may have the same process can preserve and correct various defects to a flawless factory finish through our services so none of our detailing services deteriorate your vehicle in any way.

 

How often should I get my car detailed?

This will often depend on the amount of use, where’s the vehicle stored and also how you are maintaining the vehicle in terms of cleaning on the vehicle. If your maintaining the vehicle safely yourself or with our ‘maintenance package’ those methods can guarantee the durability of your protection.

Ideally you can have your vehicle detailed per 6 months or annually if your vehicle is a used often as this will correct and keep on top of any imperfections that occur to ensure you enjoy the best version of your vehicle.

 

What wax will be used to protect my vehicles paintwork?

At D.B. Detailing we use the famous Dodo Juice/ Swissvax/ Collinite/ Zymol ‘Carnauba Paste Wax’ depending on the the vehicle or customers preference. The modern technology in car waxes has improved a lot, although their durability can not match the ceramic coatings but they now help assist coated vehicles. They are easier to apply and the clarity they give instantly is phenomenal hence why they are still favoured amongst many owners of classic cars and a pick for when preparing cars at shows.

Paste Wax has the water beading properties of ceramic coatings and yes you can use spray sealants/ wet coats that are universal to ceramic coated vehicles to ensure that extra layer of protection/ slickness to your paint once applied can last you for its recommended durability.

 

Ceramic coating/ Wax protection?

This question is very common and has many views from many of the detailing world. Before you select what to protect your vehicles paintwork with you need to ask yourself, where is my vehicle being stored overnight? how often will I be using/ keeping the vehicle for? This helps decided what type of protection you may need to protect your vehicle with.

We know a wax protected vehicle lasts an average of 4-12 months and ceramic coating protection has a durability of 1-9 years. Ceramic coating is a more permanent protection as this can only be removed by polishing or wet sanding, this allows the ease of maintaining your vehicle thorough safe methods of washing and  maintenance spray sealants like you would do with a wax protected vehicle but longer durability so less re-application.

So whether you own a vehicle and use it all year round , weekend, summer or dry days or daily you can protect your vehicle with a durable ceramic coating or wax both options repel water and dirt very well and  don’t distort the paint finish. So even though ceramic coating is modern its technology can be applied on all paint surfaces. However most classic vehicles regardless their condition are stored in a fairly protective way due to their age and therefore wax is suitable as some may still have it s factory single stage cellulose paint where wax is ideal to protect those paint finishes.

 

Ceramic coating/ Graphene coating?

Its exciting to know that graphene coatings have now hit the market and offer better scratch resistance than ceramic coatings as its a thicker more durable layer on a vehicles paint. But it is in its very early stages and scientifically not as good as the flagship ceramic coatings offered by Gtechniq, Gyeon and many more. So while manufacturers continue to develop those coatings its safe to say ceramic coatings have all the bases and benefits covered over graphene coatings at the moment.

 

Do you do Paint Protection Film (PPF)?

Yes, D.B. Detailing can take the protection of your vehicle to another level with ppf. The film carries a 5 – 10 year warranty and can be applied to any vehicle to resist the daily defects we may encounter when using our vehicles that are not crash related. The film is clear so it doesn’t distort the clarity or shade of your vehicles paint and the adhesive used to bond the film to your panel is safe and doesn’t strip paint when removing the film. The film is also self healing so the film is advanced enough to maintain a defect free clarity from light scratches.

Paint Protection Film is more durable than ceramic coating as its protects the exterior surfaces and its a great way if you have a vehicle thats has been resprayed, new or in very good condition that you wanted to preserve its factory paint or finish as this helps towards the value of your vehicle and enjoyment should you want to maintain keeping a vehicle as new as possible.

 

I’ve got a vehicle with Matte paint/ paint protection film. Can I still protect these surfaces with a ceramic coating?

I feel that these surfaces are high maintenance and can be victims of stubborn stains from bird grime/ dead bugs if not removed quickly which can be difficult if they are not protected and maintained with top up products to keep their surfaces clean and durable.

Both surfaces can be protected with Gtechniq Halo/ C1 aim to protect exactly these surfaces which doesn’t reduce the self healing properties on some paint protection films, should your vehicle have any of these finishes please get in contact with us as soon as possible to ensure you don’t experience any stubborn defects on your finish.

 

How far will D.B. Detailing travel detail your vehicle?

D.B. Detailing will travel anywhere in the UK so please don’t be afraid to enquire.
We regularly cover all areas in London and around the M25 and Greater London as well as…

• Surrey
• Sussex
• Middlesex
• Kent
• Essex
• Hampshire
• Berkshire
• Buckinghamshire
• Hertfordshire
• Oxfordshire
• Bedfordshire
• Cambridgeshire
• Basically anywhere even if your area is not listed here!

Should you be based outside of these locations or the UK, D.B. Detailing is happy to offer all services to you and will discuss meeting your needs to ensure your vehicle is safely looked after.

 

 Where can I bring my car to be detailed/ inspected?

You can bring your car to the Elite Car Care Studio in Bourne End 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport J3 off the M40/ Sextons London, Wandsworth/ The Place, Oval/ Private London Location, Victoria. David can personally travel to inspect your vehicle at a location of your choice.

we can use the ‘Elite Car Care/ Sextons London/ The Place/ Private London location as its work base or an alternative location of your choice. We will come to you should that be more easier if you have a sheltered facility (for multi stage detail services), running outdoor tap and electrical socket (for washes) to ensure your vehicle is well looked after at your comforts.

All locations have all the shelter and security to ensure that your vehicle is safely secured 24 hours a day and should you have a vehicle that requires some discretion all our places of operation can accommodate fully for those requirements.

 

 Can D.B Detailing collect and deliver my car as I will be busy?

David can arrange a car collection personally/ delivery service by a specialist automotive transportation company at an additional cost.

 

Can D.B. Detailing detail my car at a dealership/ Independent garage before collection?

Yes David is happy to liaise with the relevant garages and has full liability insurance to work on their premises as long as there is running water, electricity and sheltered space to ensure the maximum results of our services are achieved.  

 

D.B. Detailing price promise to its customers for 2024?

“With the cost of living increasing we understand that you as a customer and your vehicles are important to us. So we are freezing our prices for 2023 & 2024 and aim to still provide our high quality services so you are able to still have your vehicle successfully detailed within your required budget”.

 

Cancellations?

If the need to cancel should arise, D.B. Detailing requires at least 24 hours notice or an £100 cancellation fee will be incurred