discussions about auto detailing cars at concours auto salon san antonio

Paint Correction For A Black 2010 Z71 Chevrolet

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Recently a new customer hired Concours Auto Salon to polish the exterior of their 2010 Chevrolet Z71. This article will highlight the key process used to achieve a nearly flawless finish. To truly correct a paint finish (remove swirls and scratches) you have to level the paint. This means that your compounding and polishing the paint to a point that it’s level with the bottom of the scratches. The first steps we take after the hand wash and decontamination process is to inspect the paint. We use high intensity LED lights to do this. LED’s show so much more then a regular fluorescent or incandescent bulb can. This fender pictured shows the scratches and swirling in the paint. Some areas have more damage and some less. The top panels like hoods, roofs and trunks show and have the most damage.

Paint polishing san antonio

Led Light Highlighting The Scratches

After the evaluation we will do test spots with different polishing/compounding pads and different liquid and cream polishes and compounds. This picture represents the products, pads and machines used for the Chevrolet.

Optimum paint polishing san antonio

Optimum compound, Menzerna polish, Menzerna finishing polish, Lakecountry wool and foam pads, Makita rotary polisher and Flex dual action orbital polisher.

We started by using the Optimum compound and a wool pad to level the paint. This process will remove the heavy scratches in the paint from abrasions and improper washing. This process will also leave swirls behind. To remove the swirls we use Optimum compound and a blue foam pad this process eliminates the heavy swirls but leaves behind light fine swirls.

auto detailing san antonio

Compounding with the wool pad and optimum compound

Our third step we used the Makita rotary with the Menzerna Power Finish with a white lakecountry polishing pad. With this step you can really start to see the shine come out in the paint. This step removes all of the light swirls left behind by the compounding. The last and final step in our paint correction process is the final polish. This is done with the Flex polisher. This polisher had a random orbit and when used properly will not induce swirling. Out of the 4 steps this takes the longest. We take our time moving the buffer at a slower rate. This gives the black paint that deep deep gloss that people love to look at. We used the white Lakecountry polishing pad and Menzerna Finishing polish.

swirl and scratch removal san antonio

The final step in the polishing process. The flex with a white polishing pad and Menzerna Finishing Polish

We finish by removing all tape and residue from the exterior of the vehicle. We then wash the exterior one more time removing all of the compound and polishing dust and oils from the truck. A long lasting paint sealant was then applied to help lock in the shine.

The End Result is an extremely shiny finish with lots of depth and gloss.

Using the LED light to show the correction. No more scratches and swirls

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This is the reflection from the tailgate of the chevy truck! Amazing.

chevrolet truck detailing san antonio

Inside the Shop. The paint correction is done and waiting for the customer to pick up.

concours auto salon auto detail san antonio

Two days were spent correcting this trucks finish and it really shows.

 

 

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Concours Auto Salon Earns Esteemed 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award

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Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

 

Concours Auto Salon has earned the service industry-coveted 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor awarded annually to approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

Concours Auto Salon is very honored to receive this award. We always try to treat every customer as if their the only one. Whether they are looking for an estimate or having work done to their vehicle. You never know who will be reviewing your business on line. We value every ones opinion and and are honored to have repeat or referral customers.

“It’s a select group of companies rated on Angie’s List that can claim the exemplary customer service record of being a Super Service Award winner,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Our standards for the Super Service Award are quite high. The fact that Company Name earned this recognition speaks volumes about its dedication providing great service to its customers.”

 

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2012 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, including earning a minimum number of reports, an excellent rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

 

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Members can find the 2012 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

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Angie’s List helps consumers have happy transactions with local service professionals in more than 550 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. More than 1.5 million paid households use Angie’s List to gain unlimited access to local ratings, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List magazine, and the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. 

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Thank You For A Fantastic 2012!

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As the year winds down we reflect back on 2012 and start making plans for 2013.

We opened our Babcock location in 2008. Lots of antacids were needed. It was terrifying. Today at this writing we look back and feel it was all worth it.

We made some “Big Changes” this past year

2012 was our first year in our new building on Babcock. New customers that came through our doors during the past year never new we were hidden in the back corner of the Auto Net complex.

This past year we purchased new equipment that will make our job a little easier as well as making us more efficient. If you’ve been in lately then you’ve seen the two vehicle lifts. These lifts raise the cars off the ground so wheels can be removed, fender wells can be cleaned and the inside of wheels can be cleaned.   We also use them to lift cars so we can be more efficient repairing those door dings that people get in the sides of their vehicles. With the lifts we can now provide a faster turnaround time when were refinishing brake calipers, Better Paint Protection Film installations and there also great to use when polishing a vehicle or detailing an interior. Bringing the car off the ground makes our backs feel a little better.

We set out to offer better coverage and pricing for our customers wanting Paint Protection Film. We now offer full coverage for the front of your vehicle for a little more then an extra $150.00 to $200.00 eliminating the line people see crossing the hood and fenders. We installed more full hoods and fenders this past year then previous years combined.

We continued our “New Customer Package” program introducing new customers to the benefits and results of true auto detailing. We plan on continuing this into 2013

We offered a couple of different Social Meida offers this past year through Living Social and Google Offers. They weren’t as successful as promised. We did sell them and honer them learning lessons along the way.

Plus many more positive achievements for the year that affected us all.

For the New Year to come we have more big plans in place. Were installing a new whole shop air compressor system and a Hydrographic’s machine. These units are in the shop now and just need to be installed and made operational.

We (Concours Auto Salon) wouldn’t be where were at or who we are with out YOU our valued customer. Thank you for a great year and your continued support.

Have a Blessed, Prosperous and Happy New Year!

 

 

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First Opti-Coat Warranty Sold In The US

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On November 28th Concours Auto Salon was the first authorized applier of the Optimum Opti-Coat to sell the “New Warranty Package“.

The recipient was this new Nissan Frontier pick up with less the 500 miles. 

New Vehicles are the perfect candidates for the Opti-Coat. The paint is usually in pristine condition with zero paint flaws and requires only minor preparation to receive the Opti-Coat

General Terms And Conditions Of The warranty

1. Any application, re-application, repair work carried out on the surface must be applied/reapplied or repaired by an authorized Opti-      Coat agent

2.This agreement excludes vehicles used either at present or previously for commercial purposes.

3. Opti-Coat agents must be notified of any claim due to failure of product performance with in 30 days of occurrence.

4.Vehicle must retain continuously registered within the USA for the duration of the warranty.

5.warranty is non transferable.

6.Warranty is only valid from date of registration of warranty number, activation code and vehicle details.

Concours Auto Salon is proud to offer Opti-Coat for our customers vehicles. We truly belive in the product and know that it works. We’ve tested and applied it to hundreds of vehicles at our shop and it’s been tested at an independent lab with published results.

If you have a problem with the painted surfaces of your vehicle after the Opti-Coat has been applied. Damage from bugs , bird bombs acid rain etc. Optimum polymer technologies will pay to have an authorized Opti-Coat agent repair and polish the affected area or if necessary pay up to $1500.00 for repainting. Limitations, terms and conditions apply. Contact an authorized agent for full details.Opti-Coat Warranty Package

 

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Award Winning Detailing

First Place Trophy

Last Tuesday August 28th Robert dropped his 1966 mustang off at Concours Auto Salon for a complete show car detail. Mike Moreno (AKA the Wizard) was placed in charge of most of the prep, polishing and over all clean up of this beautifully restored classic.

On thursday Robert picked up his mustang. THe following day he headed out driving his car over 700 miles to the OK Corral Grand National Mustang Car Show in Oklahoma!

After the weekend long show he headed back to San Antonio With a “First Place Trophy”

The wizard performed the following services.

  1. Hand Wash and Clay Treatment
  2. Engine bay detail
  3. General interior clean up with chrome polishing

    Mike on the left and Robert on the right with the 1st place Mustang

  4. 3 step paint correction and polishing
  5. Exterior chrome cleaned and polished
  6. Whitewalls cleaned and tires dressed
  7. Hand applied “Show Car Wax”

We would like to thank Robert for choosing Concours Auto Salon to detail his beautiful classic and for stoping by the shop to share with us his Trophy.

 

 

 

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Stinky Car?

Now that summer is almost over you’ve probably started to notice some foul smells coming from the interior of the family vehicle. It’s probably due to the numerous fast food runs, trips to the coast or that family camping trip. What ever the cause Concours Auto Salon is here to clear the air.

Concours Auto Salon uses the latest in steam vapor cleaning and Ozone O3  to clean, sanitize and eliminate germs, bacteria, mold spores and smoke smells. The ones that make you sick and your car stink.

We all know what steam is. However you might be wondering how Ozone O3 is used to clean you vehicle.

Ozone is in the air around us all the time. It occurs naturally in the environment and is simply activated oxygen – think of the fresh smell following a thunderstorm and that’s ozone.

Ozone works as a natural cleaner. When it comes into contact with an odour (a volatile organic compound) a chemical reaction takes place and the odour oxidises into a harmless, non-odourous substance.

It is not a masking process – the smells are permanently removed.

Ozone also works as a natural sanitising agent. It kills most bacteria, pathogens and viruses, including E-coli and MRSA, and leaves treated areas hygienically clean.

Have the pro’s at Concours Auto Salon add an Ozone Treatment during your next Auto Detailing or when you purchase that used car. It’s well worth the small charge for piece of mind and a breath of fresh air

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Optimum Opti-Coat Only At Concours Auto Salon

Never Wax Your Car Again!

 

Throughout the spring, summer and into the fall Concours Auto Salon has been doing something really crazy. Offering Optimum Opti-Coat with our new customer auto detailing package. The offer is truly a great one considering that Concours Auto Salon charges $150.00 for a single application of the coating to a new car.

Your probably asking yourself what is Opti-Coat? Well Optimum Opti-Coat is a permanent coating that protects automotive paint over its lifetime! Unlike a wax or sealant, Optimum Opti-Coat will not wash or wear off. It acts as a

Opti-Coat Being Applied To A  2009 Porsche

second layer of clear coat which provides increased protection against the elements. The formula we offer is only available to professionals. Optimum Opti-Coat is a resin pre polymer. After it is applied it’s dry to the touch within 60 seconds, can get wet with in an hour and can be washed after 24 hours. After it has had a chance to cross link, bond completely cure it forms a permanent barrier that will protect your cars finish form the elements locking in a long lasting shine. The best part you cant wash it off! However it will make washing your car much easier to do.Your car will stay cleaner longer aw well.

San Antonio auto dealers, auto detailers and car washes all offer types of  polymer protection but none that will last longer then 3 to 6 months.

Why are we the only shop in the San Antonio area to offer this product?  Several years back 2004 to be exact. Anthony

san antonio auto detailing

Opti-Coat Being Applied To A 1994 BMW

and Ron had talks with The owner of Optimum Car Care about developing this product. Anthony and Ron were disappointed with all the products out there that claimed lasting protection. The market is saturated with hype products. They were looking for something actually delivered on it’s promises. After 3 years and over 100 different formula variations they were finally able to release a professional only version of the Opti-Coat. Currently Concours  Auto Salon is the #1 retailer of this product. Applying it to more cars in a week then most professionals do in a months time.

 

A recent quote from a profesional auto detailing forum. “I am using the original version on my Daily Driver for more than 6 months currently and its still protecting and seen others more than a year in. I cannot wait to see this coating in more Vette owners hands as it truly offers the long term protection dealers often suggested but could NOT produce“.

Watch the video below and see for your self. The person in the video only applied the coating to the drivers 1/2 of the vehicle, has run it through numerous car washes and washed it himself with dish soap! The video was taken a year after the opti-coat application. listen to him at the end of the video he will give the mileage. You will be surprised.

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Auto Detailing For A Long Lasting Shine

Confusing details when it comes to auto detailing in San Antonio.

It’s very confusing these days to determine what is real and what is a coverup or false. What you see on TV and read on the internet often times are not true or just hype. The same goes for keeping paint looking new for your car. Auto detailing manufactures are producing more and more products that give your care a false shine or protection. You can

automotive polishing san antonio

Anthony Polishing

see this when you go to the car wash and look at all the signs that offer wax or paint sealants  that will give your car a nice new shine.  The truth is it takes many different steps to restore your cars true shine and finish. It cant be done with a chemical that is sprayed as it’s going through the car wash and it cant be applied in thirty minuets by the kid at the car wash. The detail centers at car washes are set up to speed cars in and out with the focus on volume. The same goes for most mobile detail business here in San Antonio. Trying to correctly polish a car in a parking lot when it’s 100 degrees is very difficult. These quick details have their place however only when your car is good condition.

The paint correction process.

 

The steps for this process can vary depending on the age and condition of your cars paint.

Paint Scratch removal san antonio

Scratches that can be removed

Here in San Antonio automotive paint suffers the most from pollution, bird droppings and hard water. At Concours Auto Salon we start with a good hand wash. Then it’s time to decontaminate the paint. This process removes foreign material that has bonded to the clear coat witch is the outer layer of your cars paint. When the contaminates are remover then can we focus on the scratch correction process. The scratch removal process. The diagram to the right shows that when you remove scratches your actually removingthe top layer of your cars finish. most scratching is so light that it barely penetrates the surface of your clear coat. However when you have hundreds of them all over the finish going in every direction it can make the paint look dull, hazy ans swirled. Depending on the paints hardness and the amount of damage you have acquired it may be necessary to compound the paint first. Then following up with two to three more polishing steps. Each one requiring the technician

san antonio scratch removal

Scratches that can't be removed

to go around the car and machine polish the paint one time with a specific polish and polishing pad.

Applying Protection

There are three different types of products that can be used to protect your revitalized finish. The most common one is Wax. Wax gives you a nice shine and a soft feel  but it just sits on top of your paint never really bonding to protect it. It has to be applied at the minimum every month or two. The most commonly applied protection by true professionals in a paint sealant. This product will bond to the surface of your paint and will slowly wear away over a period of 4 to 6 months. Lastly a new product has emerged in the last few years called coatings. These paint coatings offer almost permanent  protection for your paint. The application process is a little more time consuming then traditional methods and your paint should be in excellent condition. The results are amazing with these products. Currently Concours Auto Salon is the only place to have a coating like this applied in the San Antonio Area. It is offered in our New Customer Package and is called Opti-Coat.

If you want true results and have your cars paint corrected and protected give us a call or stop by the shop.

 

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Hot Steam Hot Steam And More Hot Steam

Hot steam. Probably not something your going to want to work around especially when the weather has been so hot here in San Antonio.san antonio auto detailing with hot steam

Here at Concours Auto Salon we use hot steam to detail car interiors every day. Is it effective? You bet it is. Dose it make us sweat? Oh yeah. These are some of the sacrifices we make to deliver the best job possible.

What is a Vapor Steamer you ask? A vapor steamer is is a tool we use at Concours Auto Salon to clean, sanitize and effectively detail your car’s interior. It has an internal boiler that heats the water to 340° when we press a trigger on the hand wand that hot water comes out as steam vapor at approximately 65 to 70 psi.

Concours Auto just purchased another Vapor Steamer. It’s a industrial unit that cost over $1800.00 called the Vapor Chief.

The Vapor Chief Steam Cleaner is a 120 volt vapor steam machine that performs like 220 volt. This is THE MOST best auto detailing in san antoniopowerful dry vapor steamer you can buy that runs on 120 volts….and is made in the USA!  You won’t find a unit like this on your mobile detailers truck or at the local carwash.

Why is Vapor Steam Cleaning more effective than traditional cleaning?
All hard surfaces are actually porous. Steam can penetrate those pores and get at that embedded dirt.

What are the chief advantages of steam cleaning?
Hot steam vapor penetrates pores of the materials or surfaces to be cleaned, and cleans more thoroughly than normal cleaners and does so without the use of chemicals. This lack of chemicals used in the cleaning process is a huge benefit to those people who are sensitive to chemicals or are trying to reduce the level of toxicity in their vehicles, especially if children are present.

Killing germs, bacteria and microorganisms such as mold and dust mites.
Perhaps the best advantage of all, is that hot steam vapor is a natural sanitizing and deodorizing agent without any chemical odor. When the vapor steam penetrates surfaces, it destroys mold spores, germs, viruses, dust mites, and Bacteria.

More effective cleaning
Interestingly enough, although we are a great proponent of the fact that steam vapor alone will miraculously clean most things, it is pertinent to note that for stubborn cleaning chores pre-spraying the area with a natural cleansing agent and then combining with steam vapor enhances the cleaning properties of the cleaning agent by a factor of several times.

Anthony and on have been using Vapor steam for years and would love to demonstrate it’s capabilities to you. Come on by the shop and see our new steamer in action. Or make an appointment to have your interior completely detailed and sanitized.

 

Hot steam

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Auto Detailing Education Day For Mustang Owners

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After writing this post I learned that Fred Frederick Vice President of the San Antonio Mustang Club and the person who snapped all the pictures of this event, passed away. More information about his passing can be found here.

On Saturday May 21st Concours Auto Salon hosted a clinic for the San Antonio Mustang Club and the Shelby Club. The event took place from 10:00 am till 12:00pm. The clinic was a great success! The purpose was to help further san antonio auto polishingeducate members of the clubs on proper care for the paint finish on  their cars.

Anthony started the event explaining what different types of environmental damage happen to vehicles finishes and what causes it. Anthony then  explained the difference between paint swirls, halos and paint marring.  An abused 2001 BMW M5 was used for the demonstration. After the identification process Anthony talked about the different compounds and polishes available to correct these problems. He gave a demonstration with the rotary buffer showing what could and couldn’t be repaired. Then offered to let the attendees operate the different buffers.

Waxes and paint sealants were the final topic of discussion during the education session. Anthony explained different waxes on the market and how they could be applied. He supplied 8 different waxes, paint sealants and paint coating systems for the attendees to touch smell and apply.

After the education secession Ron pulled two different mustangs into the shop to demonstrate  the different Paint Less Dent Repair process. He explained what the different tools were used for and how. A black Shelby GT500  with a door ding on the body line in the passenger door was the first dent repaired. Ron chose this car because the owner told Ron that his friends and family said that paintless dent repair couldn’t fix this because it was on the body line. He lived with this dent for over a year. The attendees were very surprised when Ron had 90% of the dent repaired in 5 minuets.  He then spent another 10 minuets finishing the dent to the point that no one could tell where it was.

The second dent for the demonstration was in the C pillar of a black Mustang Gt. This ding was a candidate for the Concours Auto Salon glue pulling paintless dent repair process. Ron explained what the different tabs do, types of dents there used for and the glue. Ron showed how the two different tools used to pull operate. One being a Mini Lifter and the other a Slide Hammer.

Every one who attended had a great time  and enjoyed food and drinks provided by Concours Auto Salon. Anthony and Ron hope to do this again soon for other car clubs in San Antonio.

 

 

 

 

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