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Paint Enhancement

Paint enhancement is a refining service designed to significantly improve the gloss, clarity, and overall appearance of your vehicle’s paint without undergoing the full multi-stage paint correction process. It's ideal for newer or well-maintained vehicles that don’t need aggressive cutting, but can benefit from restoring lost shine, removing light swirl marks, and prepping for ceramic or sealant protection.

What is Paint Enhancement?

Unlike full paint correction, which aims to permanently remove the majority of surface defects through compounding and polishing, paint enhancement focuses on light polishing to:

  • Minimise minor swirls, haze, and wash-induced marring

  • Deepen gloss and colour richness

  • Smooth the clear coat for better light reflection

  • Prepare the surface for wax, sealant, or ceramic protection

It's the perfect balance between maintenance and visual transformation.

Who is Paint Enhancement For?

  • New or near-new cars with light imperfections

  • Leased or resale vehicles needing quick visual improvement

  • Ceramic coating prep when full correction isn’t required

  • Maintenance-level detailing for paintwork in fair-to-good shape

Paint Enhancement process at Detaileur

Step 1: Initial Vehicle Inspection

  • Assess paint condition, level of defects, and previous coating/wax presence

  • Discuss customer expectations and whether enhancement or full correction is suitable

  • Inspect paint under lighting to identify swirl marks, oxidation, or fading

Step 2: Decontamination Wash Process

  • A clean base is crucial for proper enhancement. We perform a multi-step prep process:

  • Pre-rinse & Snow Foam Soak – to loosen dirt and grime

  • Two-Bucket Hand Wash – using pH-neutral shampoo and microfibre mitt

  • Iron Fallout Remover – to remove embedded metallic contaminants

  • Tar Remover (if needed) – to safely eliminate road tar

  • Clay Bar Treatment – to remove bonded surface contaminants

  • Drying – with air blower and plush microfibre towels

Step 3: Paintwork Preparation

  • Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) Wipe-Down to strip any remaining waxes or fillers

  • Final inspection to determine pad and polish combination based on paint type

Step 4: Single-Stage Machine Polishing (Enhancement)

Here’s where the magic happens:

  • Use of a fine finishing polish and soft foam polishing pad

  • Polish is worked into the paint using a dual-action machine polisher

  • Removes light swirls, oxidation, and dullness (~30–60% defect improvement)

  • Focus is on refining gloss and depth, not heavy defect removal

  • Each panel is polished methodically with overlap and even pressure

  • Excess polish is buffed off with high-quality microfibre towels

  • Periodic IPA wipe-downs to assess real-time results

    We always do a test spot to ensure optimal results without overworking the paint.

Step 5: Paint Protection Application

  • After enhancement, the paint is left smooth, glossy, and ready for protection. We apply:

  • High-gloss paint sealant (included) for up to 6 months protection

  • Optional upgrade: Ceramic or Graphene Coating for longer durability (1–5 years)

  • Plastics and trims are dressed for UV protection and even appearance

Step 6: Paint Protection Application

  • Paint Sealant: Included in all standard and full detailing packages, sealants provide a durable protective layer that enhances gloss and repels contaminants.

  • Ceramic or Graphene Coating (Add-On): For superior long-term protection, hydrophobic properties, and enhanced gloss, we offer professional-grade coatings applied with meticulous preparation.

  • Wax Application (Optional): Traditional carnauba wax can be applied for a warm, deep shine and sacrificial protection

Step 7: Final Inspection & Touch-Ups

  • Paint is inspected under various lighting angles to ensure consistency

  • Final wipe down and presentation to customer

  • Aftercare advice provided (do’s and don’ts post-enhancement)

Important Notes

🔸 Paint enhancement does not remove deep scratches or swirl marks; it only refines the surface. For major defects, paint correction is required.
🔸 Final results vary depending on the vehicle’s clear coat hardness, paint condition, and expectations.
🔸 This service is best paired with a ceramic coating to lock in the finish and add durability.

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