In the last article, we talked about fully dedicated track-cars and how detailing plays an important role for them.

This month, we focus on track road cars.

Unlike track-dedicated cars, road-going track cars can be either a daily driver or a weekend distraction.

Because of this, it is not unusual that the owners of these vehicles prefer a higher level of aesthetic restoration and maintenance to preserve its residual/resale value.

Here are the commonly requested aesthetic protective and maintenance options for road-going track cars at AutoDetailer Studio.

They are similar to general requirements to fully dedicated track cars, but typically are specified for higher quality options and levels of finish.

The idea is to fully enjoy these vehicles as they were intended, but at the same time to keep them in impeccable condition.

Windshield - While most windshield damage occur during day-to-day driving, track participation also means that every so often, gravel is picked up from a vehicle exiting the overrun.

The majority of our clients request for a protective laminate in order to preserve the original factory-installed windshield, due to the benefits of exacting tolerances and weather sealing.

A protective windshield laminate with at least 4-Mils material density provides a high level of protection from stone chips. Opting for an additional all-weather coating system will also help as it will repel water quickly and is more resistant to dirt and oxidation.

Paint & Bodywork - Two protective options are usually chosen. One is an all-weather coating system to seal the paintwork from oxidation, tar, vulcanised rubber debris and dirt. A simple once-a-week wash suffices once a vehicle is coated.

For a more robust protective solution that can prevent high-velocity stone chips, we recommend paint protection films. Paint protection films are clear polyurethane laminates that are fitted on top of a vehicle’s paintwork to absorb and resist stone chips and debris.

Key to this application is a material density of 6.5 Mils, essentially doubling the thickness of the average brand-new paintwork. The main difference between paint protection films for both dedicated track-cars and road-going track ones would be the aesthetic quality and finish.

Road-going track cars tend to request for higher-quality automotive polyurethane films that have the same or higher material density, reduced orange-peel texturing and significantly increased clarity.

The latest generation of paint protection films offer stunning clarity and gloss, and are known as high-definition PPF or paint protection films.

Headlamps - Protective laminates for headlamps are highly effective in preserving the integrity and visibility of the polycarbonate lenses of modern vehicles.

A minimum of 6.5 Mil material density is recommended for fine high-velocity impact debris shock absorption and deflection. Opting for a high- quality laminate ensures that the headlamps have a high level of visual clarity and resists UV fading at the same time.

Wheels - Personalisation has been a big trend in automobiles and one of the popular upgrades are the wheels.

Oversized custom wheels with fender matching wide-offsets are usually treated with our brake-resistant coating system to preserve their aesthetic appearance, particularly with performance vehicles which would otherwise have acidic brake dust corroding the finish.

During track usage, this becomes even more damaging due to a significant increase in high-speed braking and soaring temperatures. Treated wheels just require regular washing to keep clean.

Interior Upholstery - All our road-going track vehicles come in for regular interior detailing to maintain a clean and fresh-smelling cabin. As the interior is where most of the time is spent, having it kept sanitised certainly makes a huge difference in the driving experience.

Exterior Coachwork - Brake calipers, engine bay, suspensions and exhaust systems are also detailed regularly to keep them in showroom condition.

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