Auto Detailing: Why is Detailing a Necessity?

This is a guest post by Ricochet’s Rapid Detail located at 715 Fig St in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Your car accumulates numerous particles that can harm its finish; these particles include, but are not limited to pollutants, mud, salt, dirt, sand, bugs, tar, rain, sun, etc. and are all extremely harmful to the paint. Detailing leaves microscopic layers of fine wax particles that provide a deep shine and forming a clear chemical bond that protects the paint and its original clear coat. Detailing guarantees longevity to the paint and retains the value of the vehicle. Professional detailing is not just a luxury, it is an investment that has become a necessity!

What is the difference between DETAILING and WASHING?

WASHING removes loose contaminants–dirt and grime. DETAILING removes blemishes, oxidation and etching marks that are caused when contaminants penetrate the surface. Rub your hand across an upper surface; if it is rough, you need to detail your car. Detailing prevents the paint and its clear coat from deteriorating. Retain the value of your car; have it washed and detailed by one of our technicians.

Our proven Water Smart system:

The technique that is used to wash a vehicle without the use of water. This method uses a product that contains many different ingredients, including wetting agents, lubricants and protectants. The detergents and wetting agents in the product combine to soften and emulsify surface grime, while a specific blend of fluids and lubricants attach a microscopic layer of protectant to the surface. The protectant is a substance which provides a bonded layer of protection against any remaining abrasive not broken down by the detergents and wetting agents.

What do the products used contain?

The protectant often contains cross linked polymers, which make it extremely effective as a car wax or glaze. Our product, when used on your vehicle, contains a complex mixture of cleaning elements along with the glaze ingredients.

The product used by Ricochet’s Rapid Detail is a concentrated cleaner and protective sealant.

How does the application process work?

At Ricochet’s Rapid Detail, when we properly apply our formulation to the surface of your vehicle our product lifts dirt from the vehicle by emulsification. The product surrounds dirt molecules, lifting them from the paint surface, before you start to wipe. At the same time, the application process initiates in combination with use of micro fiber technology, the cross chain polymer linking process that results in an extremely shiny, highly protective glaze finish. All this happens very rapidly due to the balance of ingredients within the product itself. At Ricochet’s Rapid Detail, we use biodegradable products which are safe for the environment and utilize our proven Water $mart technology.

In our proven application process and Water Smart technology, it does not involve using high pressure not extensive rubbing on a vehicle’s surface.

The use of soft micro-fiber towels captures the dirt and removes it safely from the vehicle’s surface without scratching.

Many application processes in the past required the use of large amounts of water and extensive scrubbing and rubbing on a vehicle’s surface causing micro scratches and damage to the exterior paint.

At Ricochet’s Rapid Detail, our proven application process also does not require “soaking”–using a high volume of product and water usage. When used in compliance the vehicle will shine and water will bead on it and not have common micro scratching and damages to your valued automobile.

Our products are designed as a high-end car care product for use on any car, truck, motorcycle, boat or plane. It contains the finest ingredients available in today’s cutting edge technology.

Our waterless car wash products allows us the ability to clean without using soaps, buckets and water hoses, and runoff into the local sewers or drains, causing further damage to the environment.

What are the benefits of using a waterless wash on my vehicle?

• When properly used leaves a “streak-free” surface.
• Safe to use on all surfaces of a vehicle, including painted surfaces, metals, glass, vinyl, rubber and plastic trim.
• Contains no solvents, toxic chemicals or abrasive compounds.
• Treated surfaces are extremely water resistant (hydrophobic).
• Continued use and detailing further retards the damaging effects of contaminants, such as bird droppings, bug splatter, road grime, acid rain and brake dust, among other things.
• Dirt is extracted into a soft micro-fiber which prevents scratching.
• Environmentally safe, Water $mart, biodegradable and non-toxic.
• No urban runoff or runoff into a local storm drain.
• Protects and leaves a great, long-lasting shine!

Can you use waterless wash on any type of vehicle?

Yes! Our formulation has been tested on every kind of paint used by the auto reconditioning industry; from older acrylic lacquers to hi gloss acrylic urethane and plyurethane paints.

Will the waterless product used by Ricochet’s Rapid Detail prevent my vehicle’s paint from fading?

Yes! When applied properly to a new vehicle, then reapplied each month, the paint will not fade. Ricochet’s Rapid Detail ’s Waterless Wash will help protect against the effects of sun exposure, acid rain and road salt.

Is it easy for a Non-Detail professional to use?

Yes! The staff at Ricochet’s Rapid Detail will be more than happy to demonstrate and help educate the use of these safe products on your vehicle. Please feel free to stop down to our shop for a free demonstration of the products used and let us show you how to maintain your vehicle! The products are designed for the detail pro as well as non-professionals who just want to take care of their car!

What is a CLEAR COAT?

“Clear Coat” is a name given to the multi-stage paints used today. A “base coat” (frequently water-based) is applied with a pigment (color). Then, a top layer of clear paint is applied over the top of the base coat to add depth, brilliance and to provide protection for the base coat.

Clear Coats still require the same care as the old single state paints. Just because the topcoat of the paint has no pigment in it doesn’t make it impervious to environmental conditions. Topcoats of clear paint still oxidize, and the softer paints used today also allow contaminants to easily embed in the surface. These softer paints require modern formulations and technology to protect them against damage.

In short, the need for proper care and maintenance of clear coat paints is just as important as years ago. Actually, because of their softer, fragile nature, they really should be maintained BETTER than the older single stage paints.

What does detailing do to a Clear Coat Finish?

Let’s first define Clear Coat Finish: today’s modern Finish consists of a dull layer of paint called a Base Coat. It provides the color on your car. Over this base, a clear layer of paint is applied. This is called a Clear Coat. It provides the shine and protection. The result is a two-layer painted surface known as a “Clear Coat Finish.”

When the Clear Coat Finish becomes dull, it requires special attention. Our detailing technicians apply high quality fine surface polish and wax to remove the elements that dull the Finish. When detailing is complete, the Clear Coat Finish has been cleaned and properly restored.

Why can’t I use household cleaners to wash my car?

Household cleaners like dish washing detergent are specifically designed to dissolve grease. Because wax is essentially a grease, household cleaners will remove your car’s wax 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. They are formulated to dissolve dirt and grime without removing your car’s beautiful wax finish.

What about once-a-year wax and polish products?

Your car deserves better than once-a-year products. It is like 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.

What about those free car washes at the gas station?

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.

I lease my car, why should I care how it looks?

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 full and lifeless (because it was never washed, polishes or waxed) you could be hit with a reconditioning fee ranging from $500 to $2,000! Take care of your investment!

- – - – - – - – - -

Ricochet’s Rapid Detail is owned by husband and wife team Dave and Lucia Peregrim, who have over 25 years of experience in the auto detailing industry incorporated as an LLC. Dave Peregrim has detailed cars for Tom Hesser Chevrolet, Kelly Volkswagen and other shops and opened Ricochet’s Rapid Detail in 2002, accompanied by his wife, Lucia, who works as the Operations Manager, keeping everything within the business, including their online presence, afloat.

Check out the Ricochet’s Rapid Detail Blog, become a fan on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

Good for Your Vagina, Good for the Environment

Yep, I said it–Your vagina! Most women don’t think twice about using store-bought pads and tampons. In most cases, this is what most women were taught to use when they first got their period and so the cycle continues, in a matter of speaking. A lot of women aren’t aware that we do have choices when it comes to what period protection we use.

We all know about pads and tampons, but what a lot of people don’t know about them is that the biggest companies producing these products for women are run by men. It’s true! Men! What do men know about what really goes on in there? Well, apparently not too much since standard pads and tampons contain synthetic fibers and bleach; yes that’s right, bleach. If you look at a container of bleach it will tell you several times throughout the container that you should not drink it and if you do, to contact a poison control center. Bleach is made up of very harsh chemicals that if you drink it, it could very well be fatal, so why are we putting it up inside of ourselves? Sounds dangerous, doesn’t it? So dangerous that tampons also have a little warning you never paid much attention to that tells you about Toxic Shock Syndrome, which women under 21 years of age are most prone to getting.

When it comes to pads, we’re talking about the same ingredients here–Synthetic fibers and bleach. While we’re not shoving pads up inside of ourselves, the synthetic fibers and bleach that are in pads are rubbing up against us all day which is not good for our skin, especially considering that the skin ‘down there’ is very sensitive and makes up the beginning of our entire reproductive area. Women think that pads and tampons have been sterilized, when in fact, no feminine hygiene product has ever been sterilized; meaning we’re more than likely putting dirty synthetic fibers and bleach inside of us. So to recap, synthetic fibers and bleach are bad for us!

Moving on to the environment. There are approximately 85 million women in North America who are menstruating. After pads and tampons are used once, they are disposed of and add to environmental pollution.

According to the March-April article in E Magazine, 6.5 billion tampons and 13.5 billion pads and their packaging end up in landfills and even in sewer systems. That is a whole lot of waste that is clogging up the planet that could be avoided.

Avoided? How!?

If you are a woman who feels most comfortable using pads, Lunapads are reusable pads. With a life expectancy of 5 years, Lunapads is a pad alternative that is great for the environment. Made with a dual layer of 100% cotton flannel and an additional layer of ultra-thin, breathable nylon. They come in an array of different sizes, sure to fit any woman, if you’re a teen, in your 20s, 30s, or even middle-aged with five children under you belt. Best of all, they work with any type of menstrual flow and they are made of something that will not harm you or your reproductive organs in any way. To make it even better, Lunapads are amazingly cute and come in a myriad of different patterns.

If you are a woman who feels most comfortable using tampons, Lunapads also offers the Diva Cup, made of medical-grade silicone.

Both Lunapads and the Diva Cup are great alternatives to pads and tampons that are good for you to use and great for the environment.