Elite Detailing--FAQ
The Ultimate in Vehicle Detailing Services
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Q. What is detailing?
A. Detailing is a systematic approach of cleaning, reconditioning and preserving the various surfaces of a vehicle.
Q. Do I need my vehicle detailed?
A. In many ways choosing to have your vehicle detailed is a personal preference. It is becoming more and more a
necessity simply because the prices of vehicles keep increasing and people are generally keeping their vehicles longer.
When selling a vehicle detailing is often a smart decision since you will almost always make back much more than you
paid to have your vehicle detailed and will often sell at a higher price
i
.
Q. How often should I have my vehicle detailed?
A Again there is personal preference here. Some individuals have their vehicles completely detailed once a year while
others have it done once a month. Generally the ideal frequency for vehicles that are driven daily is once every three
months. For vehicles that are driven less often every six months may be enough. Other factors to consider is the
exterior color of the vehicle (dark colors will require protection and possibly polishing or buffing more often than light
colors), the interior color of the vehicle (lighter colors may require more frequent cleaning than dark colors), and
personal habits (bringing the kids to and from soccer practice, eating on the go, or bringing your favorite pet on
vacation may require more frequent service).
Q. What is the best way to have my vehicle
washed?
A. There are many ways that you can have your vehicle cleaned. One is the traditional hand wash method using a
bucket of soapy water, wash mitts, chamois, a hose and some towels. The most important thing to remember is to not
use excessive pressure when washing or drying your vehicle and always start from the top and work your way down.
Another method is the new waterless wash option. With this option you will use a special product called DWG Ultra Ion
which encapsulates dirt into a special micro fiber cloth while also leaving a great shine and protective coating. For more
info on this option visit our Dri Wash N Guard site.
Q. When shopping for detailing why are prices so different from company to company?
A. Just as with any service each service provider does things differently. In general you do get what you pay for. We
feel that we offer a fair price with outstanding results. And since we offer a 100% guarantee as well as a no obligation
estimate and demonstration you have absolutely no risk.
Q. How do you do mobile detailing at my home or place of work?
A. We are a professional service that provides a very unique service. We are fully self-contained. We bring our own
water, our own electricity and all of the supplies we need to do the job right. We are capable of doing multiple vehicles at
virtually any location. We can even provide our express detailing services in tight locations such as underground
parking garages.
Q. When are you open for business?
A. We provide services seven days per week except for special holidays. Our general hours of operation is from 7:
00 AM until 7:00 PM. Please call us if you need services earlier in the morning or later in the evening. In many cases we
can accommodate these needs.
Q. How far in advance do I need to schedule a service?
A. We schedule on a first come first serve basis. At some points in the year we are scheduled one to two weeks in
advance. In some cases we can schedule a service on the same day. The sooner you let us know when you’d like us to
come by the better chance that we will have that time open for you.
Q. How long does your service take?
A. It depends. Every service is different and every vehicle is different. Our service description page has more info
on estimating time.
Q. What do I need to do before my scheduled appointment?
A. We bring all our own water, electricity and supplies so you don’t have to worry about this. One way that you can
help us best serve you when scheduling a detailing service is to empty out your compartments and cargo area. Also let
us know if there are any compartments you would rather we not clean. Any other items we find we will place in a bag for
your convenience. Other than that you can simply focus on what you do best and enjoy doing most and leave the
detailing to us.
Q, What method of payment do you accept?
A. We accept cash, check, Discover, Visa, Master Card, and American Express.
Q. Do you offer corporate or group discounts?
A. Yes. We offer corporate discounts for fleet washing, dealership sales preparation detailing, and office discounts.
We also offer neighborhood discounts. As long as we can service two or more vehicles in an area we can offer a
discount. Please contact us for more info.
Q. What if it is cold or raining out?
A. We offer our services in any weather year round. When it below 40° Fahrenheit outside we utilize our exclusive
waterless wash system. All we need is an enclosed area such as a two car garage. We bring our own lighting and
heating. When raining we will still provide our service either using your garage or we can put up our canopy to complete
the service. We also offer a rain guarantee: If it rains on the same day as our service we will offer you a free exterior
wash to be used within one month from the date of the service. That way you will still have the benefit of the detail and
be able to enjoy it after the rain ends!
Q. What is your express detailing service?
A. Our express detailing services are designed for newer/cleaner cars that are in good condition. These services
clean, shine & protect the various surfaces of your vehicle. Our exterior and interior express service takes about one
hour to one hour and a half each. These services are provided through our alliance with Independent Detailers who use
the Dri Wash N Guard method of detailing. These detailers are fully trained in using this system and offer great results.
We work with and use only the best Independent Detailers in the industry.
Q. Do you offer gift certificates?
A. Yes we offer gift certificates in any denomination which are good toward any of our services. We also offer
surprise detailing packages. We have had many clients who have us come to their home and detail their spouse’s
vehicle while they are out of town or at work. Our gift certificates are a unique gift for any occasion and are popular as
gifts for employees, customer appreciation, spouses, parents, children, teachers, or any one who may be hard to buy
for. We custom print our certificates with a special message from you. We can even mail or email the certificate directly
to the recipient!
Q. How much experience do your detailers have?
A. Our crew leaders each have at least five years of experience in detailing and are certified in each area of vehicle
cleaning, reconditioning, and preservation. All of our detailing technicians have been trained and are enrolled in
continual training programs. Our areas of expertise include vehicle show preparation, paint overspray and industrial
fallout removal, odor removal, vehicle sale preparation, custom car care, vehicle appearance maintenance and
preservation, and product selection consulting and training. We have provided services for the Chicago Auto Show,
Luxury Auto Group, Jetco Ltd., The Bradford Exchange, The BMW Show, The Mitsubishi Show, West Town Mechanical,
CarMax, and many more.
Q. Are you a franchise?
A. Not yet. We are a family run business, and we are in the process of setting up our business to be franchised. We
believe that the best way to grow our business and maintain a high consistent quality is through franchising. If you know
of someone who is entrepreneurial and would like to learn more feel free to contact us. We are currently training and
certifying Independent Detailers utilizing the Dri Wash N Guard system. To learn more about this opportunity visit our Dri
Wash N Guard site.
Q. I just bought a new car what can I do to keep it looking new?
A. The most important preventive measures you can take are proper wash methods (i.e. guide wash mitts, chamois,
and towels; do not use excessive pressure) or use a waterless wash method (we recommend the Dri Wash N Guard
system). Apply a coat of paint sealant to your vehicle and reapply once a year. Apply a fabric protection to all carpet
and fabric surfaces and reapply every six month to one year. Keep your leather and vinyl conditioned. Clean wheels and
tires weekly to prevent extreme break dust contamination and oxidation of tires. We also recommend thick rubber mats
that cover the entire floor areas. Also on darker color paint surfaces we recommend more frequent waxing (once per
month or every other month).
Q. Is buffing safe for my car?
A. High speed buffing can be great for removing moderate to severe micro scratching, oxidation, and paint blemishes.
Buffing performed by an inexperienced technician can cause damage to your vehicle. Unfortunately buffing cannot
remove all imperfections in the paint. Deep scratches, clear coat failure and severe chemical burns cannot be repaired
by buffing. These require repainting. If you use proper preventive maintenance you can eliminate or at least delay the
need for machine buffing. We recommend a hand polish before attempting to buff. Many times this is all a vehicle really
needs. In some extreme instances high speed buffing may be required. We only allow technicians who are certified and
experienced in high speed buffing to provide this service to our clients. We use the newest technology in self centering
foam pads combined with the right polishes and compounds to produce superior results.
Q. What is a clay bar and when do I need my car treated with one?
A. Clay cleaning bars are a relatively new innovation in the car care industry. Clay bars allow our technicians to
thoroughly remove virtually any type of contamination that may be on top of your vehicle’s painted, glass, metal, and
plastic surfaces. This process is much safer than using harsh chemicals or high speed buffing. Claying also allows wax
and sealant to bond and adhere much better and longer to your vehicle. The best way to find out if you need to have
you vehicle clayed is by first washing your vehicle with soap and water and drying it, or by using a waterless wash. Then
take a piece of cellophane and guide your fingertips on the paint. If you feel any sort of grit or bumps your vehicle will
benefit from a claying service. Regardless of how smooth your paint feels we recommend a clay at least once a year.
Q. Can you remove paint overspray from my car?
A. In most cases we can remove paint overspray from your vehicle surfaces. The most important factor is the type of
paint sprayed and how long it has been there. We have had experience with over one hundred overspray removal
services and use proper techniques and methods to remove the overspray and reapply a protective coating to all
exterior surfaces.
Q Can you remove stains from my carpet?
A. It depends. Some stains in the carpet caused from fruit juice, soda, or coffee can set over time or if treated with the
wrong type of product. While we have removed these types of stains in many cases, they can be quite challenging in
some situations. In some cases carpeting can become abraded over time. This is common in the driver’s area of the car
due to constant wear and tear. This cannot be cleaned. The only way to bring the carpet back is to replace it. The best
way to prevent this is with premium floor mats that cover the entire carpeted area. We recommend high quality rubber
mats. We would be happy to come by and give you a no obligation evaluation and estimate.
Q. What products do you recommend if I do it myself?
A. There are many products available for doing it yourself. What ever you decide we recommend sticking with one line
of products to ensure compatibility and to simplify the process. We recommend the Dri Wash N Guard line of products.
This line allows you to detail your car with one third the time and effort of a traditional wash and wax service. For more
information visit our Dri Wash N Guard site. If there is any specific challenge you are having please call or email [add
hyperlink to our email or contact us page] us and we will be happy to guide you in the right direction.
Q. Do you offer any products for sale?
A. Yes we currently offer the Dri Wash N Guard line of products. This line includes products to clean and maintain
virtually any surface and can be used on your vehicles, around the house, and at your place of work. For more info on
these exclusive products visit our Dri Wash N Guard site. We also offer other specialty products. Just let us know what
you need and we will help you find a solution.
Elite Detailing Service @2006
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