Our car’s value is always a big deal, especially if eventually there will be a time where you want to sell it. Scratches, stains, and damage from the sun can all be solved, but when it’s not, then your car’s value can really drop! Especially here in Ventura County where we have year-round sun, sand from the beach, and dirt from our fields that could really damage a vehicle over time if not maintained. That’s where professional auto detailing comes in. Auto detailing isn’t just just about giving people a clean car, it’s also about protecting your car and keeping its value. With that being said lets jump into the top 5 things a detailer can do to save your car and your wallet!
1.) Paint Protection
Let’s be honest, when we look at a car the paint is almost always the first thing we really look at. When it’s exposed to UV rays all day there can be swirls on it, there can be bird droppings that burn through your paint, and tons of dust and dirt from the agriculture in our city. These things slowly make your car oxidize or even fade. What we do is use things like wax, paint sealants, and ceramic protection. These things are like different layers of shielding for your car. Preventing paint damage monthly saves you from expensive repainting later and just value drops in general.
Lets hear what a dealership used car manager says about this service
“When someone brings in a car for trade in, the first thing we notice is the exterior condition. If the paint is faded or scratched up, the value drops almost right away .”
2.) Interior Work
Cracked dashboards and worn out leather seats are the worst, especially since it’s so easy to avoid. They don’t just show up out of nowhere; it happens from all the heat and neglect. Interior work like conditioning the leather and protecting interior dashes and materials keeps them soft, clean, and will prevent cracks that make your car look 5 years older. “Cars that are maintained regularly almost always bring the strongest offers,” the dealership manager explains.
3.) Wheel Protection
Brake dust builds up super fast every time you drive, and it’s actually corrosive. If you ignore it, it can permanently stain and damage your wheels. A proper wheel cleaning removes all that buildup safely and can protect the finish of them.
4.) Keeping The Engine Clean
In all honesty, unless your car is a show car or has an impressive engine most people will never really think about the engine bay, but dealerships definitely do. A clean engine compartment shows that the owner cared about the vehicle and it also really helps with spotting leaks or problems early before they become expensive repairs. A good detailer will use degreaser to remove all the corrosive gunk that will build up in the engine and will remove all the debris.
5.) Consistency
The key to keeping your cars value is just plain consistency. Regular washes, interior cleanings, and all the things mentioned above really do prevent small issues from turning into big ones. As Jeff Myers, the used car manger, said from our interview “It’s much cheaper to maintain than to hire someone else to restore our inventory.” Detailing once every few years just can’t undo years of neglect and use so the best solution is just to keep it maintained year round.
VC Social 