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Top Auto Detailing Services in Virginia Beach, VA
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Contact our reliable auto detailing company at (877) 753-4016 in Virginia Beach, VA, to learn more about our high-quality services.
Tree Sap Removal
We get a lot of questions when it comes to tree sap. We have all, at one time or another, parked under or near to a tree. Tree sap is hard to remove and if not done properly the paint finish on your car can be permanently damaged. If tree sap is left on the finish for to long, like bird droppings, can permanently damage the finish. You may want to leave this project to a professional. How the tree sap is removed from your cars finish will depend on the size of the sap blobs and how long they have been there. If they are all pretty small, the size of a small water drop, then you should be able to remove them with a medium clay bar, but if the particles are larger than small water drops an adhesive or tar remover product should be used. Be very careful with adhesive removers, they can soften the paint and if scrapped to hard the finish will come off. To clean off the sap, the area to be cleaned should be thoroughly washed and dried. To use a clay bar, apply a generous coat of clay lube or detailing spray to the painted surface and spritz the clay bar. This will prevent the clay bar from scratching or damaging the surface. Never use a clay bar on a dry and/or hot surface. Gently work the clay back and forth over the area. You'll feel the clay removing the tree sap as you work it over the surface. Start with fine grade clay and only use a heavier grade if the sap is really stuck. For larger tree sap covered areas, again thoroughly wash and dry to remove any other loose debris from the surrounding area. Apply the tar or adhesive remover to a micro fiber towel. Helpful tip: Let the cleaner soak for a minute, it will start to dissolve the tree sap making it easier to remove. Gently rub it into the tree sap. Try to work in a shaded area to avoid having any cleaner residue dry on the surface and streaking the finish (Streaking does not come out, do not let it dry.). Repeat the process if necessary until the sap has been completely removed. Once the tree sap is removed, rewash and rinse then dry off the surface with a couple of micro fiber towels. If there are remaining stains, use a cleaner/polish to remove them. After the area is completely clean, apply a high quality carnauba wax or a synthetic sealant to protect the paint from future damage.
Types of Leather and Their Treatment
A two part series on how to identify your leather and how to properly care for it. Part One While owning a vehicle with leather is nice, it can be cumbersome to care for. Not to mention it can get expensive if you use a high quality Leather Cleaner and Leather Conditioner as we do. Automotive leather must be cared for or it will fade, dry out, split, and crack. Not to mention all the dirt and oil that builds up. To clean your automotive leather is a necessary evil if you want to keep it soft and clean, it will add years to the life span of the leather. I get asked a lot of questions from our customers about automotive leather and how to care for it. There is a lot of misleading information out there that I would like to rectify. One of the first questions that gets asked, “What type of leather is this?” You probably have a pigmented (protected) or top coated (painted) type of leather. It is the most commonly used leather types in over 95% of all automotive interiors. There are basically three types of leather that comes from tanneries: Leather Masters that have led the way in unification of the leather industry's use of these terms to classify leather. An Italian company was one of the first. 1. Aniline - (Castano) leather found mostly on Ford King Ranch edition pickup seats (the leather cleaner and conditioner we use, made by Pro Wax, is the only one Ford recommends for this vehicle). It is top quality natural leather in which the actual surface grain markings of the true leather (hide) are visible. This type of leather is not intended to remain pristine but rather rugged. These seats have no or very little protective treatments applied. They also require different cleaning procedures than protected leather due to its porous nature and are prone to sun fading. Identifying characteristics: very easy to scratch, water dropped onto the surface will darken the color and then dry back to natural color. 2. NuBuck – Found on some Lexus and Dodge Durango seats. These are natural aniline leathers that have been brushed creating a nap and leaving a texture similar to suede. Nubuck has a natural finish, but, may have a light protective coat and a transparent leather dye for color. This process increases the leather’s surface exposure making it extremely absorbent to body oils and soil, also making it difficult to clean effectively. Identifying characteristics: usually gray in color, very soft to the touch, will scratch or scuff very easily, water dropped onto the surface will darken the color and then dry back to natural color. 3. Protected - This leather has a uniform appearance and color with a definite pattern (grain). No natural leather markings are visible through the top coatings because a pigmented leather paint coating is applied to the surface. Then sealed with a durable finish. Properly maintained, this finish will provide years of durability. Identifying characteristics of pigmented/painted leather: uniform color and grain patterns; will not scratch easily; water dropped onto the surface will not change the color of the leather. So now you know what kind of leather your car has, you may be surprised to find out some leather cleaners are dangerous and can damage leather! Be sure to read the second part of this series to learn how to properly care for your leather.