Shining Star Auto Detailing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much do you charge?
A. Depending on your vehicle's needs, we offer a variety of packages.

Q. I own a brand new car and its perfect. Why would I need it detailed?
A. Car dealerships rarely wax new cars, and we've never heard of one that specially treats and protects leather interior. Performing both of these procedures is important in steering your new vehicle in the right direction. That is why SSAD is the very first stop for many of our customer's new cars.

Q. What if it rains on my appointment day?
A. We can reschedule you.

Q. What types of payment do you accept?
A. We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express).

Q. Do you have insurance?
A. Yes, we are fully insured.

Q. What is the difference between PAINT SEALANT and WAX?
A. PAINT SEALANT forms a clear chemical bond that protects the finish of the vehicle and maintains that new car appearance. It is guaranteed to keep its shine for at least one whole year with proper maintenance. WAXES leave microscopic layers of fine wax particles providing deep shine and protection. With regular maintenance and care, the deep shine can last between 1 to 2 months.

Q. What is the difference between polishing and waxing?
A. POLISHING is designed to bring out the gloss. WAXING is for protection. Polishing is what makes the wet-look, deep gloss possible, especially effective on dark-colored cars. How long a wax lasts depends on a variety of factors such as the environment and how the surface is prepared. Our detailing experts are trained to meet your needs and requests.

Q. How often do I need to wax or polish my car?
A. It depends on the environmental elements your car typically endures. If your vehicle is kept garaged on a daily basis, then a polish or wax can last as long four to six months. If your car is kept outdoors under harsh conditions, then it will need to be waxed as often as once a month. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend that a light colored car be polished and waxed at least every two to three months. Dark colored cars on the other hand, will usually require more frequent and specialized attention.

Q. What is a sealer and glaze?
A. When applied before waxing, a sealer and glaze helps hide minor scratches, spider webbing, swirl marks and other surface imperfections. It enhances clarity and shine, while giving darker colored paints that deep, wet look. If left unprotected, a sealer and glaze will not last long. It therefore needs an immediate coating of protective wax to truly have long lasting benefit.

Q. Why can't I use household cleaners to wash my car?
A. Household cleaners like dishwashing detergent are specifically designed to dissolve grease. Because wax is essentially a grease, household cleaners will remove your car's waxes finish; leaving you with little shine and no protection. Also, some household detergents have micro-fine abrasive in them. These can permanently scratch your car's surface. Always use a premium quality, commercial liquid car wash soap. They are formulated to dissolve dirt and grime without removing your car's beautiful wax finish.

Q. What about once-a-year wax and polish products?
A. Your car deserves better than once-a-year products. It is likely the second largest investment you've made, after your home. Don't scrimp on the quality of the products you use to maintain it, or the care you give your vehicle. A regular regimen of washing and waxing pays enormous dividends for years down the road. The intrinsic weakness of once-a-year products will become painfully apparent as the years pass.

Q. How can I tell if I have a clear coat?
A. Most modern paint finishes are clear coat. The easiest way to tell is to check the paint code on the inside of the glove box door or door jamb (depending on vehicle make), or by checking your new car's window sticker. A more "hands-on" method is to check your applicator after you use a Polish Cleaner, Sealer and Glaze, or Wax. If the color of the paint is transferred to the towel, then you do not have a clear coat. The color you see is the oxidized dead paint being removed by the polish. With a clear coat, the top layer of the finish is transparent and has no color to transfer to the towel.

Q. How often should I wash my car?
A. As often as practical. Most enthusiasts wash their vehicles at least once a week. Some folks wash their cars almost every day. At Shining Star Mobile Detailing, we have a program called "Hand-Wash & Quick Wax conditioner" utilizing our proven waterless wash system. This waterless wash program brings a unique formulation that restores your vehicle's show car shine in-between waxes.

Q. What is a clay bar?
A. Clay bars are used to remove embedded contaminants from painted surfaces. With today's soft paints, any contaminants that sit on your paint can quickly become embedded. These contaminants aren't easily removed, even by washing or waxing. If you can feel bumps in the paint after washing and drying or waxing, chances are you'll need to have it clayed first. In most cases, the wash 'n wax program you see at the car wash facilities do not include claying. Our full detail package include claying services.

Q. Can I wax too often?
A. Today's paints ARE softer and thinner than previous years. In other words, you can NEVER wax too often - just as long as the plastic or rubber part of the car does not get any waxes on them.

Q. What about those free car washes at the gas station?
A. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Many of those car washes use mechanical brushes, which can damage your paint surface. In some parts of the country, the water is recycled, meaning your car is getting the same water applied as the "clapped out" 1970 Plymouth Duster that just pulled out (unless your car just happens to be that Duster). While filters can catch small particulates, they can't filter out the dissolved salt from winter use, or all those hoards of other nasty chemicals.

Q. I lease my car, why should I care how it looks?
A. Chances are, you'll care when the lease ends. If you check your contract, you'll find that you're probably responsible for the appearance of your vehicle when it is returned. If the paint is dull and lifeless (because it was never washed, polished or waxed) you could be hit with a reconditioning fee ranging from $500 to $2,000! Take care of your investment!

Q. What causes swirl marks?
A. Swirl marks are actually microscopic scratches in the finish. They are essentially scratches that have been put into the top layer of the paint. These scratches then act as tiny prisms, bending the light and creating a dull rainbow effect. These are often caused by the use of a buffer with the wrong type of polishing pad and/or wax/polish. Automatic car washes also can cause swirls, especially on clear coat paints. Another culprit is hand application or removal of product using a harsh material, or pads and cloths that have picked up micro abrasives from falling on the ground or improper storage. To avoid swirls, thoroughly wash all dirt particles from your finish before applying polish or wax. And always use a micro fiber towel, because its nap draws any contaminants on the surface up into the towel instead of letting them scratch the sensitive paint. At Shining Star Auto Detailing, we take extra pre-cautions to ensure that we do the job right.

Q. Tell me about oxidation
A. Most modern car finishes consist of a base coating that contains the color, topped with a protective clear coat that is designed to keep the pigmented paint from oxidizing. This outer clear coat adds UV protection that helps prevent the sun's rays from drying out the base paint. Oxidation was an obvious problem ten years ago because you quickly saw the color fade. Now that the outer layer is usually clear, oxidation is less obvious, yet it still occurs. The sun dries out top paint layers and natural oils are lost. If these oils aren't replaced, the paint oxidizes and the surface gradually becomes duller and duller. Even more than yesterday's paints, today's clear coat finishes look faded whenever the surface becomes contaminated by airborne pollution, acid rain, industrial fallout, and countless other factors. If the contamination isn't removed frequently, it reduces the reflective quality of the finish until it looks dull and lifeless. If the contamination is left on the car for some time, it can begin to etch into the thin clear coat paint layer and expose the base coat to direct UV rays and even greater damage. Once the clear coat protection is gone, the car usually requires costly repainting.

Q. Tell me about water spots
A. Water Spots derive from several sources: car wash, sprinkler system, acid rain, etc. The good news is that all water spots are restorable if they were contaminated recently. However, if left on your car for some time, it can damage the clear coat and cut through the paint. A waxed and sealed car has a better chance of repelling water spots. Though, it is not a permanent solution.

Q. Tell me about overspray
A. There are many different types of overspray: paint, road tar, tree saps, epoxies, urethanes, asphalt, concrete, industrial fallout, and other chemical contaminants. These are airborne emissions created by many sources. Regardless how your car got exposed to the contaminants, timing is the determination factor of the recovery. It tells us whether or not the overspray is removable. If the overspray is recent, we can safely remove the contaminants and restore the structural integrity of the finish. In some cases, the overspray may have already penetrated into the clear coat. At which point, repainting may be necessary. At Shining Star Auto Detailing, our method of overspray removal will preserve the original paint finishes and avoids the need to replace the trim panels, moldings, glass and chrome parts. Let us help you with your overspray removal needs.