Joins us on our guide to an Audi Q7 receiving a Deluxe Full Valet service by Marque 2 Valeting and Detailing.
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The Q7 was in desperate need for some TLC after only having cursory, non-professional cleans at "pop up" car wash outfit.
Snow Foam
Before we physically touch your vehicle we will pre-wash with Snow Foam to remove as much of the dirt and contaminants from your vehicle.
Pre-washing the vehicle involves ridding the car of dirt and other loose pollutant chemicals from the paint surfaces before you carry out a hand wash on the car. It softens dirt and surrounds the larger particles drawing these away from the surface of the paintwork and wheels. This includes traffic film, grit, bugs and bird droppings.
The Snow Foam we use is a new generation premium quality, foaming water-based pre wash treatment, designed to soak and saturate soiled vehicle paintwork prior to the application of vehicle shampoo and paint food. The foam is gentle specifically formulated for use with all pressure washer foam lances. Applied at a typical PIR (Panel Impact Ratio) of 4%, auto-foam will panel dwell for typically 5 minutes. Snow Foam is formulated specifically to offer maximum wetting, it rinses easily too.
Your vehicle will then be rinsed from the bottom to the top in a methodical process that prevents those missed areas.
Tyres and Alloy Wheels:
We use a non-acid, non-alkaline alloy wheel cleaner, and in over 90% of cases no agitation is required. Where additional treatment is required we will use a soft brush treatment.
Our pH neutral formulation reacts with the oxidising surface of the metallic particles rendering it water soluble, the rapid removal of this microscopically rusted surface reduces the embedded particle size and releases it from the surface. Unlike acid based alloy wheel cleaners, this method is harmless to the wheel’s finish. The reaction is seen by a rapid colour change from clear to deep red. After a simple hose, rinse down or jet-wash it leaves the wheel spotless. In severe cases the included wheel brush can be used to assist the process.
As vehicles brake, the dust generated from pads, discs and drums are at high temperatures, producing a hot cloud of thousands of hot metallic particles, these bombard the wheels finish and effectively embed themselves on to the wheel.
Once lodged these particles are extremely difficult to remove. Acid based alloy wheel cleaners attack these metal particles effectively, reducing its size - allowing the particles and dirt clinging to it to escape. Caustic alloy cleaners are less effective than acid ones on brake dust, but can attack organic coatings such as lacquers and paints on short exposure, they attack any organic matter accumulated around the embedded particles and produce a seemingly clean surface, however with continued use they will dull and diminish the coating, leaving a wheel surface that needs refinishing.
In most cases steel and alloy wheels are either lacquered or painted. These coatings protect the metallic surface from corrosion and provide the attractive finishes to automotive road wheels.
After the foam wash and wheels are prepped we will wash down with a pressure washers to remove the foam and residual contaminants.
Micro Fibre Cloths and mits
We only use very high quality micro-fibre, deep-pile, soft and durable micro fibre cloth.
This cloth is 60x40cm, ultra-soft, machine washable and an ultrafine micro-fibre.
Using 70% Polyester and 30% Polyamide - with soft overlocked. The cloth is highly absorbent and the micro-fibres draw particulate matter into the cloth.
QD Polish Marque2 Valeting will then apply a concentrated quick detailer spray incorporating unique charged polymers suspended particulate matter to protect highly finished automotive paints from hologram scratching.
So between washing the product acts as an effective "waterless wash" product, saving time and water, but preventing cob-web scratching that can be imparted by non-charged products.
The high-shine imparted protects and beautifies paintwork, inhibits UV degradation and oxidisation.
It also very effectively preserves previously applied last stage products (LSP's) such as waxes and sealers like cleanser-polish, auto-balm, finish-wax, hydra-wax and micro-fine. Water based and safe for all automotive paint finishes, the polish does not result in chemical build-up or dusty chalky residue.
Another benefit is that it will effectively clean paintwork after compounding stages and does not mark or stain plastic trim, rubber or composites and will impart protection and sheen, quickly reviving gloss and preventing water spotting.
Cleaning door shuts
One of the areas often missed or overlooked when cleaning a car are the door shuts and are included in the Full Valet.
Once we have snow foamed the bodywork and removed any loose items, leaves or litter we will clean all the shuts, fuel door enclosure with a wash mitt and shampoo solution using the two bucket system. We may use a de-greasing solution and soft bristle brush, should it be required, to remove any stubborn dirt.
The shuts will be closed after cleaning and rinsing and complete a final rinse to the bodywork. When the final bodywork rinse has been completed we will re-open the shuts and dry them with a micro fibre towel.
If we regularly maintain your vehicle the shuts may only require a simple maintenance programme.
Tar, Tree Sap and adhesives removal
We will use a fast-acting solvent based formula used after washing and before potential claying / polishing to remove any organic contaminants. It will be used on a dry vehicle, working on a single panel, allowing 30-60 seconds for the formula to work. Finally we will wipe with a micro fibre cloth and then rinse with water.
Polish
We will then apply a revolutionary mist and wipe product that works like a spray detailer while enhancing wax protection. Hydrophobic Polymer Technology delivers an incredibly high surface tension which adds protection and causes water to bead relentlessly - wash after wash!
Auto Glass.
Using the right materials and techniques we will clean your auto glass with care.
Where appropriate we will always use an ammonia-free and alcohol-free cleaner. Using ammonia in a car’s interior can dehydrate the materials and cause cracks and discoloration.
Tinted windows in particular will require ammonia free cleaners.
Using electrostatic charged microfibre towels create applying the cleaner to the cloth, as oppose to directly to the glass, we will remove particulates from your glass. If there are sticky residues we will apply a mineral spirit or grease remover.
Using separate towels to apply and remove cleaning products using a straight up-and-down motion, rather than buffing in circles, regularly changing the micro-fibre cloths as required to reduce the risk of cross contamination.
Starting with the windows on the driver and passenger side doors, we will wind the windows down to get the glass that is hidden when windows are completely rolled up. Then roll the windows back up to finish cleaning the window.
Move around the outside of the car we will clean the windshield and any side glass and mirrors.
INTERIOR:
Depending upon the severity of the dirt inside the car we will determine where to start, there may be occasions where the carpets need to be cleaned last.
We will remove all accumulated objects, sliding the seats forward and backward to check for hidden lost items.
Floor Mats
Where practical the floor mats will be removed and extensively hoovered. Dirt can become trapped between the fibres and grooves.
Once all the mats are dirt-free we will shampoo them allowing them to air-dry completely.
Carpet
The carpet will be hoovered using various nozzles of different shapes and sizes to clean crevices and areas around the seats.
The carpets will be shampooed with a spray on combined cleaner and deodorant with a little elbow grease to remove problem stains etc. Any residual cleaner will be removed and the carpet dried. For difficult stains we will apply a specialized cleaning product.
Leather
Regular cleaning will prevent your upholstery from becoming permanently discoloured or wearing too quickly and will help to increase the value of your car.
Different techniques will be applied depending upon the material used for the upholstery; Leather, Vinyl and cloth all require a different cleaning process. While leather can be good at repelling stains, it can also be delicate and prone to abrasions, so we will be especially gentle when vacuuming it with a plastic nozzle.
Whether you have cloth car seats or leather upholstery, it’s bound to get dirty as you and your passengers spend time in the car, regardless of whether you spill drinks or drop crumbs. We take special care to clean the cup holders, removing any removable parts to thoroughly clean tops and bottoms (Often over-looked by other companies.
We will initially vacuum the leather seats to remove debris embedded in the upholstery and then apply a leather-cleaning compound to feed, nourish and help keep the material supple, worked into the material by gently rubbing with a micro fibre towels.
Vinyl Seats and trims
Following the vacuum process we will use a cleaner that is compatible with vinyl upholstery. Once the cleaner has been applied we will wipe down the seats using clean micro fibre cloths.
Fabric Seats
We will first remove any large items of debris from the seats and will investigate if there are any stains pet hair or odour that will require special treatment. Our choice of cleaning product will be determined by the condition of the fabric.
We will only use the amount of cleaning fluid that is appropriate for the upholstery condition, working small areas at a time, leaving it to work for a few minutes ensuring it will dry completely.
Facia Air Vents and Console
The facia represents one of the more difficult elements to clean due to difficult parts, vents and the angle of the screen and is very often the dirtiest part of the dashboard.
Once vacuumed we will apply an interior cleaning compound appropriate for the material used to help protect it from fading, cracking and sunlight.
Interior Fresh Spray
We will apply an odour-eliminating spray, guaranteed to leave the inside of your car smelling and feeling fresh.
Door Panels
The door panel may be the same material as the upholstery so the same cleaning procedure will be adopted, cleaning out open compartments, cup holders etc.
For further information contact Mark at Marque2 Valeting and Detailing at: