With so much controversy in the detailing industry as to what is the absolute best product to use on your vehicle to protect its paint I am here to offer some helpful information about Ceramic Coating. 

Ceramic Coating Technology was introduced to the detailing world back in 2007, before ceramic coatings they were trying to perfect wax and polymer sealants for protection. You can read my last blog on the difference between Sealants Vs Wax for more information on those. However, the detailing industry has been working endlessly trying to perfect products until Ceramic Coating. Though there are many different brands here is what you need to know. 

Let me cut through all the nonsense and just tell you what it is instead of overloading you with information that you don't need nor will make sense. Ceramic Coating is a clear liquid formulated out of Silca. What is is Silica? Silica is extracted from sand, turned into liquid which once exposed to air, and UV turns into a hardened glass. Hence the term glass coat. 

Lets be honest there is NO such thing as a bullet proof product. Your cars exterior takes a beating. Driving through the elements, bird droppings, acid rain, salt, road grime, tree sap. There is always something your vehicle is going to encounter unless you decide to keep your vehicle garage kept and under a tarp for the rest of its life.

​Here is where ceramic coating technology comes in. 

To understand the benefit of ceramic coating I have placed an image below. 
Those waves are microscopic pours in your cars clear coat. This is very important to understand in order to understand the different levels of ceramic coating and how ceramic coating is beneficial. 

• These pours in your paint make it very easy for contaminants to stick to.  Contaminants such as tar, iron, grime, etc. Over time these elements start to deteriorate your cars clear coat and paint.
• UV rays do not bounce off directly but bounce on top of the vehicle which overtime can cause fading and clear coat failure. 
• It is a coating that protects the vehicles clear coat and paint from getting damaged from swirl marks, light surface scratches, UV damage. 

Ceramic Coating not only creates a protective hardened barrier between your cars paint and all of these elements but it actually fills in those pours which helps aide in the protection of your vehicle. 

The biggest wow factor of a ceramic coating is its ability to maintain a super hydrophobic effect. The hydrophobic ability of this product is NOTHING compared to the real benefits of this products. 

• SELF CLEANING EFFECT- Because ceramic coating creates a flat surface with no pours (shown in the image below) it aides in maintaining a clean car. The self cleaning effects is mainly because dirt and debris do not stick to your vehicle. A basic wash with your hose will show how effortlessly you can maintain a clean car. 

EXTREME GLOSS 
SELF CLEANING EFFECT 
UV PROTECTANT
SUPER HYDROPHOBIC EFFECT
CHEMICAL RESITANT 
HIGH GLOSS FINISH 
NO NEED TO WAX...
As you can see in the picture above our 6 month sealant offers a protection that lasts anywhere from 6 months to a year. It is the absolute best entry level coating on the market as silica is formulated within this product. 

UV PROTECTANT
SUPER HYDROPHOBIC EFFECT
CHEMICAL RESITANT 
HIGH GLOSS FINISH 
5 YEAR PROTECTION
5H LEVEL OF HARDNESS ON YOUR CLEAR COAT
NO NEED TO WAX...
Our 5 year package is perfect. Let me quickly explain the level of hardness on your clear coat. Out of factory your vehicle comes with about a 2H level of Hardness (depending on the make of your vehicle). The hardness determines how easy it is for your car to get swirl marks, surface scratches etc. With the 5 year coating we are putting on 2 different layers of coating which in turn provides you with an additional 3H to your vehicle. Now instead of 2H your paints Hardness is at a level 5H. 

Road salt and grime wreak havoc to the undercarriage of your vehicles. It creates a chemical reaction which in turn causes corrosion and rust. The car industry has known this since the early 60’s and have used motor oil to protect their undercarriages from rusting.

**Fun Fact- About 10-15 years ago the car industry started using recycled metal to make cars. This has been great for our environment however very damaging to our vehicles. Have you heard the saying they don’t make cars like they used to? Recycled metal corrodes and rusts much faster.
Since the early 60’s many different products have been made to protect the undercarriage of your vehicle. At Ultimate Auto Detailing we use a few different brands, and recommend different ones based on the condition of your undercarriage and year of the vehicle.
Lets discuss some of the options we recommend and help you determine which is the best for your and your vehicle. 

​Fluid Film has been used for more than 55 years to protect the undercarriage of vehicles. Just like every product on the market there are pros and cons. Here are some things to think about when deciding if fluid film is right for you?

• How long does it last?

Fluid film is oil based. Meaning it does NOT harden or dry to the undercarriage. This means that once a year you will have to bring it in for some maintenance. We most likely will NOT have to respray your entire undercarriage but it will require touch up. 

• Will it prevent rust or stop rust that is already forming?

Yes, absolutely. One of the great benefits of fluid film is its ability to work into the crevices and pits to fill in the gaps and stop rust from spreading. It will not remove the rust that has already formed but will greatly stop it from getting worse. Also, if rocks and chips occur after applying the fluid film it will work its way into the cracks to form a barrier.

POR 15 is made to stick to rust. So if your undercarriage is already showing signs of rust and corrosion POR 15 is a great solution. At Ultimate Auto Detailing we apply POR15 to any rust spots before applying raptor bedliner. POR 15 only sticks to rust to prevent it from spreading and getting worse.

• How long does it last?

POR 15 can last for years. Because of its ability to harden and strengthens by moisture there is not much that can penetrate this surface. We do recommend at least yearly check ups to ensure it is not weakening in any spots.​

• Will it prevent rust or stop rust that is already forming?

Yes, POR15 is formulated to stop rust from getting any worse and prevents rust from spreading. 
​
***If Rust is already present we will have to remove any flakes or heavy rust spots with a grinder.
POR15 stops rust from getting worse and is one of the hardest undercoatings in the industry. 

Raptor Bed Liner has been used for undercoating because it offers the ultimate protection because of its scratch and chip resistance. It is formulated to ensure grease, dirt and debris do not stick to it. Bed liner is made out of thick urethane or a blended plolyurethane substance making it extremely difficult to remove.

It lasts for many many years however it is important to note that bed liner does NOT stop rust and does require a clean metal surface to be applied to. It prevents rust to the extent that once applied nothing is going to penetrate its surface. If there are spots that are showing signs of rust and you would like the raptor bed liner we do apply POR15 first and then the Raptor Bed Liner. 

Necessary Precautions for your Vehicles Interior. 

Ultimate Auto Detailing has been taking many different measures to ensure our customers safety as well as our own through this very challenging time. We have been watching the CDC and FDA recommendations for what proper measures we can take while cleaning your cars interiors. Just like flu season Ultimate is very well informed on what kills the viruses that are in your vehicles. 

As in my most recent blog I explained the importance of maintenance cleaning as most vehicles house more germs and bacteria than a public toilet seat. 

Here is what our Team at Ultimate Auto Detailing is doing to help fight the spread of the corona virus 

Interior - The CDC has found that Steam Cleaning fabrics and carpets have been effective in killing the corona virus. Ultimate Auto Detailing has now added Steam cleaning to ALL interior Details including but not limited to Headliner, Seats, Carpets, Steering wheels, and air vents 

- Products- Finding a product that is safe for your vehicles interiors as well as effective can be difficult. However we use many different products to ensure all germs in your vehicles are gone. This ranges from rubbing alcohol, Lysol, and All purpose heavy duty cleaners that are safe for your vehicles interior.

Understand that it is very important to wipe down your interiors while getting in and out of your vehicles however it is extremely important to get your cars interior deep cleaned and then maintain with wiping down with Lysol or 70% rubbing alcohol. 

We don't think about our cars as often as we should. We worry about cleaning and disinfecting our homes, our bathrooms, the shopping cart and never paying close mind to our cars interior. 
​
OUR TEAM 
Our Team is also taking necessary precautions to ensure no cross contamination between vehicles.

- Our Team has always been dedicated to using rubber gloves while working on your vehicles interiors. Not only for our protection from bacteria in your vehicles but to ensure no cross contamination between vehicles. 

- Washing our hands OFTEN- My entire team has a travel size hand sanitizer in their pockets to ensure they are constantly cleaning their hands. In addition after every single vehicle they are washing their hands with antibacterial soap. 

The MOST contaminated spots in your vehicles are the following 

• Steering Wheels, Gear Shifts, Door Handles, Radio buttons, climate control buttons, dashboard, and center console. 
• One of the biggest factors in the germs in our vehicles is caused by dead skin cells that can be found throughout your cars interior. Ensuring that a professional detailer deep cleans your interior will ensure that we stop the spread of germs from your car. 
• Your cars vents are also a huge contributor to germs found in your vehicles. Ultimate Auto Detailing not only uses a HVAC CLEANER for all interior details we also use steam to clean out your vents. 

The interior of our vehicles are often overlooked. During flu season, spring cleaning, and deep cleaning our homes we forget about the importance of cleaning the interior of our vehicles.  

Now more than ever I really would like to pull your attention to your vehicles because most of us spend a lot of time in them. 


OUR CARS HOUSE APPROXIMATELY 629 CFU
(COLONY FORMING UNITS PER SQ CENTIMETER) 

Let me put that into perspective for you 

As per a study done by the National Center for Biotechnology Information they measured different places in our vehicles in comparison to a few other objects and here were their findings
Steering Wheels alone- Found to have 629 CFU per Sq Centimeter

In Comparison a Cell phone houses 100 CFU per Sq Centimeter
Elevator buttons are at 313 CFU per Sq Centimeter
Public Toilet Seats are at 172 CFU per Sq Centimeter

It is so easy to forget that when we go into food stores, gas stations, or anywhere else that the germs we pick up in 5 seconds get transported back into our vehicles.
When we pick our kids up from school, they are touching the door handles, seat belts, their car seats and more.
Whether in the heat and baking in the sun or in the winter with no ventilation our vehicles become a breeding ground for bacteria. 

I can NOT express enough the importance of vacuuming and cleaning your cars interiors especially during the flu season. However should be done weekly. 

The number one bacteria found in vehicles is Staphylococcus Bacteria (Staph Infection) and Propionibacterium (Cause of bacterial infections)

There was a survey that was conducted of 1,000 drivers questioning how often they get their interiors details?
 
A shocking 32% ONLY 320 out of 1,000 got their interiors detailed once a year.

Your vehicles interior should be deep cleaned at MINIMUM twice a year with regular wipe down and maintenance in between.

Here are the main places germs hide in your car. Steering wheel, gear shifts, seat belts, door handles, dashboard, foot pedals, children's car seats. 

Tips in helping your car stay germ free

Always remove garbage, wrappers, soda cans, coffee cups out of your vehicle
If coffee, juice or soda is spilt in the car wipe up immediately and spray with an all purpose cleaner

Have a container of Lysol wipes in your car. These are safe for your steering wheels, gear shifts, dash boards
( Gear Shifts, Dash Boards, Steering Wheels, Pedals, Door Handles house the most germs)

If you eat in your car remove crumbs, and debris from your food do not let it sit in your car
(Left food particles grow a plethora of bacteria)

Have a cup for all your loose change
(Money holds a lot of germs)

 If you have a garbage bag in your car be sure to empty it often

Car Seats house a lot of germs and bacteria whether on the seat itself or under the seat.
​Be sure to wipe down often 
 
 

​I want to apologize up front...
​
You see I realize that not everyone understands the value a 𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗥 can bring you and your vehicle.
I understand and respect the people that contact me, ask me for a price and then tell me the other guy said he would do it for cheaper.
I realize not everyone understands the difference between a 𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗥 and a YouTube detailer. And I also realize that not everyone puts much importance into their vehicle.
I also realize that until I explain to you the difference between 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘃𝘀 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 you simply just did not know.
I ensure that with every single phone call I explain to you the difference between a ceramic coating and a sealant, an interior detail and an express detail, a polish and a compound, a paint correction and an exterior detail. Why?
Because I want to ensure that you understand what you are getting when you decide to schedule your car with me.
I want to offer you value and knowledge so that you understand why our prices are what they are and what the job entails.
What I DONT like and what actually gets me very upset is when you tell me oh ok I will shop for cheaper prices and you don't allow me the opportunity to explain to you the importance of finding a skilled detailer, because you DONT understand that someone that doesn't know what they are doing can do drastic damage to your vehicle.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗬 I received a phone call from a gentlemen that wanted to know my price on paint correction. He truly did not understand what he was asking me for and when I gave him the starting price he quickly said I am going to shop around for prices. 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗬 he gave me the opportunity to say... Sir, I don't mind if you don't take it to me, but what I need to make you aware of is NOT all detailers are capable of paint correction, that there will be detailers that say they can Compound or Wet Sand your car but PLEASE make sure you do your research on the company you are hiring because they can destroy the paint on you Mercedes.
𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗢𝗗, he allowed me to explain what a paint correction is, how wet sanding is a detailers ability to heat up the paint just enough to blend it in and fill in the scratches, that if a detailer heats it up too much they can remove the clear coat and cause dull spots and so on and so forth.
𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗘𝗘 I don't care if you use someone else, but WHAT I DO CARE ABOUT is that you are making an educated decision when making your decision.
𝗔𝗧 𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 our passion is for your car and providing you the best service possible to ensure your experience with us makes you smile.
It Is to provide value to your car
It is to ensure you are 100% satisfied with your service.
Our prices reflect our 25 years experience,
They reflect our passion and time that we put into your vehicle
They reflect our knowledge
They reflect the license and insurance we carry
They reflect the top of the line products that we choose to use to work on your vehicle
So please Do not call me and say I will find it some place cheaper and then hang up on me. Please call me and ask me questions because I will always provide you with the answers.
I am great friends with the competitors in my industry, the ones that have the skills, the value, the passion, and work hard to pay their taxes, insurance and take pride in what they do. I do have an issue with the guys that call themselves detailers because they watched a YouTube video and bought some products just to call themselves a detailer.
Detailing requires a passion that you cant teach. It requires experience that you cant learn overnight.
Anyone can call themselves a detailer, but NOT everyone can be a DETAILER

Step two spray down the car with Gliptones Iron Eater. This stuff is amazing, and you can actually see it working. It causes a chemical reaction to iron which actually eats through the iron. You will see it change color from clear to purple once it starts working its process. What is so great about this product is that instead of dragging the iron across your cars paint while claying the car and creating more surface scratches and swirl marks, you are removing the harder elements. ​Now rinse. 

,Step three Clay bar. Clay bar is made up of engineered resin similar to your kids clay but much harder and stickier. You will know if your car requires a clay bar simply by touching the paint after a wash. If your cars paint feels gritty, or sticky then you know that its time for some decontamination.  Do not ever clay your car without any lubricant. We use optimum no rinse which is an insane product all on its own. But you will see while using the clay bar the amount of dirt that a simple wash could not remove. These contaminants that are sticking to your cars paint are causing damage in the clear coat the longer they sit on your exterior. So be sure to at minimum get an exterior detail twice a year. Also if you are an enthusiast and doing these steps all on your own be sure to follow steps one through 3 as if you don’t you will be adding more scratches and swirl marks to your car. You are now ready to rinse the car one final time and dry with a clean microfiber rag, and blow out any access water. After we choose to alcohol wipe the car to eliminate any more contaminants, wax and fillers from the paint. 

Step four we are now ready to start determining the condition of the clear coat on the car. How many stages of compound and polish we can apply. We use different methods of determining the clear coat on a cars paint, what year is the car, what make is the car, has the car ever been professionally detailed before, was the car ever repainted and or a paint gauge that measures the thickness of the clear coat. This should be one of your determining factors when choosing a detailer, their knowledge of the clear coat that is on the car. Many experienced detailers don’t require a paint gauge as these are relatively new to the industry, they use their eye and knowledge of what the paint looks like. Lets get to work!

Step five is compound. What is compound? Compound is a liquid that allows the detailer to remove moderate to deep defects in the cars paint. Many detailers refer to this step as leveling or cutting. Essentially what this does is cuts lightly through a layer of clear coat to make a smooth leveled surface that will eliminate the swirl marks and light surface scratches. In this stage it is very important to go slow and steady with moderate pressure on the buffer, we use Mcguires Microfiber Cutting pads with Gliptones precision cut but for beginners we would recommend Grios fast correcting cream, it is less finicky and does not create as much dust. Depending on the depth of the scratches will determine how many times they have to do this process. For a full paint correction we are literally focusing on a 2x2 section to ensure the scratches are removed. There is no such thing as perfect but a true detailer will tell you that, paint correction can be done from 50%-90% corrected, this will all be determined on what you want to spend and how close to perfect you want your cars paint. A paint correction can be done in 5 hours all the way to 25 hours plus. 

Step six is polish. Polish is the liquid that makes your car shine! We use two different types of this polish. Gliptone and HD Speed. Make sure the detailer you are using does not use products with heavy polymers or fillers. These products simply fill or blend in the scratches and after a few weeks you will notice that your scratches start to reappear. This means the detailer did not correct the scratches simply covered them up. Which is why it is so important that when shopping around for prices you determine the knowledge that is behind those prices and the hours that a professional detailer will be working on your car. 

Know the right questions to Ask your Detailer 
1) How long does a paint correction take? If they tell you less than 5 hours please confirm what they intend to do in those 5 hours. It is likely that they will be using fillers or the extent of the paint damage is not that bad and an exterior detail may be able to take care of this for you without spending a fortune. Be knowledgeable when looking for this service. 
2) Do any of your products you use while doing the paint correction use polymers or fillers? It does not matter the brand a detailer uses, there are many different brands in our industry, if the detailer chooses a certain brand its because they are comfortable with that one. But you do not want to be misled by their ability with fillers in their products. 
3) How long have you been detailing cars? Paint correction is not something that can be learned over night, it takes an experienced detailer to be able to get your paint close to perfect. Do not choose the guy with the better price for this job, choose the guy with the most experience as if an error does occur it can wind up costing you a lot of money. 
4)Do you even need a paint correction? This is a decision that only you can make for yourself, a regular exterior detail will cost a lot less but may not provide you with what you are looking for. Talk it over with your detailer, ask questions, and determine after you have gathered all your information. 

I was inspired to create the blog by the amount of times I have been asked the same questions, how did you start? When did you start? Why did you decide on forming your own business? Let me start by saying this, owning and running a small business is a lot of work. The amount of lessons we have learned, the amount of tears that have fallen, the amount of obstacles we have faced is overwhelming. However, I will also say, the amount of laughs we have had, the amount of amazing humans we have met, the amount of triumphs we have shared, and the amount of growth we have had is almost just as breathtaking. 

Harry has had a passion for detailing since he was 1 3 years old, he would go outside in the middle of winter with a bucket and rag to clean his moms car and his neighbors cars. His attention to detail and his desire to learn and perfect his trade has been for as long as he can remember.
Harry and I met when he worked at Franks Chevrolet in Tarrytown NY detailing cars, we were dating for about 3 months and decided to move in together and then in 10 months we were married. To say that things happened fast between us is understatement. After about 3 years of marriage we decided it was time to have a baby, we tried for about 3 months and we were not successful, we decided maybe we should just wait. (here is the reason I need to inform you of all that) 
A month later Harry comes home from work and tells me that Franks Chevrolet was closing and that he wouldn’t have a job at the end of the month, unbeknown to him I was informing him I was pregnant. As quickly as we laughed we also grew scared after months of Harry trying to find a job with no luck. 

THE VAN
We took the good with that bad and I gave birth to a beautiful little boy, we decided Harry would stay home for a little while and I would work and we wouldn’t have to pay for daycare. About 3 months go by and Harry comes home one night with a van. The look of confusion on my face must have been priceless. I said, what are we doing with that? Harry replies I’m going to start a business. I said, with that? How? He asked me to simply trust him and believe in him. Of course I did, of course I was slightly upset and confused but I knew my husband and I knew he would never steer us into harm. Harry took the little assets that he had and sold them to purchase everything necessary for the van to start his mobile detailing business. We started our company as H & S Mobile Auto Detailing and landed a few accounts along with personal customers and from there the word spread quickly. 
In 2015 and 2 more kids later we were realizing that we needed to make some necessary changes. We were getting to the point in business that most businesses get into and that was either we needed to go bigger or close the doors.  Up until this point I had absolutely no interest in detailing cars or our business, I was busy raising kids and working on my own career choices. I decided at this point I was going to get involved and help my husband reach his dreams and goals. I have said time and time again I know if I give my husband the proper tools he would do incredible things with his business, so I decided to revamp the business a bit. 
I formed it into a S-Corp, changed the name and started to search for a location to open up a storefront! 

OUR STORE FRONT
I am a born and raised resident of Carmel NY. I knew the building that we are in very well, since 2015 I swore the day I was ready to open up my shop it was going to be at 96 Route 311 Carmel NY. I had no idea how and many times I wanted to approach the owner and ask but never did. One day I drove down route 311 and saw a for rent sign, I swung my car around and called the real estate agent, luckily I knew him and told him I needed him to take the sign off the building that I was going to take it over. Please understand by no means was I ready for this, nor was I ready for the next 7 months, however I was determined to accomplish this huge goal. I was unaware of what was needed to be done or the approvals that I needed but every day I was determined to figure it out, I learned so much through the entire process. It was a roller coaster of emotions and struggles and obstacles but with the right mindset and believing in yourself anything is possible. 
We are so grateful for the support we have received from such a great community. Im not sure what we plan on doing after this but I know it will be great. We thank you all for your continued support, reviews , referrals, and relationships we have built thus far. 

In order to understand the benefits of both of these products, you need to understand what they are made from, what they are made for, and the difference in application. Luckily, I have the answers for you and will break them down for a full understanding.

​

WHAT IS CARNAUBA WAX MADE FROM?
Carnauba wax is made from the tree Copernicia Prunifera Palm which are only grown in Brazil. In its raw form it is very hard and thick which would be impossible to apply to your cars paint so it is mixed with different oils that create a lubricant which then changes the natural products scent, color and durability which is why not every manufacturers wax is the same. 

WHY SHOULD I USE CARNAUBA WAX?
If you are looking for an amazing shine, high gloss and depth in color, along with a light sacrificial barrier between your cars paint and the outside elements then you may consider wax. It is extremely easy to apply using a simple pad, wax and clean microfiber rag to remove. 

If you are a car junkie and enjoy cleaning your car weekly or bi-weekly than this product is for you! Carnauba wax only lasts about 4 weeks so frequent applications are required. We mainly use two different types of wax Gliptone Carnauba Paste Wax  or if you are looking for a top notch wax that delivers an insane depth and gloss along with  protection we recommend Blackfire, it is carnauba wax mixed with mountain wax and synthetic polymers. 

WHY SHOULD I NOT CHOOSE CARNAUBA WAX?
To answer this question it is a very simple response. The car owners preference. If you are a car junkie and love seeing your car shiny, and looking its best at all times you will not mind washing and applying wax every 4 weeks. If you are going to car show to show of your pride and joy carnauba wax is what you are going to choose to show off the shine, gloss and depth. If you are looking for durability and long lasting protection than you are going to want to go with a sealant. Since carnauba wax is made up mostly of natural products it can not withstand heat and UV rays, and more or less evaporates from the cars surface. 

WHAT ARE SEALANTS MADE OUT OF?
Sealants are made of synthetic polymers that provide protection. Unlike wax it is not a naturally based product. In the past paint sealants were manufactured to mimic wax, however with the industries needs for a protectant that didn’t cost as much as ceramic coating the manufactures have improved the sealants ability by making most sealants silica based. 

​WHAT IS SILICA BASED?
Silica is the main compound found in glass, derived from sand quartz. Which when extracted is formed into a liquid that once it meets its intended surface along with air it is hardened to create a ceramic like barrier between the surface it is protecting and elements intended to cause harm. 
IS SEALANT LIKE CERAMIC COATING?
Sealants are not ceramic coating. It is diluted with other polymers meant for a quick and easy application. Sealants are much more durable than wax because they actually form a chemical bond with your cars paint. 
HOW ARE SEALANTS APPLIED?
Unlike wax, sealants are applied by using a buffer and pad, it is given about 20 minutes to cure and then wiped off using a microfiber rag. 
HOW LONG DO SEALANTS LAST?
Sealants can last up to 7 months and offer much more protection than your regular wax. The reason is because the polymers that are used to create the product are meant to withstand extreme heat, UV Rays, acid ran, and any other harsh components. Jescar Power Sealant for example is the product that we use. It was manufactured to protect Jet plains, and air craft through the harshest of climates. We have found that not only does this product have a long lasting durability, but it protects and creates an insane hydrophobic layer that lasts to protect.  
CAN WAX BE COMBINED WITH SEALANTS?
Yes. You will find that sealants do create a glossy finish but not compared to the shine and depth that carnauba wax offers. When we apply to sealants to a cars finish we also apply wax for the ultimate protection and shine. 

When I was introduced to the detailing industry about 14 years ago by my husband I truly had no interest in why or what detailing was. For me all I cared about was that the inside of my car was clean, vacuumed, smelling pretty and looking good. I took my car through car washes and thought that was acceptable for cleaning the exteriors. 
Since then I have learned the importance of exterior details, and how exterior details can help me maintain the value of my car. 

Fast forward to about a year ago when we were working in the shop and we had gotten really busy, my husband handed me a clay bar, some compound, polish and a buffer and decided it was time for me to learn the importance of exterior detailing. I manage all aspects of our business and it occurred to me how important it was for me to absorb everything I possibly could and learn the industry. So I got to work and completed my first exterior detail with an understanding exactly why all those components were necessary.  I left the shop feeling proud of my results and went and got my nails done. 
WHAT DOES MY NAILS HAVE TO DO WITH LEARNING ABOUT EXTERIOR DETAILS
Well, as I was getting my nails done I realized that the process they do to fill my acrylics and make my nails shiny and new is very similar to the same process I just did while preforming the exterior detail and suddenly it all made sense to me! 
GET READY TO BE AMAZED AND FULLY UNDERSTAND EXTERIOR DETAILING 
The first step to prepping a car for detailing is a wash (Not much to relate there) But step 2 is where the magic begins. Clay bar treatment! Claying a car removes all the stuck on the contaminants that the wash mitt couldn’t remove, the impeded particles of debris, rust and road grime that stick to your cars exterior. 

• Very similar to nail polish remover and the light filing necessary before applying your new coat of acrylic. 

Step 3 in an exterior detail is compounding down all the rough spots, and light surfaces from the cars paint. Compound is basically cutting into the top layer of clear coat to sand down the surface scratches and create a flat surface.

• Similar to after they apply your new coat of acrylic and they sand down and shape the acrylic to prepare for a new layer of polish. 

Step 4 in an exterior detail is polishing. Polishing a cars exterior assists in cleaning the exterior, creating a smooth flat surface and an insane depth in the shine of your cars paint. 

• Similar to when the nail tech buffs out does her last stage of filing and buffs out your nails, creating a smooth flat surface and ready for nail polish. 

Step 5 in an exterior detail is applying wax, sealant or ceramic coating. This step locks in the shine, protects the work that was just done, and creates a barrier between the cars clear coat and the outside elements.

• Similar to when they apply the clear coat on top of the nail polish. It is put on to create a depth in shine, and protection from chipping. 

THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TOP COAT 
Think of wax as just the normal clear coat nail polish they apply. It is the basic package. It offers protection, and shine at an affordable price, that lasts approximately 2 weeks until your nails start to dull and chip.  Same as the carnauba wax that is applied with exterior details, it is the basic protection, meant to last approximately 2 months, it is the basic, most affordable protection for the cars exterior. 

Now think of Ceramic coating as the Gel application of nail polish it offers a much more hardened layer of top coat that locks in shine and durability for up to 6 weeks ( I know my nails are going on 5 weeks LOL). It is a lot stronger than just clear nail polish, but costs you more initially. Now as opposed to getting your nails done every 2 weeks you are now able to get them done every 4-6 weeks. Similar to the difference of wax and ceramic coating, ceramic coating lasting up to 3 years with maintenance in between. To remove the gel from your nails the nail tech needs to file down the gel, just like removing of ceramic coating, the detailer needs to compound (sand down) the exterior to remove. 

WHAT IS CERAMIC COATING?
Ceramic coating is made up of silica. Silica is what glass is made up of. It is a compound found in sand quartz that is extracted and turned into liquid. Once the product is applied to its principal surface and meets the air it hardens to create a glass like barrier. It not only protects your cars exterior from contamination, industrial fall out, light surface scratches, the suns rays, and outside elements. It provides a long lasting durable shine for up to 3 years. 
HOW DO YOU CARE FOR CERAMIC COATING?
To ensure you are not wasting your time or your money please ensure to keep up with the maintenance for ceramic coating. Maintaining a ceramic coated car is much more easier than without it and here is why, contamination does not stick to the exterior of the paint as easy as clear coat on the car. This makes washing your car so much easier. As a professional detailer we recommend washing your vehicle at least once a week if not bi-weekly this ensures the elements do not have time to stick or contaminate the ceramic coating on the car. (we will talk about this later). A proper maintenance booster should be applied every 6 months to a year by a professional detailer. 
Do not drive your car through a tunnel wash as the brushes can still cause swirl marks and the soap will dull the cermaic coating. 
WHY WOULD YOU GET CERAMIC COATING 
For starters you would get ceramic coating on your car to protect your investment.
Ceramic coating is like adding a sacrificial hardened layer of clear coat to your paint. Cars coming out of factory today have minimal clear coat on them to protect your cars paint. 
If you are looking for an easy way to maintain your car.
Once ceramic coating is applied to your vehicle it makes it much easier to clean because debris does not stick to it as easily. It creates a hydrophobic barrier that deflects a lot of the outdoor elements.
You are looking for the ULTIMATE protection.
Ceramic coating offers better protection than other wax or selant. Outlasting either of those other products for years. Ceramic Coating can last anywhere from 3-5 with proper maintenace in betweeen. 
Depth in color and shine 
Ceramic coating offers an insane amount of depth in color and shine. Because it bonds with your paint it provides a glass like finish. After every wash it will look like it just came off the show room floor. 
You dont want swirl marks 
Lets be honest. Ceramic coating is NOT bullet proof however it is definitly harder to penetrate than the clear coat that is on your car. As long as you properly wash your ceramic coated car and maintain the ceramic coating you will find that you have a very clear surface. If you ever happen to notice light surface scratches or swirl marks a detailer can correct them rather quickly and not damage the original clear coat that is on your car. 
HOW DO THE ELEMENTS AFFECT MY CERAMIC COATING?

• THE SUNS RAYS- After you get a nice shiny added layer of ceramic coating to your paints surface it is as smooth and silky as can be, this allows the suns rays to hit your cars surface and bounce directly off in the same direction. If we add some layers of dirt, acid rain, industrial fall out, or any other contamination the sun is not able to directly bounce off and is now deterred by the elements on your car creating almost a bouncing affect of rays on your cars paint.  These bouncing rays can cause almost like hairline fractures in the ceramic coating, none of which you can see but over time will eat away at the ceramic coating. This is why proper washes and maintenance is required. 
• ACID RAIN- So if you are under the impression that ceramic coating protects you from the elements please remove that thought process. A clean surface provides a hydrophobic surface. Meaning it literally makes acid rain, mud, and hard water just bead up and slide off the surface. A contaminated surface reverses the hydrophobicity and makes cleaning your car harder to maintain. Again why proper washing is important. 

WHY DOES CERAMIC COATING COST SO MUCH?
The answer to this question is generalized in a few different parts. 

• The product by itself ranges from $100.00 to $500.00 and there is not only training but experience needed to be able to apply this product. 
• There are many hours that go into not only prepping the car but applying the product. The product also needs about 12 hours to sit and harden. 
• What costs more than the ceramic coating is the paint correction needed before applying. (a blog on paint correction coming soon). However with that said if you are happy with the way your cars paint looks we do not need to do any paint correction, however it is recommended to apply ceramic coating to a clean, flat surface. We offer different types of paint correction ranging from 50%-95%, and free estimates are available. 

WHO SHOULD GET CERAMIC COATING?

• If you care about the appearance of your car and want to maintain the value of your car than ceramic coating is right for you. 
• If you want to make washing your car more easier and protect your car from the elements along with a durable shine after a simple wash than ceramic coating is right for you. 
• If you just had your car repainted and want to maintain your cars new clear coat and correct any imperfections in the cars paint than ceramic coating is right for you!
• If you don’t want to deal with exterior details every 6 months or once a year, but still want that glossy finish after washing your car than ceramic coating is for you.

WHAT PRODUCTS DOES ULTIMATE AUTO DETAILING USE?
Ultimate Auto detailing uses a variety of products, we have been in the detailing industry for over 20 years and have tried and even tested hundreds of different products. The majority of the products that we use are by Gliptone, trusted, and recommended. 

• Ceramic coating- We use Gliptone GT Quartz
• ​Car Soap- Gliptone Foam Blizzard
• Spray Wax- Gliptone Body Gloss
• Ceramic Coating Extender- GT Ceramic Coating Extender