Is It Worth Detailing a Car in Winter?

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Did you know that winter weather can cause significant damage to your car's exterior?

If you want to protect your investment and maintain its value, by investing in car detailing services or DIY car detailing during the colder months is worth considering. Detailing your car during the winter, for example with something like graphene, provides protection against harsh elements such as snow, ice, and road salt. 

By thoroughly cleaning your car and applying a protective sealant, you can ensure that it remains in top condition throughout the winter season.

The Benefits of Winter Car Detailing

You'll be surprised at the five major benefits of winter car detailing. 

First and foremost, winter car detailing helps in preventing rust. The harsh winter conditions, such as snow, salt, and road debris, can cause damage to your car's exterior. By thoroughly cleaning and protecting the surface of your car, you can prevent rust from forming and ensure its longevity. 

Additionally, winter car detailing improves visibility. With winter's snow and ice, it is crucial to have clear windows and mirrors. By cleaning and polishing them, you can enhance visibility and increase your safety on the road. 

So, don't underestimate the importance of winter car detailing - it prevents rust and enhances your visibility for a safer driving experience.

Protecting Your Car's Exterior in Cold Weather

To effectively protect your car's exterior in cold weather, it's essential to wash and wax it regularly and use a reliable car cover to shield it from snow and ice. 

Winter car care is crucial in preventing rust and corrosion, which can significantly damage your vehicle. Here are our best winter car care tips to ensure your car stays in top condition throughout the season:

1. Wash your car regularly: Salt and chemicals used to melt ice on roads can quickly corrode your car's paint and undercarriage. Regularly washing your car will remove these harmful substances and prevent rust from forming.

2. Apply wax: Waxing your car creates a protective barrier that shields the paint from the harsh winter elements. It also adds shine and enhances the overall appearance of your vehicle.

3. Use a car cover: A car cover provides an extra layer of protection against snow, ice, and road salt. It prevents moisture from seeping into your car and causing rust or corrosion.

4. Tire Maintenance: Check your tire pressure regularly, as cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop. Properly inflated tires provide better traction and handling.

5. Antifreeze for Washer Fluid: Ensure your windshield washer fluid contains antifreeze to prevent it from freezing on the windshield.

6. Protect Your Lights: Keep your headlights and taillights clean and free of snow and ice for better visibility and safety.

7. Avoid Abrasive Materials: Avoid using abrasive materials like brushes or scrapers on your car's exterior, as they can scratch the paint. Opt for soft brushes and de-icing products designed for vehicles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the decision to detail a car in winter is well worth considering, as it offers several tangible benefits. 

While focusing on your car's appearance during the colder months may seem counterintuitive, winter detailing is not just about aesthetics. 

It's about safeguarding your vehicle from the harsh elements that can wreak havoc on its exterior and undercarriage.

By investing in winter car detailing, you preserve the beauty of your vehicle and protect it from corrosive road salts, ice, and other contaminants that can lead to long-term damage. 

This preventative maintenance can ultimately extend the life of your car, maintain its resale value, and provide you with a safer and more enjoyable driving experience during the winter season.

So, the next time you contemplate whether it's worth detailing your car in winter, remember that it's not just a luxury but a practical investment in the well-being of your vehicle, ensuring it remains in top condition all year round. It is also worth mentioning that detailing your car during each season of the year provides various benefits.

Don't let winter ruin your car's shine! Book your winter detailing session at 1921 Diamond St, San Diego. Dial (612) 889-5604 now.

Verified Google Reviews

Will was AMAZING! My car needed full interior detailing from rain getting inside this winter, and it hadn’t been fully cleaned in years. He scheduled me ASAP and was super thorough when going over the process. He picked up the car from me and brought it back quicker than expected so I didn’t have to go anywhere, and it looked new on the inside. It had a new car scent and all the seats and floors that were damaged from rain/dirt were totally clean. I’m so happy with the services and feel like it’s a different car now - I would recommend him to anyone in SD :) !! Thank you so much!!

Adriana Minicozzi

Link to Google Review ↗
Had an amazing experience with San Diego Select Detailing. They did a fantastic and thorough job of detailing my new car after it was transported from a dealership in another state, and also detailed two other vehicles at our household (one of which had laundry detergent spilled in the trunk). Each car came out looking fantastic. They come fully equipped to do a professional level detail job at the location of your choosing, which was very convenient. Can't wait to use their services again.

Audrey Hoel

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I had Hyundai Elantra detailed before gifting it to my sister. Will and Ed were able to accommodate me same day which was really nice of them. The fact that they come to you is also very convenient.The car looked as good as the day I bought it from the dealership. My sister was so stoked. She was beaming the whole three hours we were handling insurance and DMV stuff

Andrew Dyson

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We had an amazing experience getting our car detailed. They come directly to your home and bring all of the necessary supplies! Will was incredibly professional and responsive when arranging the time and figuring out details. Pedro came right on time and did a beautiful and meticulous job detailing the inside and outside of our car. It looks brand new and smells amazing. We will definitely be using their services again. Highly recommend!

Micaela Mariner

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San Diego Select did a full interior/exterior detail on my Lexus and I couldn't be happier with the result. My car looks and smells brand new. Incredible customer service - even received a follow up text the next day making sure I was satisfied with how everything looked. It's convenient - they come to you so you don't have to wait anywhere and pricing is extremely fair for the service. Would highly recommend.

Anna C

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great auto detailer in San Diego. If you’re looking to get your car detailed in San Diego, these guys are the best

Nate S

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I would 100% use them again! After I got sick in the car and we couldn’t get the smell out, they worked wonders and got us in same day!

Meghan Mazer

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First time getting my car detailed ever and I am so unbelievably happy with the outcome that I wish I would have started with them a long time ago!!! Will was so sweet and friendly over the phone, he quickly gained my trust:) My car looks and smells brand new! I will be back in 6 months to upkeep. Seriously these guys are so good:)

Justine Meadows

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Really kind! Did an amazing job with interior and exterior.

Siena Gross

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I've worked with Will and his team to fully detail my Tesla and Harley Davidson  and have monthly washes set up.  Will and his team are wonderful and always do a great job!

Charlie Redden

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Detail My Car?

Perfection & Protection.

Frustrated with everything that the car wash leaves behind?
Does your paint not shine like it used to?
In love with your car and want to preserve your investment for the long term?

That is why we are here. Not only do we leave you with flawless results, but we make sure that your paint, leather, and other materials are protected for years to come. We will treat your car (and you) like one of our own.

Do I need a "Shampoo Treatment"?

The shampoo and hot water extraction is the best possible care for your FABRIC seats.

We will bathe your seats in thick foam shampoo, agitate it with a fabric brush attachment on a drill, and then extract all the grime, dirt, stains and contaminant from the seats with hot water at 210ºF. If your seats need a refresh, this is as good as it gets. Because the service takes 45 minutes on average, and only a small percent of vehicles need it we charge extra for it. Don't worry - its only $50 extra. Totally worth it.

Will My Scratch "Buff Out"?

Do you have any little scrapes and scratches that bother you?

We can handle it.. to an extent. We are polishing experts - so if the scratch isn't too deep, we can get it out. Ever heard of "The Fingernail Test", this is a great way to know if your scratches are fixable. If you feel the scratch will your fingernail and you can feel a groove in the paint, it it probably a little bit too deep ~in the sections where the groove is~

What is a "Clay Bar"?

A clay bar is exactly what it sounds like, a little ball of malleable puddy.

This is used in the decontamination phase of the detail to prepare your paint for protection. Clay Bar Detailing is essential for preparing your vehicle's paint for protection by ensuring it is free of contaminants.

Every exterior detail has 3 phases: 1. Wash 2. Decontaminate 3. Protect. The decontamination stage is responsible for removing from the paint everything that doesn't come off from the wash.

Remember when you bought your car and the paint was smooth to the touch? That is the goal of this stage. Remove all the crusty junk that is stuck to you paint. This way, when we apply sealant (protection) to your paint it will adhere to the paint itself, rather than the junk sitting on the surface. This will give the sealant its longest possible useful life.

Why "Wax" My Car?

For the same reason that you get an oil change. Engines are expensive to replace (8-15K) so we take good care of them. So is your paint - the average paint job costing around $5,000. If you don't protect your paint with some type of ceramic, wax, or sealant, your paint WILL fail.

In San Diego, our biggest enemy is the sun, or the salt if you live near the beach. Next time you are in a big parking lot, look around at the hoods of the vehicles. You will notice around 1/6 vehicles have completely delaminated clear coat.

That means the paint looks like dead skin on the surface and you could peel it off with you fingers. Not pretty. There is a simple solution to ensure your vehicle never ends up like this. Exterior Detailing. Bonus points for a ceramic coating with is the best protection possible.