Car Detailing & Valeting FAQs | Detailed Ltd

Yes — every Ultimate+ booking includes paint correction as standard, because a ceramic coating locks the paint surface in whatever state it's in when applied. Coating over swirl marks freezes those swirls in for 10 years. Enhancement Detail is the minimum prep level included in the £749 base price. If your paint has visible defects, we'll recommend 2-Stage or 3-Stage prep — you'll see the difference for a decade.

Three things separate them: warranty length, hardness, and the formulation itself. Ultra is a 2-year coating at 9H hardness — entry-level professional protection, a thinner layer than the others with amazing gloss. Supreme is a 5-year coating with the same 9H hardness but thicker more protective layer and deeper gloss. Ultimate+ is Sussex's only 10-year coating, uses Hyper Formula technology, hits 9H+ hardness (a denser molecular structure) the thickest ceramic layer available, delivers 30% more gloss and 50% more chemical resistance. It's the flagship and the only Wax Is Dead® coating in our range that earns Elite-installer status.

3 days minimum, up to 5 days depending on prep level. With Enhancement Detail prep: 1 day correction + 2 days coating & cure = 3 days. With 2-Stage Correction prep: 2 days + 2 days = 4 days. With 3-Stage Correction prep: 3 days + 2 days = 5 days. Drop-off only — no waiting on site. Most customers drop off at the start of the week and collect by Friday.

Coating performance — hydrophobicity, gloss retention, chemical resistance, and the integrity of the molecular bond to your paint. Annual inspection is required to keep the warranty valid. The warranty doesn't cover physical damage to the paint underneath (rock chips, scratches, accidents) — those are paint events, not coating failures. Full warranty terms are issued in writing on collection.

Yes — an annual Wax Is Dead® Inspection (£119) is required to keep the warranty valid for the full 10 years. The inspection takes about an hour and includes a decontamination wash, ceramic top-up where needed, and a documented condition check. We'll send you a reminder. It's not just a warranty requirement — it's how the coating performs at its peak across the full decade.

The 9H+ coating's sacrificial layer takes the hit before reaching your clear coat in most light incidents — fingernail-test scratches, wash marring, light contact. Deeper scratches into the basecoat aren't preventable by any coating; those are a paint event, not a coating event. If you do get a scratch, talk to us — depending on depth, we can sometimes correct it on the existing coating, or it may need localised re-coating.

Yes — in fact it gets easier. A coated car needs ceramic-safe pH neutral shampoo (no harsh detergents), and we'd recommend touch-less washing where possible to preserve the high-gloss finish. Avoid roller car washes and supermarket jet washes — both strip protection regardless of how good the coating is underneath. Our Exterior Maintenance Wash (£49+) is designed specifically for coated cars between annual inspections.

Yes — at checkout you can pay in full or split your payment into 3 interest-free instalments with Klarna. Subject to Klarna eligibility and credit check. Full terms are shown by Klarna during the booking process.