3 Days to Perfection: Our Mercedes-AMG A35 Ceramic Coating Blueprint

The Big Idea: Why ‘Factory Fresh’ Isn’t Good Enough

You bought a spectacular car a Mercedes-AMG A35. It’s an investment, a performance machine, its a driving experience and source of pride. You might assume the finish you drove off the forecourt with is "perfect."

Here’s the insight: It’s not.

From the moment a car leaves the factory, it’s exposed to contamination, transportation fallout, and, most critically, poor washing techniques at the dealership. These factors leave behind a finish riddled with unseen contaminants and often light swirl marks.

At EKJ Valeting & Detailing, our philosophy our "Big Idea" is simple True protection and enhancement begin after  the dealership. Our Services We don't just protect your car, we first enhance it, making it significantly better than the day you left the factory.

This is the story of how we spent three meticulous days transforming a client’s AMG A35, ensuring a flawless finish and protecting every single surface for the long haul.

Day 1: The Foundation – Surgical Decontamination & Prep

The ceramic coating process is only as good as its foundation. If we coat over dirt or bonded contaminants, the protection will fail. Day one is a deep clean that goes far beyond any car wash.

Wheels Off: Protecting the Performance Core

We start where the dirt and contaminates are worst, the wheels. Because the brake calipers and inner wheel barrels suffer the most abuse from heat and brake dust, they demand focused attention.

• Deep Clean: We carefully remove the wheels to gain full access, performing a thorough clean and decontamination of the wheel arches and brake calipers.

• Dedicated Protection: The wheels and brake calipers were immediately coated with Gtechniq Wheel Armour a 2-year ceramic coating, specifically designed to with stand extreme heat and repel corrosive brake dust. This long lasting protection step saves you hours of cleaning.

• The exhaust tips another high soot area received the exact same heat resistant ceramic protection.

3-Stage Wash, Chemical & Mechanical Decontamination

The paint surface must be surgically clean before we even think about polishing. This involves a three-stage wash (pre-wash, snow foam, contact wash) followed by two crucial decontamination steps:

• Chemical Decontamination: We use powerful yet safe tar and glue remover and fallout remover to chemically dissolve contaminants like industrial fallout and road tar embedded in the paint.

• Mechanical Clay Decontamination: The entire exterior then received a clay bar treatment. Clay bars mechanically lift any remaining bonded dirt that chemicals missed, leaving the surface smooth as glass and truly ready for correction.

Glass and Engine Bay Ready

Even the subtle details matter. The glass was machine polished to remove water spot etching, then protected with Gtechniq Smart Glass a 2-year 20,000 mile ceramic coating for incredible water repellence This will improve visibility in wet conditions... it does rain a lot here On The Wirral. We also meticulously cleaned and dressed the engine bay with a hydrophobic dressing, completing the foundational work.

Day 2: Paint Perfection – The Correction Stage

This is where the transformation happens. Our goal is to eliminate the minor defects that hide your paint's true depth and gloss.

The Single-Stage Machine Polish

Even on new cars, light wash marring, fine scratches, and swirls dull the paint. Day two is dedicated to correction:

• Removing Defects: We performed a single-stage machine polish across every panel. This step permanently removes light defects, dramatically increasing the depth, clarity, and reflection of the Polar White paint.

• Maximizing Gloss: The polish leaves a flawless, mirror like glass finish a prerequisite for the coating. Remember, the ceramic will lock in whatever condition the paint is in, so perfection here is non-negotiable.

Final Prep for Bonding

Before applying the main coating, we perform a final, crucial step: Panel Wiping. This process uses specific solvents to remove all polishing oils and residues. Without a proper panel wipe, the ceramic coating will not form the necessary physical bond with the clear coat, compromising its lifespan and durability.

Day 3: Ultimate Protection & Interior Factory-Fresh Finish

With the paint perfected, Day 3 is all about applying the long-term protection and completing the interior to the same exacting standard.

The Long Lasting Protection - 3-Year Ceramic Coating

We carefully applied the accredited, professional grade 3 year ceramic coating to the entire exterior paintwork. This layer provides a sacrificial barrier that is significantly harder and more chemical resistant than any wax or sealant on the market.

The Benefit for You: This ultra-hard layer provides robust protection against bird droppings, road salts, UV fade, and makes washing your AMG incredibly easy for the next three years.

Protecting Your Cockpit Investment

The transformation wouldn't be complete without protecting the driver's environment.

• Intricate Clean: We used specialist tools, including compressed air, a steamer, and fine brushes, to deep-clean every surface and crevice in the upholstery—achieving that elusive "factory fresh" smell and feel.

• Long-Term Upholstery Protection: We then applied professional grade protection, including Gtechniq Leather Guard and Gtechniq Smart Fabric, to all interior upholstery (not just the seats). This protects against wear, colour transfer, and repels accidental spills, maintaining the luxury feel for years to come.

The Transformation: An AMG A35 Protected for the Future

After three days of focused expertise and experience, the Mercedes-AMG A35 was ready for collection. Every surface from the paintwork and glass to the brake calipers and upholstery is now protected by a durable ceramic barrier.

We didn't just detail this car, we engineered its finish for longevity and maximum visual impact, delivering a result that genuinely surpasses the factory standard.

Ready to Make Your Car Better Than New?

Don't settle for 'good enough.' If you are ready to invest in the appearance and preservation of your vehicle and want a trusted partner to guide you, contact EKJ Valeting & Detailing today.

P.S. We believe our methodical, multi-day process is the key to unlocking the true potential of your car's finish. Enquire Now and let's discuss how we can achieve your perfect finish.