Category Archives: Exterior Detailing

Side-by-side comparison of swirls and holograms in car paint.
07
Oct
Behind the Detail, Exterior Detailing, Paint Correction, Professional Detailing

The Difference Between Swirls & Holograms

Posted on by Mike Phillips

Some people think the words swirls and holograms refer to the same type of scratch pattern you see in car paint under bright sunlight or with the use of a bright swirl finder light. This is a common misconception. Swirls and holograms are actually two distinct types of scratch pattern.  This is important to define! […]

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19
Nov
Behind the Detail, Exterior Detailing, Matte Car Care, Matte Wheels

Matte Black vs. Gloss Black Wheels — Which Should I Get?

Posted on by Victor Espeland

Picking out wheels for a new car or buying aftermarket rims for one you already own? There’s a good chance you’re asking this question: “Should I get gloss black wheels or matte black wheels?” There’s a lot to consider when making this choice, such as aesthetics, ease of maintenance, durability, even resale value. How do […]

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How to Restore Headlights by Machine Sanding
21
Feb
Behind the Detail, Exterior Detailing, Guides & Tips, How To, Videos & Media

How to Restore Headlights by Machine Sanding

Posted on by Mike Phillips

As I showed in my previous article and video, working by hand to sand off years of oxidation, yellowing and cloudiness from headlights works perfectly fine. I also shared how to remove the sanding marks by hand in that video and article for those that simply have no other alternative.   But for those of you […]

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21
Mar
Behind the Detail, Exterior Detailing, Featured, How To, Paint Correction, Professional Detailing, Tips

The Ultimate Guide to Wet Sanding Car Paint

Posted on by Mike Phillips

“Wet sanding” is a term you may come across in the world of automotive paint polishing. You may have heard it’s an incredibly effective way to remove scratches and defects from a car’s paint. You may even be wondering if wet sanding is something you should do to your own car’s paint.  The fact is, […]

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Harbor Freight Hercules Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher on Rolls Royce
09
Mar
Behind the Detail, Exterior Detailing, Garage & Equipment, Guides & Tips, Paint Correction, Videos & Media

Review: Harbor Freight Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher

Posted on by Mike Phillips

Harbor Freight recently came out with a new machine called the Hercules Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher. Being an 8MM gear-driven orbital polisher, it has a lot in common with the Flex XC3401VRG (AKA “The Beast”) with one major difference — at $129.99, it’s almost $300 cheaper. This makes it an attractive option for DIYers […]

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How to Remove Oxidation from Boat Gelcoat
12
May
Behind the Detail, Ceramic Coatings, Exterior Detailing, Guides & Tips, How To, Paint Correction

How to Remove Oxidation from Boats

Posted on by Mike Phillips

There’s nothing like spending the day on your boat enjoying some relaxing time out on the water.  But enjoying your boat is only half of what it means to own one. The other half? Maintaining your boat.  Beyond repairs and general upkeep, one of the hardest parts of owning any boat with a gelcoat hull […]

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How to Restore Headlights by Hand Sanding
21
Feb
Behind the Detail, Exterior Detailing, Guides & Tips, How To

How to Restore Headlights by Hand Sanding

Posted on by Mike Phillips

Gone are the days of the simple General Electric or Wagner brand round sealed beam headlamps. These old headlights were made from glass which meant they would never fade, oxidize or turn yellow. You could purchase a replacement back in the day for around $5.00 and install it in the parking lot of the auto […]

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How to wax a black car
30
Aug
Behind the Detail, Ceramic Coatings, Exterior Detailing, Featured, Guides & Tips, How To, Paint Correction, Professional Detailing

The Best Wax for Black Cars (2024) | What to Look For & How to Wax Black Paint

Posted on by Mike Phillips

The biggest reason black cars is different than waxing any other color of car is because black shows everything! I have a saying, it goes like this, Black is not a color… it’s a full time job! And that’s a true statement, at least if you’re someone who cares about how your car looks.  But […]

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Detailer hand polishing black car hood with sponge in guide about how many coats of wax to apply on a car
11
Sep
Behind the Detail, Exterior Detailing, Guides & Tips, Tips

How Many Coats of Wax Should I Put on My Car?

Posted on by Victor Espeland

Maintaining a car’s paint keeps it looking good and helps protect it against the outdoor elements. One of the most popular ways to protect and maintain a car’s paint is by waxing it.  Usually people apply one coat of wax to their car’s paint for protection. However, you may have heard of people applying two, […]

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Silver car after waxing
11
Sep
Behind the Detail, Exterior Detailing, Guides & Tips

The Best Waxes for Silver Cars: What To Look For

Posted on by Victor Espeland

Silver cars have a unique charm, sticking out from the crowd with their sleek, modern appearance.  But maintaining that elegant, reflective shine requires regular care and attention. One of the best ways to protect and enhance the look of your silver car is by applying a high-quality wax. But with so many options available, how […]

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