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Detailing
Tips |
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Why should I have my car detailed Tips?
Seasonal Detailing Tips
What Auto Manufacturers
Say About Car Washing
Why should I have my car detailed Tips
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Why should I have my car detailed?
Detailing is probably
one of the least understood, but most valuable
services you can get for your vehicle. Your vehicle is
your second best investment, which is very important
to Speedy K’s
as well. Regular detailing will
protect and keep it looking new as long as you own it,
and return value will be more profitable to you. If your
vehicle has been neglected, detailing will restore a
showroom look and feel. If you are selling or trading
your vehicle, a detail will assure a quicker sale while
increasing the value hundreds
or even thousands of dollars.(Back to top)
- My vehicle has a clear coat. Is waxing necessary?
Absolutely!!! Today’s high-solid clear
coat finishes are the result of new laws for paint
solvents and emissions created by the EPA in 1983. The new
paint systems are actually softer and less durable than the
low-solid single stage finishes applied years ago.
A wax or sealant acts as a superficial layer of protection
for the vulnerable finish of your vehicle. You do not want
to neglect your vehicle's finish by not having it treated
regularly because this will result in paint fade, blemishes
and other problems that will end up costing you more
money to repair then the cost of having your vehicle
detailed regularly. (Back to top)
- I just bought a new car. How long should I wait before
having wax applied?
Today’s factory finishes are fully cured
when they leave the factory. Despite what your dealer may
have told you, it is safe and recommended to apply wax 21
days after you acquire your new vehicle. If your vehicle
has been completely or partially refinished by a body shop,
it is recommended to wait 30 days before applying wax or
sealants.(Back to top)
- How can I keep my vehicle looking good between washes?
Frequent and proper washing is the most important preventive maintenance
for your vehicle's appearance. No wax or sealant is effective enough to
protect a vehicle from contaminants that remain on the surface for extended
periods. (Back to top)
- What is the best way to wash my vehicle and how often
should I do it?
When properly performed, hand washing is the safest and
most thorough method of cleaning the exterior of your vehicle.
It is recommended to wash your car every rainfall to remove
contaminants that may have settled or about every 5-7 days if no rainfall has occurred. You may need to wash more frequently depending upon construction or dusty conditions. Another key factor in detailing your vehicle is to make sure the vehicle is always washed and all bugs are removed after a long trip. If not removed, the bugs have acid that will eat into the vehicle’s finish. . (Back to top)
- Is it safe to bring my vehicle to an automatic wash (e.g.
Gas Stations)?
Many automatic car washes, especially touchless washes, use harsh detergents and acid presoaks that can strip away wax or sealant and dry out the clear coat. The protective sealants and waxes used at automatic washes do not provide the protection they claim. They can actually harm painted surfaces, trim and glass, and may cause damage to mirrors and vehicle’s underside. They can also scratch the vehicle’s finish and leave spots on the vehicle, Spending $5-20.00 on an automatic car wash may eventually cost you a lot more time and money. Having your vehicle professionally cleaned by hand will ensure this does not happen and will only cost around $15-45.00 for a wash and sealant application by professionals that care about your vehicle’s finish. ( See Manufacture's Views) (See Damage Done By Automatic Car Washes) (Back to top)
- How often should my vehicle be waxed?
This depends on the product used to wax or seal the car, environmental conditions
the car is exposed to, and the requirements of the owner. For vehicles
driven daily, we recommend applying wax every 3-6 months. More frequent
waxing is needed if your car is red, black or white, as these colors are
more susceptible to acid rain and UV rays. ( See Manufacture's Views) (Back to top)
- Should I have my leather interior cleaned?
A fine leather interior, original or restored, represents
a major investment worth protecting. Cleaning and “feeding” leather is essential
to keeping it pliable, lustrous and healthy. In time, if leather is not maintained,
it tends to become dry and brittle due to environmental pollution and
exposure to direct sunlight. It is important to use a leather conditioner
between cleanings to prevent “cracking”. It is recommended
to be treated once a month
- I am getting ready sell my car. What will a detail do
for me?
When it comes to selling your car, you never get a second
chance to make a great first impression. The most important
thing is to clean the car inside and out. A clean, shiny
car gives the impression that you care about the car have
maintained the condition of it. This will also increase your
vehicle's sale price significantly. (Back to top)
- Can I use dish soap to wash my car?
Dish soaps work great on dishes, which is why they are called “dish soaps”.
The truth is, many dishwashing soaps are not pH balanced and can actually strip
the wax off the car & dull it!
- What is the difference between a polish and a wax?
A polish is designed to remove minor surface imperfections
such as scratches, spotting and oxidation. Polishes work
with abrasives and/or chemical cleaners to flatten or
level, the surface. For example, a clear coat scratch
can reflect light from its microscopic edges. That’s
what makes it stand out from the surrounding area.
A polish can smooth out, or level, the edges, reducing
the amount of light the scratch reflects. In many
cases, a polish can completely remove minor surface scratches
and other imperfections.(Back to top)
A wax or sealant is designed to enhance and protect a previously
polished surface. This protection is necessary to keep airborne
pollutants, road film and other contaminants from sticking
to the surface, causing potentially long term damage. Some
single-step products combine the cut of a polish with the shine
and protection of a wax. They work great when speed is important,
but are not as effective as a two-step polish/wax process. (Back to top)
- It just rained. Didn’t
that clean the contaminants off of my car?
One of the most critical times to wash your car is immediately
after a rainfall. As rain falls, it collects pollutants from
the air, a concept commonly referred to as “acid
rain”.
Even after a light rainfall, rainwater and pollutants fall
on your car. The water eventually evaporates, leaving a thin
layer of pollutants that can damage your car's finish. The
longer you leave these pollutants on your car, the more damage
they will inflict on your car's finish. Snow and sleet can
also result in some damaging effects and are often compounded
by chemicals in road salt. (Back to top)
TO PREVENT WINTER DAMAGE IT IS RECOMMENDED TO WASH
YOUR VEHICLE as frequent as possible in heavy snow belt areas
to remove road salt and to help prevent rust from occurring.
Washing your car in cold weather is a great way to stop serious
paint and rust problems before they start. To use the winter
months as an excuse not to wash your car is to invite trouble. (Back to top)
We would like to
remind you that a well-kept vehicle could be worth twice
as much at trade-in time as its neglected counterpart. Keeping
it clean is an important part of that process no matter what
season it is. The appearance is important not only to you
but to your clients or other companys
as well. (Back to top)
Seasonal Detailing Tips
Winter
- Sand
and gravel from street sanding causes rock chips, especially
on the vehicle’s front and windshield. Rock chips
on the windshield near the outside edges are hard to see from
the inside of the vehicle, but are especially prone to cracking,
since stress on the glass is highest near the window seals. Keep
a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you to avoid rocks
being thrown by the vehicle’s tires.
- Use
care in removing snow and ice from your vehicle’s finish. Ice
is abrasive and can scratch your finish. Remember that
ice scrapers are designed to remove ice and snow from your
windows. They can scratch paint surfaces, window tint
and rear view mirrors.
- Be
careful to clean rain guards in the winter because they
become brittle and may crack.
- During the winter make sure not to attach trees to the roof of your vehicle. This will only lead to denting and scratches on your vehicle’s finish. Make sure to use a pickup truck so this does not occur. (Back to top)
Spring
- Rock chips are still a problem until the roads have been completely swept. At the end of the snow season, make sure you have all rock chips touched up to avoid rust spots. Have chips in the glass repaired if possible, or replace your damaged windshield.
- Trees are growing again, and in the process generate lots of sap! As with all types of stains, make sure you do not park under pine trees. Your vehicle could be covered in tree sap within a matter of hours. Sometimes parking your vehicle in the shade just doesn’t pay off. (Back to top)
Summer
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Summer is construction season. Fresh tar and oil are everywhere. Avoid driving on new asphalt if possible. It is difficult to avoid all road tar, but if it gets on your vehicle, make sure you have it removed by a professional; if you use the wrong chemical to remove it, such as gasoline, WD-40, or Kerosene, your vehicle’s finish can fade!. Summer is also painting season. Overspray from outdoor painting projects is a common hazard. Avoid parking downwind from areas where paint is being sprayed. If over spray does get on your vehicle, make sure you contact our staff at Speedy K’s ASAP to have it removed before it sets into the vehicle’s finish. (Back
to top)
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You
know those small, circular white spots you see on your finish
in the summer? Those are water spots, and are most
commonly caused by automatic car washing systems and (acid
rain) evaporating
in the sun on your vehicle’s hot surface. As
the water dries, it leaves behind mineral deposits that begin
to etch paint and glass surfaces immediately. Consult Speedy
K’s detailing specialists for more information.
Fall
Here Are Some Things To Look Out For All Year Long…
- Have your vehicle washed frequently. Simply brushing up against a dirty car can mark the finish. Also, with time, road oils and dirt cause paint deterioration when not washed off.
-
Don’t
drag vacuum hoses, garden hoses, or gas hoses over the
top of your vehicle. This can cause scratches or
scuffs on the edges of body panels.
-
Wash
gas stains from around the fuel filler door as quickly
as possible.
-
Avoid
sitting on, standing on, or leaning against your vehicle.
-
Avoid
setting grocery bags or other items on your vehicle. This
is perhaps the most common cause of surface scratches
on the hood, roof or trunk.
-
Most “door
dings” and dents happen in parking lots. Here’s
how you can avoid them:
-
Park
next to four-door cars. Their doors
are shorter than those on two-door models,
so passengers
are less likely to hit adjacent vehicles
when opening their doors.
-
Park
between compact cars. The smaller
the cars, the larger the space in between
them.
-
Park
next to a new vehicle. New car owners
are usually much more careful.
-
Don’t
park next to rusted, dirty, or damaged vehicles. These
owners don’t care about their vehicle and
probably don’t care about yours.
-
Avoid
parking up front where the shopping cart
returns are.
-
Don’t
park at the unprotected end of a row. Poor
visibility at parking lot intersections leads
to numerous accidents.
-
Avoid
parking near poles so you won’t back
or turn into a pole that you forgot was there. (Back
to top)
What
Auto Manufacturers Say About Car Washing
General
Motors
“The
best way to preserve your vehicle’s
finish is to keep it clean by washing
it often with lukewarm or cold water…. Don’t
use cleaning agents that are petroleum
based, or that contain acid or abrasives…. High
pressure vehicle washes may cause water
to enter your vehicle…. Don’t
take your vehicle through an automatic
vehicle wash that has silicon carbide
tire cleaning brushes.” (Back to top)
Ferrari
“Make
sure that the paintwork is not directly
sprayed with a high pressure jet, as damage may result. Wash
all the paintwork using…ample
quantities of water and a neutral shampoo…. We
recommend not having the car washeed by
[those] automatic washing plants which…employ
very aggressive detergents.” (Back
to top)
BMW
“Right
from the start, you can wash your new
BMW. Avoid automatic car washing systems. This will lead
to paint sealant removal. When washing
by hand, always
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle’s surface when
using spray wands and high pressure
washers. Inadequate
distance and excessive pressure can
damage or weaken the finish, making it more susceptible
to subsequent attack. In addition
moisture could penetrate to vehicle
components, leading to long-term damage.” (Back
to top)
Infinity
“Clean
the vehicle thoroughly using a mild
soap…mixed
with clean, lukewarm (never hot)
water. Do
not use strong household soap, strong
chemical detergents, gasoline or
solvents.” Always
use professional car wash soaps to
ensure sealant protection. (Back
to top)
Mercedes Benz
“Do
not use hot water. Use only
a mild car wash detergent…. Thoroughly
spray the car with a diffused jet
of water. Direct
only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake…. Make
sure to dry your vehicle when finished
to avoid water spots. (Back
to top)
Chrysler
“Wash
your vehicle regularly. Always
wash your vehicle in the shade
using mild car wash soap, and
rinse the panels completely with
clear water…. Avoid
using automatic car washes that
use acidic solutions or harsh
brushes that may damage the wheel’s
protective finish & exterior
paint finish” (Back
to top)
Ford
“ Wash
the vehicle frequently…rinse
the vehicle with clear, cold
water…. Do not
wash your vehicle with hot
water; do not use steel wool,
abrasive cleaners, fuel, or
strong detergents…. These
can damage your vehicle’s
protective coating and paint…. Tire
brushes used in automatic car
washes may damage the painted
finish on your vehicle's surface,
aluminum wheels or wheel covers. (Back
to top)
 
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