The Detailer's Journal: Expert Insights from the EKJ Studio

The Dealership Trap: Why "New Car Protection" Isn't What It Seems Excerpt: Buying a new car in 2026? Before you pay for that dealership ceramic coating, discover why these "quick-fix" packages are often a waste of money. From transit damage to rushed applications, we reveal why your "brand new" car needs a professional touch to truly shine.

We recently had this stunning Crimson Red 335d in the studio for an Entry Level Detail, and the transformation was nothing short of dramatic. If your car is starting to look a little "flat," here is exactly how we bring that showroom shine back to life.

Tangerine Scream Focus ST: 3-Year Ceramic Coating Case Study Meta Description: See how we transformed a 2016 Ford Focus ST in Tangerine Scream with a 10-hour machine polish and CarPro C.Quartz Professional ceramic coating

How I Restored a mossy BMW 420i How do you handle a premium car that hasn’t been professionally cleaned in a decade? In this post, I share "how I" tackled a 2014 BMW 420i that had literally started growing moss in the seals. Over 50 grueling hours, we stripped away years of neglect, refurbished the wheels in Liverpool, and painted the calipers a striking red. See the exact steps we took from deep decontamination to a 3 year CarPro CQuartz ceramic coating to turn this weathere

This stunning 2023 Santorini Black Defender needed two days of intensive care. We began with a Wheels Off Service and deep decontamination. Then, a meticulous single stage machine polish removed swirls and enhanced the deep gloss, finished with a 3 year CarPro C.Quartz Professional Ceramic Coating. Pure protection for an icon!

This stunning Skoda Octavia VRS deserved the ultimate protection! We took it for two days to undergo a multi stage restoration. It's more than a clean, it's a deep dive starting with an engine bay detail and ending with a three year CarPro C.Quartz Professional Ceramic Coating. This process doesn't just make the blue paint shine it locks in incredible gloss and shields the car from the elements. See how we transformed this performance machine!

Mercedes-Benz C63 Detail "The 10-year-old Mercedes C63 was tired, oxidized, and crying out for attention. We dedicated 3 meticulous days to its transformation: Deep Decontamination (incl. engine bay & wheel removal). 12-Hour Machine Polish to restore sensational red gloss. 3-Year Multi-Surface Ceramic Coating for lasting protection. The C63 is a future classic, and we've given it the shield it deserves. This is the New Opportunity for lasting car care!"

​We recently welcomed a stunning 2015 Mercedes SL into our Bromborough Car Detailing Studio on The Wirral for a full transformation. The job included a paint correction to eliminate scratches and swirl marks, followed by the application of a professional grade 3 year ceramic coating across multiple surfaces. The journey is divided into three critical stages to ensure perfection and durability.

CAN YOU BELIEVE this paint is 36 years old?! We took a 1989 BMW 320i E30 a true classic with its original single stage Alpine White finish and brought it back from the brink. The machine polish results are insane! We safely brighten up its dullness, revealing a deep, brilliant gloss.

Don't fall for the New Car Myth. Even a brand new VW Touareg R arrives covered in contaminants that dealership prep misses. For our long-term client, the first step was a surgical decontamination and polish to create a flawless canvas. We don't just put a ceramic coating on the car. We bond it to perfection, ensuring the CQuartz 3.0 lasts. This is the difference between an average shine and a two-year commitment, and it's why, for customers who trust us like this, a surprise

When a 2002 Lotus Elise hit our bay, it wasn't just a detail it was a two decade restoration project. We’re talking original factory wheels caked with baked on dirt, and paint begging for its gloss back. Before the stunning 3 year ceramic coating could even touch the surface, we had to go through a deep, multi-stage decontamination process, including a mechanical clay bar exfoliation to remove every single bonded-on contaminant. See the stunning transformation from a 20-year-

The Ceramic Coating Secret The Dealership Don't Want You to Know: It's All in the Prep. You paid for a multi year ceramic coating on your Porsche Cayman S, but will it actually last? For a coating to deliver on its 3-year promise, you can't rush the foundation. In our latest blog, we pull back the curtain on the intensive, two day detailing process on a stunning Cayman S, revealing why we take the wheels off, perform a three-stage decontamination, and use machine polishing to

DEALERSHIP DISASTER: Despite clear instructions, a 2021 Mercedes EQA's ceramic coating was ruined by a standard service wash, leaving it with severe chemical stains and deep scratches. We performed a meticulous three-day service to completely strip, correct, and re-apply a new three-year coating. Read the full story to see the dramatic restoration and learn why you should never let a standard car wash touch your protected vehicle!

Protecting a supercar requires more than a quick wash. Discover the meticulous, two day process behind a professional Audi R8 3-Year Ceramic Coating.

Unfortunately, the "old way" of trusting that a new car is delivered in perfect condition is flawed. Our client brought his brand new Mazda straight to our studio because he knew something was off. What we discovered was an abysmal state of paintwork riddled with defects caused by poor dealership handling and transit washes. That’s the hard truth dealerships aren't showing you.

The Audi S6 Avant required executive-level care. We delivered a multi-day detailing process, including full decontamination and paint correction, before applying our Dual-Layer Diamond Ceramic Coating System. This professional standard provides superior gloss and guarantees up to five years of protection and simplified maintenance. This is the definitive method for long-term asset preservation.

Most washes are done in hours. Our professional Mercedes-AMG A35 detail took three days. We don't cut corners, every surface from the brake calipers and exhaust tips, to the interior upholstery, received its own specialized ceramic protection. See the detailed steps including the critical paint correction and panel wipe that ensures a perfect bond for a 3-year ceramic coating and protects your investment for the future. Click to uncover the blueprint for ultimate vehicle pro

You love your Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio for its aggressive lines and breath taking performance, but what if we told you it could look even better than the day it left the factory? At EKJ Valeting & Detailing, we’ve perfected a meticulous three-day process that goes far beyond a typical clean. We meticulously correct paint imperfections, remove swirls, and apply a durable ceramic coating to lock in a flawless, deep shine that lasts. Discover the hidden value in a professi

"Applying a ceramic coating at this level is a true art form that requires immense skill and attention to detail. It's about using the right tools—from different polishing machines to specific cleaning brushes and having the expertise to know how to use them to achieve a flawless, lasting result. The 36 hours of work on this Audi S3 reflect the level of dedication it takes to deliver perfection."

Beyond the Showroom Shine: Why Your New Car Needs a Professional Detail. Think your new car is flawless? Think again. The truth is, a new car has already been through a journey—from the factory to the dealership—and has likely picked up minor imperfections along the way. Your new vehicle is a significant investment, and to truly protect it, a professional detail is essential.