How to Make Your Detail Contactless

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Within a matter of weeks we have gone from an outgoing society to an enclosed one, with shops, parks, restaurants and many other places bearing new restrictions or not being open to the public at all.  While we at Onsite Detail have also felt the impact, we are happy to share we are still in operation! Our mobile detailing services are still active and our phone and email lines are open to help you schedule appointments, request quotes, and ask questions.  

Like other companies that come to you, we are also open to Contact-free appointments. This does not mean we don’t touch the cars but we can have a no physical contact detail with each vehicle owner. This article will help explain the best ways to go about doing this as well as why detailing during Stay Home Stay Safe may be a good idea for you.

Setting Up an Appointment

When setting up an appointment there are a few different ways to let us know you want your detail to be Contact-Free.

If making an appointment by phone, simply mention it to the person scheduling you.  The scheduler may ask questions like where the vehicle will be, if it will be unlocked, where keys will be for access, and the best way to contact you during the service if the detailer needs to get a hold of you. 

If making an appointment online via the Request Form, simply put in the notes that you would like a Contact-Free service.  We will reply with similar questions to make sure your appointment goes smoothly. Texts, requests through social media and other contacts will likely lead to you being directed to either method of requesting an appointment, as they are our more thorough ways of getting in touch with you.  Our doors will be locked until further notice, so walk-ins will not be available. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Note: If you are asking for a Contact-Free service, we will be restricted to taking card payments.  Cash and checks would likely require some level of contact. If making an appointment by phone we can put a card on your account to use later (it would not be charged until the invoice was reviewed with you).

During the Appointment

The detailer will be notified in advance that you have requested a Contact-Free detail and will text or call you when on the way.  This way you have access to their number if you need to speak to each other. In the case they are not responsive you can call or text the main office line and the at-home administrative staff can help you.

Before the detail, remove any items you would not want the detailer to handle (not as necessary if you are doing exterior-only work).  Check your glove box, cupholders, pockets, under seats and between seats. Remove anything from the trunk. If items are left, the detailer will handle them with a separate set of gloves and set them aside.  

The detailer will call or text you during the appointment with questions or to tell you their progress, so keep your phone available and charged- some appointments can last a few hours. 

After the Service

When done, the detailer can review the cost of the service with you by phone.  If you have a card on file feel free to let them know they can charge it. If there are any issues you can call us at the main office line and we will gladly assist you.  In the rare case that there is an issue with the service, you can text photos to the same office number and we will help you get them resolved.

Alternatives and Why Detail Now

We understand that even if you’re staying at home scheduling a detail can be one more hassle you don’t want to deal with right now.  If you are considering a service but don’t want to schedule right away or know someone who could use a detail but is too busy to call, consider buying yourself or a friend a Gift Certificate.  (Gift Certificates for vehicle details can make a great gift for those working on the front lines like healthcare workers, grocery store employees, and other essential workers.) 

In this pandemic our cars are more valuable than ever.  They help transfer us to medical centers, drive thrus, and our jobs in the cases of essential workers.  Vehicles are a safe way for us to mobilize when being around others isn’t safe. Keeping them clean not only helps us stay healthy physically, it helps us stay healthy mentally.  This time is stressful enough- let us take care of the details.  

We at Onsite Detail ask that you stay safe, and we hope to hear from you soon!

by Miranda Hughes, Onsite Detail

How to Clean Tires and Rims like a Professional

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You’ve heard the saying, “The eyes are the window to the soul”. Well that’s how I feel about the wheels and tires to a vehicle. You would think it would be the windows or the windshield to the vehicle but no. According to a survey that I made up, the wheels and tires are the windows to the vehicle’s soul. I may be alone in this assumption but may have many that agree with me. As a detailer, I loved cleaning the wheels and tires. Making the tires black and polishing the rims to a glossy shine did a lot for the final product of the exterior detail. To get to the beloved “final product” it usually is a process. Usually not a hard process or a long process but I’ll go over a process that will help you clean tires and rims.

Thing to Check Prior to Cleaning Tires and Rims

The first thing you will want to do is to make sure that the rim and tires are NOT hot. If the vehicle has just been driven, the rims may have become hot from the constant breaking and friction that comes with movement and vibrations of the road. Spraying wheel cleaners and wheel acids on hot rims can often lead to the chemicals and/or acids marking or etching the rims and making them not look good by damaging them. Especially if those chemicals and acids are left on the rims longer than they should. Acids can already damage rims if they are misused or left on the rim. If the rim is hot then the chances of the clear coat or metal being irreversibly damaged is significantly increased. So before you start to clean tires and rims make sure they are not hot.

Timing with Wheel Cleaning Acid is Important

Another thing to remember, especially when using acid to clean the rims, is that you will want to do only one rim at a time. In some cases, if the conditions are good and you’re experienced and comfortable with using wheel cleaners and other acid wheel cleaners, you could do two at a time. You may be wondering why I’m making such a big deal about how many rims to do at a time. If you read one of my previous blogs you may remember that upon being applied, acids will immediately start eating away at whatever it comes in contact with. That also includes the metal that it’s applied to when left on there for an extended period of time. Acids are very effective when used correctly. However, if the acid is properly diluted, it will give you the time needed to allow you to do more than one rim at a time. Diluted acid will ONLY slow down the corroding process. It will still work just as well but will just make it so leaving it on the rim for a little longer won’t be as devastating if left on there for longer than 30 seconds to a minute (at the very most). Acid that isn’t diluted will maybe give you about 15-20 seconds before it needs to be thoroughly sprayed off where diluted acid will give you about 30 seconds to possibly a minute. Be sure to check the Safety Data Sheets information to make sure what the appropriate dilution should be.

Benefits of Wheel Cleaning Acid

I haven’t really talked about the benefits of acid and what it can do for your rims. One of the coolest things that I’ve seen with using acid correctly is that most of the time it can completely eliminate the step of scrubbing. If scrubbing is needed, it should be minimal. Also, if you are needing to scrub the area sprayed with acid, keep a close eye on the area that you are working on to make sure that the acid isn’t damaging the metal. In some cases you may need to spray water to rinse the acid off and closely look at the area to see if more acid/scrubbing is needed. In most cases, after spraying the wheel cleaning acid on the rim, you will be able to spray the acid off with water and knock off whatever you were trying to remove from the rim without needing to excessively scrub leaving a nice shiny glossy rim.

If you are working with undiluted acid, you will  need to pre-spray the rim with some water to soften the blow of the acid to the metal of the rim. If the acid is diluted, it’s not as big of a deal to pre-spray the rim with water before applying the acid but still a good idea to do so. If you don’t quite feel comfortable using the acid, it might be a good idea to pre-spray the rim before applying the acid to the rim or just use a more generic non-acid wheel cleaner.

Wheel Cleaner Acid is not the Only Method

Wheel cleaning acid is not the only method of cleaning rims and tires. There are other wheel cleaners and degreasers that are not as harsh and maybe safer. If you are an inexperienced detailer, I would highly recommend starting with a degreaser cleaner or other non-acid wheel cleaners before using acid. Basic degreasers will most likely require light scrubbing or agitation and doesn’t need to be removed as urgently as acid. Degreasers can also be called all-purpose cleaners. Many of the cleaning properties of degreasers will have a very slippery texture. 

Benefits of All Purpose Cleaners and Degreasers

Another benefit of using degreasers/all-purpose cleaners to clean tires and rims is that the degreaser can be used on just about any surface. As far as wheels, rims, and wheel wells go, you can use the degreaser on all of these surfaces and be able to do an exceptional job. A really effective and efficient way to clean the tires to have them looking the best they can look is by spraying degreaser, scrubbing the tire well, spraying off thoroughly, and then finishing it off with a water based tire dressing. When you get trained and get to be familiar and comfortable with using acid, spraying acid on the rim after the scrubbing of the tire and before you rinse is also a good option if extra strength is needed. Wheel well areas can be hard to reach if the desire is to scrub them with the degreaser applied. I suggest finding a brush with a long handle that will reach if needed. Most commonly those areas can be sprayed off well after spraying the degreaser and letting it sit for a minute or two. If you have access to a pressure washer it will usually work best to most effectively clean these areas by knocking off any heavy dirt or debris.

So just remember when you are going to clean tires and rims and other areas around there that you take proper caution and care both for you and the car. Wear PPE if needed and make sure you know what the risks are of ALL the chemicals you’ll be using, especially wheel cleaning acids. Never think you can cut corners and skip safety. 

I hope I have helped you better understand how to clean rims and tires and understanding wheel cleaners, degreasers and wheel cleaning acids. Happy wheel cleaning and safe travels!

by Andy Stallings, CD, Operations Manager, Onsite Detail

How to take the Headache Out Keeping Your Fleet Clean

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How to take the headache out keeping your fleet clean

If you have ever had to manage a fleet of vehicles you know the pain of trying to coordinate the logistics of keeping your fleet clean and protected. Not only that but you end up having to rely on the drivers or yourself to actually get it done. Over the years I have heard the complaints from fleet managers about the pains of having to shuttle cars back and forth to the car wash or having to hire an employee to wash them and vacuum them out on a regular basis. While in some cases this may work, it is hard to keep up the quality and morale of these individuals stuck with what can feel like a never ending task. It is not usually the best use of someone’s time to have to shuttle cars or try detailing them themselves without all the proper tools and chemicals. In the majority of cases, when you break down the numbers, it costs a company much more money to do this themselves then to just hire a professional fleet washing and detailing company like Onsite Detail to do the work for you of keeping your fleet clean.

When hiring in house you must also calculate the costs of;

  • Training
  • Insurance
  • Workers Comp
  • Benefits
  • Equipment
  • Chemicals
  • Employee Turnover
  • And many other costs.

The time and energy spent moving vehicles not only is time consuming but it puts the vehicles themselves on the road more,which increases the risk of an accident and increases the wear and tear on the vehicles.

We offer the solution to keeping your fleet clean

We offer a solution to each one of these problems faced by fleet managers and the companies they work for. No more headaches over the logistics of getting vehicles cleaned up and detailed or dealing with employee training or management. 

With our fleet washing and detailing programs we can handle large and small fleets. We can handle fleets of sedans all the way up to semi trucks. We do both interior and exterior washing and detailing. We can properly care for wrapped vehicles as well as any specialty things like chrome or aluminum.

Types of Fleets Onsite Detail can work on;

  • Trucking fleets
  • Delivery fleets (food services, medical services,packages/mail, auto parts, etc.)
  • Service Company Fleets (HVAC, Plumbing, Electrician, etc.)
  • Transport Fleets
  • Rental Car Fleets
  • Construction Fleets
  • Municipal Fleets
  • Telecommunication Fleets
  • Taxi Company Fleets
  • Limo Fleets
  • Landscaping Fleets

In other words, if you have a fleet needing a wash and detailing service, we can handle it. Most of the fleets we service are set up on a regular basis. We go out weekly, bi-weekly or monthly to keep each fleet cleaned up and protected.

For the company fleets that we service they receive much more than just clean vehicles but an improved image to their customers. When they show up to complete a job, deliver items, or whatever they may do or when they are driving down the freeway in clean and good looking vehicles people notice and they are perceived of better and higher value in the market. With a perceived higher value not only will people be more inclined to buy and the company be more memorable but you and your employees will start to take more pride in the company and themselves. 

With all this being said I hope you can see why our fleet washing and detailing services can be a big benefit to your fleet. Please give us a call or reach out via text or email if you have any questions on how we can help you take care of your fleet. (801) 412-9274 or clean@onsitedetail.net.

by Chris Blaisdell, CD-SV, Onsite Detail

Chris Blaisdell is the owner of Onsite Detail and has been detailing  for 12 + years.
He is a Certified Detailer-Skills Validated detailer through the
International Detailing Association. The industry leader in detailing standards.

How Acids can be used in Detailing

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In the auto detailing industry there are so many products and chemicals that it can truly get confusing. The research and development that has been put in has truly changed the way we can do our job and serve our customers. There are a large array of products that fulfill many different needs and are used for specific purposes. There are also many products that can be used as general cleaners and protectors. One product/chemical that can be quite controversial. This controversial chemical is acid.

In detailing there are many reasons not to use acids. There are many different chemicals with acidic bases that are used for a wide variety of purposes. For the purpose of this blog we are just going to talk about two that are straight acids. These are not to be used without proper PPE (personal protection equipment) and training and consideration for the environment.

HYDROFLUORIC ACID

This acid is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. It is probably one of the, if not, the most dangerous acid ever created. When used correctly can produce amazing results and make a nightmare job less of a nightmare. However, if inhaled or spilled directly on your skin, it can cause serious health hazards – even death. Don’t take this stuff lightly. Be sure to wear protective eye wear and gloves and even a mask if you can. If you get any on your skin, stop what you are doing right away and wash the affected area thoroughly.

Also, when rinsing from rims or wherever it is being used, be sure to rinse the area very well. It will start to weaken any protective coating if it is left on for longer than a few seconds. All you really want the acid to do is to penetrate and break down any built-up brake dust, road salt, dirt, oils, or any other contaminants that may have built up on the rim or tire. The acid works quickly when it comes to breaking those things down. This is why you don’t want to leave the acid on the surface for very long. You will want to do one area at a time. After spraying the acid on the area, you will only need to wait 20-30 seconds before spraying it off unless its drying then get it rinsed off faster. Even the experienced detailer SHOULD NOT be spraying more than one area at a time with hydrofluoric acid. If there are any weaknesses in the surface as far as any protective coating or any rusting the acid will find it. Acid does not care what material you are when it is applied. It will weaken anything that it touches especially if it is left on said material. Be sure to check what the dilution you should be before working with it. Ask manufacturers  of the acid how it should be diluted and used. That’s why this acid is so dangerous and should be handled with extreme care. Although this acid may be the most effective and very widely used. It is not my first choice and not my go-to. At Onsite Detail we actually don’t use this type of acid.

HARD-WATER REMOVAL ACID (SULFURIC ACID)

When needing an acid, my go-to is actually a hard-water removal acid. This may be coming from a biased perspective because I’ve used hard water acid a lot more than any other kind of acid. It still needs to be handled with great care and you should use the same precautions when using it as you do with hydrofluoric acid. It does remove or break down more than just hard water. For most cases where acid would be used, this sulfuric acid can accomplish the same tasks as any other kind of acid without the intense bodily harm that can come with the hydrofluoric acid.

One of the things that I like best about the hard-water acid is that I like to use it when I’m doing a hard-water removal wash on the body of the vehicle. When using it on the body of the vehicle, this acid is not as dangerous or fast-acting as some other acids, it should still be held to one panel at a time when doing an acid wash on the paint. The acid will still break down and weaken anything that it touches and you will want to monitor that area you are working very closely. If you can tell that the clear coat is already weakened or peeling off, using acid may not be a good choice or put the acid on a rag and wipe around the weakened area may be effective. Pretty much the only reason that you would be doing an acid wash on a vehicle’s paint is because of hard water or a major decontamination.

It will not take away any scuffs or scratches. For that you will need to have paint correction done which is a much more extensive process than just an acid wash. Pre-spraying with water on the rim, paint or glass before applying the acid is strongly encouraged but optional if you know and understand what you are doing.

Acid on Wheels/Rims

Depending on what your rim is made of, it will be the deciding factor of what kind of acid you should use or if you should use any acid at all. Diluted acid DOES NOT affect if the acid will work or not. It does, however, affect how fast the acid will work when applied. The more the acid is diluted the slower the acid will take to break down the contaminants. This is why the rinsing step is important after using it. If any acid, even diluted, is left on the surface it is applied and not completely removed – it can still eat away at any material. It will take much more time with a very small amount of acid but you still want to make sure that the acid is completely removed. Don’t get shy with the pressure washer or sprayer. Spray a generous amount of water on the area to make sure that the acid is completely rinsed off and removed from the area. When dealing with acid, be sure to keep a close eye on the area you are working on. 

Detailing chemicals all need to be handled with great care. It is smart, and truthfully necessary, to read the labels of any chemicals or acids before using, including dilution, protective wear, etc. Be smart and be careful.

Here at Onsite Detail we go through training and learn and practice safe use of detailing chemicals. As Certified Detailers we work hard to ensure you and your vehicle are taken care of properly and we get the best results we can on each detail service.

 

If you have a vehicle that needs some heavier decontamination, such as over spray removal, rust spot removal, oil or grease contamination removal, tree sap removal, hard water removal, or if your once shiny rims are now black and covered in brake dust feel free to reach out and schedule a detail with us. On the other hand if you have a nice vehicle and just want it maintained and protected please reach out and give us a call or text at (801) 412-9274. Let us know what we can do for you! Happy detailing and safe travels.

by Andy Stallings, CD, Operations Manager, Onsite Detail

Event for the 2020 Nissan Titan

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At Onsite Detail we offer detailing event services. We really enjoyed the different challenges that come with detailing event services. Earlier this year we had the opportunity to work a multi-day event washing and detailing brand new 2020 Nissan Titans for an event put on up in Wanship, Utah. We would come in at the end of each as the trucks were coming back in. They had been out all day with Nissan, photographers, press and other influencers. Some of these trucks were for offroading. Some went out fishing and others just drove routes to check out some of the cool new features.

Photo Credit @nissanusa (Instagram)

When they rolled back in we were able to check them out as well as we got them all cleaned up and detailed. As expected the offroading ones were covered in dust and caked in mud. Being the middle of November in the Utah mountains is was quite muddy in certain areas. Luckily throughout the event we had pretty good weather and didn’t get hit too hard with any rain or snow.

Some of the Titans went out pulling trailers and other toys to show their towing abilities as well. At this event we did have to adjust a little as the trucks came back at different times each day and and sometimes they came back pretty dirty inside and out. We really enjoy working these types of special detailing events and have really learned that changes in the detailing event services happen and adjustments need to be made. The team in charge at this event stayed on top of things and communicated well with us so that we could provide the best service possible. There was a couple nights that ran late and we were running into lighting issues. We ended using the lights from other trucks as spotlights to finish up the washes and then we could move into the parking garage for final touch ups.

We really enjoyed the opportunity of working on these cool trucks and meeting new people. If there are any types of detailing events that are need of vehicle care and cleaning and detailing maintenance we are very experienced in everything from car shows, film sets, auto events, car or drag races or even just vehicle displays. Our team can handle big and small jobs. As Utah’s #1 mobile detailing service we can also travel to the location of events and travel to various locations of the event as well.

Photo Credit @nissanusa (Instagram)

Photo Credit @nissanusa (Instagram)

If you have need for any of these detailing event services, feel free to reach to us and get a free estimate. Call or text us at (801) 412-9274. Email us at clean@onsitedetail.net. Or fill out request from to give us an idea of what yours needs are. We will work with you and help you make your life easier and help relief some of the stress of running an auto related event.

by Chris Blaisdell, CD-SV, Onsite Detail

Chris Blaisdell is the owner of Onsite Detail and has been detailing  for 12 + years.
He is a Certified Detailer-Skills Validated detailer through the
International Detailing Association. The industry leader in detailing standards.

Winter with Onsite Detail

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Winter with Onsite Detail is awesome for you and your vehicle. Lots of people have tips for how to prepare for winter when it comes to cars. Lots of it is good- check your oil, gets snow tires, remember to take it slow on icy roads and avoid snow plows. Some of it is less than good, like throwing hot water on a frosted windshield. (Definitely do not do that!)

Preparing your vehicle for winter doesn’t have to be so complicated, and here at Onsite Detail we have plenty of services to help get you ready for a Utah winter. To keep it simple, this article will list the services we can do to help you, including a special limited-time deal at the end, so stay tuned!

Wash & Wax

We have a secret- we don’t use just any regular old wax. We use a hand paint sealant, which is more hydrophobic and protects from UV rays. It causes water to bead and fall away, and it lasts for 3-6 months. That’s a winter season and then some!

Cleaning your car with a Wash & Wax service before and during winter really arrives not only prepares it for the near future, but also protects your vehicle from any dirt that can damage it faster that you collected from the summer and fall. Even if you have already begun collecting salt on your wheels, we are happy to clean and protect your vehicle’s outer layers!

Headlight Restoration

Headlights are crucial in the dark months of winter, but even they need a little love. If you find your headlights are fogging up, we can help! For only $30 per pair of headlights, we can clear haziness caused by oxidation. This will dramatically increase brightness, which makes your car safer to drive in the dark and fog. Plus, it can help make a car look newer, which makes it a fun add-on!

Interior Detail

While weather typically affects the outside of cars, interiors should be considered as well. Mud and snow track in vehicles, and when it’s cold it’s not fun to clean the car despite this being a social and busy time for many! Any bacteria from trash, milk spills, or rotting food may be less prominent in the winter, but the warm seasons will mean they come back with a vengeance. You’re busy enough with the holidays, so let us clean the interior- your Christmas party dates will be thankful!

Windshield Treatment with Glassparency

Want to save money on wiper blades this winter? This is just one benefit of the many that comes with having us treat your windshield or windows with Glassparency. The rain, snow, and slush our cars get make seeing out of our windows difficult, and when the sun does come out, the ice around us can make a strong glare. Driving in Utah is hard enough!

Glassparency is a service and product we put on your windshield to help reduce glare and make it easier to clean. The biggest benefit? Liquids just glide right off! Customers who have gotten it say how they barely need to turn on their wipers when it rains because the Glassparency takes care of it for themselves. And with winter promising a few messy weather days, why not treat yourself to it? It won’t be for just one winter either, as it comes with a three year warranty! Speaking of which…

Onsite Detail Winter Deals!

The time has come to share our detail deals! To celebrate our successful shop opening this year, we have added two In-Shop specials lasting through January 31st of next year.

Glassparency is one of them! If you do an Onsite VIP Detail at our shop between now and January 31st, you receive the Glassparency Windshield Coating (service, product, and 3 year warranty) for FREE. The Onsite VIP Detail is an amazing winterizing service, offering all of the services listed before and more, like Clay Bar Treatment, Engine Detail, and Plastic Restoration! All of those services protect from elements and have advantages before the difficulty of winter sets in.

If you don’t need all those services but would like a good deal, you can opt for a Full Combo Detail instead. This is one of our most popular services, and if you bring it into the shop you receive a FREE Undercarriage Wash– an In-Shop exclusive that is normally $50-$100 in value!

If you want to take advantage of one of these winter deals, or otherwise schedule an appointment, you can call us at 801-412-9274 anytime or fill out a Request Form. We are happy to answer questions you may have as well! Winter with Onsite Detail is better than winter without Onsite Detail.

by Miranda Hughes, Onsite Detail

Detail My Mommy Vehicle? Is it Worth it?

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Is i t worth it to detail my mommy vehicle?

Detail my mommy vehicle? Is it worth it? Back when I was detailing full time I would sometimes hear moms say things like, “I don’t really know if it’s worth it to get my car detailed, it’s going to be dirty again by next week”, or “I’ll probably need to have you come back very soon”. These might be thoughts you may or may not have had in thinking about getting your vehicle detailed. If we had this mindset with our homes, offices and other places we spend a lot of time, those places would never get cleaned and be pretty nasty and honestly unhygienic. There are many reasons to get your car detailed. 

For those with kids, a messy roommate, spouse or pet, you know that one hour of effort in cleaning can be easily reversed by a toddler in about 2.4 seconds. I totally get it. It’s a daily uphill climb to keep things clean and organized… but you know what? You still try to keep up with cleaning or a least tidying up. So I hope you can get a sense of the importance of having the same mentality with your vehicle. Especially if it’s your everyday vehicle, used for commuting, hauling kids and pets, bringing home loads of groceries, etc.

Detailing a dirty messy vehicle like that may sound about as annoying as trying to nail jello to a tree and keeping it clean may sound about as grueling as picking up leaves with a toothpick, but we’re here to help. We often get the minivan or SUV that is overdue for some love and help make it look, feel and smell like it was not recently the scene of a toddler melt down or soccer team victory party. Many of these vehicles that are used for your everyday errands may include vans and SUVs but that doesn’t exclude sedans and trucks that may be used as well.

It Is Worth it

Today I’m going to go over a few reasons why it’s not only a good idea but totally worth it to keep up with a regular deep cleaning of your everyday driver – even when it might be getting dirty all over again in the very near future. 

If you really think about it, the fact that your vehicle is going to be dirty again soon should be good reason why and a good idea to keep up with regular cleanings. If the “dirty messy monster” is going to be visiting again soon, without regular cleaning or detailing each visit will leave your car more and more dirty and gross. Who knows what could be going on and growing at the bottom of this mess. Especially with kids and if meals or snacks are going to be a part of your travels.

The Cheeseburger Story

I had an experience when I was detailing that involved finding a hidden treasure in the midst of an apparent dumpster explosion. As I was picking up all the trash I got to the carpet and discovered a moldy McDonalds cheeseburger. After dry-heaving my way through cleaning it up, I came to the conclusion that I was pretty sure it wasn’t biodegradable at that point. Although it was sprouting a whole new world under the cover of the cardboard and paper bag paradise.

You’d be surprised how big of a difference just taking the trash out of your car can make. Most of the time it’s the easiest part of the detail and can also make the biggest visual difference. Trust me, you don’t want to find a moldy cheeseburger (or moldy anything for that matter) in your car one day.

Don’t Be Embarrassed

Another reason that it is a good idea to keep the family taxi cleaned is because you never really know when someone else will need a ride. Going back to having a messy house, you know how horrifying it can be to let guests into your home when it looks like a bomb went off. The same thought process could be applied with having a dirty vehicle. Everyone has either been on the giving or receiving end of a ride and has either seen or had to throw bottles and trash in the back seat to open up room for a passenger. One of the easiest ways to keep your vehicle looking good is to at least keep the trash cleaned up. Having an Interior Detail done at least twice a year is highly recommended as well. It is much more motivating to keep a car clean when you put a little bit of effort into keeping and maintaining the clean. Which brings me to my next reason for keeping a clean vehicle.

Be Confident

Along with being motivating to keep a clean vehicle clean. It will also help with your confidence. It can be surprisingly empowering knowing that you have a clean car. I know that keeping your everyday vehicle is a lot easier said than done but I promise that it’s worth getting done. And if you don’t think you have the time to get it done. In addition to our in-shop detailing services we offer mobile detailing services as well. A good chunk of the business that we do are people’s everyday vehicles. People that don’t have time to drop cars off at our detail shop and we get that. Life doesn’t stop and we don’t expect you to put everything on hold so you can get your vehicle detailed. The mobile aspect of our company has brought us a lot of success and has allowed us to get to people that otherwise wouldn’t have been able to get their vehicle detailed.

Maintenance Detailing

Frequent cleanings and details will also help protect the value of the vehicle. We offer yearly packages to help with the headache of keeping vehicles cleaned and protected. If/when the day comes to sell your vehicle, you will want to show a potential buyer that you have taken care of your vehicle. If someone can see that you have taken good care of your vehicle on the surface, they will automatically know or assume the vehicle’s overall condition is great as well. They will be able to determine that you have been taking care of things below the surface. If they can see, touch and smell that, they will be more confident in purchasing a vehicle that has been well taken care of.

I hope I helped you learn something today or at least shed some light on something that may sound like a headache. For those of you who may still not be sure if you should detail your mommy vehicle on a regular basis let me just share what a few of our customers have said;

“I’m so impressed. I am a mother that works full time and has two large dogs. My car was embarrassingly bad. I splurged on a full detail and couldn’t be happier. I had no idea my car could look new again. Thanks!” – Jennifer, American Fork, Utah
“These guys were actually recommended to me from a coworker. It was my first time getting my car detailed. To say i’m satisfied is an understatement! I have two Australian Shepard’s who are a mess. My car was in desperate need. He did an AMAZING job and was so kind. He spent a good amount of time on my car, and it looks brand new! Very cheap considering all he did. Thank you so much! Will use these guys in the future, and I highly recommend.” – Michele, Sandy, Utah
“I am trying to sell our van and I had Onsite Detail come out and perform a interior detail and was amazed at the job they did! Our van looks brand new inside! They were timely and professional and I am definitely using them again.” – Melissa, South Jordan, Utah
“I’ve been a monthly customer for ten years. The price, convenience, and impeccable quality can’t be beat!” – Erica, Orem, Utah

As I mentioned before, we are here to take away the headaches and the effort that it can take for a consumer to get their vehicle detailed. WE WILL COME TO YOU! You don’t need to leave your house. You don’t need to find another vehicle. You don’t need to make ride arrangements for your kids.

 

Let us know how we can help you and what you need done. We would love to be able to help make your life a little easier if we can. We look forward to hearing from you! Safe Travels!             

by Andy Stallings, CD, Operations Manager, Onsite Detail

Traveling in a Campervan, RV or with a Trailer?

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At Onsite Detail we love working with people on their travel vehicles and toys, like RVs, boats and much more.  This made it extra exciting, then, when I got the chance to try out a vehicle type I had not heard of before when taking a trip to Iceland this last October: a campervan.

Campervans, for the uninitiated, are vans that have the back part of them converted for space to sleep and enjoy simple living, like a small RV.  While considering the best ways to travel, my friend and I chose a campervan because there are many benefits to them. For one, we did not have to coordinate renting a car and choosing hotels in advance, which gave us much more freedom to travel whenever and wherever we wanted.  For another, campervans are flexible in where they can go, easier to drive than big vehicles but providing more comfort than classic tent camping. This was a big plus considering we were going to a cold, windy country! It also helped us save money, as renting the campervan and paying campground fees were cheaper overall than renting a car and paying for hotels.  Our campervan also used diesel, which was cheaper, and ours had amazing gas mileage despite the size!

We rented the campervan for six days total, and in that process learned a lot about what it is like to live in one.  So whether you are a traveller looking to explore more freely or just a curious reader, here is some fun, free advice on what to expect and how to better your experience should you rent or buy one for yourself!

What to Expect

My friend and I had never ridden in a campervan before renting one, and only had photos from the internet for the company we rented from for reference.  We knew there were two seats in the front and the back was dedicated to storage and sleeping, though some had different setups.  

What we were not expecting was how much room was in the front and how little room there was in the back.  We had plenty of room for sleeping, but if we wanted to sit up, it was better to go to the front seats, which had tons of leg room.  Underneath the bed frame was room for lots of storage, including our carry-on luggage from the flight, so we also rented a folding table and chairs.  This gave us more surfaces to work on when cooking and more places to sit down, since sometimes we had to park facing something not so fun to look at, such as a wall or bushes. That being said, it had us thinking about when exactly we wanted to sleep, because climbing out of bed to the front seat and vice versa was a bit of work.  Check your setups in advance if you can, so you know what to expect, yours may have more room in the back!

It also helps to check in advance and see what it comes with. Ours came with basic cooking equipment, a single gas stovetop, and for an additional cost, a mobile wifi router.  Having a mobile wifi router is a big lifesaver when travelling, especially if you’re going to remote places. It not only saves you on using data, it allows you to use many internet-based apps and can protect you from using potentially unsafe wifi!  One last item we brought on was a cooler, as we were going to places that did not have many restaurants and some of our food required staying cool, such as lunch meats for sandwiches.

Before travelling, it is worth checking your route.  Campervans are small and height requirements are not usually an issue, but campgrounds may be limiting.  If yours requires an electric hookup, that may be another fee. You also will want drivers you can trust, as campervans can have big blind spots.  Ours had no side windows after the driver seats, only the window in the very back. This made backing up in busy parking lots tricky at times. Don’t be afraid to have your buddy help back you out!

Making It a Home

Even if it’s only for a few days, your campervan is going to be your home.  Therefore, here are a few suggestions on how to make it a home to enjoy!

If you are setting up your own campervan, consider what you may need.  Walk yourself through a day mentally and take note of what will be important.  You will want a setup for cooking and eating food, such as travel dishes. For the sleeping area, it brings peace of mind to hang curtains surrounding it so people can’t watch you sleeping or changing clothes.  Depending on the time of year, consider getting a heating system that runs when the van is off. Ours came with a battery operated heating system so we did not need to leave the van running all night, which charged while we drove during the day.

While it may be tempting to immediately drive off into the unknown, take a few minutes to set up your campervan.  Placing luggage and other big items like folding furniture where you can easily access it but not have it roll around is important, and will help keep you sane.  Nothing is more frustrating than needing to search for something in the dark that got away from you while you drove around.

Keep It Clean

While traveling, the thrill of adventure can keep you looking forward, but take a moment to check your surroundings for trash. We kept a plastic bag from a grocery store that was designated for garbage, and whenever we stopped at a gas station or for the night we would find a place to toss it out.  It may be tempting to want to just ignore it, but small spaces get dirty quickly. Doing a little each day can do a lot in the long run.

One item I recommend splurging a little on is microfiber towels.  These kinds of towels dry faster and absorb more liquid, which is useful for cleaning the van, your dishes, or using on yourself after a shower or swimming. You don’t have much space to dry a towel, so treat yourself to one that doesn’t need long to dry in the first place.  We would use one to wipe the windshield of rain or dew, then let it hang off the car door while we prepared for the day. By the time we left, it was dry enough to store! 

Finally, take the time to maintain your campervan. If travelling to areas with less people, consider filling up your campervan when it is at half tank rather than closer to empty.  Also be aware what it is capable of- our campervan, for example, could not go off roading because it was a two wheel drive. This helped us determine when to avoid a certain path that could potentially be dangerous to drive on.

Give It A Name

Also, consider naming your campervan for the fun of it. We lovingly named ours Stevan. Ste-van, get it? Nevermind…

Owning or Renting

Whether you own or you’ll be renting a campervan, RV, trailer or any travel vehicles, consider having them cleaned and maintained with us at Onsite Detail! You’ll save big on cleaning fees when you return it clean and smelling fresh. We enjoy your travel stories as much as we enjoy a job well done, so take a look at what services we offer and see if any fit your needs. We are happy to take care of the details, just reach out via call or text to (801) 412-9274 or request an appointment online.

by Miranda Hughes, Onsite Detail

Why does my vehicle’s paint feel rough?

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Why does my vehicle’s paint feel rough?

Have your ever run your hand across your freshly washed vehicle but it does not clean? Like maybe you didn’t get all the dirt off in the wash process. It seems that the paint has lost that clean smooth, “like-glass” feeling that it once had. Maybe you’ve also noticed that the water “sticks” to the paint and does not run off like it did when it was new. It now feels a bit like sandpaper.

The paint looks fine but what is going on? Is the paint ruined? 

If your paint looks like its in good condition but feels rough to the touch it means your vehicle’s paint has contaminants embedded into it. No worries. This is actually normal and will happen to any vehicle that sees driving time on Utah roads. Things from the environment and things that kick up from the road stick to and get embedded in the vehicle’s paint. This might be things like road grime, micro dirt, tiny metal shavings, over spray, hard water deposits and a myriad of other things that find their way into the clear coat of your vehicle’s paint.

How can this be remedied? How can I fix my rough feeling paint?

There are many different types of contaminants so there are many different ways to take care of the paint contamination. The main way and the most common is after a good wash to do a clay bar treatment to lift any contaminants off the surface. Sometimes a clay bar is not enough or not necessarily the best way to remove certain things. Sometimes it is necessary to use solvents to loosen up things like tree sap or tar. There are other kinds of things that are best broken down and removed with iron removers and/or mild acids.

There are other issues that can be caused by surface contaminants that have been left too long and not taken care of such as paint etching. Paint etching is when the contaminants have actually damaged the clear coat. Things such as hard water deposits and bird droppings are the most common culprits of etching. Anything that is acidic can be the worst if it sits and has the chance to eat into the clear coat.

If etching is the issue of why your paint feels rough the only way to remedy this is with some wet sanding and paint correction or polishing. For more info on that please read our previous blog here;

https://onsitedetail.net/blog/paint-correction-vs-paint-perfection/

Can getting contaminants in paint be prevented?

There is no true way to never get any contaminants in your paint or on the surfaces of your vehicle, but there are for sure ways to help maintain and protect your paint. The best way to maintain is to continue to frequently decontaminate the surfaces of your vehicle.

The best way to protect your vehicle is to have a ceramic coating professional installed. With a professionally installed ceramic coating you are going to get a complete decon and paint correction and then years of warrantied protection.

A coating is not invincible and it can be contaminated but it is a lot more resistant and durable than regular clear coat. To maintain the coating proper care needs to be taken and decon washes/details are still a part of that.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have questions or to schedule an appointment for us to take care of your vehicle.

by Chris Blaisdell, CD-SV, Onsite Detail

Chris Blaisdell is the owner of Onsite Detail and has been detailing  for 12 + years.
He is a Certified Detailer-Skills Validated detailer through the
International Detailing Association. The industry leader in detailing standards.

How To Properly Use Dressing On Your Vehicle

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In my few but valuable years of detailing, I have learned many things that I have been able to use many times. Some things have been learned easily and some things have taken a little more time. There have been many bumps along the road of learning but overall is a rewarding field. Today, I’m going to talk about a small thing I’ve learned but also something that has, in my opinion, helped me have much more confidence in the final product of any detail I was a part of. I will be focusing on the correct way to use interior dressing today. Dressings can be used in a few different ways on different surfaces. I will go over some of the different uses and how to properly apply the dressing to the different materials that it can be used for.

Water Based Dressing Can be Applied to Multiple Surfaces

With the multiple surfaces that the dressing can be applied to, it should be applied differently with each surface. On some surfaces you can spray the dressing directly onto it, others will need the dressing sprayed on a rag then wiped onto the surface, and on other surfaces dressing may be applied with a sponge and small amount applied to it, then the surface. The last application will mostly be for plastic trimmings on the exterior of the vehicle, I will explain more later. 

Applying Dressing on the Exterior of Your Vehicle

I will begin on the exterior of the vehicle. The first and most popular place that a detailer might think of using dressing on the outside of the vehicle is on the tires. You will want to make sure that any surface that is applied with the dressing is thoroughly cleaned. After a good wash and scrubbing of the tires. Be sure to inspect them to make sure they are free of any mud, brake-dust, road debris, and any other contaminants that may have attached itself to the rubber of the wheel. After spraying the dressing to the wheel you can leave it to absorb itself into the tire. A slightly more effective way to make sure that the dressing is more evenly applied to the wheel is to have a soft bristle brush on hand and to run the brush around the tire and to check all the areas of the tire to ensure coverage the tire, it will also allow for quicker absorption.

Another area that dressing can be applied to on the exterior is the plastic trim. Some areas that may have the plastic trim may be found around the bumpers, plastic trim on the wheel wells, if it’s a truck you will most likely see plastic trimming running along the top edges of the truck bed. A good way to apply to these areas is with a sponge or rag. Read our past blog on Restoring Faded Plastic. Instead of spraying directly onto the surface you will apply it to the sponge or rag you are using and then administer to the desired surface. If you have a bottle-top lid, it will make it more easy to control the amount of dressing that you apply to the area.

The final exterior area that I will talk about it the plastic and vinyl areas under the hood on the engine. After a good degreasing and steam clean or pressure washing, spraying dressing on the plastic and vinyl areas will help brighten up and protect the plastic under the hood. You can spray the dressing while the engine compartment is still wet. What I like to do is to spray it and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before I go back to do the touch up work with a rag. As you wipe the dressing into the plastic you will notice the plastic look much more healthy and bright.

Applying Dressing to the Interior of Your Vehicle

Now we will move to the inside of the vehicle. There are a couple surfaces that I will be going over that you can apply dressing to. In my experience, it absolutely NEEDS to be applied the correct way to work and look the way it’s intended. Something that helped me realize how I needed to apply and treat the dressing was realizing that dressing has a very similar texture and feel as hand lotion. When you think about how you apply lotion to your hands. You don’t just squirt it into your hand, spread it, and leave it. That can end up being messy and kind of gross. Not just for you but for people you may come in contact with. For the lotion to work the way it needs to, you have to make sure it is applied correctly so that will will moisturize and protect your skin. As it is with applying dressing, you don’t want to just put it on the surface and leave it. For the dressing to do the job that it’s designed to do, it needs to be applied correctly and have the time put into it that it deserves. Rubbing it into the surface will make all the difference. It won’t take very much time but it makes the surface look better and also will add to the protection and quality of the surface.

Hard Vinyl and Plastic Dressing

The first surface I will talk about are the vinyl and plastic surfaces. These surfaces usually consist of the dashboard and door panels. As with the exterior surfaces, you will want to make sure that the surfaces are thoroughly cleaned. To apply the dressing, spray the dressing onto a folded microfiber rag and rub it into the surface. Take the time to make sure all of the areas are reached and have dressing applied evenly. It’s not a bad idea to look over areas that have had dressing applied to to make sure the surface took to the dressing and that all the desired areas have been reached. A good indicator that the dressing has been well applied is after application is running your finger over the surface and if none of it to very very little comes off on your finger then it has been applied appropriately.

Leather Dressing

The second surface is leather seats. You can also use leather treatment if the condition of the seat requires the leather conditioner. You will also want to make sure that the seats are deep cleaned and are also rubbed into the leather properly. Depending on what kind of leather or vinyl seats there are different kinds of dressings and conditioners to use.

 

As you’ve seen, dressing will be one of the final steps that are part of the detail. Some areas that you will want to avoid are any areas that the feet touch. It will be tempting but areas that have dressing applied and have a wet shoe touch it becomes very slippery and can make it dangerous for the driver and passengers. Floor mats, running boards on the exterior, and most importantly, the driver pedals. DO NOT apply dressing to the pedals. The steering wheel is another place that can usually be not hit. If you are feeling really ambitious and make sure that the steering wheel is completely dried of any dressing then you may. With as much as the steering wheel is touched, I just try to make sure that the steering wheel is cleaned very well and then feel it out from there as far as the dressing goes.

I hope you learned something about dressing. It is a simple but useful product that can make the vehicle look brand new if used correctly. Safe Travels!!

by Andy Stallings, CD, Operations Manager, Onsite Detail