Let’s be honest, most people don’t really think about the condition of their paint. As long as it is clean, there is no damage or rust, most don't give it a second thought. However, it is worth taking proper care considering the investment. Keeping your vehicle PROPERLY washed and waxed will greatly prolong the life of the paint and keep it looking great for years to come.

Below are some reasons why you should rarely/never use automatic car washes:

Acid and other Chemicals - In an effort to clean off tough contaminants, especially from wheels, car washes have been known to use hydrofluoric acid and other chemicals to dissolve fine particles. At one point it was bad enough that in 2015 the CDC issued a warning to all car wash industry workers. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want any kind of acid near my car!

Millions of tiny scratches - Many car washes have moved away from those monster spinning brushed to the “softer” fabric that hangs down to rub against your vehicle. So what is the problem here? Guess where all the dirt and grime from all the cars that went before you gets trapped? That’s right. They get embedded into that soft fabric that then rubs all over your paint causing millions of tiny scratches.

Too much water pressure - Some car washes use high pressure water jets to dislodge dirt from your car. These have been known to get under any chips or cracks in the paint causing some of the paint to be blown off your car.

The cool (but worthless) giant blowers - If you have ever used a car wash before, you probably noticed that often times some soap did not rinse away. you probably also noticed that your car was not really dried at the end of the process. Now you drive away with water and soap still on the paint. If left, these soap deposits can get baked into your clear coat causing those dreaded water spot etching. Once that happens, your only options are either paint correction or a new paint job!

Unfortunately hand washing can be just as bad if you don’t have the right tools and techniques. Believe it or not, there is a right way to was a car. More like a good/better/best way, but you get the point. If you’re like me and enjoy getting a little dirty and doing things yourself, awesome. However, if you don't have the time or simply don’t want to bother, let me know!

As a teacher, I work mostly during the summers from Thursday - Sunday. However I can fit in other days if necessary. While I am busiest during the summer, I do still work on the weekends while I am in school. During the school year, it is best to contact me and see what my schedule looks like.

Many in Woodbridge drop their car off with me and walk home. Others allow me to come pick up their vehicle and bring it back when finished. In rare cases I can go mobile. However, I prefer to work at my house since I have greater control over the environment and have more equipment and products at my disposal.

This depends on what we are doing and the condition the vehicle is in. Below are estimated times to help you plan.

• Basic Wash: 30-60 min

• Wash/Wax: 1-3 hrs

• Wash/Polish/Wax: 3-5 hrs

• Paint Corrections: 1-2 days

Once I have detailed your vehicle, all that should be needed is a routine wash to keep the paint in good condition. This should be done at least once a month depending on how often the car is driven, weather conditions, and if it is stored inside or outside.

There are many factors to consider such as the type of wax, where the car is kept, how often and where it is driven, and weather conditions. A good rule of thumb is every 4-6 months.

A Clay Bar is quite literally a lump of clay designed to remove embedded contaminants from the paint that are not removed by washing alone. Over time, dirt, iron deposits, and other contaminants can get baked into the clear coat and require and extra step to remove. These contaminants are easy to feel by running your fingers across the paint after it has been washed. It can feel rough to the touch. A decontaminated surface should feel smooth as glass.

Paint Correction is the most aggressive process of removing scratches and swirl marks from the paint. By using a process of different polishes and pads, the clear coat is removed in small amounts in order to level the surface, thus removing the imperfections. It is a similar process to sanding wood. This is not a process that should be done by just anyone. A standard clear coat is about 1.5 to 2.0 Mils thick (1 Mil = .001 inch). Needless to say this isn’t much. It takes someone who knows what they are doing to match the correct polish/pad/technique according to how hard or soft the paint is. This process can take several days depending on how clear the customer wants the paint to be.

Traditional waxes are put on the paint either by hand or machine, then buffed off once the substrate has dried to a powder white. Spray waxes are simply sprayed on and wiped off. They typically add a decent level of protection, but only last a couple weeks.

Short answer, no. However, if you want a deeper shine, smoother paint, and some minor defect removal, than this is for you. Think of this as an exfoliation for your paint. While certainly not necessary, it can brighten up the paint and give it a deeper shine. Polishing removes a very small amount of the clear coat removing very minor defects such as light haze, swirls, and oxidation.

The biggest thing is to simply keep your vehicle clean. However, if your vehicle has never been waxed, that is almost a must. Wax helps to protect the paint from all the environmental contaminants it comes in contact with and makes it easier to clean. Outside of a wash and wax, it is simply a matter of how important the condition of the paint is to you. I’d be happy to discuss your goals and come up with a solution that fits your needs.

They simply take longer and use more product. This is considered on a case by case basis.