Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Really Need to Wax My Car?

Posted on June 30, 2017October 16, 2021 by Wilhelm Mobile Detailing

The answer is: Probably. Waxing has always made cars extra shiny. That’s still the case today, but both modern paint jobs and wax formulations have improved a lot in recent years. Paint used to be just thatpaint. A new car got a layer of primer and a few coats of colored lacquer, and that was it. Wax not only gave the paint a good gloss, it was also the only line of defense against scratches.

Beginning in the 1980s, manufacturers started adding a layer of clear coat, which seals the paint and adds to the shine of the car. The clear coat also takes the environmental abuse. Things like ultraviolet light, ozone, exhaust, salt, dirt, rain, bug guts, and bird poop build up tiny scratches and oxidation on the clear coat’s surface. As the paint ages, that damage causes the surface to get hazy and the shine to subside, but there’s generally no damage to the color layer below. Not waxing will leave the car looking dull and the clear coat vulnerable to accelerated wear. If you don’t particularly care how the car looks, you can be lazy and never wax itjust keeping the car washed will leave it looking reasonably nice (use a gentle soap made for carsno detergents). Waxing provides a sacrificial layer on top of the clear coat so that when you remove dirt and such you’re not directly rubbing the paint.

Things have changed substantially since dads spent Sunday afternoons rubbing carnauba wax onto lacquer car paint. Now even that classic formulation has additives that make it easier to wax on and wax off. New synthetic formulas are even simpler to apply and offer longer-lasting protection, and spray-on waxes can be applied with almost no effort at all. Plus, you don’t need to wax that often. Even if you obsess over your paint, four coats of wax a year are plenty, and you can use spray-on wax to maintain the shine. We like to wax the car at least twice a year, once before winter and once in the spring.

Source

How Dirty is too dirty for a Waterless Car Wash?

Posted on June 9, 2017March 27, 2017 by Wilhelm Mobile Detailing

One of the most frequent questions we get asked here is “when is my car too dirty to perform a rinseless car wash”? With winter in full effect and cars being exposed more frequently to the elements, we thought we would take on this question.

Let’s start with the obvious. Heavy mud, salt and sand should not be taken on with a Rinseless Car Wash. While in theory it is possible, you will go through numerous microfiber towels to do this safely and effectively. However, there may be times when the vehicle is “borderline” where you’re not sure if you should attempt the Rinseless Car Wash method. We’ve tried to illustrate in the photos below when it is suitable (and not) to go with this style of washing.

Examples of Road Grime

In the first two examples we look at a car that has light to moderate road grime. The first photo clearly shows a vehicle that has been frequently cleaned and can certainly utilize a Rinseless Car Wash method. The second photo has some contaminants on the surface, but is still a great candidate for a Rinseless Wash.

In this next photo the user should take more caution. This would be the upper limit of what a Rinseless Car Wash is capable of handling. The user would want to have plenty of microfiber towels on hand and apply more formula than usual. A Rinseless Car Wash can still be utilized, but just take their time.

In this last photo we clearly see a car that is beyond the capability of a Rinseless Car Wash. There are visible chunks of mud which would need to be removed before application. A quick pre-rinse followed by the Rinseless Car Wash would be a good method to move forward.

Source: Eco Touch

Can we buff your car?

Posted on April 21, 2017April 3, 2017 by Wilhelm Mobile Detailing

In the traditional sense of buffing the answer is no, we do not buff cars. Since buffing requires multi passes with a buffer and multiple chemicals that can not be applied in direct sun light we can not use a traditional buffer to buff your car. However, we can achieve the same affect that traditional buffing does, using a all in one product called HD Speed using a dual action buffer in direct sun light.

HD Speed is a all-in-one correction wax. It’s going to remove light to moderate scratches, swirl marks, while leaving a wax protection behind. It’s easy to use.
It Is easy to apply.

Before you use it you will need to remove the safety seal that is in all our products.

You have many choices of pads you can work with a firm cutting pad. Use a wool pad if you like or a soft finishing pad. It all depends on the type a correction that you would like to make.

You will simply apply four dime sized drops to the pad. Make sure that you put your cord over your shoulder so you don’t scratch the car while your leaning on it.

Rub the Speed correction wax into the surface of the car paint. On our HD polisher set it to level four and turn it on. Always start with the machine on the surface. What you’re going to do for more correction is move it slower across the surface. Very easy simple patterns you don’t need to force the product down on the paint surface. Let it do the work for you. With HD Speed you have a long open working time whether you are outside or inside.

You don’t have to worry about your plastics.

You can SPEED up to use it for correction. If you want to, you can apply it more as a wax. Slow down the speed and it will turn into a wax. it’s just a swipe to remove using microfiber towel in a back and forth motion.

Remove all HD Speed. Now the shine has been revealed, paint correction has been completed. You’ve DONE it! that’s all there is to it.

What is clay bar detailing

Posted on April 7, 2017April 3, 2017 by Wilhelm Mobile Detailing

The short answer is that auto detailing clay removes from the paint what washing cannot. For the long answer, read on! Auto Detailing Clay Bar is an engineered resin compound used to remove contaminants from the surface of your car’s paint, glass, fiberglass and metal.

Clean With Detailing Clay!

If detailing clay is new to you, you might be thinking, “What is detailing clay and what can detailing clay do for my car?” The short answer is that auto detailing clay removes from the paint what washing cannot. For the long answer, read on!

Auto Detailing Clay Bar is an engineered resin compound used to remove contaminants from the surface of your car’s paint, glass, fiberglass and metal. Detailing clay can be natural or synthetic, though most manufacturers utilize synthetic clays.

Auto detailing clay is similar to the stuff you played with as a kid, but the clay used for detailing is usually much more elastic, especially in the case of Pinnacle Ultra Poly Auto Detailing Clay Bar. The elasticity gives the detailing clay excellent durability as it is rolled, flattened, smashed and stretched over and over again.

Plus detailing clay is designed to stand up to the kind of contaminants that your childhood clay never had to face, i.e. industrial fallout, rail dust and brake dust. These contaminants pierce paint finishes, glass and metal and remain stuck on your vehicle through rain, car washes, and even polishing. The only way to remove these pollutants is – you guessed it – detailing clay.

How Does Auto Detailing Clay Work?

Detailing clay glides along the surface of your paint and grabs anything that protrudes from the surface. The particle sticks to the clay and is therefore removed from your vehicle. The surface being clayed should always be wet with clay lubricant to prevent loose debris from scratching the vehicle.

Used properly, detailing clay is completely safe and nonabrasive.Its a much better option than polishing to remove these contaminants because clay doesn’t remove any paint.

Detailing clay glides along the surface of your paint and grabs anything that protrudes from the surface.

There are two different grades of clay currently available to the public. One is a medium grade detailing clay designed to clean the vehicle once or twice a year. This grade of clay removes wax along with anything else on the vehicle. We’re talking CLEAN. Examples are Wolfgang Elastic Poly Clay, , and McKee’s 37 Universal Detailing Clay.

Your other option is a fine grade that’s relatively new to the industry. It’s called Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay and it’s a favorite of enthusiasts who prefer to clay as often as needed to keep that slick finish. This detailing clay removes everything the medium clay removes and it is gentle enough to use monthly or as needed for spot cleaning. If you’re someone who’s meticulous about clean, shiny paint (and who isn’t?!) you’ll love Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay.

All detailing clay requires the use of a clay lubricant to prevent scratches as you gently rub the clay on the vehicle. Check out our Clay Page. There you will find all of the different clays and their coordinated clay lubricants.

What Does Detailing Clay Remove?

Your vehicle is under constant assault from airborne pollutants. Brake dust, industrial fallout, acid rain deposits and rail dust all can adhere to your vehicle. These contaminants often contain metal particulates, which accounts for the ease with which they penetrate the clear coat to attack the paint below. These contaminants then oxidize, and they allow rust to spread beneath the clear coat. Tiny orange spots today, total paint system failure tomorrow! Detailing clay removes these contaminants in order to keep the paint healthy and vibrant.

Detailing Clay also removes stubborn sap, tar, and bug remains. Detailing clay works wonder on glass as well. Try some the next time you’re washing your windows. You’ll be amazed at the results!

Source: Autogeek

Removing Smoke Smells From Cars

Posted on March 31, 2017March 27, 2017 by Wilhelm Mobile Detailing

remove smoke smell from car

Of all the odors that can get ground into the upholstery and carpet in a car, smoke from cigars and cigarettes can be the toughest to get rid of. The smell usually doesn’t bother smokers who are still in the habit of lighting up, but it can quickly become a nuisance to smokers who are in the process of quitting and any new owner of a used car that is still haunted by the specter of smokers past. The easiest way to remove a lingering smoke smell from a car is to take it to a professional, but it’s also possible to do at home if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and work with some technology that you might not otherwise come into contact with.

Preparing a Car to Remove Lingering Smoke Smells

Whether you’ve recently kicked the habit, or you’ve suddenly found yourself with the keys to a car that used to be owned by a smoker, the first step in getting rid of the lingering smoke smell is to clean the interior. If there are any butts or ashes still in the car, either tucked away in ashtrays or littering the floor, those have to be the first to go. The only way to remove smoke smells from a car once and for all is to start with a clean slate.

Smoke odors can penetrate and burrow into any porous surface, so cleaning the car out doesn’t stop with removing old butts and ashes. The next step is to clean out any belongings or other stuff that’s sitting around on the floor or seats of the car so that you can vacuum everything. Vacuuming the carpet and upholstery can help draw out lingering odors, but that may not be enough.

Removing Smoke Smells From Car Upholstery and Carpet

Vacuuming is a good start, but sometimes you will have to go one step further to neutralize smoke odors that have soaked into the upholstery and carpet.

There are upholstery and carpet cleaning products out there that are specifically designed for this purpose, but baking soda can help neutralize these odors as well, according to Consumer Reports.

Removing smoke smells from a car with baking soda is a multi-step process:

Clean and vacuum the seats and floor of the car.

Make sure that the seats and floor of the car are totally dry.
Sprinkle baking soda on the upholstery and carpet.
Leave the baking soda on the upholstery and carpet for several minutes.
Vacuum up the baking soda.

Baking soda absorbs offensive odors like smoke, which is why some people leave an open box in their refrigerators. Leaving an open box in your car can have the same effect, if sprinkling it on the carpet and vacuuming it up doesn’t do the trick right away.

Cleaning Smoke Residue From Other Car Interior Surfaces

Cigarette smoke has a habit of seeping into porous surfaces like upholstery and carpeting, but it doesn’t end there. Smoking also tends to leave an oily residue on other surfaces, which can contribute to a lingering smoke smell even if you vacuum and use absorbent materials like baking soda and activated charcoal.

The main surfaces to worry about in terms of cleaning up the oily residue from smoking are the windows and the dashboard, but it won’t hurt to give every surface in the car a good, thorough scrubbing. Water typically won’t cut it, literally, but a good, foaming window cleaner will often do the trick on the windows, dashboard, and other surfaces where oily smoke residues build up.

Of course, before you apply any cleaning agent to any surface inside your car, it’s important to read the warning label and ingredients to make sure that’s safe to use on glass, vinyl, plastic, or whatever the surface is made from.

Smoke residue can also get caught in your vehicle’s cabin air filter, so it’s a good idea to swap that out as well. If you leave the cabin air filter in place, you may end up just recontaminating the air inside your vehicle whenever you drive it.

Absorbing Smoke Smells in Cars Versus Covering Them Up

Baking soda works to absorb bad smells, as opposed to air fresheners that simply cover up bad car smells.

In addition to baking soda, there are a number of other substances that you can leave in your car, tucked away under the seats, that can absorb bad odors over time. Activated charcoal, white vinegar, coffee grounds, and a variety of commercial products can all be used to soak up offensive smells like smoke.

The idea is that by leaving a bowl of white vinegar, coffee grounds, or sachets of activated charcoal in your car overnight—or even longer term—they will absorb some or all of the smoke. When you remove the absorbent and dispose of it, you’re also removing whatever bad smells that it soaked up while it was in the car.

Products like Febreze are similar in that they are designed to remove, or alter, the molecules behind smelly odors rather than just masking them. Febreze in particular utilizes a that traps odor molecules. The smelly molecules are still there after you spray the Febreze, but they can no longer bind to your scent receptors, so you can’t smell them anymore.

According to Consumer Reports, products like Febreze may not be as effective as advertising might lead you to believe, but their testing involved spraying the product in a room that still contained the source of the bad odor. So while the Febreze may have neutralized some malodorous molecules in the room, the source was still there to emit yet more stink. So by first removing the source of the smell, by cleaning out ash trays, vacuuming, and cleaning windows and other surfaces, a product like Febreze is more likely to work.

Removing Smoke Smells From Cars With Ozone Generators

In some cases, you can vacuum and use odor-absorbing products as much as you like, and a nasty smoke smell will continue to linger. This is where ozone generating technology comes into play. Professional automotive cleaners and detailers often use ozone generators to knock out stubborn smells, so you have the choice of either taking your car to one of these professionals or renting an ozone generator and doing the job yourself.

It’s important to note that ozone generators aren’t the same as air purifiers or ionizers. Car air filters and purifiers can filter out some bad smells, if the molecules are big enough and the filter medium is fine enough, but ozone generators are on a totally different level than plug-in ionizers.

The way that ozone generators work is by using coronal discharge or ultraviolet radiation to break normal O2 molecules down into single oxygen atoms. These single oxygen atoms then bind to O2 molecules, creating O3, or ozone.

Ozone is inherently unstable, in that the extra oxygen atom tends to break off and bind to other molecules. When this happens, the ozone molecule turns back into regular O2, and the other substance is altered by having an additional oxygen atom attached to it. This can effectively neutralize bad odors when the oxygen atoms bind to the molecules of smelly substances like smoke and alter the chemical structure.

Although ozone can be effective at knocking out tough odors like smoke, it can also be hazardous to your health. This is why ozone generators are usually used in unoccupied areas and turned off before the area is used again.

The general process of using an ozone generator to remove smoke smells from a car is:

Clean the interior of the vehicle and remove any sources of bad odors.
Place the ozone generator in the vehicle or connect a hose to the generator and route it into the vehicle.
Run the ozone generator to fill the interior volume of the car with ozone.
Several times during the course of the ozone treatment, run the vehicle’s HVAC fan on recirculate to ensure that ozone passes through the ductwork and heater box.
Air out the vehicle before driving it, then drive it with the windows down, wipe down surfaces, and vacuum to remove any residual ozone smell.

Since ozone can be hazardous to your health, it’s important to minimize your exposure when working with an ozone generator. With that in mind, it’s a bad idea to do this type of job while the vehicle is in a confined space like a garage, and you’ll want to avoid breathing in too much O3 both during and after the job.

From Lifewire