What Happens at a Detail.........

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 The first thing we do is a complete evaluation of the vehicle. We will take a total of 7 photos capturing each side and panel of your vehicle.  This is for liability purposes, but also because your vehicle's finished product is something that we take pride in.  If there is any noticeable or "major" damages, we ask if you are aware of them before allowing you to part from your vehicle. 

We then get to work, sometimes there are two technicians working on a vehicle, other times only one. I can assure you the number of technicians working on a vehicle does not cut the time in half but the efficiency with which the job is completed.

 Using my special tools and awesome products we will clean your vehicle of dirt and road grime, both inside and out and in detail. We have people ask us all the time why the price for an auto detail isn't the same or as close as  the price of a car washing service. But the answer comes  when you understand the difference between a Professional auto detail and a car wash.  

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An auto detail is much different from a car wash.

Consider a car wash, a surface cleanse, while a

detail is much deeper than just the surface. 

A professional detail is done by an experienced

technician. Here at Cupid's we make sure we have

the right certifications that allow us to offer products

and services that are not sold in a store.

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A car washing service can be completed in 1-2 hours, but you can't be entirely sure what is being used on your vehicle. The phone call to Cupid's is in itself a guarantee that your car will be cared for as if it were our own. We have partnered with Carfax in order to register the services we complete on your vehicle to help keep your vehicle's resale value as high as possible.

 

We take our time on your vehicle and leave no part of your vehicle forgotten. Your chosen package can take anywhere from 3-12 hours. Our goal is to not simply surface clean and make your vehicle pleasurable to look at, we want to get your car cleaned and as close to showroom floor ready as possible. Your vehicle is an investment, every mile driven in your vehicle brings down the value of this investment, but so does your vehicle's maintenance. A car which has not been maintained properly can take thousands of your resale value.  This is why you must be knowledgeable when it comes to professional auto detailing. Don't be fooled by a bucket of soap and a sponge. Know what happens at a professional car detail

and avoid "buyers remorse"

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When you bring your vehicle to Cupid's you can rest assured that our knowledge and experience will create a solution that you and your budget will be happy with.

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Cupid's Knows............

 

Paint Care

The paint on your car is a very delicate thing, and here at Cupid's we deal with it in a three step process that cleans, corrects and protects the paint surface. Technology has reached as far as our profession and the days of "wax on, wax off" has been exchanged for ceramics, hybrid and liquid waxes.  It is important to fully understand each step and the desired outcome.

                  The cleaning step consists of more than just washing and drying the car to remove any dirt and grime.  The goal is to remove any surface contaminant that is not part of your vehicles paint job and make note of any imperfections that need to be corrected.

                 During a complete detail a clay bar application, which removes contaminants in the clear coat such as industrial fallout, metal particles, dirt and tar is completed. 

                 Once this has been done, if needed, the paint will be polished to remove any swirl marks and fine scratches which were noticed during the first two steps.

                  Your car can then be sealed, waxed, glazed and coated.  Always keep in mind that what your vehicle looks like, whatever contaminants may have found their way onto your vehicles surface is what you are sealing into your vehicles clear coat for the next 3-6 months.

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Chassis and Wheels

The undercarriage and chassis of your car should be cleaned along with the rest of the exterior. This not only includes directly under the car, but also inside the wheel wells and around the major suspension components such as anti roll bars and control arms. The plastic splash guards and inner fender liners should be dressed with a plastic protectant, and wheels and tires should be washed thoroughly before being dressed in a protectant that improves their luster and protects from corrosion and cracking.

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Headlights, Taillights and Exterior Trim

Many detailing services will apply a polishing compound to headlights and taillights showing signs of oxidation, but properly sealing them after wards with a plastic sealant is an important step. Chrome trim should be cleaned, and any vinyl or plastic trim should be dressed with a protectant to help them resist cracking and fading. In addition to plastics and rubbers, many detailing services also clean the chrome or polished exhaust tips as part of their service.

 

Interior Detailing

Interior detailing should at minimum include a cleaning of all carpeting and seating surfaces. This is done either by shampooing or by using a steam cleaner. In addition, all plastics and vinyl should be properly cleaned and dressed, and any leather should be conditioned and cleaned. This is not limited to the passenger area, and many thorough services will also include the trunk area in the detailing package.

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Engine Bay
While many detailing services may not include this in their standard packages, it is a very important aspect of automotive detailing. The engine bay should be lightly misted with water, and then cleaned with a suitable degreaser before being rinsed clean. Once properly dried, all silicone, plastic and rubber components should be properly dressed to protect them from cracking.

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Paint Restoration Services Explained

 

Here at cupid's we want to provide our clients with the absolute best service possible.  With the best service comes a knowledgeable staff. I want to explain our paint restoration services and what each stage means.

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While I cannot pretend to know what car paint was like 30 years ago, because i never have worked on a classic.  I do know what a modern day factory paint job is and after hearing that "Old school" paint jobs were done using enamels and acrylics I can understand the differences. Today's paint jobs are painted with 2 stage paints which are supposed to be easier to care for and maintain.  Our cars are painted their base color (after the primer) and then covered with a clear coat layer.

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     All a clear coat is, is a layer of car paint with no color.

 

The difference between single-stage paint and 2-stage paint is that Clear coats don't actually oxidize in a way that single stage paint jobs do. When a single stage paint begins to oxidize, your cherry red will turn more of a pinkish color. Oxidation causes clear coats to become dull, dry and eventually completely burn out with absolutely no shine or start to lift and blister.

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The different stages of restoration simply are describing the number of polishing pad combos which are used to complete the job for example;

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Stage 1 Paint Correction is pretty self explanatory and is included in most detailing packages. After a vehicles wash, rinse and clay bar treatment we polish the paint work in one step using one type of polish and pad combo. Generally this is intended for a well maintained vehicle.  We are simply refining the paint work with a finishing polish and a finishing pad that is not abrasive enough to remove any cosmetic blemishes.  We finish with either a hybrid liquid wax or a ceramic sealant (your choice) .

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How to Choose a Car Detailing Service

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When you wish to employ a car detailing service you can take the word of former customers, you can look them up in your local phone book and take your chances or you can review them online and see if your choice is BBB certified. Everyone will have different needs when employing a car detailing service. You'll want to know if they have different packages, and whether they have adequate facilities. Here are some things you'll want to explore when choosing a car detailing service.

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Features Wanted
Depending on the features that you require in your car detailing, you should shop around for those detailers that can provide you with what you want. If you're looking for a simple car wash and vacuum, you might consider concentrating your efforts on a company that has more modest offerings. With a company that provides expansive services, you will find that their rates may not be as reasonable.

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Affiliations

Many businesses become affiliated with companies that certify the responsibility and reliability of businesses. Organizations like the Better Business Bureau are reliable sources of information on car detailing companies. Ones that are reputable will join these organizations in order to advertise through their services, and validate their product and services.

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