Neil's Auto Detail Service

Pro Tips

Performing a damage-free wash routine helps preserve the coating installed on your vehicle. These techniques are compatible with all vehicles finishes, ensuring a damage free wash.

DO NOT wash your vehicle for 14 days after a ceramic coating has been installed.

NEVER USE AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH!

The combination of rotating brushes and harsh chemicals will damage your vehicle's finish.

NEVER let repair facilities or dealerships perform a Courtesy Wash.

It's recommended that you only hand wash your vehicle.

Here are the five basic steps in performing a damage-free wash.

Step 1 Clean Your Wheels

Wash the wheels first and discard the wash solution. Rinse the bucket thoroughly. Keep a dedicated wash mitt and brushes for wheels only.

Step 2 Pre-Soak

We recommended a pre-soak for all vehicles every time a wash is performed. Pre-Soaking helps dislodge dirt and reduce the chance of marring your paint.

Fill your foam cannon according to product instructions. Apply pre-soak to your vehicle and let dwell for a few minutes. Rinse vehicle thoroughly starting from top to bottom. NEVER use a pre-soak in direct sunlight or on a vehicle that's warm to the touch. NEVER allow the pre-soak solution to dry on your vehicle.

Step 3 Wash

A two bucket wash technique will help reduce micro-marring the finish. Bucket 1 is your clean water rinse bucket. Bucket 2 is your soap bucket.

Thoroughly rinse your vehicle. Submerge CLEAN microfiber wash mitt in bucket 2, wash one panel at a time. After washing the panel, vigorously rinse mitt in bucket 1. Re-submerge mitt into bucket 2 and wash next panel. If your mitt appears dirty or you drop it on the ground, STOP and thoroughly rinse it out. Once you've completed washing, completely rinse your vehicle.

AVOID washing the vehicle in direct sunlight. DO NOT wash your vehicle if the paint is warm to the touch. DO NOT allow wash solution to dry on vehicle. ALWAYS rinse top to bottom. AVOID circular motions when washing. Wash each panel using linear motions, starting from top of panel and working your way to the bottom. Use enough pressure to keep mitt it in light contact with the panel. NEVER "scrub" or push the wash mitt into your paint. Soak stubborn bug splatter with a dedicated product, for ease of removal. DO NOT let you car "AIR DRY" this may create unsightly water spots

Step 4 Dry Your Vehicle

Once you've completed washing your vehicle, immediately dry with a quality microfiber drying towel. Gently glide the towel over the panel , avoid pushing the towel into the paint. If possible use a leaf blower to dry your vehicle.

Step 5 Enjoy

You're Done!

More Tips

Routinely Wash Your Vehicle

Keeping your vehicle clean helps extend the life of ceramic coatings. We recommend hand washing every 4 to 5 weeks. This will keep your vehicle looking great. Always use a PH Neutral car shampoo.

Use A Detail Spray

Once every 3 months, use a detail spray formulated for a ceramic coating. This step isn't required, but it will help extend the lifespan of your ceramic coating. Mist product onto a clean microfiber towel. GENTLY wipe product onto the panel. Once dry, GENTLY remove product by buffing panel with a second clean microfiber towel. Do one panel at a time. AVOID applying product in direct sunlight or on a warm body panel.

Schedule Annual Ceramic Maintenance

Every 9 to 12 months have your vehicle scheduled for an Annual Maintenance Service. This service revitalizes your coating's performance and extends it's lifespan.

Helpful Suggestions

Read the directions on any products suggested. Many require dilution.

Use a grit guard in your wash bucket.

Always use a gentle touch when you have a towel or wash mitt in direct contact with your paint.

Interior Only Towels and Exterior Only Towels need to be separated. NEVER mix their purpose.

If you see bird droppings or bug splatter, remove them quickly. They can permanently damage your vehicle's finish. A dampened micro fiber towel and very light pressure will remove most droppings and splatter. "Rolling" the debris into the towel with a gentle hand motion , think of the motion your hand makes while doing a "Parade Wave". NEVER scrub anything that's on your paint. Fresh tree sap can be easily removed using a dedicated product or soaking the sap with a few drops of hand sanitizer. Let either dwell for a few minutes, then lightly remove using a clean micro fiber towel and the "Parade Wave" technique.

Invest in quality micro fiber towels and launder them using a dedicated detergent. NEVER dry them on high heat. NEVER use fabric softener. Avoid washing interior towels with exterior towels.

When using a pressure washer, keep the tip 12 inches away to your vehicle's surface. Use a 40° tip (white) or wider.

A foam sprayer is useful with applying your properly diluted wheel cleaner. NEVER use cleaners on a warm wheel. NEVER let cleaners dry on your wheels.

Using a quality PH neutral car shampoo is recommended for your vehicle's paint. NEVER use dish detergent.

NEVER use a brush on your vehicle's paint.