Why is it better to get my car detailed by D&D Auto Detailing?

We get the job done right and we don't take short cuts. Our process is extremely meticulous. We are constantly researching new products and techniques to bring you the best possible service. We use certain products based on your needs. We won't hide things from you, we want to educate you on the process and show you what products we will be using.

It seems like everyone has a different idea of what a detail is. What is a detail in your opinion?

The word "detail" is used very loosely today. To many, it means washing the car, putting some wax on it and vacuuming the interior. That's not a detail and that's not what we do. To us, a detail involves nearly restoring the car to the condition it was in when it rolled off the assembly line. It is important to realize not everything can be fixed; however, our detailing involves going over everything attempting to make it perfect again. This means removing swirl marks, scratches, stains, and other imperfections. Also keep in mind that we can, and will make a brand new car look even better! In fact, the first thing you should do when you buy a new car is get it detailed.

How often should my car be professionally detailed?

If the car is kept up correctly, you may only need to get your car detailed twice a year. However, it is important to wash your car about once a week and apply your wax or sealant when needed.

How should I maintain my car after a detail?

After getting a full detail for your car, we can show you how to properly wash your car and maintain your interior. We will show you proper techniques and recommend products for you. This can be done within one week of completing the detail free of charge.

What are swirl marks and how are they caused?

Swirl marks are circular like scratches in the paint which need to be removed by polishing. Swirl marks are generally caused by improper washing techniques. Unfortunately, these scratches can be seen on the majority of cars on the road today. When you bring your car to the car wash, you are essentially paying them to remove any protection on your paint, and to induce these swirl marks.

What are holograms and how are they caused?

Holograms are typically caused by inexperienced rotary users and a failure to finish down the paint correctly. From our experiences, many cars with holograms have been buffed by dealerships or high volume detailing shops. Typically, they will quickly go over the paint with a strong polish and a rotary buffer. Then they will put a heavy glaze on the paint to hide the holograms and remining scratches. However, after it rains or after a couple washes, the glaze will wash away revealing the holograms.

Why is it bad for water and bird droppings to sit on paint?

Water spots and bird droppings will etch into the paint and may require chemical cleaning, compounding, or wet sanding to be removed. In serious cases, it cannot be remove without repainting the panel.

Why is it important to know the chemical make up of products?

Many detailers could care less what the chemical makeup is of the product they're using. The main thing they care about is getting fast results. Unfortunately, getting fast results usually means cutting corners and using harsh chemicals that could harm your vehicle in the long run. For example, many wheel cleaners are very acidic or alkaline, these cleaners can easily damage your wheels. Many interior and exterior dressings contain harmful silicones which can cause tire failure, or make your dash turn white. We study the chemical makeup of every product we use and keep all MSDS (material safety data sheets) on file.

What is a clay bar and why is it important?

A clay bar is a piece of clay that removes imbedded contaminants from the paint which regular washing cannot remove. It is extremely important to remove these contaiminants prior to polishing the paint. Clay bars come in different sizes and grades, some are more aggressive then others.

Why shouldn't fillers and glazes be used to correct imperfections?

Today some polishes and many glazes are made with fillers in them. These fillers do not actually remove the scratches, instead; they fill them in to temporarily hide them. After you wash your car, or after it rains, the fillers will wash away revealing the same scratches and imperfections as before. Polishes and glazes like these are commonly used by body shops, dealerships, or other detailers who don't want to correctly remove imperfections.

What is a Carnauba wax?

Carnauba wax is probably one of the most popular type of products used to protect paint and has been around for a long time. Your typical Carnauba wax product will last for about one to two months depending on several conditions. A Carnauba wax is meant to give the paint great depth and gloss. The downside is it does not last very long.

What is a synthetic wax?

A synthetic wax is basically a mix between Carnauba and a synthetic sealant. This gives you the best of both worlds, good depth and gloss as well as good durability.

What is a sealant?

A sealant is a synthetic protection which can last for several months. Sealants usually have great durability, but they lack depth.

What is the difference between polishing and waxing a car?

When you polish a car, you are removing imperfections in the paint. When you wax or seal a car, you are applying protection to the paint and the imperfections have already been removed. However, some companies use different terminology which can be confusing.