MOST COMMON CONCERNS WITH CUSTOMERS
There are three common concerns that my customers have with their car’s finish and they are fallout, micro scratches and water spots. If these concerns are not corrected they will likely shorten the life of your paint as well as your enthusiasm for your car.
1) In the last ten years you have probably heard the term fallout or industrial fallout used by a detailer. You will know if there is fallout on your finish by inspecting it after a thorough washing. When your car is clean, lightly rub the back of your hand across the hood of your car. If it feels a little rough you probably have fallout on your paint. If you look closely you will see a bunch of tiny specks and they won’t come off with a regular washing or even if you wax your car. If the fallout has been there a while, the specks will begin to rust and can eventually pit your clear coat. If you have fallout, the best way to remedy the problem is a professional clay bar. This clay process will remove the fallout and most everything else without removing any of your original paint or clear coat. A car that is professionally detailed with a clay bar will feel silky smooth and look better longer.
2) Micro scratches or spider webbing are common problems with today’s car finishes. The reason is that most cars today are finished with a clear coat. Clear coats do a great job of protecting the color coat from oxidation but the deeper shine shows more scratches. The darker the color, the more it shows off scratches and imperfections. Black cars are the worst in this regard. The most common mistake I’ve seen other detailer’s make is to use the wrong abrasive or a wool buff pad with a high speed polisher to remove scratches. What they leave behind is buffer swirls which many times look worse that the scratches did.
We only use clear coat compounds, polishes and glazes that are designed for today’s modern paint finishes. We also use a variety of foam pads as well as an orbital polisher to ensure a swirl free finish and the deepest shine possible.
2) Water spots are another culprit common to Southern California. We get our water from the Colorado River and it is full of dissolved minerals that cause the water spots. It doesn’t take long for water spots to damage your paint so they should be removed right away. The dissolved minerals act like a magnifying glass in the hot sun and can etch your paint leaving a permanent mark if they’re left there too long. When we remove water spots we use a chemical to remove the dissolved minerals, then we polish the surface usually removing all the damage. In a some cases the etching is too extensive to repair by polishing in which case we will let you know and give you our best recommendation.
What will a windshield repair look like when it’s done, will I still be able to see it?
We can usually clear up the appearance of the damaged area from 70% to 90% and give you a 100% guarantee that the crack or chip doesn’t spread. Every windshield crack is different . Determining factors are how long it’s been there, how much damage is present and if there is contamination in the damaged area. Usually the pit area of the repair will look like a small water spot so it will not be completely invisible.
If you can’t repair my windshield can you have it replaced?
Yes, we have expert technicians and use quality auto glass and urethane adhesives for your safety. All installations carry a guarantee against wind noise and water intrusion.
Can you come to my home or office and replace my windshield?
Yes we can deliver you the same convenient service for your auto glass needs as we have for your car’s appearance since 1980. In fact, the majority of windshield replacements are done on a mobile basis. The tools and equipment used to do windshield repairs and replacements are perfectly suited for mobile service. So why drop off your car or wait around in a glass shop?
How long will it take to replace my windshield and how soon can I drive my car after it‘s been replaced?
It usually takes about an hour to replace your windshield, and about another hour for the adhesive to cure to a point where it is safe to drive your vehicle. In total, you should plan on letting your vehicle sit for two to two and a half hours