Polished Detailing & Ceramic Coating | Columbia, SC
Polished Detailing & Ceramic Coating is the best choice in Columbia, SC, and the surrounding area for punctual and professional car detailing. We offer a high-level paint correction experience, long-lasting ceramic coating options, general car detailing, interior/upholstery cleaning, and steam cleaning. Our shop is focused on premium paint protection, professional car detailing, and tailored customization for any vehicle. Our goal is to provide exceptional customer service, knowledge, and expertise for top-shelf restoration and protection of our customers' vehicles, to their individual budgets and needs. Do you want a pristine vehicle, but are just unsure of the services you need to make it happen?
Please visit our packages page. |
We pride ourselves on the responsibility of offering the absolute best customer service and care in our market. We offer only the highest quality products available for use on our customers' vehicles, never sacrificing material cost for the absolute best products that we can find. We are continually testing and reviewing cleaning products, paint sealants, paint correction compounds, and ceramic coating for better results. Our shop works hard to stay at the forefront of innovation. Wiith years in the detailing industry and a passion for automotive care and maintenance, we are dedicated to achieving the perfect restoration and enhancement tailored to your budget.
There's no job we cannot handle, from the basic full detail to multiple levels of paint correction, or even wet sanding, followed by a ceramic coating. Our shop takes extreme pride in our work, and we enjoy the reaction from our customers when they get back their car better than the day they purchased it. Our goal is to achieve uncompromising customer satisfaction, no matter the vehicle or prior condition. Whether you have a Honda, Lexus, Mercedes, or Ferrari, we are confident that our services will exceed any of your prior expectations. Do you want to see what the hype is all about? |
Polished Detailing is based out of Irmo, SC but also completely mobile, allowing us to service all areas around Columbia, SC. Our customers have the convenience of getting a freshly cleaned vehicle without the hassle. Making the trip to a machine car wash (only to be disappointed!) obsolete. Why not hand it off to someone else for a change? We come supplied with our own water, electricity, and state-of-the-art equipment in our fully outfitted mobile detailing trailer to ensure we are fully prepared to handle any task.
Some of our services may require a vehicle to be done indoors or over multiple days, such as ceramic coating installations, in which case we offer a 5000 sq. ft. garage ready to handle any needs, conveniently located in Irmo, SC. Below is some of our steps to a proper car detail.
Some of our services may require a vehicle to be done indoors or over multiple days, such as ceramic coating installations, in which case we offer a 5000 sq. ft. garage ready to handle any needs, conveniently located in Irmo, SC. Below is some of our steps to a proper car detail.
We're proud to offer our professional car detailing, ceramic coating, paint correction and more in:
Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, Newberry, Little Mountain, Ballentine, Seven Oaks, St. Andrews, Woodfield, Dentsville, Blythewood, Elgin, West Columbia, Cayce, Springdale, Arcadia Lakes, Forest Acres, Lake Murray, Peak, & Jenkinsville.
Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, Newberry, Little Mountain, Ballentine, Seven Oaks, St. Andrews, Woodfield, Dentsville, Blythewood, Elgin, West Columbia, Cayce, Springdale, Arcadia Lakes, Forest Acres, Lake Murray, Peak, & Jenkinsville.
Car Detailing Columbia, SC
Safe & Effective Car Wash
The first step to any proper detail is a safe and effective car wash. Any professional car detailer can tell you that using more than one wash bucket for car washes greatly increases lubricity on the surface, and this allows the technician the ability to safely clean your painted and bare metal or chrome surfaces without risk of micro marring/scratches. Most driveway car washes are done by only using one bucket, but this method can be unsafe for your clear coat, especially if the vehicle is extremely dirty. As a vehicle is washed, contaminants on the paint are removed and entrapped in a rag or mitt, then released back into the soapy water. The use of another bucket of water helps to remove these particles before the cloth is put back into the soap bucket, and back onto your vehicle's surfaces, greatly reducing the risk of damage. We also utilize a foam cannon to lift and rinse contaminants before they ever get the chance to make it into the wash bucket. These precautions, along with a water deionizer help to provide a perfectly clean and scratch-free vehicle after every wash.
Iron Removal (Iron-X)
After driving over time, iron particles from other vehicles, usually from brake dust, begin to get collected on the surface of your vehicle. The only true way to remove embedded iron particles from painted surfaces is with the use of a dedicated iron remover. Iron removers work by opening the pores of painted surfaces to isolate and exfoliate the encapsulated particles, along with neutralizing the surrounding area of sediment that has developed. As the Iron remover works on the surface it is sprayed on, it begins to turn purple as the chemicals work to break down the iron that has embedded itself into your paint/wheels. The use of iron removers is most impressive when used on wheels, as brake pads contain high levels of iron and can easily embed into the wheel's painted surface. If an iron remover is not used before a clay bar is wiped across the vehicle, it is likely that not all embedded contaminants will be removed leaving a less than perfect surface for waxes / ceramic coating to be applied to. Scheduling the use of iron removers helps keep your paint free of particles and healthy for years to come.
Clay Bar
Made from synthetics or even natural clay, automotive clay bars are used to remove contaminants from glass, painted surfaces, and even metal. When paired alongside chemicals such as iron removal, it ensures that the affected areas of your vehicle will have contaminants completely removed. Clay bars work by gliding over painted surfaces/windows and trapping particles that have been embedded. Another great perk of clay bars is that they are made from clay and are inherently elastic, meaning that once contaminants are extracted, they can be trapped and folded into the clay bar to completely remove the risk of damaging paintwork while in the process of removing.
Paint Correction
There is a good chance that your vehicle could use some sort of paint correction. Even vehicles that are fresh from the dealership tend to be less than perfect. Paint correction is the use of compounds/polishes, to remove layers of paint in order to reduce or remove visible defects. Whether it be a quick polish or multiple levels of paint correction, most vehicles (even new ones) could have a certain degree of defects, scratches, or micro marring. When trying to get a vehicle to perfection, we may use up to four levels of compound work, or even some wet sanding in order to properly remove all surface defects. Paint correction can be costly depending on the amount of defects, and end expectations of the customer. As long as scratches have not found their way past the vehicle's clear coat, then they can potentially be removed. Pricing for paint correction varies by vehicle, and upon inspection, our technicians can give an accurate idea of cost.
Waxes
Traditionally, wax has been used on boats, cars, trucks, and motorcycles to add gloss and protect painted surfaces from damage. It is used as a form of a sacrificial layer above the vehicle's clear coat to protect from UV rays, water spots, bird droppings, and industrial fallout. From carnauba to synthetic waxes to ceramic coatings, not every paint sealant is created equal in the amount of protection and shine that they deliver to your vehicle. If you've ever taken a trip to your local superstore car section, you've probably realized that there are just too many different companies and styles to choose from. Most waxes are based on carnauba and blended with oils and polymers to soften the wax, as carnauba is very hard in its natural form. Most waxes last only a couple of weeks to a couple of months, depending on the quality. Our shop uses only the highest quality detailing products to give your paint the maximum amount of protection possible from wax and or sealant.
Paint Sealants
In addition to the traditional wax job, paint sealants are liquid compounds that are engineered to adhere to a painted surface to increase protection and durability while working alongside traditional waxes. They tend to last longer than traditional waxes, but not quite to the level of a ceramic coating. Paint sealants are a form of synthetic compounds blended to create a stronger bond than waxes and tend to help bring a greater shine out of painted surfaces when applied in addition to a layer of wax. Paint sealants also offer longer reapplication periods in the range of six months to a year, and greater resistance to solvents and etching from fallout and hard watermarks. We typically use a blend of a hybrid wax and ceramic sealant for our basic packages to offer increased levels of shine and improved durability over traditional waxes. Although ceramic coatings have taken the detailing world by storm, a paint sealant is still a great option for ease of installation, care, and cost-effectiveness.
Ceramic Coating
A ceramic coating is the strongest and longest-lasting protection for the paint of your vehicle. A ceramic coating is made from silicates and chemical polymers. When applied to paint, a ceramic coating forms a scratch-resistant, semi-permanent surface that acts as a second clear coat, almost as if applying a thin layer of glass to a vehicle's painted surfaces. Typically, most consumer-grade ceramic coatings benefit from a 9H level hardness, which greatly reduces the risk of scratching painted surfaces. Most coatings tend to last between one and three years, with some companies claiming five to ten-year coatings with enough layers and proper installation and after-care. The only major downside of a ceramic coating is that surfaces need to be corrected to a desired level of perfection before the coating is applied, as the coating forms a semi-permanent bond with the surface that which it is applied to. Once the ceramic coating is applied, cured, and hardened, it can only be removed by the use of an electric polisher and/or wet sanding (if necessary). The other drawback of a ceramic coating is that depending on the level of protection desired, they take considerably longer than traditional sealants and waxes to correct and apply, also increasing the upfront cost. All in all, nothing will protect your vehicle better or longer than a ceramic coating. It is worth considering for vehicle owners who prize their paint jobs and value ease of maintenance. It's the best for a good reason!
Trim Restoration
If your vehicle is more than a couple of years old, it's more than likely that the trim both inside and out has faded from its original color. Over time, surfaces subjected to the sun and weather will begin to lose color and oxidize. This oxidation causes the surface to look dull, and in most cases, we will remove any oxidation that has built up and apply a UV protectant to increase the ability to resist sun damage. With proper protection, the trim surrounding the vehicle can be kept looking rich in color for many years to come. Our shop also has the ability to re-dye black plastic trim and protect it for years to come with a trim-specific ceramic coating.
Car Interior Detailing
Our professional mobile detailers can come to your home or place of business and completely restore your interior from top to bottom. We specialize in car upholstery cleaning, seat and carpet extraction, leather cleaning, steam cleaning, and more. Tired of your car not smelling fresh? We have the skills needed to make your interior like new again!
All boat detailing needs
For most boat owners we recommend a bi-annual detail to maintain shine and protection. It’s most necessary to detail a marine vessel at the beginning and end of the season to clean off built-up contamination from trees and rain. However, fun on the lake can cause a need for detailing in the middle of summer as well and we are available year-round. Even if your boat is brand new, don’t hesitate to give us a call to have it protected before it even hits the water. Our boat detailing packages are charged by the foot.
The first step to any proper detail is a safe and effective car wash. Any professional car detailer can tell you that using more than one wash bucket for car washes greatly increases lubricity on the surface, and this allows the technician the ability to safely clean your painted and bare metal or chrome surfaces without risk of micro marring/scratches. Most driveway car washes are done by only using one bucket, but this method can be unsafe for your clear coat, especially if the vehicle is extremely dirty. As a vehicle is washed, contaminants on the paint are removed and entrapped in a rag or mitt, then released back into the soapy water. The use of another bucket of water helps to remove these particles before the cloth is put back into the soap bucket, and back onto your vehicle's surfaces, greatly reducing the risk of damage. We also utilize a foam cannon to lift and rinse contaminants before they ever get the chance to make it into the wash bucket. These precautions, along with a water deionizer help to provide a perfectly clean and scratch-free vehicle after every wash.
Iron Removal (Iron-X)
After driving over time, iron particles from other vehicles, usually from brake dust, begin to get collected on the surface of your vehicle. The only true way to remove embedded iron particles from painted surfaces is with the use of a dedicated iron remover. Iron removers work by opening the pores of painted surfaces to isolate and exfoliate the encapsulated particles, along with neutralizing the surrounding area of sediment that has developed. As the Iron remover works on the surface it is sprayed on, it begins to turn purple as the chemicals work to break down the iron that has embedded itself into your paint/wheels. The use of iron removers is most impressive when used on wheels, as brake pads contain high levels of iron and can easily embed into the wheel's painted surface. If an iron remover is not used before a clay bar is wiped across the vehicle, it is likely that not all embedded contaminants will be removed leaving a less than perfect surface for waxes / ceramic coating to be applied to. Scheduling the use of iron removers helps keep your paint free of particles and healthy for years to come.
Clay Bar
Made from synthetics or even natural clay, automotive clay bars are used to remove contaminants from glass, painted surfaces, and even metal. When paired alongside chemicals such as iron removal, it ensures that the affected areas of your vehicle will have contaminants completely removed. Clay bars work by gliding over painted surfaces/windows and trapping particles that have been embedded. Another great perk of clay bars is that they are made from clay and are inherently elastic, meaning that once contaminants are extracted, they can be trapped and folded into the clay bar to completely remove the risk of damaging paintwork while in the process of removing.
Paint Correction
There is a good chance that your vehicle could use some sort of paint correction. Even vehicles that are fresh from the dealership tend to be less than perfect. Paint correction is the use of compounds/polishes, to remove layers of paint in order to reduce or remove visible defects. Whether it be a quick polish or multiple levels of paint correction, most vehicles (even new ones) could have a certain degree of defects, scratches, or micro marring. When trying to get a vehicle to perfection, we may use up to four levels of compound work, or even some wet sanding in order to properly remove all surface defects. Paint correction can be costly depending on the amount of defects, and end expectations of the customer. As long as scratches have not found their way past the vehicle's clear coat, then they can potentially be removed. Pricing for paint correction varies by vehicle, and upon inspection, our technicians can give an accurate idea of cost.
Waxes
Traditionally, wax has been used on boats, cars, trucks, and motorcycles to add gloss and protect painted surfaces from damage. It is used as a form of a sacrificial layer above the vehicle's clear coat to protect from UV rays, water spots, bird droppings, and industrial fallout. From carnauba to synthetic waxes to ceramic coatings, not every paint sealant is created equal in the amount of protection and shine that they deliver to your vehicle. If you've ever taken a trip to your local superstore car section, you've probably realized that there are just too many different companies and styles to choose from. Most waxes are based on carnauba and blended with oils and polymers to soften the wax, as carnauba is very hard in its natural form. Most waxes last only a couple of weeks to a couple of months, depending on the quality. Our shop uses only the highest quality detailing products to give your paint the maximum amount of protection possible from wax and or sealant.
Paint Sealants
In addition to the traditional wax job, paint sealants are liquid compounds that are engineered to adhere to a painted surface to increase protection and durability while working alongside traditional waxes. They tend to last longer than traditional waxes, but not quite to the level of a ceramic coating. Paint sealants are a form of synthetic compounds blended to create a stronger bond than waxes and tend to help bring a greater shine out of painted surfaces when applied in addition to a layer of wax. Paint sealants also offer longer reapplication periods in the range of six months to a year, and greater resistance to solvents and etching from fallout and hard watermarks. We typically use a blend of a hybrid wax and ceramic sealant for our basic packages to offer increased levels of shine and improved durability over traditional waxes. Although ceramic coatings have taken the detailing world by storm, a paint sealant is still a great option for ease of installation, care, and cost-effectiveness.
Ceramic Coating
A ceramic coating is the strongest and longest-lasting protection for the paint of your vehicle. A ceramic coating is made from silicates and chemical polymers. When applied to paint, a ceramic coating forms a scratch-resistant, semi-permanent surface that acts as a second clear coat, almost as if applying a thin layer of glass to a vehicle's painted surfaces. Typically, most consumer-grade ceramic coatings benefit from a 9H level hardness, which greatly reduces the risk of scratching painted surfaces. Most coatings tend to last between one and three years, with some companies claiming five to ten-year coatings with enough layers and proper installation and after-care. The only major downside of a ceramic coating is that surfaces need to be corrected to a desired level of perfection before the coating is applied, as the coating forms a semi-permanent bond with the surface that which it is applied to. Once the ceramic coating is applied, cured, and hardened, it can only be removed by the use of an electric polisher and/or wet sanding (if necessary). The other drawback of a ceramic coating is that depending on the level of protection desired, they take considerably longer than traditional sealants and waxes to correct and apply, also increasing the upfront cost. All in all, nothing will protect your vehicle better or longer than a ceramic coating. It is worth considering for vehicle owners who prize their paint jobs and value ease of maintenance. It's the best for a good reason!
Trim Restoration
If your vehicle is more than a couple of years old, it's more than likely that the trim both inside and out has faded from its original color. Over time, surfaces subjected to the sun and weather will begin to lose color and oxidize. This oxidation causes the surface to look dull, and in most cases, we will remove any oxidation that has built up and apply a UV protectant to increase the ability to resist sun damage. With proper protection, the trim surrounding the vehicle can be kept looking rich in color for many years to come. Our shop also has the ability to re-dye black plastic trim and protect it for years to come with a trim-specific ceramic coating.
Car Interior Detailing
Our professional mobile detailers can come to your home or place of business and completely restore your interior from top to bottom. We specialize in car upholstery cleaning, seat and carpet extraction, leather cleaning, steam cleaning, and more. Tired of your car not smelling fresh? We have the skills needed to make your interior like new again!
All boat detailing needs
For most boat owners we recommend a bi-annual detail to maintain shine and protection. It’s most necessary to detail a marine vessel at the beginning and end of the season to clean off built-up contamination from trees and rain. However, fun on the lake can cause a need for detailing in the middle of summer as well and we are available year-round. Even if your boat is brand new, don’t hesitate to give us a call to have it protected before it even hits the water. Our boat detailing packages are charged by the foot.
Why us?
Did you know that 3 out of 4 car buyers will reject a vehicle based on its appearance alone? Our detailing services are top-notch and come with a guarantee of satisfaction. The services we offer are not cheap, but they are also not to be taken lightly. We strive to make a vehicle look better than new, and we won't take payment until our customers are happy. When our detailers arrive at your home or place of business, you are getting the highest possible level of mobile detailing around. We take our job very seriously, and our level of detail is unmatched. Ask any of our previous customers and you'll get the same answer: Polished Detailing is the best mobile car wash around! We also offer more than just auto detailing. We offer boat detailing, trailer cleaning, motorcycle detailing, RV waxing, truck detailing, headlight restoration, and commercial fleet washing. Our packages can also be found on our "Packages" page. Please feel free to contact us with any questions pertaining to your vehicle. |
Google Reviews
Dude was straight PRO!. Was on time and was extremely precise and OCD with his work. My car was scratched from front to rear from a carwash. Now my car looks brandnew!! I highly recommend this company. Austin is a true professional and it is apparent that he has a true passion for detailing and has pride in his work. This is rare! He demonstrates a high level of customer service and seeks to make the customer happy. My BMW 750i had recently had ceramic coating applied by another vendor and it was clear the job was not done well.I had water spots that had embedded in the ceramic coating and needed to be detailed to removed. Austin knew exactly what needed to be done and he made my car look brand new I cannot express enough how pleased I am with the results. I would recommend Polished Detailing to anyone who has a desire to protect and care for their investment in their cars. I had my 2012 Toyota Tundra detailed and they did a fantastic job. They got all of the mud off of the undercarriage and did a great job on it. After it was finished the truck literally looked better than when it came off the lot.Fantastic attention to detail and my truck has never looked better. I would definitely recommend them to friends and family.. they do it the right way. |
Polished Mobile Detailing did an amazing job on my car. It looks brand new! I couldn’t have asked for a more professional, punctual, and caring company to take car of my car like their own. Thank you! Austin is a master of his work. He takes his time, picking out everything minute detail that needs to be addressed, and takes care of it. He treats his customer's cars as if they were, if not better than, his own. The work he has done for me, full body washes, clay bar, waxing, and ceramic coating, have all been pristine. He does and can do, anything you ask of him. Even if you’ve never gotten your car professionally detailed, and even if that sounds silly to you, let Austin change your mind and just watch how much a good detail will do for your ride. I would recommend Austin to anyone looking for a professional, friendly, experienced detailer. He’s always my go-to when my cars need a pick-me-up. No matter if you drive a diesel truck, or a Prius, Austin will knock it out of the park. From simple car washes to full details. Because everyone knows a clean car runs better. Austin did an incredible job. Our 2008 4 Runner is back to showroom condition! I would highly recommend any of his services to anyone. You won’t be disappointed! |