It's been a spectacular week. Rain, then sun and spring finally showed itself in the great white north of North Dakota!
Friday/Monday I worked on a 2011 Camaro SS convertible for a customer that has taken good care of his vehicle. It's his baby and "...lives a pampered life" in my customer's words. However, the paint still incurred swirls and mild scratches in 11 years of life via many factors and needed a polish.
Tuesday I received a restored early 70's Chevelle with cool factor galore. Unfortunately it had been victimized in the shop it was stored at when bedliner was applied to a trailer floor, and the overspray settled in on the paint job. Enter me. Hand wash, chemical decontamination, an aggressive clay bar to remove surface contaminants, and then discover the overspray has crosslinked/bonded with the clear coat. The result is a two-stage paint correction. One to "cut" the contamination out of the clear coat, and two to polish the marring from the first stage and make the paint look good again.
Thursday, a used Chrysler 300 but a "new" vehicle to its owner. He wanted a "solid" interior cleaning and when he picked it up, asked about scheduling next month and the price for a ceramic coating and his options.
Friday, I received a well-used, and loved, boat with many years on her. Having been left in the water and sun, the mineral deposits were significant. When the deposits are this collected and hardened, there is only one way to remove it - acid. I tackled this boat detail like any other, giving it a hand wash, clay bar, then cut and polished the paint to get some shine back to the hull and outboard. Now the fun part, moving the boat outside to sand down mineral deposits that were easily reached, and attacking them with acid. After several hours of spraying acid, scrubbing, rinse with water, and repeat the deposits were removed. Unfortunately, the paint ended up with permanent damage from the sediments being bonded for so long.
Saturday I met with a gentleman who has a new ice castle and wants it ceramic coated to protect their investment for the long-term since it sits outside year-round. That afternoon, I met with a return customer about ceramic coating his new pickup.
So what do all of these things have in common? An ounce of prevention. Protecting and caring for your investment(s) does a lot for the on-going value of your vehicle, "toys", or passion. A small up-front cost can save hundreds and thousands further down the road. Simple things like using high quality clean microfiber towels to wash and dry your vehicle will keep it from scratching & swirling. Regular washing and protecting will keep sediment from attaching, or building up, on a boat or vehicle. Installing a ceramic coating on a new boat, RV, vehicle, etc. is the perfect time, will make maintenance effortless, and protect the value for the long-term as well.
Commentaires