As you may have seen from the Paint Correction section on www.theshinefactory.co.uk there are a multitude of paintwork defects that can be corrected.  Ultimately the final level of correction depends on the initial state of the paintwork and the amount of time you wish to pay for.  As a guide most medium sized cars (e.g. BMW 3 series) can be corrected to a significant improvement 80-90% in 8 hours.  If the vehicles paintwork is particularly severe or the vehicle is larger then additional time or a lesser degree of correction can discussed at the start of the detail.

Tiny stone chips the kind that are the size of a grain of salt will be reduced visibly by the machine polishing process as it rounds off their sharp edges which reflect the sunlight. 

However for a 100% finish a respray will be always be required. 

Ideally yes, unless you have a garage that is large enough to work in – typically if the car doors can be opened with the car in the garage sufficient space exists.  ‘The shine factory’ can provide a professional grade gazebo which is heavy enough to withstand moderate winds and rain. 

After polishing the paintwork is sealed and or waxed to ensure it is protected and easy to clean.  A wide variety of waxes are used including Collinite, Meguiars, Zaino and Zymol.

Yes although the finish may not look as good and the wax may not last as long.  As they say it’s the final finish is all in the preparation!

Yes the paintwork can still be prepared and cleansed to a high standard so sealants and waxes will perform to their best and last a long time. 

Machine polishing is usually a two stage process starting off with a medium abrasive and finishing with a fine abrasive/glaze.  On rare occasions a high abrasive may need to be used first.  Ensuring each panel is properly prepared, polished and waxed to an exact standard takes this time.

Defects in paint work are permanently removed rather than ‘hidden or filled’.  In ‘theory’ the finish will last forever.  However poor washing and polishing techniques can instil new swirl marks/scratches.  See below for advice on how to reduce/eliminate these. 

Careful hand washing is essential to maintaining the swirl free finish.  Automatic car washes, dealer ‘free’ washes and the local hand wash are best avoided!  A pre rinse with a hosepipe, the two bucket method*, a lambs wool wash mitt and waffle weave drying towels will ensure future defects are minimised.  Personal advice is always given during and after a detail. 

Yes, however plastics cannot take heat build up like a metal panel can so more care must be taken.  The same level of defect removal may not be possible. 

Areas close to badges, lettering, mouldings and trim can be very difficult to access with a machine polisher.  As a result the degree of defect removal may be less compared to more ‘open’ areas of bodywork.  If mouldings, lettering etc can be removed prior to polishing then this will eliminate this problem. 

Yes, typically between 2-5 microns of paint is removed per detail.  The average thickness of automotive paintwork (total film build) is around 110-130 microns.  A paint thickness gauge is used to denote the thickness of paintwork and to determine the safe amount that can be removed.  If the paint is too thin some defects will always be left in rather than achieving total defect removal which may compromise the paintwork. 

Yes all cars can be washed first.  However this will eat into potential polishing time.  The cleaner the car is presented the more of your allotted time will be spent on defect removal.

Yes ‘the shine factory’ are expert at detailing all parts of a car and additional services will be priced upon request. 

Hourly rates are £25 an hour, a typical 8 hour day will cost £200.  Travel is also charged at £25 an hour after the first 30 minutes which is free.  Travel is NOT charged when 6 or more hours are spent on site.