ISSUE 14 · SPRING 2026 · FIELD NOTES FROM THE SUN BELT · UPDATED FRIDAYS

The/Lab.

Vehicle-by-vehicle detailing playbook. Built for the Sun Belt, written for owners. No fluff. Just the steps that actually work.

Matte Paint Detailing Guide: How to Wash and Protect a Matte or Satin Finish
Cover story · Apr 20, 2026 · 6 min read· EXOTICS

Matte Paint Detailing Guide: How to Wash and Protect a Matte or Satin Finish

Long-term exotic storage, whether for winter, extended travel, or simply protecting a low-mileage collector piece, requires a detail protocol designed for months of stationary time rather than weekly driving. The...

Read the cover →
Sections
7 of 8 guides
How to Remove Brake Dust from Exotic Car Wheels Without Damaging RimsEXOTICS
Apr 18, 2026 · 6 min read

How to Remove Brake Dust from Exotic Car Wheels Without Damaging Rims

Exotic vehicles are engineered with precision. Their braking systems, specifically the carbon ceramic brakes found on Ferrari, Lamborghini,...

By Sean HoyRead →
How to Clean Carbon Fiber on a Supercar: Protecting High-Performance Body PanelsEXOTICS
Apr 15, 2026 · 6 min read

How to Clean Carbon Fiber on a Supercar: Protecting High-Performance Body Panels

PPF and ceramic coatings represent the highest level of paint protection technology available for exotic vehicles. Paint protection...

By Sean HoyRead →
Best Car Detailing Products for Exotic Cars: What’s Safe for PPF and Ceramic CoatingsEXOTICS
Apr 10, 2026 · 6 min read

Best Car Detailing Products for Exotic Cars: What’s Safe for PPF and Ceramic Coatings

Track days subject exotic paint to conditions it was never designed for. Rubber marbles from other vehicles embed...

By Sean HoyRead →
How to Detail an Exotic Car: Protecting Supercars, Hypercars, and Track-Day VehiclesEXOTICS
Apr 08, 2026 · 6 min read

How to Detail an Exotic Car: Protecting Supercars, Hypercars, and Track-Day Vehicles

Exotic and supercar ownership comes with paint care challenges that most detailing advice doesn't address. Carbon fiber panels,...

By Sean HoyRead →
How to Protect a Vinyl Wrap: The Right Products and TechniquesCAR WRAP
Feb 10, 2026 · 13 min read

How to Protect a Vinyl Wrap: The Right Products and Techniques

Vinyl wraps represent a significant investment anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000+ for a full vehicle coverage. You chose...

By Sean HoyRead →
SiO2 vs. Graphene: Which Detailing Technology Actually Protects Your Vehicle Better?CAR DETAILING
Jan 24, 2026 · 12 min read

SiO2 vs. Graphene: Which Detailing Technology Actually Protects Your Vehicle Better?

Walk into any premium detailing product discussion, and you'll hear two names thrown around: SiO2 and graphene. Both...

By Sean HoyRead →
Best Graphene Car Soap: Why It Outperforms Traditional Car Wash SoapsCAR DETAILING
Jan 10, 2026 · 13 min read

Best Graphene Car Soap: Why It Outperforms Traditional Car Wash Soaps

You've probably seen "graphene" appearing on more and more car detailing products lately. And if you're skeptical good....

By Sean HoyRead →
Editor's note Aug 15, 2026 · Lake Forest, CA

This week the team is paying attention to one thing: how ceramic coatings actually hold up at 108°F. Most products are tested in mild conditions. Bahama is battle-tested in the harshest Sun Belt sun — so it preserves and restores any vehicle, anywhere. The playbook below is still being written. Use the guides. Send us what we missed.

Sean Hoy Founder & Editor · The Lab
From the feed

Field notes, in motion.

The reels behind the reports. Real vehicles, real heat, on @bahamadetailingproducts.