I’m a professional auto detailer with over a decade of experience working across the state—from the Shore to the suburbs to the city. I’ve seen all types of car abuse and want to share some hard-earned tips that might save your ride (and your wallet).
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1. Seasonal Shifts Wreak Havoc.
Winter road salt is brutal on your car’s undercarriage and paint. Even if you don’t care how it looks, the long-term rust damage can cost you serious money. Wash your car’s exterior at least once during the winter to remove the salt buildup. Many people wait until the end of the season, thinking, “Why clean it now? It’s just going to get dirty again.” The problem is, it will be much harder to remove in the spring, and by then, it will have caused far more damage to your paint and undercarriage.
When we detail cars in the spring, we often find a lot of road salt in the interior carpets and floor mats. If you don’t stay on top of it during the winter, the salt can degrade your interior, leading to permanent stains and wear. At minimum, get an undercarriage pressure wash in early spring and again in the fall, and don’t forget to vacuum and clean your carpets regularly during the winter months.
2. Pollen Season is No Joke.
In spring, pollen coats everything—and if it’s left too long, it works its way into every crack, crevice, and seam of your car. When we detail cars that haven’t been touched in a while, we often see years of pollen buildup come out during the power wash, particularly around the seams. Sometimes, it feels like there’s an endless supply trapped in there! Pollen also becomes acidic when mixed with moisture, which can damage your clear coat over time.
Additionally, if you have a sunroof, pollen can clog the sunroof drain, causing water to back up and eventually leak into your interior. This can lead to water damage, mold growth, and a whole lot of problems. Don’t let pollen sit—it’s worth cleaning it up regularly to protect both your paint and your interior.
3. Driving a Nice Car Into the City? Think Twice.
If you’ve got a nice car and you’re heading into NYC, just… don’t. Between curb rash, side-swipe hit-and-runs, theft, and tight parking, we’ve seen luxury cars come back wrecked. If you have a second, older car—use that instead. But if you do drive your nice car into the city, make sure to park it in a private garage. It’s worth the peace of mind and might save you thousands in damage.
4. NYC Commuters: Your Car is Getting Wrecked by Brake Dust.
If you’re commuting into the city daily, your car is getting hammered. Stop-and-go traffic creates tons of brake dust—and it’s not just your rims at risk. That fine, metallic dust spreads across the entire vehicle, clings to paint, glass, and trim, and eventually starts to eat away at clear coat and finishes. We’ve seen cars with permanent damage from this alone.
To protect your paint, apply a good wax or, even better, a ceramic coating—both create a barrier that makes it harder for contaminants to stick. And if you want to reduce brake dust at the source, consider upgrading to ceramic-based brake pads. They generate significantly less dust than standard ones and are easier on your wheels and paint.
5. Avoid Parking Under Street Steam Vents.
Those orange-and-white towers you see on city streets? They’re not pumping exhaust—they’re releasing steam from underground systems. That steam carries minerals and grime that will cake your car in a chalky film. It’s a nightmare to remove and can cause long-term damage if left on the paint. If you see one of those venting nearby, park somewhere else.
6. Two Details a Year is the Bare Minimum.
We recommend at least a spring and fall detail to keep your vehicle protected and looking good year-round. Especially important if you care about resale value or just don’t want your ride to slowly rot from the inside out.
7. Shore People: This One’s for You.
Sick of sand everywhere? Vacuums never get it all. Pick up a small air compressor and a tool called a Tornador (it’s an air gun that agitates debris). Blow out the sand first, then vacuum up the loose stuff—it’s a game changer.
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