F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions
.png/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:400,cg:true)
THE TOP 10 - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) Is there really a difference in having your car detailed verses just taking it to a car wash?
Having your vehicle professionally detailed is an often overlooked but important part of vehicle ownership! There is a huge difference in having your vehicle washed (at the car wash) and your vehicle being detailed. Regular detailing of your vehicle will not only protect and help preserve your investment but also extend your vehicle's appearance so it looks newer longer! Another benefit of regular detailing is it will definitely enhance your driving experience and help increase your vehicle's resale value! Of course, becoming a member with one of our Car Care Club memberships will keep you driving detailed with a detail every 90-100 days with our "Seasonal" plan.
2) What is a ceramic coating?
What is Ceramic Coating? Ceramic coating is a liquid that is installed by hand on your vehicle's paint. The coating hardens and chemically bonds to the paint surface, forming a semi-permanent barrier.
In addition to the durability and the incredible increase in the level of gloss and shine it provides. Coatings also add a deepening and richening of color to your paint. Blacks will be blacker, reds will be a deeper red, etc. Also on colored or satin wheels, coatings will have the same effect. It will not turn matte/satin wheels glossy, but it will add a darkening and richening effect.
Since not every customer has the same goals for their vehicles when it comes to having a ceramic coating installed. We have developed 3 different packages to choose from depending on your individual needs.
*While coatings can be installed without the polishing step, it’s recommended to have a light machine polish to your paint prior to the install. This step helps prepare the surface and create the best look possible.
What ceramic coatings DON'T do ...
- It is not a set it and forget it product. You still have to do proper maintenance for the best performance over of the life the coating.
- They are not bulletproof. They DO NOT prevent scratches or rock chips.
- They will not eliminate the need to ever have to wash your vehicle again.
3) What does "Mobile Detailing" mean?
We get this question a lot and we understand that you might not be familiar with mobile detailing. It simply means we perform the service at your location (Home, Office, School, Etc) We bring all the needed equipment, tools, and chemicals to professionally detail your vehicle. For your convenience, we even supply our own water and power. Our mobile service is available March 1st to November 1st and to our Car Care Club members year round!
4) Are your services by appointment only? How much lead time is there in requesting an appointment?
Yes, you will need to have an appointment for your detail. As much as we would like, It is rare that we can accommodate same day or next day requests. Depending on the time of year, you can expect a Min. of 5 - 6 days to a Max. of 3-4 weeks for an appointment. Normally and on average it runs 10-15 days out from your approval of your estimate. Upon approval, you will receive a scheduling email with available dates & time-slots to select from to set your appointment.
5) How long does a detail take to complete? How long do you need my vehicle for a ceramic coating?
It depends on the condition of your vehicle and the detail package that you select. Our popular "Reset" Package will take approximately 4 - 4 1/2 hours to complete and our "Revive" package between 6 - 6 1/2 hours. We will communicate with you beforehand the approximate completion time and will provide you updates during the detail if we run into anything that might add to the end time. For one of our ceramic coating packages, we will need your vehicle for a min. of 24 hours.
6) Do you offer interior only packages?
Yes, but they are only scheduled at our shop (no mobile service).
We believe, if you are going to have your vehicle detailed, it is best to have both the exterior and interior addressed at the same time. All of our detailing packages are exterior + interior packages. Our "Revive" package is the package for a truly transformational appearance of your vehicle with a one step machine polish included in the package and starts at $299.00 for small/medium sized vehicles plus sales tax. The majority of our clients select our popular "Reset" Package. The "Reset" Package is our most popular package and has a price range of $219.00 - $299.00 depending on the size and condition of the vehicle. If your vehicle hasn't been detailed in the last 12 months or you are looking for a deep detail for a total refresh and "reset" for your vehicle, we recommend our "Reset" Package!
A vehicle that is detailed regularly will retain more of its value than one that is not. (not to mention, you are going to look better, feel better and enjoy driving your vehicle more!) The condition of your vehicle's paint and the condition of the interior are extremely important when determining the value of your vehicle. Regular detailing can help prevent a multitude of issues such as untimely clear coat failure, rust, permanent staining of the upholstery + carpets, and fading of your plastic trim from the UV rays of the Sun.
7) How often should I have my car "waxed"? Is it really that important to have my car protected?
The purpose of applying a wax, paint sealant or ceramic coating is to protect your vehicle's paint (clear coat). Modern vehicles come with a layer of clear coat that protects the base color paint but is only about the same thickness as a post-it note! If you plan to own your vehicle for a long time, you have to protect the clear coat as it will break down from the Sun's UV rays which leads to oxidation and clear coat failure. Adding a wax product both protects the clear coat for approximately 3 months and will also enhance the shine of your vehicle. It all depends on how you use your vehicle (daily driver) and where you keep your vehicle (garage kept or exposed to the elements) on how long your protection will last. (Paint Sealants will last 6 - 9 months & Ceramic Coatings 1 - 5 years)
8) What is a clay bar treatment and why is it important to decontaminate my vehicle’s paint?
This is one of the biggest difference from taking your vehicle to the car wash and having your vehicle professionally detailed. One of the big differences is the process of using an iron remover chemical to decontaminate your paint surface during the wash process and the follow up step of a clay bar treatment (if needed).
You know when you vehicle's paint feels a little bumpy? A clay bar treatment is the tool (product) used to eliminate those contaminates! Over time, industrial fallout, brake dust, tar, bird droppings, and other contaminants bond themselves to your vehicle's painted surface. In order to effectively remove these contaminants, a clay lube is sprayed on the surface and a clay bar is rubbed over the paint to pick up all these contaminants.
After claying a vehicle, it is best to machine polish the entire vehicle and then apply your choice of protection (a wax, paint sealant or ceramic coating). The protection will bond the best to the paint surface after a clay bar treatment and polish. *Depending on your driving habits, a clay bar treatment should be done approximately once a year.
9) What can I expect after I set up my detail appointment with you?
You will receive a confirmation email to confirm your appointment and verify your information. You will also receive a check in / reminder text message 24-48 hours before your appointment with some information to prepare. Depending if your appointment is mobile or at our shop. If mobile, we monitor the weather and will check in with you if the weather forecast is not looking good during the time scheduled for your appointment. We can reschedule at that time or we can adjust and provide the service at our shop.
10) What can I expect for a mobile detail appointment?
The day of your appointment, you will receive an "On My Way" text message letting you know I am 20-30 minutes away from your location. Once we arrive, we will walk around your vehicle, going over the estimate together. We will document and inspect your vehicle to determine what is needed to make your vehicle look it's absolute best.. Once this is complete, you will be asked to approve and sign the estimate. We will need the keys for the vehicle and will proceed with the detail package you have approved. Once the detail is complete, we will once again walk with you around the vehicle. We will explain the steps and products that were used (and why) to achieve the desired results. Your complete satisfaction is my goal and our mission is to educate and help you properly take care of your car so that you can have peace of mind and can enjoy your drive!
I like to take my car to drive thru car washes to keep it clean, is that ok?
Yes & No ...
We understand that automatic car washes are a very convenient way to keep your vehicle clean (either touch or touch-less tunnel) but they have their downsides too. They typically have less than 120 feet and three minutes or less to wash your vehicle, so they have to use high PH soaps/chemicals in order to get your vehicle clean! Although effective, these types of washes will breakdown and strip your vehicle's paint of any of its protection such as waxes and sealants. The rotating brushes and touch pieces that touch your vehicle are cleaning and touching hundreds of other cars a day. Think about how many cars ahead of you were cleaned with the same brushes/towels... they are filled with dirt and this embedded dirt in the touch pieces of the wash will induce marring and tiny scratches with each time it touches your paint. Also the hand drying, some of the towels used are rough, dirty and will further induce marring to your vehicle's paint. Next time take a close look and check if you see small swirl marks and scratches after your next wash. Many clients tell me that the more they ran their vehicle through the tunnel wash the duller their vehicle's paint would look. Tunnel washes do serve a purpose but the convenience comes at a price. Not all tunnel washes are bad. You have to count the cost and you have to be careful. We do research the washes in the area and can recommend a couple of "touch-less" locations but again they have to use chemicals with extremely high PH levels so it is best not to overuse these types of washes week to week or month to month. These harsh chemicals over time can dull the paint and can fade your vehicle's exterior plastic trim/moldings.
So what is the best method to wash your vehicle?
The answer is to have your vehicle hand washed using the two bucket method!
Hand car washes allow for a little more TLC for your vehicle. Even though they may cost a little extra and take 15-20 minutes longer, the results can usually be seen. The reason, hand washes tend to use higher quality products (car wash soap, premium microfiber wash mitts, drying towels + quality drying aid and wax/paint sealant) all of which help in preserving your paint surface!
Of course, we recommend becoming a member of our Car Care Club with our "Seasonal" (quarterly) maintenance membership. We will come to your location with a professional two-bucket or a premium eco-friendly rinse-less wash system which greatly reduces the chances of marring or scratching your vehicle's paint surface. *(To Qualify For Membership): You must first schedule a Reset or Revive detail package and request to join within 60 days of service)