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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q: What is your service area?
A: Automotivation Mobile Cosmetic Service is based in the city of Cornwall and covers surrounding areas of St. Andrews to the north, Summerstown and Lancaster to the east and Long Sault and Ingleside to the west. The is no extra charge for clients within 40 kilometer radius of Cornwall. Travel further afield will be considered following negotiation of an extra fee to cover travelling time and expenses.

Q: Do you need any electricity or water when you arrive to detail my car?
A: No, our truck is equipped with an on broad water tank and electric generator.

Q: Do you need to work under cover or in a garage?
A: To detail a car not necessarily. If it's not raining, I can work outside without any problem. In the event of rain or if the weather is unsuitable, you can arrange for the work to be carried out on an alternative date or inside a car port or garage if you have one. For Window Tint and some larger Paint Protection Film applications a garage with an electrical outlet is required.

Q: Can I bring my car to you?
A: Yes, James has a facility at his disposal, some restrictions do apply, please contact him for further details.

Q: What are your hours of operation?
A: James is so passionate about detailing, he often works from dusk till dawn. You can call him any time until 9pm, 7 days a week.

Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: You can pay either by cash or credit card. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and JCB. We use the Square card reader system, a proven safe and secure mobile payment system. Your personal data is safe and never touches our device. For furthur information please follow the link to visit their website at squareup.com/ca/security

Q: How do I book an appointment?
A: Just call James at 613-330-7422. He can then check his calendar and provisionally book you in.

Q: What if I need to cancel and appointment?
A: If you need to cancel, we require at least 48 hours prior to your confirmed booking.

Q: Are there any cars you won't do?
A: James will detail anything from a compact economy car to luxury and exotic cars.

Detailing Questions

Q: What is detailing?
A: Detailing is the systematic rejuvenation and protection of the various surfaces of a vehicle. The goal is to return older vehicles back to as close to "as new" condition as possible or to maintain the cosmetic condition of a vehicle to a high standard.

Q: My car is practically brand new, why do I need it detailed if it isn't in bad condition?
A: While a next to new car or brand new car may not need high reconditioning, it still needs to be maintained. Constant upkeep will help keep your vehicle looking new for as long as possible. Remember that although vehicles have clear coat, the clear coat still has to be protected from the elements.

Q: I bought a new car. Why get it detailed?
A: Contrary to popular belief, new cars rarely look their best. Despite being treated to a quick wash and polish by the dealership (which may even result in swirl marks caused by over-eager attention and wrong techniques), residue from the protective film they wear during transportation may remain. Plus they may have been stored outside for a number of months, near docks, railways and other industrial areas - before being treated to a light dusting of contaminants when transported on the road or by rail. Why not let Automotivation make your new car look it absolute best?

Q: The dealership I bought my car from sells or sold me a paint sealant protection policy or service, do I still have to wax or detail the finish?
A: Some say this "sealant" they apply will last a year or even longer. Truth is, there is no miracle product that will last that long under normal outside conditions, the best way to protect your finish is to keep it waxed or sealed on a regular basis.

Q: How often should I wash, wax, or polish my vehicle?
A: Washing, waxing, and polishing should be done "as necessary," James suggests washing your vehicle once a week, waxing once every 2 to 6 months. Keep in mind that these recommendations are subjective due to differences in environmental conditions and how vehicles are kept.

Q: What are paint sealants?
A: Sealants are synthetic and chemically engineered polymers used for paint protection. It has similar characteristics as traditional waxes such as improving appearance and adding a protective barrier against the elements but that is as similar as they get. Generally, sealants have more durability (how long it lasts on the paint) then waxes. Sealants can last anywhere from 3-6 months depending on environmental conditions and other factors. They can last longer during summer heat having a much higher melting point than traditional carnauba waxes.

Q: Can all scratches be removed from the paint?
A: The answer is yes AND no. Scratches are essentially removed paint from the surface. Depending on the severity of scratch (how deep and wide) the clear coat around it can be leveled (either wet sanded or polished) to reduce the appearance of the scratch. Some scratches are simply too deep to reduce safely, general rule of thumb, if you can catch the scratch with your fingernail it is too deep to polish out completely. Touch up paint can be applied to these types of scratches and sanded to level out the paint, this process is however very tedious and time consuming to do properly.

Q: What are swirl marks?
A: Also known as "spider-webbing," swirl marks very fine scratches in the clear coat of paint finishes that appears to look like spider webs in circular patterns. Swirl marks are highly visible under direct sunlight or powerful artificial lights such as the ones found at gas station pumps or street lamps. Swirls usually occur due to improper washing techniques and/or using abrasive materials when touching the paint. In order to remove swirls polishing is necessary to level the clear coat safely to where swirls are no longer visible.

Q: What's the difference between "waxing" and "polishing?"
A: Waxing mainly refers to adding a layer of carnauba wax to increase shine and protect the paint. Polishing (a.k.a Buffing) is using chemical and/or abrasive polishes to reduce scratches, remove oxidation, remove swirl marks, and improve the appearance of the finish.

Window Tint Questions

Q: How long does it take to install tint on my car?
A: The process generally takes 2 - 6 hours depending on the difficulty of the car, cleanliness, and the number of windows. Window tinting is not a race, James takes his time to offer quality installations.

Q: What do I use to clean my tinted windows?
A: Warm water and a soft cloth. Never use a window cleaner unless it is specifically formulated for use on aftermarket tinted windows.

Q: Why do I see little bubbles or patchiness soon after installation?
A: This is very normal. A lot of water is used to activate the adhesive and to allow us to move the film around and position it for a perfect installation. Although as much water is squeegeed out as possible, some small amount remains between the glass and the film. As this water evaporates through the film you may see some little bubbles or foggy patches. These should go away within a few days but could last a month or so if we are applying a premium all metal film and get very little sunshine to aid in the evaporation process. Never poke, prod, or pop these bubbles, they will go away on their own.

Q: Can window film ever be removed?
A: Yes, Window Film can be removed at any time after the installation. Please call James if you require a removal. It is a very tough and messy job, not recommended for beginners.

Q: Will the tint fade?
A: No, all tint Automotivation sells carries a manufacturer's lifetime warranty and color-stability.

Q: Will tinted windows inhibit my visibility at night?
A: This all depends on the shade and quality of film you select. Dark or “limo” tint will definitely decrease your visibility at night. If this is a concern, a lighter-medium shade would be advisable.

Q: Does Window Film go on the inside or the outside?
A: Automotive Window Film goes on the inside surface thus keeping it protected from the elements.

Q: Why do I see bubbled or purple tint on cars?
A: The tint is either very old or of poor quality. Most older films, even the top quality brands, will discolour and turn purple. When this is accompanied by bubbles then the film used was a cheap brand. The bubbles are a result of a failure in the adhesive system causing the tint to literally lift from the glass. If our tint ever bubbles, Automotivation will replace it at no additional cost to you, but it is guarantee that this will never happen.

Q: How durable is tinting?
A: Window film is protected by a hard scratch-resistant coating that can withstand everyday use and kids. The key word however is "resistant", this does not mean "scratch-proof". Even glass will scratch, so be careful when loading and unloading objects with sharp edges, boxes, sporting equipment, and also when releasing your seatbelt, this can easily make small nicks that are not covered by warranty.

Q: Where are you located?
A: Automotivation Mobile Cosmetic Service is a mobile business, James comes to you! In order to properly tint your windows you will need to provide a garage with enough room to move around the car and fully open the doors, one side at a time if need be. Adequate lighting and an electrical output for a heat gun may also be required. If a garage is not available to you, James has a facility at his disposal, please contact him for further details.

Paint Protection Film Questions

Q: What is paint protection film?
A: Paint protection film is a transparent polyurethane film that adheres to the painted surface of vulnerable areas on your vehicle. It can be removed without any damage to your paint and does not effect appearance and aerodynamics. It is not visible from just a few feet away and with minimal maintenance the film will last many years keeping your paint protected while looking great.

Q: Do I need to do anything to maintain my vehicle once applied?
A: Paint Protection Film should be cared for in the same way you would care for the paint on your vehicle. The product can be washed and waxed along with the rest of the vehicle. If any wax residue remains at the edge of the film it can be removed with a lint-free cloth. If you use a high pressure wash to clean your vehicle, you should keep the high pressure nozzle at least 12 inches from the edge of the film to prevent lifting of the edge.

Q: Can it be removed?
A: Professional removal of the film is recommended. Contact James for professional removal.

Q: Is it really invisible?
A: There are slight visible edge lines, but Paint Protection Film is very difficult to see once it is applied, the majority of people will not even notice it. The most visible part will be the top edge of the Paint Protection Film on the hood, which most people agree is very slight. Paint Protection Film looks like the clear-coat finish of your car/truck, except it is slightly thicker and more mirror like. The texture of the film we use is virtually orange-peel free. The film will be almost undetectable from 5 to 7 feet away, hood edge and all..

Q: How long will it last?
A: LLumar Paint Protection Film carries a limited 5 year manufacturers warranty covering product defect and "Yellowing". LLumar Paint Protection Film warranty will cover the material replacement along with a portion of the labour.

Q: How is the Paint Protection Film applied?
A: Paint Protection Film is applied onto the shape of the front end and various other sections of your car's exterior and semi-permanently adhered to the paint. Paint Protection Film material comes in a large roll. The film is cut into shapes to fit various parts of your car. These pieces are then applied to the vehicle in a very similar fashion to that of window tint.

Q: How is the Paint Protection Film cut?
A: Automotivation's Paint Protection Film patterns are computer-generated and cut precisely to factory specifications to ensure a perfect fit every time. Applicable to hoods, mirrors, fenders, door handles, door edges, bumpers and more.