How often should I wash my car?

    From the day you buy your car to the day you sell it, you face the overwhelming challenge of maintaining your vehilcle. Depending how many cars you have, this can be a full time job in and of itself. There is no need to wash your car twice a week using an elaborate procedure that takes more than two hours to complete. While this high level of maintenance may seem like a good idea at first, in reality, every time a wash mitt contacts the painted surface there is a high probability that swirls (tiny scratches induced from dirt particles and other tiny grains that get caught in your wash mitt) are being created. These swirl marks rob your paint of its shine and depth by reflecting the suns rays in many different directions. In direct sunlight, they look like a giant spider web across the surface of your car.

     I tell all of my customers to wash their car(s) once every two weeks. In general, this should keep your vehicle looking good all of the time. However, there are a few very important exeptions to this rule. If you have just arived home from a long road trip, chances are the front end of your vehicle has accumulated a few bugs. The insides of these insects are acidic, and if you allow them to sit on the paint for too long, they will etch the paint. Tiny pits will be visible all over your front bumper and hood. The same can be said of bird droppings. They too are acidic, and if not removed in time, they will etch the paint. If your vehicle has already experienced this issue, the damage is not irreversible. You can have your front bumper re-painted, or I can wet-sand the area for you and eliminate the pits by removing the top layer of the clear coat. However, both of these services are costly and preventable, so the moral of the story is to remove bird droppings and bug remains as soon as possible. Some customers are also worried about "acid rain." It is true that rain is acidic and does have the ability to etch your paint; however, this should not be an issue if the appropriate sealant or wax is applied to the paint. A sealant or wax will also help prevent etching from bugs and bird droppings.

    Last but not least, I recommend that all of my customers vacuum their car(s) once every two weeks. Each time a dirty carpet is stepped on, all of the small dirt particles rub against the fibers. If you have a suburban full of kids every day, you may need to vacuum once every week. While this may seem time-consuming, the benefits are endless: your carpet won't get worn out or turn a darker, dirt like color, you will enjoy riding in your own car, and finally, it won't take you nearly as long if you do it frequently. Some parents put it on the chores list for the kids. In my mind, this is a brilliant idea. If the kids know they have to vacuum once every so often, they're less likely to make a mess, and better yet, you won't have to do the work yourself. As far as eating in the car goes, it's up to you. On long road trips, at some point the rule will be broken. If you're worried about stains, I recommend some sort or "fabric protectant." When applied correctly, it acts just like scotch guard. Without diminishing the beauty of your carpet, the product will keep your carpets from absorbing the spill and thus make the stain much easier to remove. Rubber mats are also a GREAT option. I have them in every car I own, and they save lots of vacuuming hours. When they get dirty, you can shake them off, and when they get muddy, you can scrub them with soap and water. You can find some cheap rubber mats at Walmart, Costco, and Sams, or you can order them directly from the car manufacturer to fit your car exactly. However, in my opinion, the absolute best rubber mats are called "full floor liners." For a suburban, minivan, or truck, these mats are IDEAL. They cover nearly every inch of the floor and will SAVE your carpet over and over again. They come at a high price, but iI believe they are well worth it. I know that Husky, WeatherTech, and Griot's Garage sell them. In both cases, fabric protection alone will get the job done as long as you show me the spill as soon as possible so that I can ensure 100% removal.