Detailing Tips - Speedy K's

Detailing Tips and Questions Answered From the Detailing Professionals at Speedy K’s

Why should I have my auto/recreational transportation detailed?

Detailing is probably one of the least understood, but most valuable services you can get for your vehicle. Your auto/recreational transportation 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 auto/recreational transportation has been neglected, detailing will restore a showroom look and feel. If you are selling or trading your auto/recreational transportation, a detail will assure a quicker sale while increasing the value hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

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 auto/recreational transportation. 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 auto/recreational transportation detailed regularly

I just bought a new auto/recreational transportation. 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 auto/recreational transportation. 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.

How can I keep my auto/recreational transportation looking good between washes?

Frequent and proper washing is the most important preventive maintenance for your auto/recreational transportation’s appearance. No wax or sealant is effective enough to protect an auto/recreational transportation from contaminants that remain on the surface for extended periods.

What is the best way to wash my auto/recreational transportation 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 auto/recreational transportation. 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 auto/recreational transportation is to make sure the auto/recreational transportation is always washed and all bugs are removed after a long trip. If not removed, the bugs have acid that will eat into the auto/recreational transportation’s finish.

Is it safe to bring my auto/recreational transportation to an automatic wash (e.g. Gas Stations)?

Many automatic auto/recreational transportation 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 auto/recreational transportation’s underside. They can also scratch the auto/recreational transportation’s finish and leave spots on the auto/recreational transportation, Spending $5-20.00 on an automatic car wash may eventually cost you a lot more time and money. Having your auto/recreational transportation 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 auto/recreational transportation’s finish.

How often should my auto/recreational transportation be waxed?

This depends on the product used to wax or seal the auto/recreational transportation, environmental conditions the auto/recreational transportation 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 auto/recreational transportation is red, black or white, as these colors are more susceptible to acid rain and UV rays. ( See Manufacture’s Views)

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 auto/recreational transportation. What will a detail do for me?

When it comes to selling your auto/recreational transportation, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression. The most important thing is to clean the auto/recreational transportation inside and out. A clean, shiny auto/recreational transportation gives the impression that you care about the auto/recreational transportation and have maintained the condition of it. This will also increase your auto/recreational transportation’s sale price significantly.

Can I use dish soap to wash my auto/recreational transportation?

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 auto/recreational transportation & 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.

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.

It just rained. Didn’t that clean the contaminants off of my car?

One of the most critical times to wash your auto/recreational transportation 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 auto/recreational transportation. The water eventually evaporates, leaving a thin layer of pollutants that can damage your auto/recreational transportation’s finish. The longer you leave these pollutants on your car, the more damage they will inflict on your auto/recreational transportation’s finish. Snow and sleet can also result in some damaging effects and are often compounded by chemicals in road salt.

TO PREVENT WINTER DAMAGE IT IS RECOMMENDED TO WASH YOUR auto/recreational transportation as frequent as possible in heavy snow belt areas to remove road salt and to help prevent rust from occurring.

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.

Want more information? Watch the video below for more.

During the winter make sure not to attach trees to the roof of your auto/recreational transportation. This will only lead to denting and scratches on your auto/recreational transportation’s finish. Make sure to use a pickup truck so this does not occur.

Sand and gravel from street sanding causes rock chips, especially on the auto/recreational transportation’s front and windshield. Rock chips on the windshield near the outside edges are hard to see from the inside of the auto/recreational transportation, 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 auto/recreational transportation’s tires.

Use care in removing snow and ice from your auto/recreational transportation’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.

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 auto/recreational transportation could be covered in tree sap within a matter of hours. Sometimes parking your auto/recreational transportation in the shade just doesn’t pay off

Falling leaves and pine needles can clog rain drains, causing water to back up into the passenger compartment & leave stains on auto/recreational transportation finish if not removed

Remove bird droppings from finish immediately. The substance is acidic and can damage paint. The droppings can be very abrasive, so use care when removing them. The best way to remove bird droppings is to rinse the auto/recreational transportation off with a hose, or, using light pressure, rinse it off with a pressure washer.

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 auto/recreational transportation, 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 auto/recreational transportation’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 auto/recreational transportation, make sure you contact our staff at Speedy K’s ASAP to have it removed before it sets into the auto/recreational transportation’s finish.

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 auto/recreational transportation’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.