All the dirt from the Toronto weather ends up sticking on your car the moment you give your car a wash. Your car battles with the salty water that ends up being trapped in every little nook of the car due to the harsh winter weather. UV rays shining onto your car when you park on the street or go on a roadtrip. More often than not, your car loses the never-ending battle with the Toronto climate. This is why exterior car detailing is important. It actually takes care of the needs of your car, revives it and gives a protective layer to your car and the world around it.

ALPHASHINE has seen this first hand for the last 7 years. Here is what an exterior car detailing process entails and how it benefits your car.

What Is Actually Included In An Exterior Car Detailing?

Many believe that the term “exterior detailing” means a normal car wash, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Here is the full list of things we perform in our exterior detailing process done at ALPHASHINE Toronto:

• Initial rise to remove surface grime prior to any contact with the car’s paintwork 
• Spray-foaming pH-neutural shampoo that will clean the car while leaving the protection intact
• Spot cleaning to eradicate stubborn dirts and stains
• Drying the vehicle using only premium microfiber towels to avoid scratches, watermarks, and streaks 
• Wheel and tire cleaning with focus on removing brake dust from wheels 
• Tire shine and plastic condition for a finishing touch 

Of course, if you want the biggest visual and protective difference after an exterior detailing is done, paint correction and ceramic coating that actually shields your clear coat from more contaminants.

Why Is Toronto's Climate Especially Bad For Your Car’s Paint?

Toronto definitely succeeds in exposing your car to all sorts of damage all year-round, which is why searches for exterior detailing near me are so common in the city, especially when spring approaches.

The city uses salt, and calcium chloride to prevent ice around the GTA. These compounds are highly corrosive and harmful to your car’s paint and metal. They will settle into the wheels and the lower body paneling and wear away at the paint’s clear coat layer if left unchecked. And no, automatic car wash will not save you from them. 

High levels of exposure to UV rays mean that the paint on dark-colored cars will get faded and oxidized by sunlight in Toronto. Tree saps, bird droppings, and other pollutants from the 400 series are constantly bombarding the paint of any vehicle that is out and about. 

Quote: A proper exterior detailing is not a luxury. It is the most affordable form of paint protection you can invest in under Toronto’s weather condition. 

What Happens When You Skip Regular Exterior Detailing?

Damages come gradually in ways that are easily ignored until they become impossible to fix with a wash. 

A vehicle’s clear coat is a thin, see-through coat applied to your car paint’s surface, just like a top-coat for your nail polish, giving the paint its depth and shine. Once contaminants get into the clear coat, they begin to chemically react with the surface. Bird droppings are among the worst. Their acidity penetrates the clear coat in just 2 days, especially in direct sunlight. Road tar sticks to the paint and attracts more debris. Iron particles in brake dust oxidize in the clear coat, leaving behind rust-colored spots that grow in size over time. 

You are allowing these threats to damage your car’s paint, leading to oxidization and the eventual breakdown of the clear coat if you do not get your car a regular exterior detailing service. Eventually, you will need a paint correction service to reverse everything. 

If your paint is already affected by swirls, oxidization, or water spotting, ALPHASHINE’s paint correction service can help repair your paint before applying a ceramic coating. 

How To Protect Car Paint In Toronto After A Detail?

A fresh exterior detail gives your car a clean slate. Wax and paint sealers will only provide a short to medium-term shield from environmental damages. A high quality wax provides warmth and glass to the exterior of your car, but only for three to four months. A polymer sealant lasts a bit longer and bonds more uniformly to the paint’s surface.

For the ultimate long-lasting protection of your car paint in Toronto, nothing can beat ceramic coating. A professionally applied ceramic coating chemically bonds to your clear coat and creates a hydrophobic surface that repels water, dirt and contaminants for years rather than months. It also gives a deep level of gloss that wax simply cannot replicate. 

To learn more about what makes ceramic coating the most durable protection available, visit ALPHASHINE’s ceramic coating page. Or if you want to see our full range of services, our main detailing service page walks through every option we offer. 

How Often Should You Book An Exterior Detail?

For most drivers in the Toronto area, we would suggest having an exterior detail every 2-4 weeks. It should be done at least once after winter and then again in the fall when there’s a possibility of salt treatment. Regular detailing is significantly more affordable than a paint correction or a paint respray. Getting a regular detail prevents one from overspending and assures that your car is in good condition at all times. 

Why An ALPHASHINE Car Detailing Membership?

ALPHASHINE’s car detailing membership makes it easy and accessible for anyone to enjoy car detailing with our affordable packages. Our monthly subscriptions offer continuous care for your car, providing peace of mind and ensuring your car remains in its best condition, all year around. Want to know why a car detailing membership works best? Check out our other blog. 

Every exterior detailing at ALPHASHINE is hand-done in our location. We will not treat your car like we're doing it on an assembly line. We only use high-quality products, proper techniques, and take time on all the panels, wheels, and trims. 

Your car deserves better than a standard wash. Experience the difference that a true exterior detailing can make. Book with ALPHASHINE through:

• Call: 647-249-2960
• Email: info@alphashine.ca
• Online
• Using the ALPHASHINE App

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is included in an exterior car detailing in Toronto?
   
   ‍An exterior car detailing includes a complete cleaning and restoration of the exterior of the vehicle. The process normally starts with a pre-rinse, followed by a hand wash, removal of stubborn stains, wheel and tire cleaning, and application of paint protection such as wax or sealant. 

2. How often should I get my car detailed in Toronto?
   
   ‍All cars should get a detailing every 2-4 weeks. During winter, it helps remove accumulated salt, while it gives protection in other seasons.

3. Why is car detailing important in Toronto?
   
   Toronto weather’s combination of road salt, UV rays, and pollutants wears our car’s paint over time. An exterior detail helps eliminate damaging substances and ensures your car paint remains in excellent condition.
   
   
4. What is the difference between a car wash and detailing in Toronto?
   
   Car wash removes loose debris on the body of the vehicle. Detailing goes on step further by removing stubborn pollutants, improving appearance, and an added layer of protection. 

5. Is ceramic coating worth it in Toronto?
   
   Yes. A ceramic coat helps protect your vehicle against Toronto’s harsh weather. A well-maintained ceramic coating repels water, dirt, and contaminants while maintaining gloss for years.