Frequently Asked Questions

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What is Auto Detailing?

Auto Detailing is commonly confused with car washing.   However, auto detailing is the performance of an extremely thorough cleaning of an automobile, both inside and out. Besides improving the appearance of cars, detailing helps to preserve the car, and therefore, protecting your investment.

Cleaning / Correcting / Protecting

It's important to understand the three main components of exterior car detailing.

What is Cleaning?

Cleaning refers to removing all foreign surface particles from exterior surfaces through the use of washing and quick cleaning techniques. A clay bar helps to clean contamination/dirt from within the clear coat that cannot be removed through weekly washing. 

Clear coat contamination can come from substances such as industry fallout, air particles, dirt particles, tar and animal droppings.

What is Correcting?

Correcting refers to using mechanical polishing by hand or with a machine and specific polishing pads that remove a fine layer of clear coat from a vehicle. This process removes fine scratches and swirls from a paint surface produced from improper washing or drying techniques.

What is Protecting?

Protecting involves the application of a protective material (in liquid or paste form) that prevents foreign matter from adhering to the surface of the vehicle, including water, bugs splatter, tar, and dirt. Ceramics and other sealants provide this barrier against the elements.

How often should I wash my car?

There is no set time for this.  The best answer is when it needs it and regular washing for typical dirt and road grime.

To prevent damage to the paint, immediately remove corrosive substances (bird droppings, tree resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt, industrial fallout, etc). Do not wait until your car is due for a complete wash.

Hand Wash / Tunnel Wash / Touchless

There are many options for washing a car which is the best option for my car?

Hand Wash.

Carology Recommended Method

Rinse Thoroughly  – Before washing, flush grime and grit from the bodywork using a hose. Flush away accumulations of mud in areas where debris easily collects, such as wheel wells and panel seams.

Hand Wash – Hand wash using a soft cloth and cold or lukewarm water containing a mild, good quality car shampoo.  

Rinse with Clean Water – After washing, rinse with clean water to prevent soap from drying on the surfaces.  Dry thoroughly and clean exterior glass. After washing and rinsing, dry thoroughly with a chamois. Clean windows and mirrors using an automotive glass cleaner. 

Do not scrape, or use any abrasive cleaning fluid on glass or mirrored surfaces.

Is Carology touchless?

It is very difficult to get anything REALLY clean without contact – even with high pressure and harsh chemicals, like many “touchless washes”.  That’s why  we use wash mitts and micro fiber cloths (no brushes) and pH neutral, biodegradable soaps to gently clean your car. While our wash mitts and micro fiber cloths makes contact with your car, it's the best way to get it clean and will not scratch or dull your clear coat finish.

Will the wash remove road tar or tree pitch?

Our hand wash will unlikely remove road tar or tree pitch, but we do have special products and processes specifically for that purpose.

ALWAYS refer to your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s specifications. Whenever possible, try to remove the substance while it is still sticky. 

NEVER use abrasive cleaners or pads to remove stains from your vehicle’s finish. Make sure to clean the area thoroughly after treatment. 

Will the wash remove bug splats?

Our hand wash will remove most bug remains, particularly if washed soon after the “splats”, but we cannot guarantee that the paint has not been damaged. The acid in the bugs will etch into the paint and leave a “shadow” in the clear coat. 

This may require paint correction, if you're not sure, please let us know.

What kind of chemicals or soaps do you use?

All of our soaps and cleaning products are acid or caustic free, and bio-degradable. They are safe for your vehicle and for the environment.

I drive an SUV a large truck and a sedan, why are the prices different for my vehicles?

For the most part, it all comes down to labor. In the car wash industry, labor alone generally comprises 40-50% of the cost of running the business. As such, any vehicle that takes longer to vacuum, wash & dry or detail is naturally going to be charged a little extra. Larger vehicles also use more cleaning solutions and wash products as well.