Application Process of Ark Barrier and Quartz Glass Coating

Our basic application process of “Premium Course (glass coating)” is as follows depending on the condition of the car:

1. Initial Check-Up

Ark Barrier glass coating application process "New car", meaning “newly registered car”, doesn’t mean newly manufactured! Most newly registered cars have been sitting for months since they were manufactured and many are parked outside while they are at shipping yards or at dealers. These cars are frequently wiped with a sponge or cloth without properly rinsing off dust while they are waiting for prospective buyers. It may also have been roughly polished with the incorrect pad or harsh polishing compounds and scratches (swirl marks) are covered by wax before its delivery, so you may not see scratches for a while. (You can go to new car dealer at night and check dark coloured cars under a mercury vapour lamp and you will see if this has happened to a car). We check the condition of the paint and carefully confirm the right procedures for each car. Written confirmation is checked and signed by the customer before we start working, so you can cancel the booking at that time if you like. (Required procedure time for inspection…about 30 mins).

We also do paint touch-ups and dent repairs as a pre-operation before we apply the glass coating, if you the customer requests us to do so. A full quotation will be given before any work is started.

2. Detailed Wash

Wash and remove paint contamination (including: iron powder, overspray, tar, bug residue, tree sap and bird dropping stains)

Wheels

We start washing from the wheels with our Karcher high pressure cleaner (for professionals). The cleaning process involves wheel cleaner, neutral detergent and a soft brush used for brushing small holes and the wheel lock. (Required time from 30 mins to 1 hours with 2 engineers)

1st Wash: Body

Washing is one of the most important parts of the pre-preparation work. First, we gently wash with our own Ark Barrier micro fibre cloths and neutral detergent (which provides lubrication to prevent scratching) because even the use of a professional high pressure cleaner can’t blast all the dirt off. We use water mark remover as well, if necessary. A perfect car wash contributes to a perfect fine cut & buffing. (Required time from 30 mins to 1 hours with 2 engineers)

2nd Wash: Iron Cut

Main purpose of using clay is for the removal of irons such as brake dust which attaches to most painted surfaces (contaminants oxidize the car). Clay can easily make scratches on the paint surface, so we must keep the car wet during the process. Part of our specialty is to ensure that your car never receives any marks/scratches or usage in our business. We will wash the car again and then use a tar & glue remover if necessary. (Required time from 30 mins to 1 hours with 2 engineers)

3. Detailed Dry with Blower

detailed car dry with blower We use an imported sponge cloth made from natural cotton and natural cellulose to wipe away all excess water from the car. We blow away any remaining water underneath the door mirrors, the door handles, the gap around the fuel cap cover and the doors and windows by either a Makita blower or an air compressor. (Required time about 15 mins with 2 engineers)

4. Masking

car masking for glass coating We mask all rubber and plastic parts and emblems in order to avoid damaging by polishers and compounds. We only use 3M masking tapes. (Required time from 15mins to 30mins with 2 engineers)

5. Cut & Buffing

Standard clear coat paint on most cars has only from 25 to 35 micrometers of thickness applied (depending on make and model). We don’t cut back the top layer to below the depth of the top coat of paint.

1st Cut: Single Action Polisher & Wool Pad

Spider web mark s (swirl marks), Aurora marks (buff marks) and other scratches are removed by single action polishers (2 different types of imported Ryobi polishers for professional use and Makita polishers) and specially designed Ark Barrier long hair woolskin pad. Our own Ark Barrier compounds are also imported from Japan. (Required time from 3 to 4 hours with 2 engineers)

2nd Cut: Single Action Polisher & Urethan Pad

The combination of a wool pad and a heavy cutting compound remove original deep scratches well but create buff marks and micro scratches at the same time, so we have to remove those scratches with a Japanese light cutting urethane pad and light cutting Ark Barrier compound. (Required time from 1 to 2 hours with 2 engineers)

3rd Cut: Gear Action Polisher & Urethan Pad

Cutting to finishing grades and all buff marks are finally fixed by Festool Rotex – gear action polisher, as well as using again the Japanese light cutting urethane pad and light cutting Ark Barrier compound. (Required time about 1 hour with 2 engineers)

Polishing: Double Action Polisher & Urethan Pad

Polishing to bring out a mirror finish by Makita – Random orbital sander (double action polisher), Japanese polishing sponge pad and Ark Barrier polishing compound. (Required time about 1 hour with 2 engineers)

6. Degreasing

1st Wash: with Alkline Detergent

Complete degrease is required in order to strengthen the adhesion of the glass to the paint surface, so the car is washed with an Alkaline detergent. We do not want to make any car wash scratches after we have done all of the above hard work, so we wipe the car using Ark Barrier microfiber cloths. Solid black and 2pac paints are quite delicate and require special care. So the car is washed by a double Action Polisher and a Japanese car wash microfiber pad. (Required time about 30 mins with 2 engineers)

2nd Wash: with Nutral Detergent

Wash with a neutral detergent and Ark Barrier microfiber cloths. Solid black and 2pac paints are washed by a double Action Polisher and a Japanese car wash microfiber pad.

Paint surfaces after the cut & buff are quite delicate so we minimize to touch the car during the washing process. (Required time about 30 mins with 2 engineers)

7. Detailed Dry with Blower

We use an imported sponge cloth made from natural cotton and natural cellulose. We blow away any remaining water underneath the door mirrors, the door handles, the gap around the fuel cap cover and the doors by using a Makita blower or an air compressor. (Required time about 30 mins with 2 engineers)

8. Masking

We mask all rubber and plastic parts before we apply the liquid glass. We only use 3M masking tapes. (Required time about 15mins with 2 engineers)

9. Applying Glass Coating

Applying 1st Glass Coat

Applying liquid glass imported from Japan.

Apply liquid glass by using a hand applicator. The liquid glass is applied by the use of a double action polisher and a Japanese car wash microfiber pad if necessary. We use a spray gun for motorcycles and bicycles. (Required time about 2 hour with 2 engineers)

Applying 2nd Glass Coat: Accelerator or Protecting Agent

The liquid glass is left at room temperature for about (Ark Barrier: 20 mins, Quartz: 5 mins) after its application to volatilize the organic solvent, and the liquid instantly becomes dry-to-touch because of its strong self-cross-linking property. However, the time taken for this substance to convert to silica glass depends on conditions, such as temperature and humidity. In typical circumstances, the glass liquid converts to a silica film from within a period of 1 to 2 weeks.

We apply the 2nd glass coat, accelerator or protecting agent in order to protect the surface during this initial period. (Required time about 1 hour with 2 engineers)

10. Final Check

We have a final full check list that involves all of our work to be thoroughly scrutinized to ensure both our satisfaction and yours as well.. We also thoroughly clean the car (inside and out) to make sure your car is perfect, awaiting your arrival to pick it up.

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