Do you need a permit for a car wash?

Need links to reputable sties/articles on car wash/detail/care

• I?m a car wash business with a detailing operation as well. I?m trying to post some articles (or links to articles or web sites) on my web site that help educate my customers as to: 1) How often they should wash their car? 2) How often they should wax their car? 3) Why is hand waxing better than using a buffer? 4) How often should they ?detail? their car ? i.e. clean the paint from oxidation and other contaminants (we use a ?clay bar? to do this)? 5) Does disinfecting the carpets and upholstery of the car provide a safer environment? 6) How soon after a spill or stain on carpet or upholstery occurs should it be shampooed or cleaned (i.e. how long before a stain becomes permanent)? 7) What are the effects of tree sap, bird droppings, oxidation, water marks, etc. on a car?s finish? 8) General car care facts (like how often to change your oil, how to find a good mechanic, when to replace tires, etc.) Criteria for a link/article: There are lots of articles on the web covering these subjects. Unfortunately, nearly all of the articles are biased ? they are written by companies trying to sell more car care products. I?m looking for articles that were published in reputable, unbiased sources or web sites. Car care club web sites. Magazines. Newspapers. Etc. Number of links/articles per question One other thing you will find is that there are many different philosophies on how often these services should be performed as well as what wash solutions, waxes, etc. should be used. Hence, a further complication is that I need to find sites and articles that generally espouse the same things we use. It would be too difficult to put what we do in this question because there are too many subtleties. Hence, I am looking for as many links from you as I can get that meet the above criteria. That way I can sort through them and choose what to post. I will consider this question answered when I have at least 3 links/articles per question. This project is posted for $35 and the tip will vary depending on the number of articles/web sites you give me for each question that are good, and meet the Criteria above.

• Answer:

  <1. Washing. How to Keep Your Car Going? and Going. Joseph D. Younger. Automobile Club of New York. This feature recommends washing your car once a week. It also gives other tips for car maintenance. http://www.aaany.com/automotive/maintenance_service/tips_stories/Automotive_Advice/Upkeep_Tips/story.asp?xml=how_to_keep_your_car_going.xml&SrcID=11 Wash Your Car Once a Month. By Courtney Caldwell. American Woman Road & Travel Magazine. This article recommends a monthly wash. It also advocates using a car wash for environmental reasons. It explains what causes corrosion and that it diminishes resale value. http://www.ktok.com/script/headline_newsmanager.php?id=228214&pagecontent=automotive&feed_id=225 Washing Your Car. Lolita Standifer. AAOW Magazine. This article says that The International Carwash Association (ICA) suggests washing your car every 10 days in nice weather. Every other day is recommended after each rain and snow fall. Waxing should be carried out every six months. http://www.onwheelsinc.com/aaowmagazine/1998_spring/411.asp This government site advises using a car wash for environmental reasons. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/newsletter/carwashing.htm ------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Waxing The Car Care Council recommends waxing at least twice a year. http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Articles/wash_wax.shtml Polishing and Waxing Your Car. Scott Roush. CarTrackers.com Recommends twice a year and by looking at when water beads flatten out. http://www.cartrackers.com/Buyers_Guide/Consumer_Advice/Car_Care/PID.3785.32258615100.1.html Carjunky.com This article includes advice from the International Car Wash Association which recommends waxing a car every 3 to 6 months. http://www.carjunky.com/news/springinfo/ntgisfssdyc.shtml Spring Car Care And Resource Guide. Dan Sage and Jeff Stuckey. Waxing ? every six months. http://www.carcollector.com/cover_detail.cfm?StoryID=1515 ------------------------------------------------------ 3. Hand waxing better than a buffer Automotive Care Articles. Autosupermart.com Hand waxing is the best method as it reduces the likeliness that you will scratch the finish or remove too much paint. According to this article buffers can cause swirl marks which are fine scratches in your clear coat layer. Hand waxing is the best method as it reduces the likeliness that you will scratch the finish or remove too much paint. Rotary buffers can burn through the paint and leave you with a expensive paint repair bill. http://www.autosupermart.com/shop/articles/intro.html?id=qsCcm497 Buffer basics. The problem with high-speed buffers in unqualified hands is, they have a nasty habit of burning or sometimes even completely removing paint. This is especially common at edges and sculpture lines. Even if you manage not to damage your car?s paint it?s almost guaranteed you?ll wind up with swirl marks. Swirl marks show up as circular reflections that make the paint look like it?s covered with spider webs. http://www.patgosscarworld.com/buffer.htm Bettercarcare.com Buffers are for pros or serious enthusiasts. The opportunity to ruin a paint job with a buffer is too high when a powerful, rotating machine is put in the hands of an unskilled person. Buffers spin at 1700 to 3600 RPM. One small slip and you?ll pop off a molding, burn a hole in your paint, or break off a windshield wiper. http://www.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=24 It Takes More Than The Occasional Wash and Wax to Keep Your Car Looking its Best. Scott Mead. Edmunds.com While rotary or orbital buffers can be used, the average person should apply cleaners by hand, avoiding the possibility of "burning" the paint with too much friction. While rotary or orbital buffers can be used, the average person should apply cleaners by hand, avoiding the possibility of "burning" the paint with too much friction. http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/maintenance/articles/43777/article.html Automotive Paint Protection. This piece recommends hand waxing http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl869a.htm Swirl marks. Auto Laundry News. Kleen Car Auto Appearance. This article explains how buffers can cause swirl marks. http://www.kleencarauto.com/html/Article_Swirl_Marks.htm ------------------------------------------------------- 4. Detailing. Perfecting Paint Finishes. Wet-sanding and other techniques to rejuvenate a vehicle?s surface. By Prenctice St. Clair. Modern Car Care. This article recommends that a car should be clayed before waxing or sealing. http://www.moderncarcare.com/Articles/261deta1.html Clay is Here to Stay. By Prentice St. Clair. Modern Car Care. Recommends that a car should be clayed before each application of wax. http://www.moderncarcare.com/Articles/221deta1.html This article from AAA California describes claying and recommends it should be done once or twice a year or whenever painted surfaces feel rough. Workin? at the Car Wash. Roy M. Wallack. Westways. In addition the frequency of washing, drying, waxing and interior cleaning are given. http://www.aaa-calif.com/westways/0702/car-wash.asp Carforums.com This article explains what clay bars do. http://www.carforums.com/auto_help/paint_care/car_paint_clay_bar.php Trick Tool for Paint Preservation. Tom Moor. AutoMedia.com This article advises using a clay bar when you can feel foreign particles in the paint surface. http://www.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/html/ccr/ccr20030101cb.html ------------------------------------------------------ 5. Upholstery Are You Driving Around in a Sick Car? Mold-Help. http://mold-help.org/content/view/248/ Care care: Offensive Odors. This article looks at the causes of odors and suggests steam cleaning to kill bacteria. http://www.motortrend.com/features/care/112_9906_cc/index1.html Bacteria give carpet a nasty smell. Science Service, Inc. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_23_157/ai_63184615 Getting rid of Foul Smells Learn the science behind odour removal. Scott Barrett. Modern Car Care. http://www.moderncarcare.com/Articles/111deta2.html ------------------------------------------------------ 6. Stains - how soon? The Science of Carpet Cleaning. Bud Abraham. Detail Plus. This article says that a stain should be cleaned as soon as possible. http://www.mobileworks.com/carpetscience.html Interior: General Care. Car Care Council. Spills should be cleaned up as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of stains. http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Interior/interior.shtml Cleaning your Car?s Interior. Scott Roush. Editor of a collision repair magazine. CarTrackers.com. http://www.cartrackers.com/Buyers_Guide/Consumer_Advice/Car_Care/PID.3040.11911112101.1.html ------------------------------------------------------ 7. Tree sap, bird droppings, oxidation, water marks Clean Cars: Why a car wash is good for your well-being, too. Courtney Caldwell. Road & Travel. This article describes how sun, salt from the sea, salt from snow trucks, grease and grime from the road, acid rain, smog, tree sap, dead bugs, and bird poop bombs eat away at a car?s metal and chrome, dull the paint, cause rust and diminish a car?s resale value. It also recommends using a car wash for environmental reasons. http://www.roadandtravel.com/carcare/carwash.htm Care Care Reports ? Help the Environment And Protect Your Car Investment. This article describes the damage to cars from acid rain, heat, bugs, bird droppings, tree sap, sun, moisture, salt, road grime, brake dust. http://www.autoswalk.com/helenandprot.html Auto Paint Deterioration from Acid Rain Cause and Effect. Greg Dumond. Nationaldetail.com This article explains the effect of acid rain on paint work and recommends waxing twice a year. http://www.nationaldetail.com/tips/jan.html Eliminating Water Spots. Get rid of them before they ruin your paoint & glass. Leonard Emauelson. AutoMedia.com http://www.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/html/ccr/ccr20020801hw.html ------------------------------------------------------- 8. General car care facts Service interval schedule from the Car Care Council. This has sections showing what to check every month, 3 months/3,000 miles, 6 months/6,000 miles, 9 months/9,000 miles and 12 months/12,000 miles. http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Industry/pdf/BCCA%20interval%20schedule%20color.pdf Car care tips. This features a chart showing weekly, monthly, 2 monthly and other periodic checks that should be made. The information is produced in collaboration with the Car Care Council. http://www.meineke.com/stuff_about_cars/maintenance.asp?page=stfrepmaint&_lscid=88154954 Car maintenance illustrated guide how to maintain your car. http://www.samarins.com/maintenance/simple.html Vehicle Maintenace Tips Spring & summer http://www.caamanitoba.com/web/automotive/driving-safety-spring.html Checklist from the Automobile Club of California. This also give advice on finding a mechanic. http://www.aaa-calif.com/corpinfo/04-10-01-car-care.asp Car and Travel online ? archive of upkeep tips. http://www.aaany.com/automotive/maintenance_service/tips_stories/Automotive_Advice/Upkeep_Tips/index.asp How to Find a Good Repair Shop. Automobile Association, New York. http://www.aaany.com/automotive/maintenance_service/tips_stories/Automotive_Advice/Upkeep_Tips/story.asp?xml=7ccd4ceefaab.xml> <Search strategy:> <"car care" "should be clayed" article> <://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=%22car+care%22+%22should+be+clayed%22+article> <"tree sap" car damages> <://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&q=%22tree+sap%22+car+damages> <automobile checklist club> <://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&q=automobile+checklist+club> <car association maintenance> <://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=car+association+maintenance> <"car care tips"> <://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22car+care+tips%22> <Hope this helps.>