Some Commonly Asked Questions about automotive detailing:

What is Detailing?

Detailing is a term in the auto care industry that has been widely used and has a very loose definition to say the least. For some, a detail means simply washing and vacuuming a vehicle. To others, it means spending countless hours with numerous products trying to achieve the maximum potential of that certain vehicle. To any quality detailer the term describes a process by which all different parts of a vehicle are rejuvenated and protected through proper washing, cleansing and paintwork correction techniques. At LUSTR Auto Detail we define detailing as a process by which we use the best available products and employ the most effective methods in order to meet and exceed our clients' as well as our own expectations. We take the time to do it properly once and we always stick to the utmost standards of quality.

What is paintwork correction?

In the detailing world, as opposed to body shops that repair and re-paint vehicles, paintwork correction is the process through which paint contaminants, swirl marks, scratches and other defects are removed from the paint surface, reducing any dullness in the paint and making it more glossy and vibrant.  Proper paintwork correction will level the paint and leave a deep, shiny surface, which many times rivals the look of a brand new paint job. Paint correction is followed by an application of high quality sealants and waxes to achieve optimal gloss and protection.

Why should I get my car detailed?

All vehicles need to be detailed regularly to maintain and preserve the paint condition. From simple washes every 1-2 weeks to monthly waxing to yearly polishing, a proper maintenance process keeps the paint clean, corrected and protected year round. Regular detailing and paint maintenance keeps the defects such as swirl marks from compounding over the years, leading to dull and contaminated paint. This contamination and neglect can often lead to premature clearcoat failure and necessitate a trip to a body shop, which greatly reduces a vehicle's value. The Gallery here shows how many of the vehicles were either neglected or poorly detailed before coming to LUSTR for proper correction, so the difference shown in the photos is easily recognized. The difference after even the simplest quality detail is amazing, especially to someone doing it for the first time.  A proper detail can usually save the cost of an expensive re-painting, and almost always allow a higher selling value for a vehicle. Not to mention the pride of the owner after seeing their vehicle and thinking it looks brand new.

Why should I choose LUSTR instead of a local carwash that can do it cheaper and quicker?

The simplest of answers is in our motto: "Quality over quantity".  Local carwashes focus on quantity rather than quality by having numerous employees working long hours and minimum compensation. With little to no training, these employees almost always do more damage than good by re-using detailing tools or materials and using improper methods. Unfortunately, many of our clients contact us after experiencing such poor quality detailing and we are left to properly correct the damage. We're always more than happy to try and get potential clients in touch with previous clients who dealt with the trouble and headache of going for a quick, cheap detail. Along those lines, we at LUSTR Auto Detail always perform a Pre-Detail Assessment before scheduling any detailing work. During this assessment we evaluate the paintwork and thoroughly discuss with the owner his/her concerns and expectations. Thus we are albe to focus individually on each vehicle and develop a process that's specifically tailored only for that vehicle, whether it's a simple Purification Detail or a four step Paint Rejuvenation Detail.

Are automatic car washes bad for my paint?

Yes.  We suggest hand washes with proper, clean tools and materials every week or two, depending on driving patterns.  Touchless carwashes are best during winter months to simply rinse off all the salt and grime in the colder climates, such as Chicago.  Otherwise, carwashes are very dirty areas that see lots of traffic during the day and the dirt that they remove from the first car, is causing swirls on the second, and so on.  Avoid all carwashes except a touchless rinse when necessary.  Quality hand washes are the only way to keep paint in good condition, free of swirl marks and other defects.

What are swirl marks?

Swirl marks, or swirls, refers to either “spider-web” scratches, which can be seen HERE, or buffer holograms, which are shown HERE.  The spider-web scratches are mainly caused by improper maintenance techniques such as washing, drying, polishing, etc.  Buffer holograms are trails left behind after improper use of a polishing machine, whether it be improper technique or incorrect product usage during the polishing process.

What is the difference between swirl marks and scratches?

Swirl marks, as mentioned above, are usually introduced into the paint through improper maintenance techniques, while scratches are accidental defects, such as dragging a key across a surface, which happen during normal car operation. Swirl marks tend to be much lighter than scratches and are thus much easier to correct.

If buying a new car, is it necessary to get it detailed immediately?

A thorough detail on a brand new car is the best way to start off its paint maintenance.  Not only is there the usual residue, left from protective tape,  and contamination accumulated during transportation, there is also the almost definite chance the car was improperly detailed by the dealership, usually causing swirl marks discussed above.  Due to the dealers’ negligence in this case, it’s extremely rare for a new car to look as expected, which is free of swirl marks and contamination.

Are there any cars you refuse to detail?

No.  No matter what shape a car is in, there is always something you can do to make it better or preserve it.  Whether it’s an old Astro Van or a brand new Porsche, all cars deserve to look their best, and the difference owners see in their vehicles after a detail is what drives me to do my best each and every time, on each and every vehicle.

What products do you use?

We use a selection of quality products from a number of manufacturers. Some of those include Menzerna, P21S, Meguiar's, Lake Country, Leatherique, Einszett, 303, Flex, Makita, and more.

Are the products you use available for sale?

Yes. All products we use along with many others can be ordered by any of our clients. These products are of high quality, some of them very exclusive, and are not available at any local stores.