Tag california car wash

A question that we often get at Detail Plus is, “How often should I get my car detailed?” Our clients are typically trying to maintain the “new car” look. Many factors determine how often a vehicle should be detailed, which is why this question differs for everyone. Factors may include how much you drive, where you park (inside or outside), and if you drive with kids or pets in the car. 

New Cars

Yes, we do recommend you have your brand-new car detailed! Although it is new and clean from the dealership, detailing will provide protection.

For the interior, we will condition leather, apply UV protection to plastic and vinyl surfaces, and apply fabric protection to fabric upholstery. For the exterior, we apply a polymer-based paint sealant after doing a thorough decontamination wash and polishing the paint. The sealant will protect the vehicle against harmful UV rays and help to maintain a healthy clear coat, so your paint doesn’t fade and lasts 6-12 months.

We also offer a stronger more durable option, called ceramic coating. Our ceramic coating detailing offers the strongest protection for your car’s paint in terms of UV protection, bird poop, tree sap, and other contaminants. In addition to the enhanced protection provided with ceramic coating, this detailing method is extremely hydrophobic which makes it much easier to keep your car clean.

Like-New Cars: Hitting the reset button

Almost every car will get to the point where a basic car wash is no longer achieving the level of cleanliness that you want. Crumbs, hair, and dust are starting to pile up in the corners and all the cracks and crevices of the vehicle. The seats look worn out as dirt slowly builds up over the years. The paint no longer has that gorgeous shine after a wash.

These are all signs that the car is due for a Detail Plus detail! After our detailing services, it really is like getting a new car — without the new car payments!

With our interior detail, we clean out the cracks and crevices, shampoo the carpets, and clean and condition the leather. We do whatever we can to give your car that new car look!

With the exterior detail, we hand wash, clay bar, polish, and wax the paint which brings back the shine you once enjoyed.  Not only will your car look brand new, but it will also be protected. Protecting your vehicle will then maintain it, which, in turn, will keep it looking newer.

Car Maintenance

Maintain your car to keep it in tip-top shape! Not only will your family, friends, and neighbors be impressed with how your car looks, but it maintains the resale value of your vehicle as well.

So, what is the best way to maintain your car? Depending on how much the vehicle is used and how dirty it gets, we recommend having the vehicle detailed every 6 – 12 months. This will keep your vehicle protected and will hit the reset button to keep it looking like a new car.

In between these details, we also recommend you use our full-service hand wash to maintain a clean, freshly-detailed look.

TIP: We do not recommend drive-through car washes! The brushes can easily damage your vehicle’s paint. For example, the spinning brushes will cause your vehicle’s clear coat to wear out faster than if your vehicle is properly hand-washed. The brushes can also remove protective coatings, like wax.

So, if you are looking to maintain the best look for your vehicle, we recommend your vehicle is properly hand-washed only.

Detail Services at Detail Plus

Here at Detail Plus, we have the knowledge and skills to maintain your vehicle. Whether we are starting with a brand-new car, or hit the “reset” button, our team can help. At Detail Plus, we are happy to give advice and recommendations, or we can do the maintenance work for you.

If you’d rather sit back and let us do the heavy lifting, bring in your car for regular maintenance. We will make sure you are always riding in the cleanest car around!

When to bring in your car: Bring in your car every 1-2 months for a full-service hand wash and every 6 – 12 months for a detail.

Be sure to check out our website regularly to take advantage of our best offers to help you maintain the best appearance for your vehicle! To schedule an appointment with our shop, give us a call at 408-738-1888 or schedule an appointment online.

When you visit Detail Plus for a cleaning, it takes some time. We’re thorough. And that means you may want something to do in the meantime. Well, we’ve got you covered! If you can arrange an alternate ride, then check out this list of things to do in beautiful Sunnyvale, California.

Sunnyvale Farmer’s Market

If you’re getting your car detailed on a Saturday, then check out the farmer’s market that’s open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This market is filled with delicious, fresh food. Additionally, the market often features attractions like live music. To top it off, many of the vendors are happy to provide free samples!

Murphy Avenue

Murphy Avenue, located in downtown Sunnyvale, is a fantastic place to go for a stroll. This lively strip is filled with restaurants, specialty shops, cafes, and more. Stop by the Sunnyvale Theater frequently while on Murphy Avenue to see if they have live music. 

Public Art

If you like art, you’ve come to the right place. Sunnyvale is known for having more than 150 public art pieces scattered throughout the city. Stroll around to find hidden beauties or search the internet to seek out your favorites!

The Lace Museum 

Founded in 1976, The Lace Museum holds around 10,000 pieces of lace. Some of them even date back to the 1700s! The museum hosts workshops, classes, exhibits, and more! If you’re interested in the art of lace making, then check out this hidden Sunnyvale gem!

Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum

If you’re interested in learning about the history of Sunnyvale, then check out the museum next to Heritage Orchard Park. This museum is dedicated to preserving and archiving Sunnyvale’s unique history — all the way back to the Ohlone Native Americans. 

Sunnyvale Bay Trail

If you’re in the mood for hiking, biking or bird watching, then check out the Baylands trail. This is a great trail for getting outside and enjoying the day. The trail is largely dirt and gravel so make sure you have proper footwear. Don’t forget to clean off your shoes before getting back into your newly detailed car!

Your Detailing Team in Sunnyvale

While you’re out enjoying Sunnyvale, we’ll be at the detail shop making sure your car looks shiny and new when you return. To schedule an appointment with our shop, give us a call at 408-738-1888 or schedule an appointment online.

Some people wash their cars religiously. Some people wait until a nosey passerby writes “wash me” in the dirt on their back windshield. While we don’t advocate writing anything on other people’s cars, we’re going to explain why it might be a good idea to listen to that message.

It’s important to wash your car regularly. Aside from keeping your ride pretty, washing your car prevents contaminants from ruining your paint job. 

Splattered bugs, bird droppings, tree sap, etc. can damage your paint if they’re not removed. The longer these things sit on your car, the more difficult they are to remove without chipping or etching your paint.

Will rain clean my car?

If you’re someone who likes to let Mother Nature clean your car, don’t. Rain simply doesn’t provide enough pressure to clean a car properly. Also, rain in most areas, especially around large cities, tends to be slightly acidic. As acidic rain evaporates, the moisture can cause corrosive damage to your paint. Lastly, and this should be obvious, rain doesn’t feature the most important ingredient of a good car wash — soap.

More reasons to keep your car clean 

Improving longevity

Aside from keeping your paint nice, regular cleaning can improve a car’s overall longevity. Cleaning brake dust and grime from your car’s rims can stop corrosion. And washing away engine debris can improve the interior health of your vehicle. 

Safety

When you drive, your windows, mirrors and tires should be clear of debris. Taking regular trips to the carwash will ensure that your vehicle is always clean enough to drive. If your windows and mirrors are too dirty, your vision will be obstructed while driving. This isn’t safe. Keep your ride clean!

Value

Do you ever plan on selling or trading your vehicle? If so, it’s important to keep your vehicle looking nice now. Regular washing will help prevent rust, scratches, chipped paint, etc. These things are important for the resale value of your car. 

How often should I wash my car?

We recommend washing your car once a week. If you can’t make it to the carwash once a week, try to make it every other week. Think about washes as an investment in your car. Visit Rainbow Carwash Detail Plus for a cleaning. Or, if you’d like to make your car feel new again, schedule an appointment for one of our detail services. You’ll be surprised how nice we can make your car look!