Luxury cars deserve extra attention. These aren’t just vehicles to whisk passengers from point A to B, but works of art and engineering that demand top-notch service. Taking a beautiful and expensive car through an automatic wand wash is borderline sacrilegious in the auto detailing community.
This article explores why your luxury car deserves better, and some of the auto detailing techniques that are required for luxury and super exotic cars.
Materials in the Interior That Need Special Attention
Not all vehicles are manufactured with the same materials, but in standard vehicles, the materials all start to look familiar. If you’re new to luxury, you’ve realized there are levels that exist in the auto manufacturing industry.
In the interior, luxury vehicles get the best of the best, which often doesn’t react well to cleaning methods you’d normally employ. Here are some premium materials to watch for in the inside of a luxury vehicle:
Natural Leather
Leather has become normalized in vehicle interiors, but not all of it is natural leather. Synthetic faux leather is far more common, and can be cleaned more recklessly without fear of causing damage. Natural leather requires specialized pH-neutral cleaners to avoid stripping natural oils. It also requires conditioning every 3-6 months in order to stay hydrated.
Alcantara
Alcantara is a premium synthetic material with a suede-like texture. This material is widely used in luxury materials for the steering wheel, electronic areas, other trim areas and even the seats. Alcantara is extremely durable and stain-resistant, but it requires a delicate touch to avoid ruining its texture. That means damp cloths and safe cleaners.
Open-Pore Wood
Wood trim is another popular décor choice for vehicle interiors, designed to make a vehicle appear more luxurious. In most cars, this wood is high-gloss or lacquered. But in some luxury cars, the wood is unvarnished, also known as “open-pore”. Tesla uses plenty of this open-pore wood. This material requires careful cleaning, because it will absorb oils and liquids. For that reason, oils and detailing sprays should be avoided completely.
Piano Black Trim
Piano black trim is a high-glass strip that is so deep in colour that appears mirror-like. This material is commonly used in consoles and dashboards of luxury cars to provide a premium aesthetic. The trouble with this material is that it’s highly prone to scratching. It requires plush microfiber clothes, cleaning in one direction, and a light touch.
Exterior Features to Watch For
Premium materials are used to build the exterior of luxury cars as well. Special paints and trims require precise cleaning methods, while unique engineering details demand special attention. Here are a few things to watch for on the exterior of an exotic car:
Satin Paint
Satin paint is a premium, ultra-low glass finish that creates a velvety, matte-like texture. The finish scatters the light rather than reflecting it. Luxury car maker Bentley is well-known for using satin paint, which must be hand-applied and costs thousands of dollars. Satin paint cannot be polished to remove scratches, waxed or taken through an automatic car wash. Instead, you must use a special wax-free and pH-neutral product to avoid adding gloss or creating scratches.
Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber is used throughout luxury vehicles for its weight reduction qualities, allowing cars to accelerate faster and handle better. Super cars like Lamborghini and Ferrari use carbon fiber extensively. If cleaned improperly, this carbon fiber will grow hazy or yellowish over time. You’ll want to be careful about using non-abrasive clothes and special carbon fiber cleaners.
Engineering Details
Vehicles designed for high-performance will have unique engineering features throughout, which are added for aerodynamics and speed. Special vents and diffusers along the exterior of the car will need extra attention, as these features are extra prone to collecting dirt.
Bring Your Luxury Car to a Detailer
The best way to cover all bases and ensure you’re vehicle is getting the love it deserves is bringing it in for regular detailing. The DIY-approach is passable for standard vehicles, but these methods (including automatic car washes) threaten real damage to a luxury car.
Without proper cleaning knowledge or the specialized equipment to get the job done, you risk scratching, degrading the paint, ruining the leather or damaging expensive trims.
Bring your luxury car to Mill Bay Auto Spa for the ultimate spa-like detailing services for your car. We’re proud to offer luxurious treatment for all vehicles, but with the extra attention that’s necessary for luxury vehicles. Contact us today to request a service.