Tree sap and bird droppings
- Remove them as soon as you can. Left in the sun, sap and droppings can etch the clear coat, and etching may not fully come out.
- Soften first: lay a soaked, clean microfiber over the spot for a minute, then lift gently. Don't scrape or scrub.
- Hardened sap is a job for the right product and patience. Bug and tar removal and paint decontamination are part of Elite Restoration.
- Parking under trees is shady and pleasant, but it is the main source of sap, pollen and droppings.
Dry season: dust and pollen
- Never wipe a dusty car with a dry cloth. Dust is grit, and rubbing it in causes fine scratches.
- Rinse or use plenty of lubrication before touching the paint.
- Pollen can be sticky in spring. Rinse it off rather than brushing it away.
Washing in the sun
Hot panels and direct sun make water and products dry too fast and leave spots. Wash early or late in the day, or in shade. When we work on a hot day we may work in sections, ask to use shade, or reschedule.
Rainy season
- Road spray and mud build up fast on lower panels and wheels. A wash after a run of stormy days keeps it from bonding.
- Rain drying on a dirty car leaves dirty spots. Rain on a clean car is mostly harmless.
- If rain or unsafe weather stops a scheduled detail, we reschedule at no cost.
Simple protection habits
- Garage or covered parking when you can.
- If you use a car cover, put it only on a clean car; a cover rubbed over grit scratches.
- Spot buffing (in the Complete Detail) can reduce light marks in small areas you approve. We don't offer full paint correction, ceramic coating or paint sealant.
Quick questions
Can you remove water spots?
Many fresh water spots come off with careful washing. Spots that have etched into the clear coat may not fully come out, and we tell you before we start.