Exterior Detailing SERVICE IN HENRICO, VA

The goal of an Exterior Auto Detailing job on your Richmond vehicle is to:

Bring out the maximum shine and luster of the paint finish.

Remove or minimize (not hide) light surface scratches and imperfections.

Apply a protective paint sealant.

Meticulously clean, revitalize, and protect every inch of the exterior surface, including the trim, glass, wheels, door jambs, fender-wells, and tires.

WHICH LEVEL OF EXTERIOR DETAILING DOES YOUR CAR NEED?

Option 1: Express Plus Exterior

Express-Plus Maintenance Wax is a “while-you-wait” service. We get you in, out, and on your way as soon as possible. The average Express-Plus Exterior Auto Detail in Richmond takes between 1 to 3 hours, depending on the size of your vehicle. It is designed for the busy, on-the-go auto enthusiast who doesn’t need a full detail and can’t give up their car for an entire day. Express-Plus is recommended for newer model vehicles without paint defects such as oxidation and surface scratching.

The Express-Plus Exterior package has the option of an Express-Plus Interior cleaning as well. Like the Express Exterior Package, Express Interior is for newer cars in very good to excellent condition. Vehicles must qualify or the service.
Visit our Interior Detailing section for more details.

The Express Plus Exterior Detailing package includes:

• Car wash by hand.Cleaning the face of rims and fender-wells.
• Removing minor bug and tar residue.
• Claying the paint surface to remove impurities, leaving a smooth finish.
• Applying premium quality carnauba wax to fully protect and maintain the finish.
• Upgrading to a premium longer-lasting quality polymer sealant to fully protect and maintain the finish (optional).
• Cleaning door jambs.
• Dressing the tires.
• Cleaning glass to a crystal clear shine.

OPTION 2:  CUSTOM EXTERIOR DETAILING

Custom Exterior Detailing goes beyond a superficial shine. Our experienced, highly trained technicians assess every inch of your automobile from bumper to bumper, making sure even areas invisible to the eye are thoroughly cleaned, polished, and protected. This assessment determines the amount of time we need (usually 4-8 hours), what technical process we use, and the type of chemicals and tools that are required to fix the problems. You may have heard this service referred to as “paint correction.”

Each Custom Exterior Detail includes:

• A thorough evaluation of the condition of your paint finish including an analysis of the paint type and thickness.
• An inspection of current and previous damage like paint cracking, peeling, flaking, delamination, or after-market repainting.
• An analysis of oxidation, weathering, staining, water spots, damage from acid rain, industrial fallout, etching from bird droppings, scratches, over-spraying of paint, rust, micro scratches, orange peel, swirl and bar marks, and bonded contaminants.
• Condition of exterior plastics, rubber trim, chrome, and glass.
• Any special preparation that is required.

OPTION 3:  RESTORATIVE DETAILING

OPTION 4:  CONCOURS DETAILING

OUR PROCESS

• Hand Wash: Using the softest microfiber towels and pH-neutral “finish friendly” car wash soap, Astonishing Detail hand-washes the surface to remove dirt and environmental contaminants.
• Door Jambs, Wheel Wells, Rims, Exhaust Pipes, and Tire Cleaning: Astonishing Detail removes impacted brake dust and dirt build-up in crevices and rubber trim. We polish, paint, and clear coat all chrome or metal surfaces including exhaust pipes. We then pressure wash and scrub the tires, white walls, wheel wells, mud-guards, and rocker panels.
• Vinyl or Fabric Top Wash and Protection: We use special cleaning procedures to clean vinyl, fabric, and white convertible tops. We also apply protection products to repel water from both vinyl and fabric tops.
• Paint Finish Pre-Cleaning: Remove tree sap, road tar, insect fluids, industrial fallout, and contaminants not removed during the wash phase, using appropriate products. We will also remove bumper stickers and decals upon request.
• Taping Trim: Masking all black or chrome trim pieces for protection during the detailing process.
• Clay Bar: Astonishing Detail technicians hand clay bar the paint finish to remove embedded contaminants, leaving the paint a silky smooth finish.
• Paint Compounding, Polishing, or Jeweling: Depending on the service selected, we will use different procedures for removing and minimizing paint imperfections, cloudiness, oxidation, scratches, spider-webbing, etc. Astonishing Detail restores your paint to a smooth, brilliant gloss, free of swirl marks.

Ceramic Coating:

Durability: Offers the longest-lasting protection, typically lasting years.

Composition: Made from liquid polymers that bond with the paint to create a permanent or semi-permanent layer.

Protection: Provides superior resistance to scratches, chemical etching, and environmental contaminants.

Hydrophobic Properties: Highly water-repellent, making it easier to clean and maintain the vehicle’s shine.

Polymer Sealant:

Durability: Lasts longer than traditional waxes, usually several months.

Composition: Synthetic polymers that form a protective layer over the paint.

Protection: Offers good resistance to UV rays, heat, and environmental contaminants, but not as robust as ceramic coatings.

Application: Easier and quicker to apply than ceramic coatings, providing a high-gloss finish.

Carnauba Wax:

Durability: Provides the shortest protection, typically lasting a few weeks to a couple of months.

Composition: Made from natural carnauba wax, often blended with other natural and synthetic waxes.

Protection: Offers a deep, warm shine but less protection against scratches and contaminants compared to sealants and coatings.

Application: Requires frequent reapplication to maintain protection and shine.

In summary, ceramic coatings offer the best and most long-lasting protection, polymer sealants provide a balance of protection and ease of application, and carnauba wax delivers a classic, high-gloss finish but needs regular maintenance

. Hard-to-Get-to Surfaces: Some areas of your automobile are difficult to clean thoroughly. Astonishing Detail technicians dig down into the cracks, crevices, between panels, into the rubber trim, front grill, around logos and emblems, around the fuel door, keyholes, wiper blades, door handles, and the antennae.

Exterior Glass, Plastic, and Mirrors: Astonishing Detail cleans glass and mirrors until they are crystal clear, and polishes plastic, chrome, and trim, to a shine.

Exterior Protective UV Dressing: Treated with a protective rubber and plastic UV protective dressing, faded plastic bumpers (Visit our Bumper Repair page for more information), rubber seals, molding, and tires are restored to their natural luster. A UV protective water-repellent dressing makes your fabric convertible tops good as new.

SPECIAL EXTERIOR SERVICES

Engine Detailing:  Visit our Engine & Undercarriage section for more information.

Air Intake Plenum Cleaning:  Located under the front windshield and covered by a mesh screen that covers the air intake channel leading into the car’s interior, over time, leaves and debris accumulate under the plenum, blocking drain holes. This trapped debris is a breeding ground for dampness causing mold and mildew. Musty odors enter your compartment through this ventilation system. Astonishing Detail clears away any debris causing this problem.

Sunroof Weep Hole Cleaning:  Located at the four corners of your sun-roof, over time, leaves, twigs, and debris clog these weep holes (drain holes) causing water to leak into the passenger cabin, resulting in mold and mildew damage.

Undercarriage Pressure Washing:  We high-pressure wash the undercarriage to remove dirt and road salt. Visit our Engine & Undercarriage section for more information.

Overspray Removal:  Astonishing Detail removes industrial fallout, latex paint, roofing material, sap, pollen, etc.

Paint Touch-up:  Visit our Paint Touch-up section for more information.

Paintless Dent Repair:  Visit our PDR section for more information.

Bumper Repair:  Visit our Bumper Repair section for more information.

Door Edge Guards:  Door edge guards protect against door chips.

Headlight Polishing:  Visit our Headlight Restoration section for more information.

Glass Chip Repair:  Visit our Windshield Repair section for more information.

Trim Repainting:  Astonishing Detail can repaint any faded or damaged exterior trim.