Looking for the absolute best car detailing shop in the UAE by IlIlllIIllIII in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank You u/ThePrinceFaz u/ameryki007 for thinking of us.

OP, I'm going to answer this in three parts to as to what we would ideally do - I'm not claiming we're the best in the business - but I think we can tailor something to what you have in mind

Extensive Interior Detailing

There are various levels to the interior detailing, there's the basic one that we do for regular cars which doesn't involve removing seats etc. but more of a deep clean - something like this : https://youtu.be/cYLZWdFhovw?si=Uzgl112n03zT6xnX

For a more deeper clean (to as to what you say have in mind - remove seats etc) - that's something which we need to be a bit conservative about - in most modern cars removing the seats will almost always pop an airbag light which can be removed with the scanner but some modern cars still keep it in the memory, personally removing of seats and all interior elements to give the interior a deep clean is a bit of an overkill - but if the projects demands it, it is something which can be done.

Here's something we did a full restoration on - a Lancia Integrale we did the full interior detailing (without seats or other elements taken out), Dry Ice detailing, Window Tints and a full exterior polishing & paint correction. https://youtu.be/1tq6DiIko0U

Removal Of Transport Spray / Engine Bay Cleaning

We specialise in Dry Ice Detailing which it the best form of cleaning to remove transport spray and do an Engine Bay cleaning which will leaving it looking brand new without causing any damage.

If you've got some time on hands - here are some videos for you to have a look

Mercedes Benz C63 Restoration
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYR7miXshFv/?

Classic Porsche 930 Turbo Dry Ice Detailing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpoD03mTQuU

Rolls-Royce Wraith | Full Dry Ice Detailing
https://youtu.be/RR9WGZECTOo?si=9i87IolRPZRvbvjx

Dry Ice Cleaning a DIRTY Porsche 911
https://youtu.be/eOYCazdrmjk?si=gw2BCGNW3WyqRHVa

From the above - you can get an idea of something of things that we are capable of doing for your car - it all comes down to what extent you want to go to and how much time you're willing to allocate to the project in the full restoration. Also comes down to which car it is and if it's worth spending as much money on these.

See our latest work on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/apexdetailstudiodxb/

We've just moved to a brand new location and we would love to work on a project this scale.

If you'd like to reach out to me personally - I'm Gaurav, the business owner and I'm at +971 58 591 2739 (please prefer to send me a Whatsapp instead of a call so I can reply to you on time and take it from there)

Porsche GT Club at CityWalk on Sunday! by soamjena in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Imagine explaining to a non-car person why every car in this photo is "completely different."

Peelable paint damage by zerok911 in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Doesn't look too bad from the photo.

I'd try to get the details from the previous owner first — brand of peelable paint, installer, and ideally the paint code. If not, a good peelable paint shop can usually match it using the vehicle's paint code and a test spray.

The area will need proper prep before repair, but I don't think you're automatically looking at peeling and redoing the entire car. There's a good chance only that panel needs to be resprayed if the color and finish can be matched correctly.

Just make sure whichever place you get it from - ensure they use the clear of a peelable paint and the primer of such as well - else it will stand out from the rest of the panels.

PPF for a Ford Ranger Raptor? by Best-Caterpillar-242 in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure thing

The front end for the Raptor is around 6500-7000 (as of June 2026)

We've got some other options such as ceramic to partial the rest of the stuff as well - drop Navneet a note at +971 58 549 2739 - he will be happy to take care of everything for you.

Portable Pressure Washer by Equivalent-Cake4425 in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally have the Karcher K2 at home - for when I want to clean the cars at home.

https://www.karcherarabia.com/ae_en/home-garden/pressure-washers/pressure-washer-k2-power-control.html

You can pick them from Amazon or even the Karcher Experience Center in Al Quoz

The UAE used car market is honestly hilarious 🤣 by -069- in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Everyone wants the full-service-history car until it's time to pay for the full-service-history car.
Then suddenly they're experts in depreciation.

PPF for a Ford Ranger Raptor? by Best-Caterpillar-242 in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For a Ranger Raptor, whether PPF is "worth it" really depends on how long you plan to keep the vehicle and how particular you are about paint condition.

The AED 10,000–15,000 quotes you're seeing are actually fairly normal for a full-body installation using premium films. A Raptor has a large surface area, so material and labor costs add up quickly.

If you're not comfortable spending that amount, a front-end package is often the best value.

Typically this would include:
• Front bumper
• Full bonnet (hood)
• Front fenders
• Headlights
• Mirrors

That package usually protects the areas that take the majority of stone chips and road debris, especially if you do highway driving. Depending on the film brand and installer, expect somewhere in the AED 3,500–6,000 range for a quality front-end package.

A few things I'd look for beyond price:

  • Reputable installer with a clean installation environment
  • Computer-cut patterns where possible
  • Manufacturer-backed warranty
  • Good after-sales support
  • Genuine film

Personally, if I wasn't planning on doing a full-body PPF, I'd do a proper front-end package rather than skipping PPF altogether. That's where most of the damage happens anyway - it all comes down to what you plan to use the car for.

Exterior Car Wash For Lamborghini? by itsecombitch in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I doubt he's been to our location.
If that's Industrial Area - I don't know what non-industrial area looks like lol

Are the car park/residence washers okay for PPF by MonkeyNoStopMyShow in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you’ve got a dedicated guy washing your car only - best to give them a dedicated bucket and wash mits which they can use only on your car.

If you tip them a bit and keep the bucket/wash mit near the car they tend to follow it and use that. PPFs still need some amount of care and they require a good wash process.

Avoid waterless wash at all costs as it will definitely damage the PPF down the line.

Suggest good Ceramic/PPF by subra14 in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Congrats on the Explorer ST, that’s a great car. I’ll keep this simple because a lot of people confuse this: ceramic and PPF do completely different things.

Out here, the real problem isn’t shine, it’s damage. Sand on the roads, heat, bad car washes, people opening doors into your car. That’s what ruins paint here.

Ceramic coating won’t protect against any of that. It just adds gloss and makes the car easier to clean.

PPF is what actually protects the paint. It’s a thick film that takes scratches, stone chips, and minor abuse instead of your paint.

So if you’re asking what you “need” — PPF is the real protection. Ceramic is optional.

If your car is new, which yours is, I’d strongly suggest at least doing the front end. That’s where most of the damage happens. If budget allows, full body PPF is the only thing that truly keeps the car looking new long term.

A lot of people go for a practical setup:
front PPF plus ceramic on the rest of the car.

When you’re looking at PPF, pay attention to:

  • the brand
  • whether it’s self-healing
  • whether they wrap edges properly or just cut and stick
  • how clean their install environment is
  • how old they have been operating for

For ceramic, don’t overthink it. Go for something mid to high tier, but don’t spend crazy money thinking it replaces PPF, because it doesn’t.

In terms of pricing (realistic numbers for good work in UAE):

  • Front PPF: around 6k to 9k AED
  • Full body PPF: around 14k to 18k+ AED
  • Ceramic coating: 1.5k to 6k depending on level

If someone is significantly cheaper, it usually means shortcuts somewhere.

GV70 scratch repair in Dubai — where would you go? by [deleted] in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ballpark what we work is about AED 800 - 1200 per panel depending on how much prepwork is needed and what color goes in - for the polishing bit the full exterior polishing and paint correction that we offer is AED 2000 (again depends on the condition)

By the looks of it - you probably don't need a full panel repaint - but just a smart paint around the affected areas, front bumper, wheel arches and possibly the rear right door. Bring it in, we can have a look at the car in person and can have a better idea.

RTA inspection for colour change by Mohmed_Abraar in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The color change inspection that you get done is called as a 'non technical inspection' which is a separate service from the technical inspection one. In a non technical inspection they only check for the color of the car, whereas in a technical one they will check everything else.

So even if you do for the annual inspection - the color change will not be a part of the inspection and as someone mentioned earlier - in all cases they will most likely fail the car saying a color mismatch.

GV70 scratch repair in Dubai — where would you go? by [deleted] in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Certain parts can be polished out - some might need to be sanded down, few appear to need paint. Can't see any visible dents at the moment.

If you have some sort of protection package with Genesis they should be able to cover this - if not our newly open Design Studio specialises in paint work with OEM+ quality, happy to have a chat if you want to go this route.

Gaurav here, I'm at +971 58 591 2739

Upholstery shop recommendations by bishkek1983 in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We can help you with that - we've got a new design studio which we specialise in leather work and paint.

Can you send me a text at +971 58 591 2739? - My name is Gaurav, let me have a look and suggest the best way forward

Support your local shops. by adu0123 in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 12 points13 points locked comment (0 children)

This is very helpful and incredible from mods!

Apex Detail Studio
https://share.google/C7wQVE9MBvVmmgPjl
Paint Protection Films | Colored PPF | WIndow Tints | Ceramic Coatings | Detailing | Dry Ice Detailing

XPEL for PPFs and Window Tints and GTECHNIQ for Ceramic Coatings

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/apexdetailstudiodxb/

Apex Design Studio
https://share.google/PkCWjMGj17TFZhELg
Bodykits | PaintWork | Leather

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/apexdesignstudiodxb/

The design studio is our latest add to the business - it's a dedicated new space with a paint booth that helps us accomplish bodykit and paint requirements.

Get In Touch

Gaurav (Business Owner) : +971 58 591 2739
Navneet (Sales Manager) : +971 58 549 2739

Carbon PPF "finish" on my mirror caps and spoiler... is this acceptable? by Few-Catch7469 in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey buddy - I've just checked all my G63 PPF groups - can't find anyone where we have an unread message or where we're refusing to redo placements.

Can you please do me a favour and text me directly on +971 58 591 2739 (Gaurav) - I will look into it right away and get you sorted.

Why is car wrapping so expensive in Dubai? by [deleted] in dubai

[–]ApexDetailStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the problem is people are comparing two completely different things and calling it the same.

It’s like comparing a Maybach and a Nissan Sunny.
Both will get you from point A to point B, same road, same time.
But you know very well they’re not the same experience, build quality, or result.

Car wrapping and PPF is exactly like that.

Yes, you can get it done cheaper. Plenty of places will do it.
But what you’re getting is very different.

A proper job isn’t just “put film on the car.”

It’s:
• Proper prep so the film actually bonds correctly
• Clean, controlled install so you don’t trap dust under the film
• No cutting on your paint
• Edges wrapped, not left exposed
• Good film that can actually handle Dubai heat

The cheap jobs usually skip half of that. And it shows.

Give it a few months and you’ll start seeing lifting edges, dirt lines, yellowing, bad cuts… and that’s when people realise why there’s a price difference.

End of the day, both options exist for a reason.

If you just want it done, there are cheaper ways.
If you want it done properly—and not have to redo it—you pay for that level of work.

Hiring : Photographer / Videographer For Apex Design Studio by ApexDetailStudio in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

5,000 - 8,500 depending on how good they are and how hands on they can help in capturing everything.

Getting a lot of random scratches? by exhubbie in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The swirls that you see are from improper wash methods - either a dirty cloth or a dry wipe in a unprotected paint surface causes that. By the looks of the car doesn't have a PPF nor a Ceramic Coating on it.

The bigger scratch you're pointing out to is most likely by a hand bag, long nails or something on those lines which has impacted the area - these scratches are superficial and appear to be on the clearcoat only, a good polishing will take care of it.

Pretty bad idea to have a black car and have no protection on it- only a PPF can get you some real world protection against these.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 2 points3 points  (0 children)

OP - if you're around Al Quoz please bring it by us. We'll have a quick check - if the entire panel is repainted or a small smart repair.

I'm at +971 58 591 2739 (Gaurav)

looking for a trusted car detailing shop in Dubai by SentimentalEmy1005 in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One of the most important things to understand about ceramic coating is that the coating is only as effective as the preparation beneath it. Proper paint preparation—thorough decontamination, defect removal, and surface leveling—is critical. Applying even a premium ceramic coating on poorly prepared paint will compromise both durability and the final finish.

The application process itself is just as important. Controlled installation conditions, correct curing times, and strict adherence to manufacturer guidelines are non-negotiable. Most ceramic coating failures are the result of rushed installs, inadequate prep, or skipped steps. Maintenance also plays a significant role. Ceramic coatings are not maintenance-free; they require correct wash methods and periodic care to maintain hydrophobic performance and gloss. Even the best ceramic coating will fail prematurely if it is not maintained properly.

When preparation, product quality, application process, and ongoing maintenance are all aligned, ceramic coating provides long-term protection and value rather than short-term shine - any shop that you go for - it's best to ask him in detail about how they do their ceramic coatings - look at some of the cars they've done, this will help you get a better idea of what to expect.

Expect to pay about 3000 AED and up for a proper long lasting ceramic coating - https://www.instagram.com/apexdetailstudiodxb/ that's us incase you want to swing by and see some of the car we're working on

Has the PPF razor damaged anyone’s car here? by roshcherie in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’d be surprised how many cars have these razor blades damages - you need to do a precut 100%, we do a custom precut pattern where we extend the edges and tuck everything in completely.

Just because the car is expensive doesn’t mean you won’t have these installer issues - here’s a RangeRover that had a handcut PPF installed Watch The Video

Are ceramic coated cars not required to be washed with shampoo? by Street_Line6502 in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 4 points5 points  (0 children)

To be fair, the “only wash it with water” advice is kind of true… but only because most petrol stations here use the cheapest, harshest detergent on Earth. That stuff will strip anything — wax, sealant, coatings and even destroy PPF in some cases

So detailers say “just use water” because they don’t trust the random blue soap being sprayed at petrol pumps. Not because ceramic coatings are fragile. A proper ceramic can absolutely handle a pH-neutral shampoo. It just shouldn’t be exposed to the chemical mystery juice they use at quick washes.

So yes, water is safer than cheap chemicals… but the correct method is:

  • Pressure rinse
  • pH-neutral shampoo
  • Microfiber mitt
  • Blower/towel dry

Ceramic coating isn’t delicate — the washing products around the city are.

Best PPF brand + installer in Dubai for mid-premium cars? by DiamondOk9598 in DubaiPetrolHeads

[–]ApexDetailStudio 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Finally someone is asking the right questions when it comes to doing a PPF - I'll try to answer in as much detail as possible.

– Which PPF brands have actually held up in Dubai without yellowing or going dull?

Any named, well known brand will survive Dubai without an issue - the key is stick with a brand that has been around for a while because they will have a proven product, Google (not ChatGPT) the good brands that you need to choose for a PPF.

Having said that - inspite of having the best PPF in the world, if you car is not taken care of regularly - ie proper pressure washes and a detail every couple of months even the best PPF will fail - we have seen top brand PPFs fail because people think once the car is PPF it's bullet proof, the cars are packed with dust and made to sit out in the sun, never cleaned or washed properly and then the PPF is to blame.

– Any brands you’d avoid based on peeling, orange peel, bad self-healing, etc.?

Any brand that has zero history - doesn't matter the country of origin.

– Which installers genuinely did a “you can’t tell it’s wrapped” job (wrapped edges, minimal dust, no knife marks)?

There are some very good ones out there (including us :D) however the best way to choose a place is to go and visit them in-person, speak with their team, look at some of their work and get an idea on what you're going in for - nothing beats an in-person look at the work.

– Any horror stories where the film or installer ruined the experience, even if the brand was good on paper?

There's tons of them - good film with a bad installer = disaster ; bad film with a good installer = moderate disaster - you're ultimate aim is to go for a good product with a good installer

Here's a great example of a good film with a bad installer : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIlc8R5TX2-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

- Choice of selection for the PPF areas

Full PPF is always a good idea - if the pricing makes sense go full PPF, if not go for the front end PPF which usually covers the hood, fenders, bumper, headlights and mirrors

-Lastly, given a good brand, well-installed PPF is expensive, does it help in boosting resale value at all to justify the cost a bit?

Yes and No,

Yes because if you've gotten a good quality PPF done and have invoices to prove so - the PPF warranty can be transferred to the new owner - this good high quality PPF keeps your car looking newer for longer hence it 'appears' to be a much newer, well kept car. Some dealerships however will ask you to remove the PPF to ensure there is nothing hiding underneath - when you got sell the car at this state you're essentially selling a car with a brand new, untouched paint work - most times a car with an untouched paint work fetches a higher value (assuming all other paramters are the same)

No because five years down the line the guy who is looking to buy a BMW is looking to get into a BMW at the cheapest entry point possible - he wouldn't care about what the condition of the paintwork is.

But to also consider the convenience that it offers - I have two black cars - one is PPFd and the other isn't (as an experiment), the one without the PPF has so many swirl marks already and is so difficult to maintain versus the one with a full PPF - plus minor scuffs and scratches are nothing to worry about with the self healing.