Benjamin Franklin famously wrote, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." However, in Singapore, there is arguably a third certainty - cars are an expensive yet depreciating asset. As a result, it is important to take measures to protect and preserve your car. After all, it has likely cost you a lot of money, and in the same way you would not want to dirty a new Armani shirt, we are sure that you would not want your freshly purchased car to become immediately tarnished.
In this advice article, we take a look at one useful way of preserving your car's look, which subsequently helps to retain its value and its eventual resale value - paint protection.
Paint protection helps to achieve a long-lasting wet-look finishWhat is paint protection?
It is difficult to offer a simple one-line definition of what paint protection is, because it is a broad term that encapsulates multiple things, including various products and processes. However, it broadly refers to a layer of inorganic silica that has the effect of coating your paintwork in a 'shell'. Effectively, paint protection seeks to retain the shine of the car manufacturer's OEM paint. The additional layer of coating also improves protection against UV and infrared rays, and prevents the paint from oxidation and deterioration.
Why is paint protection important?
Paint protection is useful in maintaining one of the key and most noticeable aspects of the car - its outward appearance. It can be said to have two key functions - preservation and protection.
In this advice article, we take a look at one useful way of preserving your car's look, which subsequently helps to retain its value and its eventual resale value - paint protection.
Paint protection helps to achieve a long-lasting wet-look finish
It is difficult to offer a simple one-line definition of what paint protection is, because it is a broad term that encapsulates multiple things, including various products and processes. However, it broadly refers to a layer of inorganic silica that has the effect of coating your paintwork in a 'shell'. Effectively, paint protection seeks to retain the shine of the car manufacturer's OEM paint. The additional layer of coating also improves protection against UV and infrared rays, and prevents the paint from oxidation and deterioration.
Why is paint protection important?
Paint protection is useful in maintaining one of the key and most noticeable aspects of the car - its outward appearance. It can be said to have two key functions - preservation and protection.
Primarily, paint protection products help to preserve the original colour, shine and gloss of the car's paintwork. Paint will oxidise and deteriorate over time, and paint protection products help to guard against these effects. Paint protection also offers a limited amount of protection against damage. However, it is important to note that paint protection does not make the car's paintwork damage-proof.
The combined effect is that paint protection helps to maintain the car's paintwork and appearance, which helps in preserving its worth and resale value. Additionally, many paint protection systems also negate the need to constantly polish your car to keep it shiny and looking brand new. The 'wet-look' effect that some people are after can be achieved. This helps to save time and money, as maintaining the car's sheet metal becomes an easy and irregular affair.
How is it applied to the car?
To better understand the process of how paint protection is applied onto the car, we enlisted the help of Sierra Glow to demonstrate its Blue Flame Treatment programme.
We sought the assistance of Sierra Glow to demonstrate its unique Blue Flame Treatment program
What is the Blue Flame Treatment programme?
The Blue Flame Treatment programme is a unique process and method of application that protects your car paint from oxidation and deterioration.
The combined effect is that paint protection helps to maintain the car's paintwork and appearance, which helps in preserving its worth and resale value. Additionally, many paint protection systems also negate the need to constantly polish your car to keep it shiny and looking brand new. The 'wet-look' effect that some people are after can be achieved. This helps to save time and money, as maintaining the car's sheet metal becomes an easy and irregular affair.
How is it applied to the car?
To better understand the process of how paint protection is applied onto the car, we enlisted the help of Sierra Glow to demonstrate its Blue Flame Treatment programme.
What is the Blue Flame Treatment programme?
The Blue Flame Treatment programme is a unique process and method of application that protects your car paint from oxidation and deterioration.
How does it work?
The entire Blue Flame Treatment programme is an eight-step process. First, the car is inspected and assessed, for the technicians to understand the type and condition of the paint, as well as any defects present. After that, the car is sent for first wash to remove dust and dirt. The third step is the usage of clay barsto remove grit, grime and other micro particles from the car's exterior surface. The fourth step is to buff the car to remove swirls and minor scratches.
Sierra Glow's buffing process is unique, using special toolssuch as gear action orbital polishers developed specifically for the company by Compact Tools. It operates at a much lower rate per minute (9RPM), which does not overheat the car paint during the buffing process.The car is then put through a second wash to clean away the remaining TC compounds.
This layer that Blue Flame creates is 100 percent inorganic, and will not react with the external environment
Prior to the application of the Blue Flame Treatment, the car undergoes an Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) process. The car is wiped down using a quick drying alcohol solution, which helps to get rid of any microscopic particles and bacteria.
The Blue Flame treatment is then conducted. The Blue Flame heats up the compound, Primer Silica, and applies it onto the car's paint surface. The heated Primer Silica will eliminate all static charge (commonly found on large metal surfaces), and ionises the nano silica molecules. This allows it to fill up all the microscopic pores on the car body, resulting in a much smoother surface.
This extremely smooth surface creates an ideal base for the next step which is to apply another layer of liquid Silica by sponge all over the car's exterior surface. In total, two layers of coating are applied onto your car's paint surface. This completes the whole Blue Flame Treatment Process for the car.
The entire Blue Flame Treatment programme is an eight-step process. First, the car is inspected and assessed, for the technicians to understand the type and condition of the paint, as well as any defects present. After that, the car is sent for first wash to remove dust and dirt. The third step is the usage of clay barsto remove grit, grime and other micro particles from the car's exterior surface. The fourth step is to buff the car to remove swirls and minor scratches.
Sierra Glow's buffing process is unique, using special toolssuch as gear action orbital polishers developed specifically for the company by Compact Tools. It operates at a much lower rate per minute (9RPM), which does not overheat the car paint during the buffing process.The car is then put through a second wash to clean away the remaining TC compounds.
This layer that Blue Flame creates is 100 percent inorganic, and will not react with the external environment
Prior to the application of the Blue Flame Treatment, the car undergoes an Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) process. The car is wiped down using a quick drying alcohol solution, which helps to get rid of any microscopic particles and bacteria.
The Blue Flame treatment is then conducted. The Blue Flame heats up the compound, Primer Silica, and applies it onto the car's paint surface. The heated Primer Silica will eliminate all static charge (commonly found on large metal surfaces), and ionises the nano silica molecules. This allows it to fill up all the microscopic pores on the car body, resulting in a much smoother surface.
This extremely smooth surface creates an ideal base for the next step which is to apply another layer of liquid Silica by sponge all over the car's exterior surface. In total, two layers of coating are applied onto your car's paint surface. This completes the whole Blue Flame Treatment Process for the car.
Sierra Glow provides an application of Sierra View, applied to all the windscreens and windows. Lasting between three to six months, it has a water repellent effect and will provide clear vision during heavy downpour.
The end result of Blue Flame Treatment is an enhanced wet/gloss look that is very easy to maintain. The high water repellancy of the inorganic layer of coating that Blue Flame Treatment creates means that a weekly car wash with a pH neutral shampoo and microfibre cloth will remove the dirt and dust on its surface.
The application of Sierra View ensures clear vision in the rain
Conclusion
Paint protection has immediate and long term benefits for your car. Considering Singapore's temperate climate, clogged up roads and urban surroundings, cars in Singapore are especially exposed to the external elements that can compromise their appearance.
Paint protection is something that all drivers should consider investing in. It has obvious aesthetic benefits, making your car look like it has just come out from a car showroom. It also has practical benefits of saving time, money and energy from having to regularly wash your car. But ultimately, think of paint protection as an important way of taking care of an investment such as a car. It will also add to the car's resale value if you do eventually decide to sell it.
You can find out more about Sierra Glow at its website, and package pricing is available here.
Here are some related articles that might interest you
Car detailing - should you wax your car before applying paint sealant?
5 types of car aesthetic modifications you should do
Keeping your new car in tip top showroom condition
9 paint protection specialists that Singaporeans can rely on
12 recommended Spray Painting shops to transform your car with bespoke colours
The end result of Blue Flame Treatment is an enhanced wet/gloss look that is very easy to maintain. The high water repellancy of the inorganic layer of coating that Blue Flame Treatment creates means that a weekly car wash with a pH neutral shampoo and microfibre cloth will remove the dirt and dust on its surface.
The application of Sierra View ensures clear vision in the rain
Conclusion
Paint protection has immediate and long term benefits for your car. Considering Singapore's temperate climate, clogged up roads and urban surroundings, cars in Singapore are especially exposed to the external elements that can compromise their appearance.
Paint protection is something that all drivers should consider investing in. It has obvious aesthetic benefits, making your car look like it has just come out from a car showroom. It also has practical benefits of saving time, money and energy from having to regularly wash your car. But ultimately, think of paint protection as an important way of taking care of an investment such as a car. It will also add to the car's resale value if you do eventually decide to sell it.
You can find out more about Sierra Glow at its website, and package pricing is available here.
Here are some related articles that might interest you
Car detailing - should you wax your car before applying paint sealant?
5 types of car aesthetic modifications you should do
Keeping your new car in tip top showroom condition
9 paint protection specialists that Singaporeans can rely on
12 recommended Spray Painting shops to transform your car with bespoke colours
