The Heart of Our Craft: Our Exeter Detailing Studio

Many drivers have heard the term “car detailing” but aren’t entirely sure what it really means. At Lux Lab Detailers in Exeter, we see detailing as the meticulous process of restoring, enhancing, and protecting a vehicle so it looks and feels its absolute best — often even better than when it left the showroom.

More Than Just a Wash True detailing goes far beyond a standard car wash. It involves a deep, methodical clean of every surface inside and out, correction of imperfections such as swirl marks, light scratches, or dull paint, and the application of professional-grade protection to help maintain that flawless finish for as long as possible.

Serving Exeter, Devon & Beyond We provide a full range of services for customers in Exeter, Exmouth, Torquay, Plymouth, Taunton, and across Devon and the South West. Whether you own a brand-new sports car, a cherished classic, or a daily driver, we tailor our approach to meet your car’s exact needs.

Our Car Detailing Services in Exeter & Devon

• New Car Protection - Prepare and protect brand-new vehicles with premium coatings for paint, wheels, and glass. This ensures your car stays looking showroom-fresh and protected from the UK’s harsh weather conditions.

• Paint Correction & Enhancement - Single or multi-stage polishing to remove defects and achieve a flawless, mirror-like gloss. Ideal for reviving dull paintwork and eliminating swirl marks or light scratches.

• Ceramic Coating - Long-lasting protection (up to 5 years) for paint, wheels, and glass, making maintenance easier. Creates a hydrophobic layer that repels dirt, water, and road grime for easier cleaning.

• Maintenance Packages - Regular detailing to keep your vehicle in peak condition all year round. Perfect for maintaining that “just detailed” look between major services.

When you look deeper into the art of car detailing, the process can be divided into three main stages: Cleaning, Enhancement, and Protection. Each stage plays a vital role in transforming your vehicle’s appearance and preserving its condition for the long term.

Cleaning is the foundation of any professional detail. This goes far beyond a regular car wash, involving safe, pH-balanced products and specialist techniques to remove dirt, grime, and stubborn contaminants such as tar, sap, and iron deposits from every surface - including paintwork, wheels, glass, and interior materials. A thorough clean not only improves the look of your vehicle but also prepares it for the next stages.

Enhancement focuses on improving your car’s finish by correcting imperfections. This can involve machine polishing to remove swirl marks, light scratches, and dullness, restoring clarity, depth, and gloss to the paintwork. For interiors, enhancement might include restoring faded leather, deep-cleaning upholstery, or reviving tired trim. The goal is to bring the vehicle closer to - or beyond - its original showroom condition.

Protection ensures that the results of cleaning and enhancement last as long as possible. This can include applying high-quality waxes, sealants, or advanced ceramic coatings to the paint, as well as fabric guards for interiors and wheel coatings for brake dust resistance. In the UK’s varied weather conditions, protection is essential to shield your vehicle from UV damage, road salt, and environmental fallout.

By combining all three stages, Lux Lab Detailers in Exeter delivers a finish that not only looks incredible but is also easier to maintain and better protected against the challenges of daily driving.

Car valeting is a service focused on cleaning and maintaining the appearance of vehicles. It involves thorough cleaning of various parts of your car to enhance its overall look. Car valeting is a great way to keep your vehicle looking clean and presentable without delving into the more extensive detailing processes. These services are suitable for individuals looking to maintain their vehicle's cleanliness and shine without the need for more extensive treatments or paint correction.

Valeting is best understood when broken down into three core areas:

• Exterior Cleaning – Safely removing dirt, road grime, and contaminants from paintwork, wheels, and glass using pH-balanced, non-damaging products.

• Exterior Protection – Applying quality waxes, sealants, or coatings to preserve the finish and protect against the UK’s challenging weather conditions.

• Interior Valeting – Deep cleaning carpets, seats, trim, and other surfaces to restore a fresh, comfortable driving environment.

Read more about valeting on our blog post here

Car polishing is a key step in professional car care, designed to restore shine and refine the paintwork. At Lux Lab Detailers in Exeter, our polishing services remove minor imperfections, enhance gloss, and prepare your vehicle for long-lasting protection, leaving it looking its absolute best.

The Basics Polishing targets light clear coat imperfections, such as swirl marks or fine scratches, by gently smoothing the paint surface. This process can be done by hand or with a machine and is always followed by a protective layer, such as wax, sealant, or ceramic coating, to maintain the finish.

Polish vs. Wax: Understanding the Difference A common mix-up in car care is thinking polish and wax are the same. Polishes contain mild abrasives that remove tiny flaws in the clear coat, improving depth and gloss. Waxes, however, are non-abrasive and form a protective shield against UV rays, dirt, and road grime. While wax can enhance shine slightly, the true brilliance comes from polishing the paint itself.

How Polishing Works The process involves working a fine abrasive liquid into the paint surface in small sections, using circular motions with a foam or microfiber pad. This removes a thin layer of damaged clear coat, revealing a smooth, reflective finish. Often, multiple passes are needed to achieve a mirror-like result, and any residue is carefully buffed away.

What Scratches Can Be Removed? Polishing is best suited for very light scratches in the clear coat. Deeper marks that reach the base coat, usually visible as white lines, cannot be removed by polish alone.

For more significant imperfections, compounding or wet sanding may be required:

• Compounding uses a stronger abrasive to correct deeper clear coat scratches, usually followed by polishing to refine the surface and enhance gloss.

• Wet sanding is used for severe damage, creating a smooth finish that is then polished to restore a flawless shine.

At Lux Lab Detailers, we carefully select the right combination of polishing and protection techniques to deliver a showroom-quality finish, keeping your car looking stunning and well-protected against the demands of UK roads.

Learn more about polishing in our blog post here

If you want long-lasting protection for your car’s exterior, ceramic coatings are one of the best options available. Designed for use on paint, glass, and alloy wheels, these advanced coatings create a durable, protective layer that keeps your car looking cleaner, shinier, and newer for years.

What Are Ceramic Coatings?

Ceramic coatings are liquid treatments containing silicon dioxide, often derived from quartz. When applied to a vehicle’s surface, they form a clear, protective layer that is hydrophobic, slick, and extremely resilient. The main goal is to safeguard your car against environmental damage while enhancing its gloss and overall appearance.

Why Use a Ceramic Coating?

• Long-Lasting Durability

Premium ceramic coatings can last several years, significantly longer than traditional waxes or sealants. This gives car owners peace of mind knowing their vehicle is continuously protected, even without frequent reapplication.

• Superior Protection

Ceramic coatings shield the exterior from harmful UV rays, water spots, dirt, grime, and other contaminants. By protecting the clear coat, they help maintain vibrant paintwork and prevent fading, etching, and buildup of damaging deposits.

• Self-Cleaning Properties

Thanks to their slick surface, ceramic coatings make it much harder for dirt and grime to stick. This not only makes washing easier and faster but also reduces the risk of swirl marks or scratches caused by scrubbing.

• Hydrophobic Effect

Water beads and rolls off coated surfaces, preventing stains and water spots. This “water-shedding” effect keeps the car cleaner for longer and helps maintain a pristine finish even in wet conditions.

• High-Gloss Finish

Ceramic coatings enhance the car’s shine, giving the paint a deep, reflective finish that makes it stand out on the road. Proper surface preparation and expert application ensure maximum gloss.

• Scratch-Resistance

While not completely scratch-proof, ceramic coatings offer an extra layer of defense against minor clear coat scratches, often caused during washing or light everyday use. Over time, this helps preserve a smoother, more vibrant paint finish.

At Lux Lab Detailers, our ceramic coating service is carried out in a purpose-built facility using only the most premium products. Our expert team ensures that every vehicle receives meticulous preparation and application, delivering long-lasting protection and a stunning, glossy finish.

You can read more about ceramic coatings in our blog post here

Paint Protection Film (PPF) is a transparent, durable layer applied over your car’s paintwork to guard against damage from daily driving and environmental hazards. Unlike wax or coatings, PPF physically shields the paint from scratches, chips, and other impacts, making it a popular choice for car owners who want long-term protection without altering the vehicle’s appearance.

What Is Paint Protection Film?

PPF is a clear, flexible polyurethane film that adheres to the surface of your vehicle. It is virtually invisible once applied and is designed to absorb impacts from road debris, stones, and minor abrasions, keeping the underlying paint in pristine condition.

Why Choose Paint Protection Film?

• Ultimate Scratch & Chip Protection

PPF provides a tough barrier against stone chips, scratches, and minor abrasions, protecting high-risk areas such as bumpers, hoods, side mirrors, and door edges. This helps maintain your car’s factory finish and resale value.

• Self-Healing Properties

Many modern PPF products have self-healing capabilities, meaning minor scratches or swirl marks disappear when exposed to heat from sunlight or an engine. This keeps the paint looking smooth and flawless over time.

• Durable, Long-Lasting Shield

PPF is engineered to last for years without yellowing, peeling, or cracking. It offers consistent protection against everyday wear and tear, far beyond what traditional wax or sealants can provide.

• UV and Chemical Resistance

The film acts as a protective layer against harmful UV rays, road salts, bird droppings, and other chemical contaminants, preventing fading, staining, and etching on the paint surface.

• Maintains Gloss and Appearance

A high-quality PPF preserves the original gloss and colour of your vehicle while providing a seamless, virtually invisible layer of protection. Some films even enhance the paint’s shine for a showroom-quality finish.

• Easy Maintenance

PPF makes washing your car easier and reduces the risk of accidental paint damage during cleaning. Its smooth surface repels dirt and grime, keeping the vehicle looking fresher for longer.

At Lux Lab Detailers, we install 3M Paint Protection Film, renowned for its durability, clarity, and self-healing properties. Our expert installation ensures perfect coverage and maximum protection, keeping your car looking pristine while shielding it from the elements.

You can learn more about Paint Protection Film in our blog post here