How long does the detail take?
Our Full detailing services can take between 4 – 8 hours depending on the type, size & condition of your car. Please plan on leaving your vehicle with us for one full day and overnight until the following morning. Our Premium detail or a vehicle that requires extra attention on the interior or multiple stages of polishing on the exterior may take up to a few days.
We highly recommend that first time customers stop by our shop for an estimate before committing to a service appointment. Free onsite inspections and estimates are offered by appointment Monday thru Friday from 7 am to 6 pm.
Mobile Drip Auto Spa is a high quality, low volume service company. That means that we schedule only a few cars a day in order to give your vehicle the extra attention it needs to ensure our quality level of work. In order to best accommodate all of our customers, we recommend scheduling several weeks in advance.
2. May I drop off my car the day before my scheduled appointment ?
Yes, your car is safely locked secured. We prefer to wash & prep your car the day before which allows our technicians to start work on your car early the next morning. Drop off times are preferred the day before anytime before 3:00 pm if possible. If not you can always schedule for a morning drop off between at 7 and 6 pm.
3. Do you provide shuttle service?
Yes, typically we provide a complimentary shuttle service in the AM within a few miles, but with the pandemic our shuttle service is currently not offered until further notice.
4. Is there an extra charge for SUVs , Vans, Exotic and Classic cars?
Prices are higher due to the extra work and attention required for these vehicles. A specific estimate will be provided upon inspection of your car the day of your appointment.
5. Gift Certificates ?
Gift certificates may be purchased for any service or dollar amount of your choice.
6. What is the difference between paint correction, compounding, polishing or buffing?
Paint Correction is a professional term for polishing, compounding, or buffing. (Buffing is generic term often confused with paint correction). Compounding and polishing are techniques that are used in the process of paint correction along with special rotary and forced driven orbital machines, cutting, polishing pads and product. This process covers all areas above and beyond general degradation. This includes removal of all imperfections including deep scratches, swirl marks, oxidation, hologramming, etching, paint overspray, and most surface damage. Many of these issues can be resolved using advanced paint correction techniques. This process slowly removes microscopic layers of clear coat to once again make the surface smooth and mirror like. Unlike buffing, not just anyone can execute paint correction. This technique is a labor intensive process and must be performed by a master technician that has several years of experience. There are also certain products that must be used to achieve paint correction. These high quality polishing products are developed using Nanotechnology and contain super micro abrasives. They are carefully selected and imported from around the world. Each of these fine products are used for different levels of paint corrections and the technician must be familiar with how to use each product individually. The art of safe, modern and proper polishing techniques is what separates the true professional detailer from all the rest and is a skill set that is mastered by very few.
7. What is the difference between removing and filling scratches and swirls in your paintwork?
The difference between removing and filling defects in your paintwork is the difference between eliminating a problem and hiding it. Filling defects is a temporary solution that hides the scratches and must be repeated often to maintain the appearance of corrected paint. Scratches and swirls are filled by using products that contain glazes and filler waxes. These products contain oils in them which fill the scratches and hide them for a short period of time. When the glaze or filler wax is washed away the scratches and swirls will re-appear. Unfortunately glazes and filler waxes are often used unscrupulously to make a vehicles paint appear in better condition than it is. Most of these products are still used for cost efficiency at your local car dealerships or high volume auto detailing facilities. Before you choose a detail shop make sure they use quality products like Menzerna, Meguiars or 3m and provide permanent paint correction services. This means they will be Removing imperfections in your paintwork, not Filling them. After this process is finished one can maintain a scratch and swirl free finish for up to one year or so by washing the car non – abrasively or by hand with use of microfiber wash mitts, drying towels along with other gentle tools, products and techniques.
8. Why have my vehicle detailed during the winter or when its raining? It’s just going to get dirty.
Contrary to some belief, winter is a very important time to have your vehicle detailed. We all know it’s nice to enjoy your shiny paint, wheels, and glass when the sun is out without contaminants on their surfaces. Some of these contaminants include but are not limited to mud, road tar, grit, grim, salt, acid rain and industrial fallout.
When these surfaces are protected with paint sealant, silica spray or a ceramic coating most of the contaminants are repelled away from these surfaces. Any contaminants that are not repelled away are actually sticking to said protective products, not the paint surface therefore can be removed much easier than if your vehicle is not protected.
A vehicle without a fresh coat of paint sealant, silica spray or a ceramic coating is exposed to the brutality of the elements. Exposure to adverse conditions can doom your precious paint to oxidation, scratches, swirl marks and corrosion.
By the time summer rolls around your vehicle’s paintwork is in bad shape. Your detailer will have to spend more time cleaning and polishing your vehicle. Its definitely more cost effective to maintain your exterior throughout the year plus you get the luxury of always having a clean car.
In order to maintain your vehicle’s finish properly we recommend having your paintwork compounded, polished and protected with paint sealant or silica spray at least once a year with regular maintenance. Our ceramic coating offering CQuartz UK is recommended every two years with regular maintenance.
It’s also very important to keep the interior of your vehicle clean all year. The contaminants from the road can easily get inside and stain your carpets, seats and upholstery. The interior of your vehicle can also create health issues from microorganisms and surface contamination.
Over time food particles, dust mites, fungus and bacteria will grow inside your vehicle causing you and your family to get sick. We have had some mini vans in our shop that actually contained the bacteria level of an entire daycare center. Just like your vehicle’s exterior. It’s all about cleaning, anti-bacterial protection and maintenance.
9. Our vehicle has never been professionally detailed and we are selling it. Can you make it look new again?
We hear this quite often. While having your vehicle detailed just once in its life time right before you sell it will help its first impression on a potential buyer, most likely by this time your vehicle has deteriorated, interior soiled, exterior paint oxidized, and the clear coat damaged.
We can however remove some of the stains inside and polish out most of the oxidation on the exterior paint, but unfortunately your vehicle will never look as nice as if it had received detailing and maintenance in the past. This means you’ll probably get much less than you’re asking for. If the clear coat is damaged or peeling off then the vehicle would have to be repainted. A high quality paint job can cost several thousand dollars as oppose to a few hundred a year to properly maintain your vehicles factory finish.
Not only does having your vehicle detailed hold its value throughout its lifetime, but it also provides a more enjoyable driving experience. A clean vehicle can portray self confidence and a high level of professionalism. It is simply one of the most important maintenance services for your vehicle.
The rates at which Mobile Drip Auto Spa and other high quality shops charge are comparable, but the lower price tag found elsewhere translates to less time concentrated on your vehicle, generic cost effective products being used, no quality control or vehicle inspection and typically not standing behind their work. The end result is a non-professional, standard service most people could do themselves at home.
If a shop only charges a couple hundred dollars to detail a car they are most likely taking a few short cuts and are not cleaning every square inch of the vehicle. In a business that literally focuses on the details, this is unacceptable and certainly not up to the Mobile Drip Auto Spa standard and as they say you get what you pay for.
Here at ASL we do not just clean on the top of surfaces, but underneath them removing front and rear seats (if needed), center consoles, cup holders, carpets, license plates, spare tires, plastic engine covers & cowlings. We clean places on your vehicle that you would never think to clean and that your average detailer’s tend to overlook.
Our interior reconditioning services go far beyond clean with our sanitation and Oder removal for contact surfaces such as door handles, steering wheels, gear knobs, radio knobs, etc. When you bring your car to us for service your not only getting it detailed aesthetically but disinfected as well. We pride ourselves on using mostly steam and less cleaners or chemicals to recondition your interior. Our shampoo’s and all purpose cleaners that are used are highly diluted with water as well. This is to insure no after smell or strong odors. Our finished product smells clean, crisp and fresh.
Our business is structured to restore your vehicle to original condition aesthetically or as close to as possible then our ongoing maintenance services are offered. We are unique in that we cater to those who use their vehicle for transportation and those who are avid auto enthusiasts. No matter what you drive when you pick up your vehicle from our shop you will feel like you just left the showroom floor. Guaranteed! Mobile Drip Auto Spa offers a full array of interior, exterior and full automotive reconditioning services.
We encourage our customers to stop by for a estimate before committing to a service appointment. Free estimates are offered by appointment Monday thru Friday from 7 am to 6:00 pm. We always provide a stellar service and try to meet your budget at the same time. You can be assured that you will always get what you pay for when you bring your car here.
10. My vehicle is new. Does it need to be detailed?
We frequently receive phone calls from customers who have recently purchased a new vehicle. When asked what detail service they would like, they often reply “well, it’s a brand new car so it doesn’t need much”. Unfortunately that statement often proves to be a bit off base.
Just because your vehicle is new doesn’t necessarily mean the paint finish is flawless. Often times when a vehicle leaves the factory there are many paint imperfections that are missed by quality control personnel. Some of these imperfections are dirt specks, run lines, wet sanding marks, pig tails from a D/A sander, and hologramming from improper polishing techniques.
If the vehicle is shipped from out of state or travels by train it can be subject to many contaminants along the way with no protection. Then when it arrives at the car dealership many times the vehicle is washed improperly by inexperienced lot attendants causing scratches and swirl marks. Ideally before you take delivery ask them not to wash your vehicle.
Here is how our New Car Detailing service works. Just schedule an appointment for an exterior wash. First we will gently wash your vehicle, then we will put it under our lights and start our quality control inspection.
If we find any paint imperfections we will give you an onsite estimate for our paint correction service. If not then you will be on your way with our maintenance recommendation for your vehicle.
We also offer new car protection services at a fraction of what the dealers charge and the protection products we offer are much higher quality compared to the products used by the dealer. Often times dealerships will offer a “lifetime paint sealant” and say if you purchase this you will never have to wax your car again.
These so called lifetime sealant packages are usually accompanied by warranties, unfortunately most consumers don’t realize that these warranties require you to have the sealant re-applied every six months to a year and prohibit you from polishing or waxing your vehicle.
Because customers rarely, if ever, return to have the sealant re-applied this is easy money for the dealers. We have customers come in our establishment frequently and say “but I purchased a lifetime sealant from the car dealership, why does my paint look so bad?”
This is because they are often left with the false expectation that a “paint protection program” will mitigate paint damage from (scratches, swirls, bird droppings, tree sap, acid rain and washing your car abrasively using a (brush or automatic car wash tunnels) in some way and this is simply not true.
This idea of a paint sealant or coating that will protect your vehicles paintwork forever is a great one and we wish it were true, but unfortunately there is no such product on the market.
However there are paint sealants and silica sprays that can last several months and ceramic coatings that can last years with regular maintenance. We can help you decide witch paint protection product is best for your car when you inquire.
We know your proud of your new car. Protect your investment with our coatings for your paint, glass, wheels and fabric tops.
11. What is the difference between carnauba waxes, synthetic polymer paint sealants, silica ceramic spray and ceramic glass coatings?
Carnauba wax is produced by the brazilian tree of life. This wax is preferred by car collectors and concours enthusiasts because of its rich, warm glow. It transforms the paint into a deep, liquid pool that shimmers under changing light conditions. A carnauba based wax will protect your vehicle from UV rays, heat, moisture, oxidation and environmental contamination. An application of carnauba wax usually lasts from 6 to 8 weeks. If your paintwork is corrected first expect even more durability. However traditional paste waxes have gone to the way side over the past few years making room for more advanced paint protection products.
Synthetic polymer paint sealants are kind of the anti-carnauba. They are more durable, easy to apply and there is nothing natural about them. Synthetic paint sealants are made of polymers, which are composed of tens thousands of synthetic particles that are linked together. When a synthetic polymer sealant bonds to your vehicle’s paint, it forms a rigid shell. They are glossy and slick, but do not have the warmth and depth of a carnauba wax. Synthetic polymer paint sealants can last from 4 to 6 months with regular maintenance.
Silica Ceramic Spray is an easy and ready-to-use advanced SiO2-infused coating that creates a super hydrophobic and UV ray protection on all non-absorbent substrates. When used on automotive paint, Silica Ceramic Spray enhances its gloss, repels dirt, and protects treated surfaces from acid rain, salt water, and other environmental aggressors. Silica Ceramic Spray can last up to 6 months with regular maintenance.
Ceramic Coatings were developed using Nanotechnology. These advanced coatings are technically man made ceramic and glass nanoparticles. They do not just adhere to the vehicles surface, but rather become a part of the surface themselves. These coatings also enhance the appearance of automotive paint on a timescale of years rather than months. The process involves using a ceramic coating like CQuartz which contains Silicon Dioxid or Si02 ( Quartz) for swirl resistance and gloss enhancement. Tio2 (Titanium) contains ingredients to enhance depth, self cleaning and other nano-scale components that chemically bond to painted sufaces on a molecular level.
This invisible glass-like coating not only provides excellent protection against all environmental contaminants but will make washing and drying your vehicle much easier. Your wash mitt will glide across your paint surface like never before and drying is near effort-less due to the Hydrophobic properties of these coatings. Ceramic Coatings can last up to a few years with regular maintenance.
Please note that carnauba waxes, synthetic polymer paint sealants, silica ceramic spray and ceramic coatings are meant for protection only. In order for these products to be effective your paintwork must be decontaminated and corrected first.
Remember only when your paintwork is polished will it achieve a true shine. Carnauba waxes, synthetic polymer paint sealants, silica ceramic spray, and ceramic coatings will then enhance that shine and protect your corrected paintwork. All of these said protection products require maintenance washes and top coats to stay durable and hydrophobic.
12. What is a clay bar and how can I tell if my vehicle needs clay bar treatment?
As you drive your vehicle down the road there are many contaminants that attach to your paint surface. You can tell by running your hand across your hood or the lower part of the vehicle behind the front tire. If it feels gritty like sand paper then your vehicle is in need of clay bar treatment.
A clay bar is a flexible putty like substance used along with a lubricant like soap and water or detail spray to remove microscopic contaminants from your paintwork making it extremely smooth in preparation for compounding, polishing and waxing. Or (paint correction).
Because these contaminants cannot be removed by just washing your vehicle it will never technically be clean until it receives clay bar treatment.
Clay bar treatment is the first step in our paint correction process and is the most effective way to remove road contaminants. Using a clay bar can be somewhat abrasive therefore we always recommend having us correct your paintwork afterwords.
However we also use a paint decontamination product called Iron X that is very effective and is often used during our wash process for maintenance in between clay bar treatment and paint correction.
This said product makes it possible to decontaminate your paint non abrasively without the use of a clay bar. Clay bar treatment and paint correction is recommended once or twice per year while Iron X is recommended once per month depending on how pristine you like your paint to look throughout the year.