Do New Cars Need Detailing? The Truth Behind 26-Plate Car Prep

By Platform Auto Detailing — Fylde Coast New Car Protection Specialist

Most people assume a brand-new car arrives in perfect condition.

Perfect paint, perfect gloss, perfect protection.

The reality?

New cars almost always need professional detailing — often more than used cars.

If you’re collecting a 26-plate in March, expecting a factory-fresh finish, here’s the truth you need to know before it leaves the dealership.

1. New Cars Already Have Swirl Marks

Yes — genuinely.

Before the car even reaches you, it has been:

• Washed at the factory

• Washed at the docks

• Washed at the transport hub

• Washed at the dealership

All done quickly, using dirty mitts, cheap chemicals and untrained staff.

These processes introduce:

• Swirl marks

• Light scratches

• Dulling

• Holograms

  
  

You’ll notice this under petrol station lighting on day one.

2. Soft Clear Coat = Quick Damage

Modern car paint is thinner and softer than it used to be.

This means:

• It scratches easier

• UV fading happens faster

• Water spots etch more easily

A brand-new car can pick up permanent defects within weeks if not protected properly.

3. Dealer “Protection Packages” Are Not the Answer

Dealerships often push:

• “Lifetime paint protection”

• “Diamondbrite”

• “GuardX”

• “Supagard”

These are:

• Overpriced

• Poorly applied

• Weak compared to professional ceramics

• Often done by a junior valeter in 45 minutes

Most fail within months.

You’re paying for the upsell — not the result.

4. New Cars Still Need a Deep Clean + Decontamination

Even brand-new paint has:

• Transport wax

• Industrial fallout

• Rail dust

• Adhesive residue from delivery film

• Light tar

A thorough decontamination is essential before applying any protection.

Skipping this step means:

• Protection won’t bond properly

• Coatings won’t last

• Gloss won’t be maximised

5. Machine Polishing Makes a Huge Difference

A light single-stage polish on a new car:

• Removes factory swirls

• Enhances colour depth

• Levels the paint

• Increases clarity

• Maximises gloss

This creates the perfect base layer for ceramic coating.

This is something dealerships never do — but professional detailers always do.

6. Why New Cars NEED Ceramic Coating Immediately

A ceramic coating:

• Protects the soft clear coat

• Prevents staining and etching

• Makes washing safer

• Keeps the gloss for years

• Shields the paint from the Fylde Coast environment

If you live in:

• Stalmine

• Poulton-le-Fylde

• Blackpool

• Cleveleys

• Fleetwood

• Over Wyre

…then you’re up against sea air, salt, moisture and winter grit.

Coatings make a huge difference here.

The best time to apply one?

Before the car ever hits daily road use.

7. The Best Package for New Cars — New Car Protection

Our New Car Protection Package is built specifically for brand-new vehicles.

Includes:

• Full deep clean

• Snow foam & safe wash

• Full decontamination

• Single-stage gloss enhancement

• 7 year ceramic coating

• Trim dressing

• Glass cleaned & ceramic coated

• Wheel faces ceramic coated

• Full interior deep clean with leather/fabric protection included

Your car starts its life properly protected — not with a quick dealership wipe-down.

8. Picking Up a 26-Plate Soon? Here’s What To Do

1. Tell the dealership NOT to wash the car. They will damage it before you even collect it.

2. Book your New Car Protection detail for the same week. Protect it before the first contaminants bond to the paint.

3. Start the maintenance routine properly from day one. This guarantees long-term paint health.

Why New Cars Should Still Be Detailed

Because:

• They aren’t perfect from the factory

• They aren’t washed safely

• They aren’t protected properly

• They’re at their most vulnerable when new

A new car deserves the best start you can give it.

Book Your New Car Protection Package

Schedule your 26-plate detail early — March will fill fast.

Book Online

Or message us to reserve your date.