Taylor’s Kia K5: From Daily Driver to Showroom Shine

This morning I had the pleasure of detailing Taylor’s Kia K5, her first brand-new car.

Taylor smartly decided to drop her car off with us for an exterior detail before heading out on a quick trip, aiming to return to a vehicle looking as fresh as the day she got it.

Now, the K5 was in a state you'd expect from a new daily driver – a fair amount of road dirt and the usual grime. Nothing too daunting, just the normal wear of daily commutes and weekend adventures.

The overcast skies in Knoxville today provided the ideal conditions for detailing (not least just because it wasn't 100 degrees and 80% humidity for a change...).

Starting with the wheels and tires, I applied a fallout remover to tackle the stubborn iron deposits.

The weather allowed the pre-soak solution (Green Star by Koch Chemie at a 15:1 ratio, for those interested) to dwell for a full 5 minutes without drying out.

After the pre-soak, a rinse was in order, followed by a thorough foam soak. With the vast majority of the surface soil lifted and suspended without even having to touch the vehicle, another rinse set the stage for the 2 bucket method contact wash, a respected standard in the detailing world, ensuring every speck of dirt was lifted and removed from the paint.

A final rinse and dry with drying aid had Taylor's Kia K5 looking spick and span.

Big improvement already, but the water sheeting on the surface told me the paint was dangerously exposed to the elements.

Next step, Claying. Not all panels needed it- but the usual suspects, the hood, front bumper and trunk certainaly benefited.

For those of you familiar with the detailing scene, you might appreciate that I used Optimum No Rinse from Optimum Technologies as a clay lubricant (that's a 2oz per gallon/128:2 ratio dilution) during the claying process.

Fun fact: Optimum Tech was founded in, and ONR is manufactured right in Memphis, Tennessee. Keeping it local!

With the right conditions, a pre-soak can dwell for a full 5 minutes, ensuring optimal dirt lift-off without premature drying.

The paint on the Kia, while in pretty good shape, had its share of stories. The rear quarter panels had some scratches that needed attention.

Deep scratches on the rear quarter panels aren’t just blemishes; they’re challenges, met head-on with the right compound and technique.

With compound and an orange medium hex-foam pad, I worked the problem areas until the scratches had been smoothed out. I followed this up with a full machine polish of the vehicle to get rid of any light swirl marks and gentle surface marring, while prepping the surface for a high gloss glaze.

But, of course, the job wasn’t done there. I gave the Kia a carnauba wax treatment, buffing it to a mirror-like shine. To ensure this shine lasts through the unpredictable Tennessee winter, I sealed the deal with an SiO2 sealant.

Sealing with SiO2 isn’t just about the gloss; it’s about ensuring the vehicle’s protection against the elements, especially during harsh winters

The wheels weren’t left out either; they received the same layer of sealant to maintain their gleam- look at that pop!

And to finish, the tires were dressed, giving the entire vehicle a cohesive, polished look.

Cleaned. Detailed. Protected. That’s The Mates Way.

Detailing is more than just cleaning; it’s about reviving a vehicle’s aesthetics while ensuring its longevity on the road.

If you’re in Knoxville, Cedar Bluff, Farragut, Hardin Valley or the surrounding areas and your vehicle needs that extra touch to make it shine again, please give me a call or text on 865-221-7431, or email matesofknoxville@gmail.com and I'll be delighted to discuss your vehicle and book you in.

Until the next one!

Charlie