Every vehicle that enters Executive Details for XPEL paint protection film goes through a transformation. It arrives from the road with all the contaminants, imperfections, and vulnerabilities that South African driving conditions inflict on paint. It leaves with a finish that is corrected to near-perfection and armoured againsteverything the road can throw at it.
This is not a quick process. Itis not a same-day service. It is a multi-day commitment to doing the jobproperly, and we want you to understand exactly what happens to your vehicle while it is in our care. Here is the complete journey from dirty to bulletproof.
When your vehicle arrives at ourSandton facility, we begin with a comprehensive inspection. We photograph the exterior under controlled lighting, noting any existing stone chips, scratches, swirl marks, or paint defects. This documentation protects both you and us, establishing the vehicle's condition before we begin.
The decontamination processstarts with a thick layer of pH-neutral snow foam applied to the entire vehicle. The foam clings to the surface and begins dissolving surface dirt, road film, and loose contaminants. After dwelling for 3 to 5 minutes, we rinseit away with a pressure washer, lifting the majority of surface contamination without any physical contact.
Using the two-bucket method witha premium microfibre wash mitt and pH-neutral shampoo, we hand wash every panel, jamb, wheel well, and crevice. This is not a car wash. It is a meticulous surface preparation step that removes remaining contamination while minimising any contact-induced marring.
After washing, the paint isstill carrying bonded contaminants invisible to the naked eye. We apply an iron fallout remover that chemically dissolves ferrous particles embedded in the clear coat. These particles come from brake dust, rail dust, and industrial fallout, and they cause tiny orange specks of corrosion if left untreated. Youcan actually see the iron remover turn purple as it reacts with the particles,pulling them off the surface.
Next, tar and adhesive remover addresses any tar spots, road adhesive, or other petroleum-based contaminants bonded to the paint.
Finally, we clay the entire vehicle. A detailing clay bar physically removes any remaining bonded contaminants that chemical treatments missed, leaving the paint surface as smooth as glass. Run your hand across a clayed surface and the difference is immediately obvious. This level of surface purity is essential for PPFadhesion.
With the paint surgically clean,we move to correction. Under our high-intensity inspection lighting, every defect in the clear coat becomes visible. Swirl marks, holograms from dealership polishing, buffer trails, water spot etchings, and light scratches are all mapped and addressed.
Using our Rupes polishing systems, we work panel by panel to remove these imperfections. The goal is a paint surface that is clear, deep, and reflective, free from the haze and marring that accumulates from normal use and improper washing.
For new vehicles, this step often addresses defects introduced during the dealership's pre-delivery inspection. For used vehicles, it restores years of accumulated damage. Either way, the paint beneath the PPF must be as perfect as possible because the film will preserve exactly what is underneath it.
This is where the real craftsmanship happens.
XPEL's DAP (Design Access Program) software contains precision pre-cut patterns for virtually every vehicle on the road. These patterns are cut from XPEL Ultimate Plus or XPEL Stealth film using a digital plotter, ensuring accuracy to within fractions of a millimetre. For rare or custom vehicles, our technicians create hand-cutpatterns using the vehicle itself as a template.
Each panel is wiped with an installation solution and inspected one final time before film application. Any dust, fibre, or microscopic particle on the surface at this stage would be sealed under the film permanently. This is why our installation bays are controlled environments with filtered air and dedicated lighting.
The film is applied wet, using a slip solution that allows our technicians to position and adjust the film precisely before squeegeeing out the solution and activating the adhesive bond. Complex curves, recesses, and edge wraps require exceptional skill andpatience. Each panel is worked methodically, with the film stretched, heated, and formed to match the exact contours of the bodywork.
Edges are wrapped around panel edges where possible for a seamless, invisible finish. Areas like headlights, bumper corners, and mirror caps require careful manipulation of the film to avoid wrinkles, bubbles, or lifting points.
After installation, every panel is inspected under multiple light sources. We check for trapped debris, airbubbles, alignment accuracy, edge adhesion, and surface clarity. Any imperfection is addressed before the vehicle moves forward.
With the PPF installed and inspected, we apply Gyeon ceramic coating to the entire vehicle. The coating goes over the PPF on protected panels and directly onto any unprotected clear coat areas. Wheels, glass, trim, and interior surfaces each receive their dedicated Gyeon coating product.
The coating is applied panel by panel, allowed to flash (partially cure), then levelled with a clean microfibre cloth. Proper technique at this stage determines how the coating looks and performs. Incorrect levelling leaves high spots that appear as cloudy patches under certain lighting conditions.
The vehicle remains in our climate-controlled facility during the initial curing period. Temperature and humidity are monitored to ensure optimal bonding conditions for both the PPF adhesive and the ceramic coating.
Before your vehicle is released, it receives a final comprehensive inspection. Every panel, every edge, every detail is checked one last time. We then prepare a handover package that includes documentation of all work performed, aftercare instructions specific to your protection setup, maintenance product recommendations, and details ofyour XPEL manufacturer warranty and Gyeon coating coverage.
The complete journey from arrival to handover takes 3 to 7 business days depending on the vehicle and the scope of work. We know that sounds like a long time to be without your car. But consider what you are getting: a vehicle with paint that has been decontaminated to clinical standards, corrected to maximum clarity, physically armoured with the world's leading PPF, and sealed with professional-grade ceramic coating. Every surface is protected. Every detail is addressed. The result lasts foryears.
You can have it done fast, oryou can have it done right. At Executive Details, we only do it right.
Q:Can I watch the process?
A: We welcome clients to visit our Sandton studio and see their vehicle during the process. We provide progress updates including photos at key stages. However, we do limit access to the installation bays during active PPF application to maintain the controlled environment.
Q:Do you offer a courtesy vehicle?
A: We can assist with transport arrangements during your vehicle's stay. Please discuss this with our team when booking.
Q:What if my vehicle has existing stone chips?
A: We assess all existing damage during the initial inspection. Minor chips can be touched up before PPF application. The film is then applied over the repaired area, preventing further damage and making the touch-up virtually invisible.
Executive Details is Johannesburg's premier luxury and supercar detailing studio, located in Sandton. We specialise in XPEL paint protection film, Gyeon ceramic coatings,precision paint correction, and full interior restoration for Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, Bentley, Mercedes-AMG, BMW M, and every high-performance vehicle on the road. Book your consultation today at www.exdetails.co.za or WhatsApp us on +27 81063 8786.