1) When washing your
car, Do not use old rags,
shirts, socks, dish towels, or any other kind of towel. These will all leave
swirl marks in your paint as they do not trap dirt particles deep in the fibers
keeping them away from your vehicles finish. Instead it keeps the sand
particles on the top of the fibers where they scratch your paint with every
wipe. Use a microfiber towel or wash mitt as to not leave scratches and swirls.
2) When drying your
car, use only a chamois or
microfiber towel, regular bath towels and other towels will leave lint, and
will scratch your paint leaving those dreaded swirl marks, scratches and spider
web/holograms. We cant speak highly enough for microfiber towels, they are the
softest lint free towels, and highly recommended for auto detailing. 203 Mobile
Detailing uses microfiber wash mitts, micro fiber drying towels, micro fiber
polishing towels, micro fiber window towels, and micro fiber interior cleaning
towels. P.S- These can not be washed with your regular laundry, wash separate
and do not use dryer sheets or fabric softener.
3) Do not use dish soap or any
other household soap when washing your car.
These soaps have harsh detergents in them for breaking down grease and these
kind of detergents will also remove all remaining wax that you have on your
paint.
4) Eliminate
damage that you can cause while
washing your vehicle by taking off rings, watches, belts and long necklaces. 203
Mobile Detailing uses microfiber aprons while polishing and waxing your
exterior as not to rub against your finish with our clothes.
5) Car covers, bike covers and
front end bras are very bad. Dust, dirt, sand and
grit will get under these covers and lay on the painted surface. The cover on
top will move and cause a sanding-like motion against the paint. If your paint
is properly waxed you will not need a cover. All you will need is a microfiber
duster or microfiber towel to dust it off with no harm.
6) So many times we’ve
heard new car owners tell us that they thought they didn’t have to wax or seal
there paint because today's paint jobs are maintenance free. This couldn't be
any farther from the truth. New cars come with a cheap layer of wax from the
dealer that will last 30-60 days. At 203 Mobile Detailing we use orbital buffers
(unless specified otherwise) to apply a high quality premium Carnauba Wax that
will last 4-6 months (you know your in need of wax when water doesn't bead into
little individual droplets but just runs off). In harsh weather environments
such as wonderful New England it is essential to wax your vehicle 2-3 times per
year. The 2 most vital times to wax your vehicle are in April and October. April
because your coming out of the harsh winter that has eaten your protection (if
you had any going into winter and if not it has had all the winter to
contaminate your paint causing more serious problems and more time and money to
fix it) and October because your going into winter and you most certainly need
the protection throughout it.
7) When selling your vehicle,
trading it in at a dealership, or returning a lease, It is a very wise
decision to get it detailed first. Here is why, A detailed vehicle always sells
faster and for more money. The $99-$219 you spend will bring you back nearly 3
times what it cost you. Just last month we seen a car not sell for 3 weeks at
$2700, and after a $219 Platinum detail package it sold in under 4 days for
$3500. For lease returns, the dealership will charge you for scuffs, scratches,
oxidation, or just about any marks left on the exterior (and lets not forget
about any dirt, scuffs, or stains left on the interior as well). These charges
usually range from $500-$2000. A complete detail with spot compounding or wet
sanding to remove the deep scratches before you return it will save you tons of
cash. When trading in your vehicle, a clean detailed car will always be
appraised in excellent or good shape instead of the general classification of
fair or poor. These classifications are distinguished by the used car manager
and are made by visual judgement only. A clean engine compartment, along with a
mirror shine and an immaculate interior will get you that upper classification
and save you hundreds over what you paid for a detail.
(from: http://www.203mobiledetailing.com/Car-Care-Tips.html)
