Clay Preparation
Clay preparation removes bonded surface contamination that remains attached to the paint after washing and chemical decontamination. These contaminants may include road film, environmental fallout, stubborn residue and other particles that can make the paint feel rough even when the vehicle looks clean.
Using professional clay media and proper lubrication, LJS Elite gently removes these contaminants to create a smoother surface.
Clay preparation is especially important before polishing, paint correction and ceramic coating because polishing over embedded contamination can interfere with the finishing process. A properly decontaminated surface allows us to move into the next stage with cleaner, smoother paint.
Initial Vehicle Wash & Inspection
The visual wash is the foundation of our exterior detailing process. LJS Elite carefully washes the vehicle to remove loose dirt, road film, dust and surface contamination while also evaluating the condition of the paint.
During this stage, we look for areas that may need additional attention, including bug residue, water spotting, oxidation, bonded contamination, swirl marks and other visible imperfections. This initial cleaning gives us a better view of the true condition of the vehicle before moving into deeper paint preparation or correction.
Metal Decontamination
Even after a vehicle has been thoroughly washed, tiny metallic particles can remain embedded in the paint. These contaminants commonly come from brake dust, road debris, industrial fallout and other environmental sources.
LJS Elite uses a dedicated iron and metal decontamination treatment to help dissolve these embedded particles so they can be safely removed from the vehicle's surface. This step helps create a cleaner, smoother finish and is especially valuable before clay preparation, machine polishing, paint correction or ceramic coating.
Metal decontamination is about removing contamination that a normal car wash cannot always reach.
Wheels & Tires Dressed
The wheels and tires play a major role in the overall appearance of a freshly detailed vehicle. LJS Elite cleans the wheel faces and tires to remove accumulated brake dust, dirt, road film and previous dressing residue.
After the tires are properly cleaned and dried, tire dressing is applied to restore a clean, finished appearance without making the tire look excessively greasy.
The result is a more uniform appearance that complements the cleaned and protected exterior of the vehicle.
Glass Deep Clean
Our glass deep-cleaning process goes beyond a quick wipe with glass cleaner. LJS Elite cleans the automotive glass to remove fingerprints, road film, interior haze, residue and other buildup that can reduce clarity.
Depending on the service selected, attention may be given to both the inside and outside of the glass for a cleaner, clearer finish.
Properly cleaned glass improves the overall appearance of the vehicle while also helping provide clearer visibility through the windshield and windows.
Paint Correction
Paint correction is a more intensive machine-polishing process designed to remove or significantly reduce visible defects within the vehicle's clear coat.
Unlike a basic polish or wax, paint correction works directly on the paint surface to improve defects such as swirl marks, oxidation, wash scratches, haze and other imperfections that reduce clarity and reflection.
Depending on the condition of the paint, LJS Elite may use a one-step correction or a more advanced multi-step process. Heavier correction may involve an initial cutting stage followed by a finishing polish to refine the surface and restore gloss.
Paint correction can help improve:
• Moderate to heavy swirl marks
• Wash-induced scratches
• Oxidation
• Paint haze
• Water-spot etching
• Light to moderate scratches
• Dull or faded-looking paint
• Reduced reflection and clarity
Not every scratch should be completely removed. If a defect extends too deeply into the clear coat, safely reducing its appearance may be a better option than aggressively polishing the surface.
Our goal is to achieve the best safe improvement while protecting the integrity of the vehicle's clear coat.
Paint Enhancement
Paint enhancement is a lighter machine-polishing process designed to improve gloss, clarity and overall appearance without pursuing heavy defect removal.
LJS Elite uses professional polishing equipment, pads and finishing products to refine the paint and reduce light imperfections such as minor haze, faint swirl marks and light wash marring. The goal is to make the paint look noticeably cleaner, brighter and more reflective while preserving the clear coat.
Paint enhancement is a great choice for vehicles that are already in relatively good condition but have lost some of their original shine.
It can help improve:
Light swirl marks
Minor haze
Faint wash marks
Reduced gloss
Light surface imperfections
Overall paint clarity
Paint enhancement is primarily about improving appearance and gloss rather than aggressively removing defects.
Ceramic Coating Prep
Proper preparation is one of the most important parts of a professional ceramic coating service. The coating can only perform as well as the surface underneath it.
Before ceramic coating is applied, LJS Elite prepares the paint through a detailed cleaning and decontamination process designed to remove dirt, bonded contaminants, polishing oils and other residue that could interfere with the coating's ability to bond properly.
Depending on the condition of the vehicle, preparation may include:
Thorough exterior wash
Metal and iron decontamination
Clay preparation
Paint enhancement or paint correction when needed
Final paint prep to remove polishing oils and residue
Inspection of the surface before coating application
The goal is to create a clean, smooth and properly prepared paint surface so the ceramic coating can bond directly to the finish.
Why Ceramic Coating Preparation Matters
Applying ceramic coating over contamination, oxidation, swirl marks or polishing residue can reduce the quality of the finished result.
Ceramic coating does not remove paint defects. In fact, once the coating is applied, existing imperfections may become more noticeable because the surface has added gloss.
That is why paint condition should be evaluated before coating.
If the vehicle only needs additional gloss, a paint enhancement may be recommended.
If the vehicle has noticeable swirl marks, oxidation or scratches, paint correction may be recommended before the ceramic coating is installed.
The preparation process helps ensure the coating is being applied to the best possible surface rather than simply covering existing problems.
Correct. Prepare. Protect.
Our ceramic coating process follows a simple approach:
Correct the paint when necessary.
Prepare the surface properly.
Protect the finished result with ceramic coating.
This preparation-first approach helps deliver better appearance, stronger coating adhesion and a more professional finished result.