5 Tips for Clean Glass

Our chilly season is here, and that means more time spent inside our vehicles. The more use your car sees, especially with cold weather and defroster use, the more attention we need to pay to our glass and windows. As glass gets cold, moisture clings to it when exposed to warmer air on the other side. As our automotive glass isn't a vacuum dual pane, like our house glass, it condenses water on it, or "fogs up" when cold. This causes us to warm up the car, turn on the defrost, and clear our view.

This procedure allows dirty air and interior particulate to create a film over time on the interior of our windshield and glass. If you have a new car, the off-gassing of the interior materials as they cure leaves films too.  Even breathing, talking ( and sneezing!) leaves deposits on the windshield. And when was the last time you looked up and checked your sunroof? Believe it or not, almost every vehicle we see that has one, has dirty glass. This is also caused by our body sweat and heads as we drive. Just come back from a run or gym workout? Your head will evaporate sweat and it will stick to the coolest, closest thing, the sunroof glass. Who knew detailing was so scientific?!  Did you know that a clean inner windshield fogs up less, and clears quicker than a dirty one? This is because the water droplets have less to grab on to.

We hear from out clients that cleaning the glass is the hardest part of keeping up a vehicle, so we are here to help. Check out our video we made several years back, and follow along step by step. Once you master this, you'll have clear vision all year long. And, your cold mornings will be a little less stressful!

5 Tips for Clean Glass

#1 - Use Automotive Glass Cleaner

cleaning glass

Using cheap household brands for auto glass is a bad choice. These often contain harsh chemicals and additives that aren't suitable for sensitive automotive surfaces, like plastics and window tint.

The ammonia found in products like Windex for example will negatively effect rubber seals and window tint. So stick to a high quality automotive or similar product and you'll be set. We sell cleaner if you need to pick any up.

#2 - Use a Microfiber Towel

The old trick of using newspaper to clean windows is no longer great. Stick to a high quality microfiber towel that traps grease and dirt, and also absorbs cleaners better. These wont scratch, and they're reusable and washable. Better cleaning and better value. Using two towels like in our video is the top way to clean too.

#3 - Don't Clean in Direct Sunlight

Sure, the sun doesn't hide any spots you may have missed. But the heat from the sun can cause the cleaner to dry too soon, and leave streaks. Clean your glass in a shaded, cool spot and you will have optimum conditions for perfect clarity. Use a flashlight if you have to as a check for missed spots.

#4 - Clean Often

Keeping on top of your window cleaning should be done every month at minimum. Your windows are what let you see the world around you. If you only cleaned your sunglasses once a year, do you think they'd be pretty filthy? So keeping up with the glass is a small price to pay for improved safety, visibility and maintenance.

#5 - Use your A/C While Defrosting

This lesser known tip will help dehumidify the interior air of your car while you defrost/defog. By turning the heat and fan on full, and having the AC on (it will still blow hot, don't worry) this removes the excess moisture from the interior, and cuts down on the time it takes to clear your windows.  And, make sure you turn OFF the recirculate setting, as we want less humid exterior air to enter the car and replace the humid interior stuff. Use this tip with clean glass and you'll be the fastest defroster on the street!

What We've Been Working On

This Ducati Supersport 950S came in for a full paint correction and professional Ceramic Coating to help protect it's delicate red paint, and make cleaning and maintenance a breeze! We do all makes and models of bikes!

Product Spotlight

CarPro's new dQuartz is a revolutionary new Installer-only ceramic coating that will be released in early 2023. We will have access to this product soon, and it will be sold as an add on to Cquartz Professional and Cquartz Finest Reserve coatings, paired with a 2 year warranty extension. From CarPro:

" Car paints are getting softer and softer, and we have finally developed technology to combat this. DQUARTZ is the first ever ceramic coating, which utilises Functionalised Detonation Nano Diamond Powder.
How does the magic work?
The carefully controlled size and spherical shape of our nano diamond particles in combination with their activated surface structures allow the diamonds to electrostatically bind to other ingredients of the coating, as well as the surface itself.
Functionalised Detonation Nano Diamond Powder helps create an extremely hard coating, which offers resistance to swirls and scratches.

Top 5 Worst Things to Use on Your Car

As our great summer weather begins to change, we hope all of you were able to get the most out of your vehicles this season, and enjoy them during the best time of year.

Today September 14th marks the 5th Birthday for Stellar Finish, and we are excited to have had you all along for the ride! Many vehicles and clients later, we are beyond humbled by the support you have shown us when it comes to keeping your rides looking their best. Here's to you, as we couldn't have come this far without you!

For this quarter's newsletter, we will be focusing on the Top 5 Worst Things you can use on your vehicle when it comes to caring for it. Read along and we hope that this helps you care for your car in the best way!

Top 5 Things To Use On Your Car

#1 - The California Car Duster

car duster

These seemingly harmless dusters look super soft and perfect for removing all that dust that has settled on the surfaces of the car. However, don't be fooled by their false marketing claim that they're "scratch free."

These are terrible for trapping dirt and grit at their tips, and dragging it around the paint, causing swirls and moderate scratches with little effort. Because they aren't able to be properly cleaned, and usually live in the dirty trunk of most cars, they continue to build up dirt in the fibres and only get worse.

Solution

Use a soft microfiber cloth and detail spray to lightly wipe your car instead. This safely lifts dirt rather than wiping it all over without a lubricant. This isn't a replacement for washing your car when it's dirty, but is great for very light dust and fingerprints.

#2 - The Car Wash Brush

While usually marketed as "scratch free" or "super soft, gentle bristles", these notorious tools are nothing but bad news for your paint. These brushes are commonplace in every garage and car wash station. While great for scrubbing your deck, they are terribly abrasive on your delicate car paint.

The stiff bristles drag dirt across the surface, rather than trapping it deep in a wash mitt fibre, thus creating substantial, uniform brush marks and scratches all over the car. Each year, we repair tens of thousands of dollars worth of brush mark damage on cars that could have been safely washed instead with other methods.

While they may be easier to use due to their handle, the should be left alone. Dealerships are usually the most notorious for using them as they have large volumes of cars to clean, and this makes it quick for them.

Solution

Use a soft microfiber wash mitt and 2 bucket method to hand wash your car. As we have preached and demonstrated many times before, this is the ultimate and safest way to clean your ride and minimize damage to the paint!

#3 - The Automatic Car Wash

automatic car wash

Looks can be deceiving! While easy, time efficient and stress free, automatic car washes are very bad for your car's finish.

Much like the brush is bad for the paint already, imagine a giant spinning roll of sandpaper abrading your car from all sides while you sip your coffee and listen to the radio in the dry, quiet safety of it's interior. Little do you know that you've added thousands of dollars worth of damage to your car, for only a few bucks!

Whenever we drive past the Gorge Rd. car wash and it's lined up down the street, we get shivers. The spinning roller type washes are extremely aggressive for obvious reasons. And, their close cousin, the "Touchless car wash" is just as bad.

While no roller is used, the caustic, high alkaline soaps and chemicals used in these wash tunnels will begin to damage your paint and delicate plastics and metal trim in a short time, if used repeatedly. And, the ultra high pressure jets of water and dryer air have been known to damage and rip off pieces of cars and paint without you even knowing.

They also do not remove 100% of the dirt, leaving you with a less than satisfactory clean overall. Having done tests, we can assure you that your paint will even get scratches from a touchless wash. Trust us.

Solution

Again, use a soft microfiber wash mitt and 2 bucket method to hand wash your car. Yes, it takes longer and is another chore. But, you'll be looking after your expensive investment with the best products for it, and it will continue to look great for years! We even sell full wash kits so you don't have to think about what is OK to use. Pick one up and you're good to go!

#4 - Armor All

armor all

It's been around for decades. It lurks in the dusty shelves of your garage. It smells good, and the label has you fooled.

ArmorAll is not your friend though. While protective dressings are great to use when necessary, the brand and chemical composition is very important. ArmorAll brand protectants are generally silicone based, and therefore make the surface very shiny and slick. This might be what you're after, but we advise you against it.

Interior dressings, for example, should be dry to the touch after, not be slippery, and maintain a semi factory matte appearance. ArmorAll will always appear wet, will attract dust and dirt like a magnet, will degrade your plastics, haze your windows, and be slippery and dangerous if applied to the wrong surface.

Solution

Use a higher quality trim and panel dressing that is water based! These will give you a better look, feel and overall experience than cheap silicone based dressings. And, when it comes time to clean and reapply, they come off easy and with no residue or fuss. We are always happy to recommend what will work best for you.  

#5 - Silicone Tire Dressing

silicone tire dressing

Much like cheap interior sprays and dressings, silicone tire dressings are one of the biggest pains we deal with each day here.

Personally, we like the look of satin black tires. Not the "see yourself in the mirror" type glossy tire dressings. These look cheap, will fling off, and also turn sticky and brown over time.

They can usually be found in aerosol cans, and therefore will over spray onto your wheel, fender, paint and brakes when applied. That's bad, mmmkaay. And silicone is very hard to remove compared to other types. So, that being the case, most will just continue to layer more and more on top.

We have actually scraped off a 1/2' thick layer of this before with a putty knife on a clients tires. So, let's do it better.

Solution

Use a high quality water based tire dressing that's made to keep your tire and rubber looking black and clean, not shiny and brown like dirty motor oil. Applying it with a foam block or brush will get it where it needs to go, and nowhere else. And, when its run it's course, they come clean with water and a light degreaser or wheel cleaner, and you're ready for a fresh application, not another caked on layer.

What We've Been Working On

This 2013 SRT Viper GTS L/E came to us for a perfection detail and paint sealant. #99/150 means there are few in existence, and we are always fortunate to work on such prized vehicles!

Product Spotlight

carpro hydr02 light
HydrO2 LIte is CarPro's wipe-less spray sealant that gives you long lasting, impressive water beading and protection, with the ease of a spray and rinse application. 3-6 months of durability, and the perfect maintenance product for ceramic coatings or well cared for vehicles. Purchase within.

How To Properly Wash Your Car

Our sunny local weather has definitely been unseasonably late. Our wet and cold Winter, and cooler Spring months have meant that many of us have opted to leave the car unwashed for longer than normal. We hear the line "It's just going to get dirty again" every week. And we totally get it. But, regular washing of your vehicle is just as important as changing the oil and rotating the tires, as it preserves the appearance and aids in the longevity of the exterior components. Leave it too long, and you'll regret it down the road.

So now that the weather is getting warmer, and the sun is sticking around more, we thought it would be fitting to release our new video on the Proper Way To Wash Your Car. This covers every step from start to finish when it comes to a wash, so you can feel comfortable doing so in your own driveway.

Check it out, learn from it, and let us know what you think!

What We've Been Working On

This newly built 1953 GMC pickup received a full polish, spot wet sand, and durable CarPro Professional Ceramic Coating.

Product Spotlight

DLUX is CarPro's wheel and plastic specific ceramic coating designed to protect all wheel finishes and plastics. UV protection and easy cleaning mean your surfaces stay looking better for longer! Works on calipers too.

Safe Snow and Ice Removal

With our recent winter snowfalls, we thought it would be useful to go over the best snow and ice removal tips to avoid damage to your vehicle. While it may seem simple, using the wrong technique or tools can have expensive consequences to your vehicle's finish.

ice and snow removal from vehicle

As you can see in the image above, using a specialty snow removal brush like the one from Garant, we can avoid installing coarse swirls and scratches into the paint. Traditional snow brushes with bristles will quickly damage any paint job, regardless of what the manufacturer claims as "scratch free". A modern foam brush as pictured here is less abrasive and helps remove snow faster and easier, and is better for your paint. We still recommend using very light force, as some damage may still occur if dirt or debris are present on the paint.

ice and snow removal from vehicle

These marks are from poor washing technique and snow brush bristles. As you can see, the damage is severe.

ice and snow removal from vehicle

Scraping ice off your windshield and glass is something no one likes to do. But proper tools and techniques can help you achieve better results in less time. For starters, choose an ice scraper that is made of plastic, not metal. Metal can scratch glass easier than plastic. We also recommend using an ice scraper that is long enough to reach all glass on your vehicle. If you have a truck for instance, utilizing one with a longer handle for further reach will make the job faster. Make sure you keep it flat, and only use enough pressure to shave off the ice. We don't want gouges in our expensive windshields or side glass!

ice and snow removal from vehicle

A common practice when snow or ice is on the horizon is to raise the wiper arms so the blades don't stick to the glass. This is a good tip for preventing freezing of the blade, and also wiper motor damage. But we recommend not doing this for a very important reason. During high winds, wiper arms can be blown down hard enough for the metal arm to strike the windshield if the blade itself has pivoted on the attachment piece. This, combined with the already cold glass, can leave a chip or crack that means a trip to the auto glass shop. Instead, place a small plastic bag over the wiper blade and leave it on the glass. This prevents freezing and keeps the glass free from damage in winds. Remote starting or warming up the vehicle beforehand will also defrost the glass and make wiper function better. And lastly, leave your wipers OFF after each drive. The number one cause of wiper motor failure is starting the car with the wipers left on, and the linkages have frozen, or there is too much snow or ice to move them. Better to be safe than sorry!

Product Spotlight

ice and snow removal from vehicle
The Garant Telescopic Scratch free Snow Brush is our go to choice for safe and effective snow and ice removal. It's softer foam is safer and better for vehicle paint as it wont scratch as easily compared to traditional bristles. The scraper end is also extra wide for better ice removal. It's soft grippy handle is easy to hold even with gloves, and the telescopic and pivoting functionality makes this universal brush easy to use on any type of vehicle. Pick one up from Canadian Tire or most similar big box stores and ditch the old school bristle brush, your ride will thank you!

Winter Pest Prevention and Storage Tips

It's no secret that Vancouver Island is home to many species of common rodents. With the Winter cold fast approaching, these pests will seek out shelter from the elements. And one of their favourite places to nest up in, or go for a snack is our vehicles.

The warmth and shelter of an engine compartment or poorly sealed vehicle is like heaven to a mouse or rat. Especially a vehicle that sits for long periods, as the disturbances are minimum to its residents.  Combined with this safe space, they also feed off the various materials inside the vehicle and engine compartment. Modern wiring uses soy based casings, which make for a tasty snack, and a not so desirable outcome for you. Other materials like foam covers and plastics seem to be another option for them to nibble on. Regardless of their favourite menu item, there are ways we can limit these invasive pests from making our vehicles their new Winter vacation spot.

vehicle pest prevention

As you can see in the image above, something has chewed through the wire casing and actually exposed bare copper on the coil wires for this engine. Not good! Notice their droppings too as evidence they are frequenting that space.

vehicle pest prevention

Mixed shells from nuts/ food sources can also lead to a messy engine bay, and with enough buildup can also make your engine run hotter if insulated enough on certain components.

vehicle pest prevention

Textiles and certain foams are a favourite snack for them, and modern vehicles are filled with these materials inside and out.

Tips for Preventing Pests

Product Spotlight

IGL Delete is a great water spot remover for stubborn mineral deposits. It's acidic formula easily softens silica, salt and mineral scale to safely remove spots from glass, paint and metal. Highly concentrated so a little goes a long way. Available at Stellar Finish.

Clean Interiors

Why a clean interior is a safe interior:

• Having your vehicle's interior detailed regularly will maintain its value and preserve its condition for longer.

• Less accumulation of allergens and spores which can cause sickness and allergy flare ups.

• Many surfaces of your vehicle can be dirtier than a toilet seat, such as the steering wheel, cupholder, door handles, radio knobs, and key fob. E.coli, MRSA, staph, and mold can all thrive in a car. Having them cleaned and protected regularly helps keep all passengers healthy.

• Food, garbage, and clutter is a breeding ground for bacteria, pests, and microorganisms. When was the last time you checked under your seats? You'd be surprised what's living under there!

• Changing your cabin air filter or seat filters (if equipped) will decrease the amount of airborne debris and allergens in your vehicle's HVAC systems, meaning cleaner air to breathe.

• Regular quick wipe downs of interior surfaces are great, but they don't replace a professional clean using specialized products, equipment, and techniques. At a minimum we recommend an annual deep clean to reset your interior and keep it looking, smelling, and feeling great. Just like you visit the dentist regularly, your car needs a checkup too to stay healthy!

Pollen Season

The bees love it, your car doesn't

It's the time of year when the plants and trees start to flourish again, and with that comes the dreaded pollen apocalypse. Recently Victoria was hit with a great stretch of dry, sunny weather, perfect for pollen accumulation. Although pollen can be very fine and powdery, it can wreak havoc on your car's finish if not dealt with properly. Here are some tips to help safely rid your vehicle of it (at least temporarily!)

Pollen Removal Tips

Never Dry Wipe! Pollen is very abrasive and will mar and scratch the paintwork if wiped dry on the surface. Always use a lubricant such as a quick detailer or soapy water to wipe the car with a microfiber towel. If the car is covered, it is probably best to just wash the entire vehicle.

When washing, use the two bucket method to minimize pollen from being deposited back onto the car with a dirty wash mitt. (See video below)

When washing outside, try to rinse the car off frequently to remove any new pollen from cleaned areas. Once fully washed dry the car with a leaf blower or microfiber towel lightly dampened with quick detailer or water. This will minimize scratches.

Even though it will get covered again, it's important to keep your car cleaned regularly. Pollen can turn hard and become more difficult to remove the longer it's left.

Use a high-quality car wash soap. Never use dish soap or plain water. The wash mitt needs a good lubricant to help remove the dirt without scratching the paint.

Try to avoid parking under trees or near shrubs that are blooming with pollen.

Leather Care 101

Your vehicle's leather is just as susceptible to damage as any surface in the interior. Today's modern automotive leathers are in fact synthesized versions of what would be raw natural hide leather.

That being said, certain manufacturers do still offer a genuine leather option, but this costs a pretty penny. The reason for switching to a synthetic blend is that the durability is greatly increased. Natural rawhide, or even coated hide is very susceptible to cracking and colour changes when not looked after properly.

This is why many makers use a more synthesized material that very closely replicates actual leather, but has the strength and durability to last longer and deal with more abuse. So-called "vegan leathers" are making an appearance, especially on Teslas as a sustainable alternative to real hides.

Sometimes made from polyurethane, pineapple leaves, cork, fruit and vegetable byproducts or recycled plastics, they mimic real animal hides with their look and feel, but with a greener footprint. They have faux grains and pores imprinted into the material to simulate the feel or real hide but are less breathable because of this. They also have minimal if not any patina as they age, in comparison to real hide which changes feel and look throughout its life.

With all the new switches to more sustainable leather products, why are people still looking after their leather-like its real hide? We're gonna dive into some facts and showcase how to properly care for your leather, real or faux.

Coated natural hide or rawhide

The real deal, this stuff once mooed and ate grass. So let's treat it like it's still living because it is. Real leather can be brown and raw looking or have a colour coat applied. An example of real rawhide is Ford's King Ranch leather found on that trim level of their trucks. This stuff has no topcoat, just pure natural goodness.

The best way to ensure the longevity of real hide, coloured or not, is to treat it like your own skin. Real leather has pores that allow the stuff to breathe, expand and contract. It also can get UV damage like a sunburn just like you can. And similarly, it must be cleaned to maintain its healthy complexion. So here's the skinny.

Synthetic Leather

Synthetic or vegan leather is the newest form of upholstery and has many advancements over rawhide. It's sustainably sourced in many cases, is greener to produce, and is more durable and available in many more colours, textures and feels. Here are some tips for faux leather:

If you have any questions about how to properly care for your leather interior, just give us a shout, we'd be happy to help.

You're on holidays, but your car care shouldn't be!

December is one of the busiest months of the year, and we don't need to tell you why. But that doesn't mean you should let the car care slide. The approaching winter months are the hardest on your vehicle both inside and out. Nasty weather, lack of time and the cold all make you want to wait til the Spring to get back to keeping the trusty ride looking good. But doing that isn't good for your car, period. Salt brine, soggy shoes, wet carpet, road film, loading and unloading things, and increased passengers all lead to a less than great looking vehicle inside and out. You want the paint, wheels, and other surfaces to be protected for the worst that's ahead, not leave it vulnerable to winter's wrath, only to realize the finish is damaged in the Spring.

If you're too busy but want to keep your ride protected and detailed, let us do the heavy lifting for you! Winter is a less busy time for detailers, and that means no waiting weeks to get an appointment in the spring rush. It also means that come Spring, you won't have to pay as much to freshen it up after winter, and it will have been kept up properly and protected when it needed it most.

We offer Winter specific packages to maintain the vehicle inside and out, and in a timely fashion to get you on your way. Contact us to book yours in before it's too late!

Microfiber: What is it and why do I need it?

Microfiber fabric is a composite blend of two materials: polyester and polyamide. Together they create a synthetic fibre that is similar to the feel and makeup of silk but is much thinner on a microscopic level, over 5x smaller than the width of a human hair. It's is available in many different weaves, and can be woven to have high or short pile height depending on the intended application, plushness, or absorbent properties. Microfiber, like anything, can come in different qualities.

microfiber towels

The proper blending of the polyester to the polyamide is what gives it its "grade." The highest grades are considered 70/30, or 70% polyester to 30% polyamide, as well as 80/20. These tend to be ultra-soft, gentle, and last longer than lesser blends due to their resistance to shedding and breaking down.

Another attribute for microfiber is what's called the GSM, or Grams Per Square Meter. This describes of the weight or thickness/ pile height of the microfiber. A low GSM of 245 is what most multipurpose terry microfiber towels are, whereas a high GSM of 800 is reserved for ultra-thirsty drying towels with long strands and big plushness.

The right GSM is important for specific tasks, for example, a glass towel needs a very short pile and GSM in order to not streak or smear. Whereas a buffing towel for wax should be around 400-600 for optimum pickup without clogging and scratching delicate paint.

Back in the day, single-stage automotive paints, or lacquers, were harder than today's the base/ clear systems. They enabled one to use a leather chamois to dry or clean the car without a huge risk of scratching. Although chamois was once considered the safest thing to use on your paint, they didn't really have many other options at the time, and chamois' still left marring and swirls.

When microfiber came onto the scene, it changed the way we detail cars and is now the safest way to clean and touch your vehicle due to the great softness and different weaves/ weights available.

If you're still rocking the old chamois on your car, we suggest ditching it for a few microfiber towels and see the difference. They're cheap, widely available, and are much safer for paint and delicate surfaces.

Check out our tips for caring for microfiber below:

Microfiber Tips