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.

It’s fun to wash your car in the driveway while your kids are playing, but using a car wash could save money and the environment. You might think that skipping the carwash could save you a few dollars. However, you’d use more water and resources at home.

Wasting Water

A typical garden hose sprays water at about 10 gallons per minute. If you’re washing your car for 20 minutes, that’s 200 gallons of water. Using our equipment at Rainbow Carwash Detail Plus, you can wash your car quicker while using significantly less water. 

Pollutants

Over time, your car builds up dirt, oil, salt, bird poop and other pollutants. When you wash your car at home, these pollutants will flow down the drain and occupy your water system. Additionally, the chemicals you use to clean your car combine with dirt to pollute the water. When you visit Rainbow Carwash Detail Plus, our cleaning system stops pollutants from entering the city’s water. 

Damaging Your Vehicle

If you’re doing a DIY car wash, you’re probably looking to save money. That means the quality of the wash can suffer. With unsafe cleaners, you may oxidize the paint on your car, making the color appear dull. Also, it’s easy to scratch your car while washing at home. A mix of unsafe chemicals, low-cost sponges and hose water can scrub off the paint on your vehicle. Even if you can’t see the scratches, water will eventually start to rust on damaged paint, making your car look old. To avoid scratches and dull paint, get a detail at Rainbow Carwash Detail Plus. If you still want the DIY experience, use our car wash bays. 

Your Car Won’t Look Its Best

Since we don’t normally see folks cleaning their cars at midnight, we’re guessing that most people wash their vehicles during the day. Without a roof or bay, this can cause soap build up and water spots. At Rainbow Carwash Detail Plus, our bays have roofs to negate sunshine while washing your car. You’ll have time to use our dryers before water spots and soap buildup forms. 

Show Your Car Some Love at Rainbow Carwash

If you want to wash your car yourself using better equipment than you have at home, visit Rainbow Carwash Detail Plus in Sunnyvale, California. Our family-run car wash loves new faces! If you have any questions or concerns, our manager, Brian, and assistant manager, Matt, are always available to help. Their offices are located inside the Detail Plus office behind Rainbow Carwash. 

If you’ve ever purchased a new or used car from a dealership, you know how clean an engine can look. The valves are shiny. The metal is clean. You can touch any part of its surface without immediately washing your hands. It starts out perfect, but it doesn’t last forever.

Many drivers spend time and effort cleaning the interiors and exteriors of their cars. But they rarely check under the hood, where dirt and grime accumulate for years.  

How can you ensure your engine is properly cleaned? A steam cleaning at Detail Plus will do the trick! Here’s a little bit more about the benefits.

Make your engine long-lasting

Getting your car’s engine steam cleaned can help extend its lifespan by keeping the engine healthy. The process will help get rid of contaminants and stray fluids, which will make your car perform better and last longer – giving you more bang for your buck!

Sometimes, fluids can leak into the engine. This causes a multitude of problems. A technician at Detail Plus can find and stop a leak at its source.

Spot trouble before it’s too late

Having a clean engine can help you spot trouble before it becomes a problem. If your engine is filthy, you’re not going to know if a small fluid leak has been there for a long time or if it just appeared.

Clean engines make leaks, cracks and other issues much easier to spot and take care of quickly.

Protect yourself from engine fires

Stains are typically a cosmetic issue, but they can become dangerous in certain parts of a vehicle. Fluid stains in your engine or undercarriage are often flammable.

Removing the buildup of combustible materials, such as leaves or oil, can lower your risk of fire hazards on the road or in the garage.

Consider scheduling an appointment with Detail Plus for an engine cleaning to mitigate the risk associated with flammable materials.  

Increase your vehicle’s resale value

You might not look at your engine as often as you should, but it’s one of the first things that a dealer or buyer might look at when considering how well the vehicle has been cared for.

It’s fairly easy to tell if an engine has been cleaned, which will increase the car’s resale value.

If you have a spare car that you are planning to give to a friend or a family member, a good steam cleaning will ensure its performance down the line.

Regardless of your car’s make or model, a steam cleaning is one of the best ways to revitalize its running capabilities and add to its lifespan.

Call Detail Plus today or visit our website to learn more about our engine-cleaning services and book your appointment!

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!

When was the last time you gave your car some love? Chipped paint, dull headlights and minor dents might not seem like a big deal. But when it comes to taking care of the vehicle that gets you from point A to point B, a few detailing services go a long way.

Window tint

Erosion and peeling are some of the first symptoms of window tint distress. Not only is this a major eyesore, but it’s also hazardous. Damaged window tint can obstruct your view while driving.

Luckily, Detail Plus has removal services for window tint that’s starting to show its age. Prices range from $85-$150.

Paint touch ups

Minor paint chips can take away from the look of your vehicle. If your car has small chips or scratches, consider taking it to Detail Plus for a touch-up.

Try one of our exterior detail packages, which include touch-ups. Or, give us a call for a free estimate.

Headlight restoration

Yellow, scratched, cloudy or oxidized headlight covers are telltale signs of aging. It’s important to replace old headlights before they become a safety hazard.

Detail Plus can make your headlights look brand new with a two-year guarantee. Restorations cost $50 per lens. And we’ll give you 50% off if you buy a restoration with any detail package.

Dent removal

Accidents happen. Usually, the older a car gets, the more scratches, dings and dents it accumulates. Regardless of the reason for these blemishes, Detail Plus can help make your car look new again.

Our experienced detailers can buff out or repair most scratches, blemishes and dents. It’ll look as if they never happened.

Exterior detail

Detail Plus offers many services to spruce up your ride, but our exterior detail is the full package. Some of our options include:

• A complete hand wash

• Paint polishing and sealing

• Wheel cleaning

• Window cleaning and polishing

Prices range from $200-$250, depending on the size of your vehicle.

Interior detail

Don’t forget about the inside! Detail Plus’ interior detail will allow you to improve the aesthetic of your vehicle.

Services include:

• Carpet and upholstery cleaning

• Leather, vinyl and plastic cleaning

• Seat belt and headliner cleaning

• Trunk space cleaning

• Window and door jam cleaning

Prices vary from $200-$250, depending on the size of your vehicle. Package these with an exterior detail for a bargain.