Spring Car Cleaning The Auto Detailing Way

With Spring right around the corner it's time to start thinking about car care again. It has been a long, cold and snowy Canadian winter for us here in Guelph, Ontario. What many people fail to recognize is the fact that during the winter months their car has been bombarded with elements that can destroy a car both inside and out left untreated or improperly treated it can cause permanent damage to your vehicle.

Many people tend to go through commercial car washes throughout the winter to wash away road salt and while this does help aid in the preservation of the vehicle it doesn't supply ample protection against it if a car doesn't have a both a high quality exterior paint protection package and a proven rust prevention system. Automobiles without these protective systems are at high risk of damage even with regular washings. Many commercial car washes recycle water and for the unprotected car that means trouble because that recycled water may contain salt and rust . To make problems worse when you get that hot wax you are sealing in foreign matter into the paint that will cause both erosion and corrosion of the surfaces. For those cars with protection the exterior should still be properly decontaminated to eliminate all foreign particles that have been sealed into the paint.

Regardless of whether your car has protection or not it is always best to have your car professionally detailed at least twice a year. Complete automotive detailing in Spring and Fall is not only an added insurance to help preserve the value and longevity of your vehicle it is a healthy decision.

It amazes me that people fail to acknowledge what the winter does to the inside of the car. Winter is wet, cold and damp, when you step inside your vehicle with snowy boots it melts inside the automobile and during the course of the winter condensation builds up. Research has proven that people are getting sick from their cars because this damp, unhealthy environment breeds bacteria and mold. It has even been said that cars can carry flu germs making you or your family members sick and allergy sufferers can have persistent problems due to mold. But this is just one reason to have the interior of your vehicle professionally detailed. The other reason is that the water, salt and sand debris decay the interior components. The carpet builds up with salt residue leaving a big white mark sometimes even crusting over the carpet - left untreated it can permanently stain the carpet or even worse the carpet fibers can fall away from the carpet backing all together leaving a huge bald hole. Plastic & rubber components are also affected they can become decayed, etched or dried out to the point where they will crystallize and crack.

Spring car care is essential in order to maintain both the appearance of the vehicle and to reduce costly repairs. A quick detail such as a wash and vacuum or job done by an amateur can't provide the overall care your car requires. A professional automotive detail can reduce damage by properly cleaning and treating every surface of your car restoring it back to as like new condition as it can be.

With the poor state of the economy car sales have plunged over the last quarter and more people have turned to auto detailing than ever before. People just can't afford to loose money on vehicles anymore. They being cautious by taking greater car of the vehicle they have because money is in short supply, interest rates are high, employment unsteady and everyone seems to be living on the edge of a credit system .

Diamond Detailing Guelph's Finest Automotive Reconditioning Technician can help you maintain a healthy environment in your car, preserve the longevity and the value of your vehicle. We are now taking complete auto detailing appointments for spring cleaning. Please give us a call to book at least a few days in advance as we do book up quickly. Diamond Detailing only performs professional detailing services not quickie cleans so we will require your vehicle to be here at 8am and we will have completed and dried at the end of the day. Quality isn't expensive it's priceless!
Diamond Detailing Automotive Reconditioning Technician
355 Elmira Rd North Unit 139 in the Melran Mall
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
(519) 824-3915 ask for Romeo

Thought this was kinda fitting after the last few posts.Something kinda cool for people who love t-shirts

Commercial Car wash vehicle damage reports

For users of commercial car washes we like to provide the latest damage reports and car car news that we find on the web to help you avoid costly repairs to your vehicle. Latest vehicle damage reports from commercial car washes:

2008 Gm Models (Tahoe, Suburban, Dennali, Escalade, etc) - rear wiper arms & 3rd brake light are being ripped off in the car wash. Blades need to be taped down. Another cause could be that the tension of the actual car wash equipment is too tight or that there is not enough soap getting on to the back of the vehicle to lubricate it causing the wraps to pull in to tight.

Hummer H3 - side mirrors being ripped off and antenna's breaking off if they are not removed.

Hummer H2 - Antenna and antenna mounts are being ripped off

2007 Dodge Nitro - roof moulding being torn

Rain sensors for windshield being damaged along with glass & wiper blades - car owners must turn off sensors to prevent damage

Spare tire cover caps on SUV's and rav4 older models - being ripped off causing damage to the cover that may result in paint work repair. Best to remove

Dodge Caliber- antenna breaking off or bending causing the fender to bend and paint damage.

Chevy Trailblazer & Envoy - front bumpers becoming loose after car wash resulting in complete bumper replacement due to clip design.

Pontiac G6 - front bumpers becoming loose after car wash resulting in complete bumper replacement due to clip design

2006 Chevy Equinox- antenna break off in car wash
Other noted damage: oxidized aluminum wheels caused by strong acid that is sprayed onto the car to help release dirt. The acid etches the metal causing permanent damage

All Pontiac mirrors - damage is being reported about all makes, years and models. The mirrors are tearing off or becoming loose

To see previous car wash damage alerts view here for our last post: http://guelphautodetailing.blogspot.com/2007/05/car-wash-damage-alerts-and-more.html

Used car sales what's in the future for Canada

As talks continue across the globe about the ban on older vehicles one country has followed through. While this new law may be inviting from an environmental point of view it doesn't come without major implications especially in a time where the economy is so fragile. The banning of older vehicles will only add to the decline of car sales and therefore damage the economy further. If other countries follow suit this will take money out of every ones pocket - everyone accept large greedy consumer financing companies. Small used car lots and large automobile dealerships will feel the wrath - when they feel it the economy will feel it as a whole also. A move like this will force more people to buy new; meaning that we will only be adding to the current credit crisis. For the middle and lower incomes citizens a law like this will leave them without affordable transportation, force them into further credit debt or leave them car less.

Our environment is a major concern - perhaps a Federal law for annual vehicle safety's and Federal emissions laws should be imposed before we start banning vehicles based on age and we should look deeper into converting older cars to bio-fuel.

I find it interesting that this ban comes at a time when Canada/US/Mexico are in their final stages of their Globalization NAFTA deal, in a time when the car economy is weak in the USA and Canada and that this law takes place in a country where our automotive manufacturers have moved after closing the doors here. This sounds much more like an economic strategy than an environmental strategy.


See the following articles:

Mexico abruptly restricts car imports
By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN Associated Press Writer
Article Launched: 03/02/2008 12:37:30 PM PST
http://www.contracostatimes.com/nationandworld/ci_8429774


Texas—Some are dented, scratched and rusty. Others rattle and belch under faded paint jobs. But the "'98" soaped onto their windshields and a surprise change in Mexican import rules have turned a single year's worth of used cars into pick of the used-car lot.

Beginning Monday, only cars made for the 1998 model year—none older and none newer—can be legally imported into Mexico. Car dealers were given notice only a month ago.

Until now, used cars 10 to 15 years old were scooped up at auction by South Texas used car dealers and rapidly sold to Mexicans hungry for affordable transportation and "la novedad"—or novelty—of unfamiliar makes and models.

Cars newer than that were banned from imports as unwelcome competition for Mexican car dealers, and anything more than 15 years old was seen as a potential environmental and safety hazard.

But now, under pressure from Mexico's new car dealers who say "vehiculos chatarra," or jalopies, undercut their sales, the Mexican government is allowing only 10-year-old used cars to be legally imported into Mexico.

All of a sudden, 1998 Luminas, Astro vans and Ranger pickups are sought-after trophies.

The Mexican Association of Automobile Distributors, which pushed for the change, said it was needed to "stop the accelerated conversion of our country into the world's biggest automotive garbage dump."

The Mexican Consulate in McAllen said the change was made "to
restrict the entry of vehicles that compete with the Mexican car industry."
A mile north of the Rio Grande, 80 percent of the customers at Walester Auto Sales are Mexican. But this past week, only one out of the 24 cars on the dirt lot boasted the magic "1998."

That vehicle was a white Chevrolet Blazer with a "Redneck" sticker on the windshield and a vanity plate of a silhouetted couple embracing in front of a tropical sunset. It was priced at $3,200.

With the sudden change in demand, such 1998 models are appreciating for the first time since they rolled off the lot, their prices rising by $500 to $800, while dealers cut prices on slightly older models in a frantic effort to move them out before Monday's deadline.

"At this point we have a lot of merchandise that was going to Mexico that now will stay," said Elena Garcia, who owns Walester with her husband, Armando Garcia, who was in Florida scouring auto auctions for more vehicles.

At Gutierrez Brothers, a few Mexican car dealers milled about, shaking their heads at the limited selection.

"The worse thing we can do is buy something that we don't know if it can go across (the border)," Juan Gutierrez said. "If a 1997 worth $3,000 can't cross, it's not even worth $1,500."

He had to unload about 1,000 cars last month at sharply reduced prices just to avoid getting stuck with them in March.

Gutierrez said his buyers at auto auctions across the country tell him that when a 1998 rolls into the garage, 20 buyers line up where there used to be a handful.

Mexico bans all imported used cars from U.S. except 1998 models
Posted Mar 3rd 2008 7:32AM by Chris Tutor posted on AUTOBLOG

All you people with a 10-year-old car – drive it, drag it, push it or pull it! Mexico is paying top dollar!

Starting today, the only used cars the Mexico government will allow across its borders for resale are those exactly 10 years old. That means your 1998 Hyundai Accent has appreciated in value for the first time since you drove it off the lot. But your 1997 Astro van is, believe it or not, worth even less than it was last year, and you 1999 Daewoo Nubira drivers will have to wait until next year to cash in.

There are two main reasons for Mexico's seemingly arbitrary automotive adjudication. First, its new-car dealers are tired of trying to compete with all manner of relatively inexpensive, recent-model used cars from the U.S. Second, the government says cars older than 10 years are wreaking havoc on the country's air quality.

Until now, it was legal to import cars into Mexico that were between 10 and 15 years old. The Mexican Association of Automobile Distributors fought for the newer, more restrictive law to, as quoted by The Detroit News, "stop the accelerated conversion of our country into the world's biggest automotive garbage dump."

Canadian consumers buying state-side veicles

Being in the automotive detailing industry we can see a swing in the car buying market. For months, the Canada dollar has been strengthening against the American dollar tempting Canadians to head south to purchase a new vehicle. This new trend in automobile buying is cause for concern to the Canadian economy. Both the slumping exports combined with declined consumer spending in Canada has made a serious impact on the economy forcing Canadian automotive dealerships to put special Canadian pricing discounts and rebates into effect. But,something more noteworthy and something everyone should consider before buying a car in the United States are the new changes taking place at Canadian dealerships.

If you plan on buying a car in the USA be aware that Canadian dealerships have imposed a new rule in their service departments that states that no cars purchased from the US can be serviced for warranty work or fixed at Canadian automotive dealerships.

Globalization a threat to the Canadian Automotive Economy

Living in Guelph I am sure our readers are aware that Guelph is a major center for automotive parts manufacturing and our factories are packing up, moving down to Mexico or just plain closing the doors leaving people in Guelph jobless. As a citizen and an automotive business owner I urge all Canadians to start researching the long-term effects of NAFTA and globalization, create awareness and take your country back because Globalization a threat to the Canadian Automotive Industry, the Canadian economy as a whole and the freedom of Canadian citizens.

As some of you may or may not be aware the Canadian government has been passing several small bills in an effort to move globalization forward. The Canadian government in conjunction with the United States government has been slipping small bills through and making changes in law under the nose of the people to avoid the disagreement of the people and by dissecting these bills into small pieces they do not breach the Charter of Rights or should I say the don't alarm anyone as to the breaches. The majority of these changes have gone un-noticed by the citizens and have of course by-passed any media attention. Please read the following article written by Global Research :

Agenda for the North American Summit
By Andrew G. Marshall
URL of this article: www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=8224

Global Research, February 29, 2008

The next North American Summit is set to be held on April 21-22, 2008, in New Orleans, as a fitting memorial – returning to the location where the state turned its back on the people, literally leaving them to die; and where they now meet to turn their backs once again on the people, leaving them in the dark and their countries near death.

In preparation for the next North American (leaders’) Summit, the designated ministers from Mexico, the United States and Canada, met February 28 under the auspices of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP). Industry Canada issued a press release February 28, 2008, which stated, "This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA has been a tremendous success: trade and commerce among our countries have grown exponentially." Then the press release made the statement that, "Trilateral merchandise trade is approximately $900 billion in 2007, significantly contributing to economic growth and increased standards of living in all three countries." Given the past few months of economic turmoil, record-breaking oil prices, a collapsing US dollar, and fears of a "1930’s style Depression," it’s a little premature to be saying our standard of living is on the rise.

After giving lip service to, "respecting the sovereignty, laws, unique heritage, and culture of each country," it states, "we have reviewed progress achieved since Montebello and have directed officials to" five key areas of integration, "Competitiveness, Safe Food & Products, Energy and Environment, Smart & Secure Borders, [and] Emergency Management and Preparedness."

Competitiveness:

The press release states that they will direct officials to, "Continue to implement the strategy to combat piracy and counterfeiting, and build on the Regulatory Cooperation Framework by pursuing collaboration through sectoral initiatives, with an emphasis on the automotive sector." So, it’s now time to cement together the already extremely integrated automotive industries of Canada and the US, as currently the Canadian "auto and parts makers export more than 85 per cent of their production south of the border."

It was recently reported that, "More than three-quarters of Canada's exports — including oil, minerals, lumber and passenger vehicles — are sold to Americans. The U.S. housing collapse already has slashed sales of Canadian lumber. Now, as a historic decline in home values causes American consumers to retrench, U.S. auto sales this year are headed to a 10-year low, according to TD Bank Financial Group in Toronto."

So my question is, if it’s the integrated economies between Canada and the US, specifically in the auto industry, that with a falling US economy threaten Canada’s own economy to such a great extent, why is the solution more "deep integration"? Looking at this from a perspective of looking out for the interest of Canada’s economy, if the ailment we are facing is a result of our near-total dependence and integration with the US economy, why is the cure more of the same? If you stick your finger in an electric socket, you get shocked. If, after doing that, you decide to continually put your finger in the same socket over and over again, expecting different results, you’re insane.

Safe Food & Products:

Of this the SPP press release stated that the ministers would advise officials to, "Strengthen cooperation to better identify, assess and manage unsafe food and products before they enter North America, and collaborate to promote the compatibility of our related regulatory and inspection regimes."

Of course, this has already started to be integrated, as it was reported in May of 2007 that, "Canada is set to raise its limits on pesticide residues on fruit and vegetables for hundreds of products," and that, "The move is part of an effort to harmonize Canadian pesticide rules with those of the United States, which allows higher residue levels for 40 per cent of the pesticides it regulates."


Energy and Environment:

Here the ministers state they will advise officials to, "Develop projects under the newly signed Agreement on Science and Technology; and cooperate on moving new technologies to the marketplace, auto fuel efficiency and energy efficiency standards."

On July 24, 2007, it was reported that, "The first trilateral framework agreement on energy science and technology was inked Monday by the energy ministers for Canada, Mexico and the United States," focusing on, "ways to increase cooperation on research and development and to reduce barriers to the deployment of new technologies in biofuels, gas hydrates, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, clean coal, and electricity transmission." It further stated that, "the three countries will exchange scientific and technical personnel to participate in joint studies and projects." The news report further stated that, "The ministers discussed increasing the region's energy security, recognizing the critical contribution that an integrated energy market makes to the North American economy."

Smart & Secure Borders:

Here the press release reports that ministers will aim to, "Strengthen cooperation protocols and create new mechanisms to secure our common borders while facilitating legitimate travel and trade in the North American region."

Creating "new mechanisms" is the most important part here. On January 22, 2008, it was reported that, "B.C. is about to become the first province to use a high-tech driver's licence. For an extra fee, it will enable drivers to cross the border into the U.S. without a passport and still comply with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security concerns," and that, "The enhanced driver's licence or EDL has a radio-frequency identification chip that will broadcast a number linked to a computer database, allowing a border guard to assess data and flag security issues as drivers approach the booth." It then stated that, "Name, address, place of birth, citizenship and photo will appear with a quick scan of the coding of the back of the licence."

On February 28, 2008, it was reported that BC made this move "in conjunction with Washington State," and that, "Ontario and other provinces with high-volume border crossings are expected to follow suit in the near future. Under the U.S.' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), passports will be required for all travellers entering the U.S. starting June 2009, but RFID-enabled EDLs are being introduced on a voluntary basis as an acceptable alternative to speed up border crossings." The report elaborated that, "the Real ID Act enacted in 2005 calls for the harmonization of drivers' licences across states in the U.S," which are, in turn being harmonized with Canada’s licenses, and that the real agenda with this is to create a North American ID card. Andrew Clement, a professor of information studies at the University of Toronto was quoted in the article as saying:

The EDL scheme is seen as a way to sneak it [the ID card] through the back door by turning state licences, through U.S.-wide harmonization with biometrics, into de facto identity cards. And the Privacy Commissioner has pointed out that Canada's EDLs will be made compatible from a system point of view with Real ID standards, so Canadians will in fact be enrolled in the U.S. apparatus via licences. There are several steps to get there but this seems to be the direction it's heading towards

On top of this, it was reported on February 14 that, "the Garden River First Nation (an Ojibway Tribe of North American Indians), headquartered at the eastern boundary of the city of Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada, has signed an agreement to license and use Veritec's 2-D VSCode(TM) Biometric technology for multi-purpose cards which will serve as Tribal Member ID, Border-crossing (from and to Ontario, Canada) control and passport-backup ID cards," and that, "[t]he technology stores the individual's fingerprint minutiae." So, while BC is introducing this as a (for now) voluntary move, it’s being introduced elsewhere first for First Nations peoples, then, undoubtedly, for everyone.

Emergency Management and Preparedness:

Under this heading, the press release states that SPP minister will work to, "Strengthen emergency management cooperation capacity in the North American region before, during and after disasters."

This comes right on the heels of the announcement that, "Canada and the U.S. have signed an agreement that paves the way for the militaries from either nation to send troops across each other's borders during an emergency, but some are questioning why the Harper government has kept silent on the deal." It was further reported that, "Neither the Canadian government nor the Canadian Forces announced the new agreement, which was signed Feb. 14 in Texas," and that, "The U.S. military's Northern Command, however, publicized the agreement with a statement outlining how its top officer, Gen. Gene Renuart, and Canadian Lt.-Gen. Marc Dumais, head of Canada Command, signed the plan, which allows the military from one nation to support the armed forces of the other nation during a civil emergency."

Soon after this was announced, in the Canadian House of Commons, "the NDP couldn’t get an answer out of Defence Minister Peter MacKay on why his government didn’t release details about a new agreement recently signed with U.S. military," and that:

According to what little is known of the agreement (the actual document hasn’t been made public and no word if it ever will) it will be up to civilian authorities on whether military assistance is needed and whether U.S. troops will cross the border to help in Canada in the event of a terror attack, flu pandemic, earthquake or some other domestic emergency. Same goes if Canadian troops were needed in the U.S. to deal with similar situations.

Calls for Further, Faster Integration:

The day of this press release from the SPP Ministers, the Canadian newspaper the Globe & Mail reported on the previous night’s debate between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in which they both threatened to leave NAFTA if they didn’t get certain concessions from Canada and Mexico, and the article stated that if NAFTA was torn up, "Canadians would lose their jobs; companies would go out of business, [and] our standard of living would decline." However, it is actually that, "NAFTA has been responsible for growing poverty, the creation of a new underclass called the ‘working poor,’ and the concentration of wealth in the hands of fewer and fewer people."

The Globe & Mail article reports that regarding Obama’s comments toward NAFTA, "CTV reported last night that the Obama camp contacted the Canadian embassy to give them a heads-up about the upcoming rhetoric and to reassure them there was no cause for concern." Continuing on the idea of a theoretical end to NAFTA, the article states that, "Our politicians can wait with fingers crossed, hoping that Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, if one of them does become president, won't follow through," or, "we can act, as we have acted in the past, to revitalize the Canada-U.S. relationship and turn crisis into opportunity."

It further states that, "Since 1993, when Jean Chrétien and Bill Clinton ratified NAFTA, Canadian prime ministers have largely ignored issues of economic integration," which is, of course, an obvious lie. However, it does give mention to, "Incremental efforts at harmonizing regulatory regimes - the once-much-vaunted Security and Prosperity Partnership - have been quietly shelved, left to the bureaucrats to work on, unperturbed by deadlines." So the problem, according to the Globe and Mail, is that the process of integration is not happening fast enough.

The article then went on to attack those who have attacked the North American Union, stating, "the American economy deteriorated and manufacturing jobs disappeared, prompting xenophobic fears over immigration and trade. Anti-trade zealots such as CNN's Lou Dobbs promoted paranoia. Their poisonous message has filtered throughout the industrial heartland of the United States." In explaining a solution to this "crisis", the article states, "The challenge today is the same; the answer is the same. Prime Minister Stephen Harper should propose a second round of Canada-U.S. trade negotiations."

The purpose of proposing a new trade negotiation agreement would be for the next President of the United States, presumably a Democrat, and if the Democrats want new environmental regulations, "Then let's propose a bilateral carbon market based on a cap-and-trade agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions." This idea would likely follow upon another trend being set in British Columbia. As reported by the Leader-Post, "Driving and other fuel-dependent activities are about to get more expensive in British Columbia as B.C. becomes the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce a consumer-based carbon tax," and that BC Finance Minister "Taylor said the new carbon tax will begin July 1, starting at a rate that will have drivers paying about an extra 2.4 cents per litre of gasoline at the pumps." It elaborated, "The tax will apply to virtually all fossil fuels, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas, coal, propane and home heating fuel. It will increase each year until 2012, reaching a final price of about 7.2 cents per litre at the pumps."

The article finishes by stating, "An activist government will get ahead of the story, with proposals to advance both economic and security integration with the United States as soon as the new president takes office."

Funny, that sounds like what every government since Mulroney’s has been doing, so how is doing more of the same, activist? Brian Mulroney, who signed onto the initial Canada-US Free Trade Agreement with George HW Bush, has since been rewarded with a seat on the International Advisory Board of the US-based Council on Foreign Relations. Chrétien signed onto NAFTA with Clinton. Paul Martin signed onto the SPP with Bush and Fox, Harper went further with the SPP with Bush and Calderon. Now, Harper is urged to go further with the next American President. So, what else is new?


Please support Global Research http://www.globalresearch.ca



What does it all mean to the citizens of Canada?

By the year 2012 Canada will not be the Canada you once knew. We will be a part of a union the North American Union which means that the United States, Canada and Mexico will become one union just as Europe has done. That means that Canada will take on the problems associated with these other countries such as national debt, unemployment, old age pension, laws, housing & credit bubble, re-evaluated currency, loss of freedom due to new laws imposed by Homeland Security and loss of rights. What was once a debt free country with a steady dollar will be no more. We will join forces with a debt ridden, unemployed, bankrupt country that is toxic and has drained it's natural resources.

Laws such as the one passed under the Mulroney Government in 1987, on the eleventh hour Canada signed a Free Trade Agreement with the US regarding the export of Canadian freshwater to the USA (for more detailed info on this issue read: Water and Free Trade: The Mulroney Government's Agenda for Canada's Most Precious Resource by Wendy Holm)is a good indication of the sneaky tactics being used to trick Canadians. These types of laws are being changed daily without the consent, knowledge or support of Canadians. The United States has drained it's land and it's people for everything it's worth and now it plans to do the same here. Ask yourself what benefit there is in joining a union with a country like the USA (who by the way devised this agenda) when they could handle their own matters. Is it for the promise of a stronger economy? If it is then I would advise you to do further research on the European union to see where it to is headed. Unionization is a temporary bandage on a festering wound that will within a few years explode and when it does the problems will be 10 fold.

Moment of silence for Boyd Coddington

Diamond Detailing Automotive Reconditioning Technician would like to take a moment to remember Boyd Coddington legendary hotrod builder who passed suddenly Feb.27,2008.

For those of us in the car industry Boyd will always remain an inspiration and will not be forgotten. Many of us followed Boyd's career as a car designer and watched his visions come to life. Boyd was a master that contributed so much to the automotive industry. He has taught me much and his lessons shall not go wasted.

Boyd we hope you had a wonderful ride through this fragile world!

create custom t-shirts at Zazzle T-shirt Shack

LAST MINUTE GUELPH CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

Well, it has been awhile since my last post. Things have been crazy around Diamond Detailing and with Christmas just around the corner it's busier than ever. We have been doing a record breaking amount of retail business - detailing cars prior to the Christmas holidays and selling gift certificates.

It seems we have set a new trend in and among Guelph - apparently Diamond Detailing Automotive Reconditioning Services are on the top of every one's list for X-Mas and with good reason. Auto detailing gift certificates make ideal Christmas gifts! Everyone wants a new car but few can afford it. These last minute gift ideas are perfect. Car detailing helps to recondition, maintain value, restore driving comfort, reduce illness, net a higher resale value, helps to sell cars faster, preserves the longevity and reduces costly repairs. How could anyone go wrong with a gift like that - especially when it is from Guelph's Finest Automotive Detailing Centre.

So, it looks like the New Year will be super busy with people coming in to use their X-Mas gift certificates. It's good to see so many people becoming car care conscientious. It seems like our education has finally paid off. People are spreading the word, buying the greatest gifts for people they love on special occasions and have found value in our services.

In final we wanted to say thanks to everyone who has supported us. On behalf of - Diamond Detailing Automotive Recondition and myself we would like to wish everyone in Guelph a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

Funny Car Sales Videos

Here are some funny car sales videos from YouTube that will make you laugh!

SEXIST CAR SALESMEN


WAITING FOR THE NEXT PREY


WIGGLE ROOM


CHICK MAGNET



WE READY TO MAKE A DEAL



DO I LOOK LIKE I CARE


CAR ON CREDIT


HOOK LINE AND SINKER


JOY RIDE


WE AIM TO PLEASE

Coming up for air

I know its been awhile since my last post, but I've been too busy at the shop this summer to really check in. In all my years of detailing, I've never been so swamped with work - all summer we were booked in advance. The summer months treated us well, but it has been a lot of hard work and a lot of hours spent at the shop. People came from all over Ontario and some from the U.S just to have their cars detailed and tinted by Diamond Detailing. As the word and proof of our work gets out, the bigger our client base gets; and that means I have little time to concentrate on anything but detailing. So I do apologize for not getting here or being able to update the Diamond Detailing website as often as I know you all would like.

As Autumn approaches it seems the pace will continue. As with the summer months our schedule is filling up quickly. It seems people are becoming more and more car care conscious - protecting their investments against the elements. The number of bookings we've made already made for Platinum Complete Detail packages, Paint Sealant, Fabric Guard, Vinyl Protection and the huge calling for Platinum Protection Rust Modules has left us to believe this Fall will be as crazy as the summer.

In addition to bookings, Christmas Gift Certificate sales have already started - it's gonna be a crazzzy year! I don't think I've ever seen gift certificate sales so high. In speaking with our clients who have purchased them they have said "it is the ultimate gift because it is something that people need and want done, but don't know where to go for professional results. When they get the car detailed they are in absolute amazement and feel like they've been given a new car all over again. "

Our retail clients and the Guelph car dealerships that we provide services for deserve a special thank-you because you have made this summer an eventful one. It has been with your support and your recommendations that we have continued to grow. In addition we wanted to thank everyone who took the time to nominate us as the 2007 Best Car Detailing center in Guelph for both the Guelph Mercury and the Guelph Tribune. We hope that we continue to earn your support during the voting phase of each of the Readers Choice awards.

I hope that each and everyone of you had a wonderful summer!

The art is in the details

No one reflects on the fine details better than Diamond Detailing Reconditioning Technician that's why we are working hard to expose the hottest and most respected international artist's in the automotive industry. Each week we will showcase the world's most exclusive Custom Motorcycle / Hot Rod Builders, Automotive Painters and more. Whether you're in the market to buy a one of a kind hand built custom motorcycle, need custom automotive paint, an air brusher for your ride or you are looking for a custom built hot rod this is the place to come. Check in regularly, to look at the amazing talent of our respected friends.

ORTA MOTORCYCLES - MIAMI FLORIDA

When it comes to custom built motorcycles it is no surprise why Orta Motorcycles located in Miami Florida is at the top of it's game. Artist Carlos Orta has set new standards for custom builds turning your imagination into a reality with famous builds like the "Black Rose". As with all Orta Motorcycles this work of beauty was inspired from within the artist himself. Carlos has a philosophy that each build must be unique, inspirational and have meaning. Aside from the fact that Carlos is incredibly talented as an artist his success is in part due to the fact that he does not place time restraints on his art, nor does he allow anyone to affect his creative energy - not even the client. The end result is perfection.

When looking at builds like the Black Rose it is easy to see what distinguishes Carlos from other fabricators. Nothing is overlooked, everything is completely custom. Each part demands attention and as a whole his bikes stand out like no others. It is rare to see someone create such a conversation piece. People who have seen his work could spend hours if not days admiring the fine details of his builds and for those that are new to his work - you had better look closely. Carlos has mastered the art of illusion. The Black Rose famous for its leather corset is in fact not leather at all - it's metal baby! That's right, this talented artist doesn't rely on flashy paint or after-market parts to enhance the features of his custom motorcycles. The Master machinist and fabricator uses a style of his own to bring life to his work.

If you are serious about buying a one of a kind, unique, completely custom built motorcycle; that will make a mark in history Orta Motorcycles is the place to go; but be prepared, because these bikes don't come cheap. Carlos can be commissioned but caters to those that can afford the finer things in life. If you're looking for years of enjoyment and to stand out in a crowd, Orta Motorcycle's are timeless - for they are the collectors dream. Don't forget to tell Carlos that Diamond Detailing Guelph's finest automotive reconditioning technician sent you!

Orta Motorcycles has been featured in Xtreme Bikes Magazine, RU Riders.Com, Scanbike, Hardballers Comic Book and Brit Chopper. For more information about Orta Motorcycles visit their website at : Orta Motorcycles

ALL PHOTO'S ARE OWNED AND COPYRIGHTED BY ORTA MOTORCYCLES AND MAY NOT BE COPIED, REPRODUCED OR DISTRIBUTED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION OF ORTA MOTORCYCLES.

Funny Car wash video's and more

Funny Car Wash Video's

A look at no touch carwash chemicals

Think no touch car washes are safer for your car? Have a look at this article which explains the dangers of just one of the many chemicals used in no touch commercial car washes.

A deadly rinse: The dangers of hydrofluoric acid

Do its cleaning virtues outweigh its many risks?
by: John Strachan, Associate Editor Professional Carwashing & Detailing

At Harvard University, lab workers aren't allowed near a container of hydrofluoric acid (HF) without donning rubber gloves, goggles, a face shield, rubber apron and a lab coat. Some just don't feel safe wearing anything less than a supplied-air protective suit.

An overreaction? Hardly, when you consider that an HF burn covering less than 2 percent of your body can kill you. And you probably won't even know you're in danger until it's too late.

Two years ago, a veteran New York City sanitation worker was killed when an unmarked plastic container of hydrofluoric acid burst as it was being compacted in a garbage truck. He was splashed slightly on his face and hands, and he breathed in the toxic fumes. He died hours later at a hospital emergency room.

Anyone with a chemical background who's worked around the stuff can tell immediately who's using HF in their pre-soak. They just look for the tell-tale etching of the concrete tunnel floor.

The brittle, discolored fingernails will give away any detailer who's been using an HF solution - without protective gloves - to clean wheels.

HF is not like other highly corrosive acids. Mix it with equal parts of water (as many overzealous operators do when cleaning bay walls), spill a little on your unprotected hand and you won't even feel any pain as it begins to burn through your skin, searching for the calcium in your bones.

Because of the fluorine's numbing effect, it could be a full day before you begin to notice that your soft tissue and bone are being eaten away by this toxic chemical that has two favorite sources of calcium - bones and concrete.

Breathe in just a small amount of that 50 percent solution and you'll be dead - killed by the fumes of a highly toxic chemical that car wash and detail shop operators across the country are liberally sloshing on bay walls, spritzing on dirty wheels and pumping into their pre-soak.

The ultimate rinse

When Bill Consolo warns about the dangers of hydrofluoric acid, you have to remind yourself that he is also one of its major proponents among carwash operators and suppliers for its ability to get cars clean, dry, streak-free and shiny.

"It's some very non-friendly stuff," says Consolo, president of Chief's Manufacturing and Equipment Co. in Cleveland, who uses HF in his own high-volume exterior-only wash and recommends it to the carwashes he supplies.

"But never as a pre-soak," he warns. "If you've got people back there in the tunnel, breathing that stuff in, you're looking at a lawsuit."

Instead, Consolo uses concentrated HF, drawn from a 55-gallon drum and run through a metering pump, as a pre-rinse. He swears by its ability to remove loose traces of foam polish wax, shine glass and chrome, reduce streaking and neutralize the pH on vehicles that have just been through an alkaline pre-soak and washed with reclaim water.

"We use an ounce - maybe 1-1/2 ounces - on each car, and it's going through a lot of equipment," says Consolo. "I'll put my hand right in there and show you, you couldn't even tell it wasn't just water coming through."

Because the solution is not under pressure, Consolo says, there is little danger to workers. "You just don't want the guys mixing it or doing anything with it," he says.

That includes maintenance on the equipment that carries the HF solution.

"If the pump breaks and I have to go in and take it apart, I'd certainly wear some protective gloves," he says. "But that isn't something an employee would be doing anyway. That's a job for management or maintenance people."

A pre-soak mainstay

Although Consolo warns against it, the use of hydrofluoric acid to boost the cleaning power of pre-soaks continues to grow - especially with the number of frictionless automatic washes popping up throughout the country.

Although specific numbers are not available, all chemical manufacturers contacted for this article report "growing pressure" to provide HF solutions to carwash operators.

Without the agitation or friction of brushes, cloth or other type of physical contact, many touchless operators feel that the only way to loosen road film is to use a pre-soak that has been spiked with a healthy dose of hydrofluoric acid.

HF does, after all, have a number of related industrial uses that make it ideal - in lesser concentrations - for carwashers and detailers:

Fulll-strength, it is used to etch glass. In a dilute solution, it removes acid rain spots from windshields and puts a showroom-like shine on glass.

 The electronics industry uses it to surgically clean printed circuits, semiconductors and other high-tech components. Detailers use it to clean and polish chrome and other bright metal parts, especially decorative wheels that have become pitted, corroded or caked with hard-to-remove brake dust.

 HF has long been a cleaning staple at commercial truck washes to get the bright metal parts on the "big rigs" clean and shiny.

"It's the only thing I know of that will clean the fiberglass walls inside most self serves and frictionless washes," says Jeff Rufner, laboratory manager for Warsaw Chemical Co. in Warsaw, IN.

Find another source

Notwithstanding its popularity, the world's largest producer of hydrofluoric acid would be just as happy if the carwash and detail industries would look elsewhere for cleaning products.

"Unless these are trained chemical professionals who understand the hazards and have protective clothing, we really don't want the business," says Tom Crane, director of communications for the specialty chemical division of Allied Signal in Morristown, NJ.

HF, which is created by treating calcium fluoride or fluorspar with sulfuric acid, was intended for industrial use only, says Crane. "It is corrosive, toxic and poisonous."

While the International Carwash Association (ICA) has taken no formal position on the use of HF, executive director Mark Thorsby says the association is still concerned about the safety of carwash employees and customers.

"If you insist on using it," says Thorsby, "use it safely and in the prescribed concentrations."

Even as some creative chemical suppliers begin to offer alternatives, HF continues to find its way into the list of ingredients for car care and even household cleaning products, although Crane says the home-products industry has been doing a good job of reducing its dependence on HF.

"You can hardly blame them," he says of HF's supporters. "Sometimes soap and water just doesn't do it."

Not everyone agrees. One detailing veteran suggests that some operators are relying too much on dangerous chemical technology to do the work they could accomplish a lot more safely with a little old-fashioned elbow grease.

"There is no good excuse to ever use a hazardous chemical," says Irene Bernardo, owner of Top of the Line Automobile Enhancement, a mail-order detailing supply business in Bonanza, AR. "Why would anyone want to work with a liquid that burns the skin, cannot be used without a mask, permanently stains paint, etches glass and destroys spray bottles?"

Wheel cleaners containing less-toxic phosphoric acid are a safer alternative, she says, along with specialized tools for cleaning hard-to-reach crevices in wheels, followed by metal and paint polishing chemicals to remove brake-dust buildup and oxidation.

Key to survival

For some carwash chemical manufacturers, however, hydrofluoric acid may be the key to survival.

Warsaw Chemical Co. has long manufactured an HF solution designed to clean carwash bay walls. But only recently - and reluctantly - did the company begin to add hydrofluoric acid to one of its pre-soaks.

"For a long time we hesitated to do it with products that would go directly on the car," says laboratory manager Rufner. "But because of customer demand we finally had to."

Now, one of Warsaw's concentrated pre-soaks gets an HF boost - no more than 5 percent, says Rufner - and operators generally dilute it 80-to-1 beyond that, making the dilution on the car less than 0.1 percent.

"I warn people that this stuff (HF) is nasty," says Rufner. "I wouldn't use it in my own wash if I were an operator."

Nevertheless, he says, if that's what operators demand, it is what the company will supply.

To educate users to the dangers of hydrofluoric acid, Warsaw packs the requisite Material Safety Data Sheet with its products that contain HF. For a substance as potentially deadly as hydrofluoric acid, it's the MSDS equivalent of War and Peace.

"It's probably one of the longest ones you'll find because it's got the strictest guidelines," says Rufner.

Taking a different tack

Lon Swinehart chuckles as he reads the dire safety warnings on an MSDS for a popular carwashing product containing hydrofluoric acid that is produced by a leading supplier to the industry.

"We all know these are scan-read at best," he says. "For most operators it's just something to keep on file in case the EPA or OSHA stops by."

The president of S/S Car Care in North Canton, OH, Swinehart heads a company that three years ago began removing HF, bifluorides and caustics from its pre-soaks, tire and wheel cleaners - gambling its future on a line of cleaning products developed through polymer technology.

The decision, he says, was prompted as much by fear as it was altruism.

"I got scared to death about liability," says Swinehart. "We're a small company, and this continual proliferation of HF and bifluorides in cleaning products is a time bomb in the back room, just waiting to explode."

Swinehart says that over the past five years operators have been relentlessly upping the ante for chemical manufacturers, pushing for continually higher concentrations of HF in all wheel and tire cleaners, pre-soaks and other cleaners.

"The mentality is that harsher is better," says Swinehart. "We're trying to get across the point that milder and safer is better."

The routine use of HF in the cleaning process just feeds the perception of a large segment of the population that carwashes are not safe for cars, Swinehart says.

"We're in an industry that tells people to get their cars washed to protect them from acid rain," he says. "So what are they doing? They're putting hydrofluoric acid on the damn cars."

Bud Abraham, who operates Detail Plus Car Appearance Systems in Portland, OR, says he's more concerned about the damage that HF-containing products can do to an unwitting employee of a carwash or detail shop.

"It's scary," says Abraham. "I think there are a lot of honestly ignorant detailers and carwash people out there that don't know the danger of it."

In what he describes as one of the most frightening experiences of his life, Abraham was working with a group of islanders to set up a detail shop in the Caribbean several years ago. While pressurizing a tank that contained HF, a hose popped off.

"My God, the stuff was flying all over and it was getting all over everybody and everything," he says. "They didn't know how dangerous this stuff was. I just started shooting those guys with a water hose."

The jury, meanwhile, is still out on Swinehart's decision to spend what he calls "a ton of money" to develop the new polymer-based products that he claims are the future of the carwash chemical industry.

The response by operators, he concedes, has been encouraging, but not overwhelming. "It isn't like people are beating a path to our door to buy as much of our product as we can manufacture," says Swinehart.

But Andras Nagy, the polymer chemist and Ph.D. he hired three years ago to develop the products, says it will take time to win converts.

"I would compare it to the days when people believed that food was good only when it was hot and spicy and salty," Nagy explains. "How many years did it take people to realize that you could cut back on salt, it was better for you and you could still enjoy your food?"

Car wash damage alerts and more

I thought it would be beneficial to add some of the latest car care alerts and news regarding the car care industry that I have found on the net from various sources. Click on the links to read the latest posts, articles and research in the car wash and auto detailing industry

Car Wash Damage Reports

Pontiac mirror damage
Damage to Dodge Ram PU's and Dodge Durango's
Prep or No Prep at the Express Exterior
GMC Envoy Bumper Damage
Volvo gas cap cover damage
Mercedes Gas Cap Covers
GM mirror coming apart
Ford Explorer hatch door trim falling off
Chrysler 300, new model, Roof problem
Ford Focus Mirror Damage
Chrysler-made mini van tailight damage
Jaguar Damage

More commercial car wash damage reports

In 2002, the ICA issued damage reports on several vehicle models by Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Jeep.

Volvo. The Volvo sunroof is probably the damage issue that caused the biggest stir in the industry this year. Sunroofs on the new models have been shattering in the blow-off area of carwashes. This issue has been of particular concern to car-wash operators and the ICA because it involves safety.

Volvo is currently investigating the situation. In the meantime, the company has agreed to cover all sunroof failures under its new-car warranty. If a carwash operator experiences Volvo sunroof failure at his carwash, he should have the vehicle owner report the incident to his local Volvo retailer immediately.

As a precautionary measure, the ICA suggests operators have Volvo owners close the interior sunscreen before entering the carwash.

Mercedes Benz. Bumpers on the Mercedes ML 320 and ML430 SUVs are reportedly being damaged by carwash side wraps when plastic retainers at the vehicles' rear wheel openings are broken or missing. The company says there have not been enough instances to substantiate a change. Operators are therefore instructed to contact the company to report incidents of bumper damage.

Jeep. This is an example of a quality-control issue. The radio antenna mast on some Jeep Liberty vehicles will break just above the threaded section if not properly installed. DaimlerChrysler responded to the situation by issuing a technical service bulletin informing dealers of proper antenna tightening.

Cozzo says the ICA will typically contact the manufacturer after reports of two or three incidents of damage, but this is often not enough to warrant action. Manufacturers are more likely to start paying attention once 15 to 20 incidents have been identified. Ward was able to present Volvo with 44 incidents of damage, which were more than enough to get their interest. He adds that the company was quick to take action once the seriousness of the situation was realized.

"The Volvo sunroof was a great example of a working partnership to find a resolution that made both parties satisfied," Thorsby says.

Commercial car wash and retail wax lawsuit

Parties in lawsuit attacking the use of the word 'wax' agree to settlement.

by: James Gormley, News

The parties involved in a class-action lawsuit that challenged the use of the word “wax” on products made by three major car wash chemical manufacturers have reached a tentative settlement agreement.

A seven-count class-action lawsuit, known as Garner vs. Healy, accused carwash chemical manufacturers Turtle Wax, Inc., Blue Coral/Slick 50, Inc., and Simoniz USA, Inc., of selling car wash customers products that were “falsely marketed” as wax.

Plaintiffs John A. Garner of Racine, WI, and Steven G. Grant of Chicago represented all consumers who purchased Turtle Wax, Blue Coral, or Simoniz products at carwashes between 1993 and 1997. The two men, who are represented by the Chicago-based law firm Edelman, Combs, and Latturner, claim they have purchased Turtle Wax, Blue Coral and Simoniz products at automatic carwashes since the 1970s.

As part of the settlement, the two original plaintiffs will each receive $2,000 and their attorneys will get a total of $220,000 if the court approves the terms. Any member of the public who can prove they were part of this class — in other words, who can verify that they purchased these products at a carwash between 1993 and 1997 — is entitled to a rebate of $1.34.

More importantly, within six months from when the settlement is finalized, the three manufacturers must include a statement on their product packaging if the products do not actually contain carnauba wax.

Product claims - One of the major questions in the lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, was whether Turtle Wax, Blue Coral and Simoniz advertised any of their commercial carwash products as wax, when they, in fact, contained no natural “wax,” such as carnauba or bees wax.

“The products were falsely described as sealer waxes, foam waxes, polish waxes, foam polishes, and protectants,” according to the complaint. “They have the same basic ingredients, none of which is a ‘wax.’"

The complaint also said that Turtle Wax, Blue Coral, and Simoniz themselves have created a perception among consumers that car-care products claiming to be waxes contain some form of natural wax. The complaint says all three companies are “leading” manufacturers of car-care products that contain natural waxes, which are used by detailers and consumers.

“As a result of the widespread marketing of real wax automotive products by defendants and others, the terms ‘wax,’ ‘polish,’ and ‘protectant,’…came to signify products which contain wax and which function as polishes and protectants,” according to the complaint.

In their answers, all three companies deny creating the discrepancy. Some of the other specific charges against the carwash chemical manufacturers are:

• All three companies violated their states’ consumer fraud laws by advertising ineffective products as waxes, polishes, sealants or protectants.

• All three companies committed a breach of express warranty by advertising their products as having polishing and protecting characteristics that they do not have.

Negative publicity - The case of Garner vs. Healy is not the first time chemical manufacturers have been taken to court to defend their products as waxes. In July of 1999, Hot Wax, Inc., Racine, WI, won a federal lawsuit it filed against S/S Car Care Inc., North Canton, OH, manufacturer of Royal Sheen products. Hot Wax attorneys claimed that S/S advertised non-wax products as wax, and damaged Hot Wax’s ability to sell products containing actual carnauba wax.

But Hot Wax’s victory was short lived. On appeal, the jury’s original award of $300,000 was slashed to $52,000, as a judge ruled the company had not shown that it suffered damages. Another suit, filed by Hot Wax against Turtle Wax, was dismissed because it was filed too late. Hot Wax also lost a suit against Stone Soap Co. Inc., Sylvan Lake, MI.

But Garner vs. Healy was by far the most publicized ‘wax’ case and the carwash industry — operators, suppliers and manufacturers included — watched very closely because of the potential for widespread negative publicity. As it was, a number of local television news stations, most notably in the Philadelphia and Los Angeles markets, picked up on the story and have run “consumer awareness” or “consumer alert” segments on their news programs questioning the benefit of carwash wax. The Western Carwash Association (WCA) even felt compelled to issue a statement in response to recent inquiries by local news organizations into the ongoing carwash wax controversy. But for the most part, the car washing industry emerged from the lawsuit relatively unscathed. The manufacturers say they are looking forward to a conclusion. “We’re happy that the case is moving forward toward a settlement,” said Phil Zaidek, vice president and general counsel for Turtle Wax. “We’re hopeful that the court will approve this agreement.”

Buying a new car before you do read these money saving tips

Proper car care is a financially rewarding experience regardless of the age of the vehicle; but for those who are buying a new car I have added some car care tips to help you keep your vehicle looking new and to protect its value at resale time. New car owners should be aware that the resale value of a vehicle depends on two things: mechanical and cosmetic appearance.

Tips to save you money before you buy:

* Do your research on the latest technology before you buy. Especially, when it comes to things like automotive accessories, window tint, vehicle protection systems or paint, fabric, vinyl, leather & rust protection packages.

* Ask the dealership you plan to buy from how much the package will cost prior to making an offer. It is important to note that most automobile dealerships offering accessories, window tint, paint, fabric, vinyl, leather & rust protection packages sell these upgrades, services and installations at a premium price and in most cases do not even perform the work in-house themselves. The work is usually subcontracted to auto detailing shops.

* Call around to professional detail shops who offer the upgrades you want - many times you can get the same product or better for less cost. Find out which detail shop the car dealership sends cars to and call them for pricing.

* The average cost for a paint, fabric, rust and leather/vinyl protection package at a dealership costs between $800-1200 but when you factor in the interest the package ends up costing well over $2000.00. By cutting out the dealership as the middleman and going straight to a professional auto detailer to get the protection package you can save yourself $400-$1200.00.

* If you are offered a warranty of any kind read the fine print. All warranties look great at first sight but once you have a true understanding of them many fail to meet your expectations.

Tips for sale contract:

* Find out where your car will be detailed prior to delivery. Many car dealerships do not perform the detailing in-house. Instead, they subcontract it to professional detailer's. Do your research to find the most reputable detail shop and if the dealership you plan to buy from does not use the detailer of your choice make it a part of the contract. Many people are unaware of the fact that they are paying an administration fee for this service which is to be of the highest standards; yet many of the detail shops fall below this standard and the end result could be costly. A new car must be prepped properly to remove glue from the paint. Adhesive that is left to remain eventually gets baked on by the sun and etches itself into the paint. A skilled professional detailer can provide the best care for your car and ensure that it is prepped, cleaned and that any protection packages you purchase are applied correctly whereas an amateur or low cost detail shop may fail to follow correct procedures or use low grade retail products. For more information about automotive detailing see the following article:Everything you need to know about automotive detailing - Guelph automotive detailing expert Diamond Detailing

Tips for car care:

* New car owner's should always buy extended service or warranty plans. Regular service checks should be performed at approved dealers and maintenance should be followed as per the manufacturers recommendations. It is always wise to keep all receipts and records of maintenance - this is proof to potential buyers that you have taken excellent care of the car and that it is in good mechanical condition.

* Paint touch up stick that matches the paint on the vehicle. You may purchase this at the dealership where you are buying the car or if you are good at making deals you may be able to convince them to throw one in with the sale (but add it to the contact). The paint stick will allow you to touch up small stone chips. Stone chips are the result of a hard impact usually by gravel or other debris on the road which causes the paint to become damaged. In some cases it may become cracked or may actually take a piece of the paint off the car. Left untreated the unprotected spots will collect moisture and will lead to rust or what is better known in this industry as cancer. Therefore, it is imperative that you keep up with the stone chips so that your car does not become damaged. If you are not inclined to do the touch-ups yourself get a professional detailer to do them for you.

* Stone chip guard has become a necessity these days. Modern vehicles seem to have become more prone to stone chips for many reasons including but not limited to the body styles, road debris and the types of automotive paint being used. Scratch proof or stone chip vinyl films are the leading protection method available on the market and can prevent damage caused by scuffs, stones and scratches. Many new cars do come stock with this vinyl film applied to the vulnerable parts of the automobile but for those that don't it is highly recommended that you purchase a kit to protect door handles, fenders, bumper, mirrors, door ledges, hood or other parts that may be susceptible to chips. Most dealerships offer these kits and installation but the buyer should do some research prior to buying. Ask the dealership how much the package will cost prior to making an offer then call around to professional detail shops who offer the service - many times you can get the same product or better for less cost.

* Paint Protection, fabric protection, vinyl /leather protection and rust protection are an absolute must have when it comes to complete automotive protection. Vehicles that are left unprotected will become damaged and in some cases the damage can be quite costly. For more information about protection packages see the following articles:
Guelph Automotive Fabric Protection - Guelph Auto Detailing Expert Diamond Detailing

Guelph Automotive Leather Protection - Guelph Automotive Detailing Expert Diamond Detailing

Guelph Automotive Paint Protection - Guelph Car Detailing Expert Diamond Detailing

Guelph Rust Proofing - Platininum Protection Electronic Rust Modules

Follow manufacturers car wash tips or have a skilled professional detailer perform your car cleaning services to eliminate damage to paint, rims, tires, moldings, plastic...

Chrysler suggests you "Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your vehicle in the shade using a mild car wash soap, and rinse the panels completely with clear water…. Avoid using automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or harsh brushes that may damage the wheel’s protective finish."

Ford suggests you "Wash the vehicle frequently…rinse the vehicle with clear, cold water…. Do not wash your vehicle with hot water. Also do not wash your vehicle while it sits in direct sunlight or while the body is hot…do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, fuel, or strong detergents…. These can damage your vehicle’s protective coating and paint…. Tire brushes used in automatic car washes may damage the painted finish on your aluminum wheels or wheel covers. Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are abrasive."

Mercedes Benz suggests you "Do not use hot water or wash your car in direct sunlight. Use only a mild car wash detergent…. Thoroughly spray the car with a diffused jet of water. Direct only a very weak spray towards the ventilation intake…. If the vehicle has been run through an automatic car wash…re-wipe the recessed sections in the tail lamps…if necessary.

Infinity suggests you "Clean the vehicle thoroughly using a mild soap…mixed with clean, lukewarm (never hot) water. Do not use strong household soap, strong chemical detergents, gasoline or solvents."

Ferrari suggests you "Make sure that the paintwork is not directly sprayed with a high pressure jet, as damage may result. Wash all the paintwork using…ample quantities of water and a neutral shampoo…. We recommend not having the car washes by [those] automatic washing plants which…employ very aggressive detergents."

General Motors suggests "The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water…. Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or that contain acid or abrasives…. High pressure vehicle washes may cause water to enter your vehicle…. Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic vehicle wash that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes."

Season car care tips and maintenance schedule

A vehicle doesn't stand a chance unless it has been professionally treated. Each season brings new challenges but a well protected vehicle has a fighting chance.

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

* Wash every 2 weeks
* Exterior detail every 30 days - 90 days
* Vacuum every 2 weeks
* Shampoo and detail interior every 30 - 90 days
* Have paint chips touched up as you notice them
* Seal the paint with wax every 60 - 90 days

FALL & WINTER CAR CARE - Canadian winters can take their toll on your vehicle. Protective barriers applied to your paint, tires, glass, plastic, carpet, upholstery, vinyl, rubber, plastic and metal arm it against salt, sun, gravel,ice and snow.

Regular washing & waxing protects the vehicle's exterior from corrosion, fading, peeling and scratches. If moisture penetrates the paint it will expand and contract from thawing and freezing - weakening the paint. Ultraviolet light and environmental pollution can then penetrate the clear coat. The result is oxidation; a dull or hazy appearance. All colors are susceptible to oxidation but dark color paints are at greater risk because these color pigments tend to absorb more UV than light colors. Oxidation can be fix but it costly. The process involves decontaminating and removing the top layer of paint through a compounding process and high speed polishing. In severe cases wet sanding is required.

Exterior Detailing - To prevent etching, erosion, cracking, fading and corrosion additional exterior detailing should include proper cleaning and protective treatments to tires, paint, rims, wheel wells, chrome, glass, plastic, vinyl and rubber surfaces.

Interior Detailing - Interior detailing reduces damage and erosion that can occur to carpets, vinyl and upholstery. During the winter high levels of moisture are accumulated in the vehicle causing mold and mildew - creating an unhealthy environment and deterioration. Regular shampooing, vacuuming and treatment the various surfaces with protective coatings protect the interior of your car from moisture, salt, allergens and debris.

SPRING & SUMMER CAR CARE is essential in the protection against extreme heat, industrial fallout, acid rain, hail, bird droppings, humidity, road dust, debris, sap, bugs, road paint and road oil. Follow the same schedule as winter to prevent rust, peeling, flaking, cracking, fading, etching and erosion. Special attention should also be given to your leather and vinyl interiors.