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April 30th, 2022

4/30/2022

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FILTHIEST PARTS OF YOUR CAR 
​1. Boot - 1,425 bacteria identified 
2. Driver’s seat - 649 bacteria identified 
3. Gearstick - 407 bacteria identified 
4. Back seat - 323 bacteria identified
5. Dashboard - 317 bacteria identified
6. Steering wheel - 146 bacteria identified
7. Toilet seat - 34 bacteria  
                                            In all, 1,425 bacteria identified during the research. 
                                                                    *Research & photo credit: Aston University
​

Your vehicles interior and how our interior services are set up
Material:
 Automotive interiors are made up of plastics, nylon, polyester, vinyl, leather, faux leather, suede and more. With every changing year the automotive industry is changing how they use those products in our vehicles.
Products:
  • High ph cleaners for hair & body oils, food, beverages, pet hair/oils and cigarette smoke.
  • Disinfectants to kill allergy- and disease-causing germs, fungi, mold, mildew and odor-causing bacteria.
  • Stain and odor blockers to help keep the vehicle clean and fresh months after.
  • Stain guards that protect from future spills and also keep material soft & new feeling
Safety equipment:
  • Latex gloves 
  • Respirator to protect the lungs against airborne dust which can cause allergies
  • Eye wear for loose debris
  • Disposable suits for extreme cases like mold and blood 
Tools & equipment:
  • Commercial grade carpet extractor
  • Commercial grade steamer
  • Air movers for fast drying
  • Air filtration system for the shop to keep breathable air clean
  • Various brushes, sprayers, bottles and toweling
What gets cleaned and detailed in the Interior:
  • Dashboard including inside vents and around sensitive areas like the info center
  • Consoles including cup holders, switches and knobs
  • Door panels, pockets, cracks and crevices
  • Fabric and leather seating
  • Carpeting including under & along seat tracks
  • Headliner (ceiling material)
  • Windows including their edges
  • Rear deck lid (coupes & sedans)
  • Cargo or trunk areas
Why: 
 I carry products and introduce procedures specific for each concern to help remedy the issues, deliver a safe vehicle and happy client experience. 
 While all purpose cleaners work great as a general cleaner, interiors are complex and need multiple types of cleaners for various jobs.
 The products I use need to be safe for myself to breathe and touch, safe for you, your family and pets after picking up your vehicle, safe for the surface being applied to and safe for our environment. 

 I want vehicles to leave my shop that not only look better but stay cleaner longer over any other vehicle.

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April 30th, 2022

4/30/2022

0 Comments

 
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​Clear is what protects the color of your vehicle and it needs protecting as well.  We desire a permanent, scratch-free finish on all parts of our vehicles, which is evidenced by scratch performance becoming the highest rated customer concern.


Your vehicles exterior and how our services are set up

Material:
 Without a clear top coat the color coat would degrade extremely quick. The clear coat was designed to protect that color base, but it is not perfect either, it also needs protecting.  Clear coats are made from a resin which is plastic and has hardening agents added to prolong its life, durability and shine. Weather, environment and care techniques degrade the coating though.
Products:
  • Soap that has plenty of cleaning & lubricating abilities. Iron removers, wheel cleaners, tire cleaners, bug removers, tar remover, clay mitts, spray sealant, wax and ceramic coating are all things needs to clean & protect our vehicles.
  • Sanding with 1,000 - 8,000 grit sandpaper is sometimes necessary to remove scratching 
  • Follow up with a gritty compound to remove dullness & refine those marks
  • Polish is the last step that can remove lighter marks creating that high gloss we love
Protection:
  • Wax is a basic form of protection. While it works fine, leaves a great shine it is a natural product so longevity makes it not so desirable. Generally 3 months or less of protection with up to 6 or more months when garage kept, driven low miles & extremely pampered.
  • Synthetic Sealants are man made created to be quick to apply, longer protection & have added gloss enhancers.
           Closer to 6 months protection & again, more based on vehicle use.
  • Ceramic Coatings are right now the strongest most durable option for hand applied protection. They are designed similar to your clear coat using different types of resins with other additives. They also add gloss and intensify the color especially metallic finishes.
          Ceramic coatings that I install last from 1-5 years. The higher the years the more pampering needed which makes 1-3 year coating     
          more desirable for my clients.

Safety equipment:
  • Latex gloves 
  • Respirator to protect from the strong solvents used in many ceramic coating products
  • Eye wear for loose debris
  • Ear protection
Tools & equipment:
  • Wheel & tire cleaners, cleaners to remove decontamination, soaps, engine degreasers, bug removers & more
  • Clay bar to remove embedded decontamination
  • Sand papers of various grits, compounds, polishes, waxes, sealants & coatings
  • Dual action sander for wet sanding paint finishes
  • High speed machine polisher and dual action polisher of various sizes from 3 inch to 5 inch to 6 inch to fit into tight or large areas
  • Pressure washer for quicker cleaning while using less water to be more earth friendly
  • Various towels, application pads, bottles, sprayers, brushes & more
What gets cleaned and detailed on the Exterior:
  • Engine compartment, door jams, wheels, tires & wheel wells
  • Complete wash of the exterior including grills, window seals/trim, fuel door, emblems & all the little crevices
  • Wheels off cleaning can also be done when a deep clean & extra protection is wanted
  • When polishing we can do spot repairs or entire vehicle. 
  • Topped with your choice of protection
Why: 
 I carry products and introduce procedures specific for each concern to help remedy the issues, deliver a safe vehicle and happy client experience. 
 There are many ways to clean and detail a vehicle and since my start in 1995 I've seen a lot of changes in the automotive world. Each vehicle, each owner is unique and I strive to do what I love, be friendly to our environment, help you my client with your concerns all while giving you the best experience and hopefully brightening up your week.

  I want vehicles to leave my shop that not only look better but stay cleaner longer over any other vehicle.

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What is a Ceramic Coating and is it right for me

6/30/2021

3 Comments

 
 If you have read online or watched videos about Ceramic Coatings, you may have come across some competing claims. Some manufacturers and detailers have made outstanding promises about the performance of their Ceramic Coatings. Others, commentators have offered opinions that may be false.
 What is the truth about automotive Ceramic Coatings? What are their benefits? What are their limitations? What will be best for your vehicle?
 I will start by saying a ceramic coating is the second "best" form of protection, paint protection film (clear vinyl film) is the first choice of "best" protection.
What is a Ceramic Coating: 
A Ceramic Coating is a liquid polymer that is applied by hand to the exterior of a vehicle. The coating chemically bonds with the vehicle’s factory paint, trim, plastics, wheels and glass creating a layer of protection.
 A Ceramic Coating is not a substitute for paint protection film. Rather, I describe it as a wax alternative. A Ceramic Coating creates a semi-permanent bond with a vehicle’s paint, meaning that it does not wash away or break down and does not require repeated application every few months like a wax.

What does a Ceramic Coating do:
A Ceramic Coating adds additional protection to your vehicles exterior and helps keep it looking like-new without the need for repeated waxing. It protects against such things as uv rays, bird droppings, salts, dirt and chemicals. The coating achieves this result by creating an extremely slippery (self-cleaning) surface making your vehicle more resilient and easier to clean.
Main Benefits:
Protection from uv damage
 If a vehicle is daily exposed to the sun, its paint will begin to oxidize, resulting in dulled and faded paint. A layer of Ceramic Coating protects a vehicle’s paint from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, thereby reducing the amount of oxidization.
Protection from Chemical Stains and Etching
 Another danger for your car is chemical staining from naturally acidic contaminants. By creating a chemically resistant surface, a Ceramic Coating can keep some contaminants from bonding to your vehicle’s paint. The result is that your vehicle will be more resistant to staining and etching, provided the contaminant is removed in a timely manner.
Ease of Cleaning 
 
One of the most significant features of a Ceramic Coating is that it is hydrophobic, which is a fancy way of saying it repels water. When a vehicle has a hydrophobic Ceramic Coating, water will bead on the surface and slide off more easily. This means that mud and grime will have a more difficult time bonding to your vehicle’s paint, and when you wash your car, contaminants can be removed with less effort.
Enhanced Gloss 
 
If you want your paint to stand out with a high gloss finish, you will want to add a Ceramic Coating. A good Ceramic Coating enhances the reflective properties of your car’s paint/metallic flake and clear coat, adding to the depth and clarity of your paint.
Value 
 A Ceramic Coating will add value to your vehicle. At Final Finish Detailing LLC, we are a certified installer for Owners Pride Ceramics made in Omaha Nebraska for Wausau, WI and the surrounding area. Owners Pride carries the only nation wide, certified with the Federal Trade Commission of the Untied States (FTC) compliant warranty that is also transferable in the US. And it appear on CarFax reports adding legitimate value to your vehicle at time of resale.
Hit the link below to learn more and to schedule an appointment.

Thank you for reading and following!
​

Info & Scheduling
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How to care for your vehicle after a ceramic coating

6/30/2021

8 Comments

 
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 After your vehicle has been polished (paint correction) and protected with a wax or ceramic coating service it is important to take a proactive role in maintaining the condition of your vehicle. Coated vehicles are much easier to maintain, especially since you will not need to frequently polish or wax the paint in order to keep it protected from the elements. However, it is important to note that no ceramic coating is bullet proof and the finish will begin to degrade if neglected or improperly cared for.
 Here are some tips that will help you keep your vehicle looking its best for as long as possible:

 Recommended maintenance procedure for our coatings:
  • Avoid washing with soap for the first 48 hours
  • The use of an automatic car wash with soft touch or a brush is frowned upon. The overuse of brushes will create scratches and cause the coating to break down. 
  • Soft touch wash is fine and will get the job done quick. Washing by hand yourself or by us periodically is suggested in order to deep clean the surface and free the coating of any film build up on the surface.
  • You will/have received a “Do Not Wash” mirror hanger to assist with the recommendation to your service shop or dealership to not wash your vehicle. This will help you control who washes your vehicle ensuring it will be washed properly by a person of your choice.

Washing at Home Method:
Items needed:
5 gallon pail                                                     Wheel cleaner
Grit guard                                                         
Old wash mitt/brush for cleaning wheels
High quality high lubricating soap                Microfiber towels for wiping out door jams
Soft microfiber wash mitt                               Larger soft microfiber drying towel
Leaf blower (works great for drying)
*Grit guard is a plastic screen/grate that sits in your pail and traps debris keeping your wash water cleaner. 

1. One at a time rinse your wheels, spray wheel cleaner, scrub and rinse thoroughly. 
2. Rinse your vehicle thoroughly from top down ensuring that you're pushing dirt and dust down off your vehicle and onto the ground.
3. Use the recommended directions on soap bottle to mix your bucket of soapy water. Start with one section at a time and wash from top down, left to right motion gently with little to no pressure wash your vehicle.
4. Do not allow soap to dry, you may have to rinse each section after scrubbing.
5. If you have a leaf blower use it now to dry the majority of the vehicle off and don't forget all the cracks/crevasses around mirrors, handles, window trim, emblems, etc.
6. Finish drying with your microfiber drying towel. Make sure to dab not wipe as back and forth wiping motion may cause unwanted marring.  


 Maintaining your vehicle using safe wash methods, as described above, will help you preserve a flawless finish and extend the useful life of your ceramic coating for years of enjoyment.
 We have wash kits filled with the products we use to be purchased along with a Maintenance Program for our existing customers to take part in.

 If you have any questions about maintaining your vehicle’s finish or anything related to car care please feel free to send us an email to address your specific concern; finalfinish5@gmail.com




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    Our mission at Final Finish Detailing LLC is to deliver unmatched exterior and interior detailing and ceramic coating services to the Wausau, Rothschild and surrounding areas. 

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Honor the Lord with the best of everything you produce.  Proverbs 3:9
  • HOME
  • SERVICES
    • Ceramic Coating
    • Exterior Detailing
    • Paint Correction
    • Interior Detailing
    • New Car Session
    • Motorcycle Detailing
  • Boat Detailing
  • About Us
  • Gallery
    • Blog
  • Condition Scale