Frequently Asked Questions

What form of payment do you accept?

Cash, Venmo, or Zelle Mobile Payments are accepted. Checks are not accepted. 

Do you accept tips?

Yes! At Performance Auto Detailing we strive to go above and beyond and certainly appreciate the recognition of a job well done. 

Wax? Sealant? Which is for me?

I receive a lot of questions on this subject. What is a wax? What is a sealant? What's the difference between a wax and a sealant? Both waxes and sealants share the same goal, protecting your paint and enhancing the look of your vehicle. That is where the similarities end. Waxes are composed of natural ingredients whereas sealants are entirely composed of man-made materials (typically SiO2 or Polymer based). Waxes only last a month or two and sealants can last 4-12 months (depending on which sealant is chosen and other factors). We believe sealants are the right choice for the majority of our customers because they last about 3x as long, that is why they are included in our detail packages. 

How often should I detail my vehicle?

Your vehicle should be fully detailed at least twice per year. That is the minimum for keeping your vehicle looking its best! It is important to have your vehicle properly maintained between those details as well. Check out our Maintenance Packages on our Services page. 

Why choose Performance Auto Detailing?

The number one reason to choose Performance Auto Detailing is because we are dedicated to providing quality work and strong customer service. We utilize the safest and most advanced techniques with the best products in the auto detailing industry. Typical detail shops focus on quantity, we focus solely on quality. Best of all, we come right to your home! No need to leave your vehicle at a detail shop all day. Since we are mobile, we only have one customer to take care of at a time, leaving no possibility of a rushed job. 

Why shouldn't I go to the carwash?

Carwashes specialize in high-volume jobs and have very low attention to detail. Their goal is to finish the job as fast as they can, which is why they cause so much damage to your vehicle. Below are some examples of what can happen at a typical car wash. The picture on the left shows you the difference between a vehicle that was properly maintained and a vehicle that was taken to a carwash - the right side of the door is completely covered in swirls, notice the complete lack of clarity in the paint! Then look at the picture of a typical car wash tunnel. As your vehicle drives through, all of the dirt from the ground and walls is splashed onto your vehicle and scrubbed into the paint by the rough cleaning brushes. The brushes used in a car wash are extremely abrasive and not nearly soft enough to be touching your car's delicate paint. Dirt washed off the cars sits on those brushes all day long and then gets scrubbed onto the next vehicle that passes through. This improper method of cleaning is what causes the infamous swirls in your paint job. The chemicals used in these car washes are often so strong, they can completely remove wax from your vehicle. After your car passes through the car wash, employees use old rags to dry the car off, and at the same time, continue to scrub the dirt that wasn't completely cleaned off into your paint. Also note that self-serve carwashes are not better. The cleaning brushes used there are kept on the dirty ground and used for both your paint and your wheels, the dirtiest part of your vehicle. This transfers harmful and abrasive brake dust onto your paint. They can cause more damage than a regular carwash can!

Should I accept the free car washes at the dealership when I service my car?

Absolutely not! Dealerships use the same wrong methods that carwashes use. There is a reason it is free. Your flawless paint can be ruined by one free dealership wash. That free car wash turns into a costly mistake when you have to pay to have me remove all those swirls and scratches. Another free service dealerships provide is a free "detail" when you purchase your vehicle. Their version of a detail is running your car through their tunnel car wash, then using a glaze to cover all of the scratches. After a few weeks, the glaze comes off and you will notice all of the scratches all over your vehicle. Always ask the dealer to please not detail your vehicle, they may look at you with a glazed look in their eyes, but you will be making a choice that saves you money in the long run! Make sure to bring your new car to us to have it detailed the proper way to stay looking new! You can find more information about new car detailing below!

Do new cars need to be detailed?

YES! Just because your vehicle is new, doesn't mean that it is perfect. All vehicles come from the factory with imperfections that dealerships do not remove prior to selling. Also, as discussed above, dealerships do not use proper wash techniques, resulting in swirl marks on a brand new vehicle. New vehicles do not come with any protection for the paint, wheels, glass or interior. Do not be fooled into buying an over-priced "paint protection" plan from you dealer. They are selling you an extremely sub-bar detail (using improper technique as mentioned above) with products that are no better than what you could buy from an auto parts store. Dealership "paint-protection" packages are never a good investment! When you bring your new car to us, we will remove all of the imperfections and get your car protected so it looks its best for a long time! 

What is mobile detailing?

Instead of having you drive to a detail shop, drop your vehicle off and have to find a ride home while you wait for us to finish your vehicle, we believe coming directly to your home is a better option. When you use Performance Auto Detailing, there is no reason to leave the comfort of your home, we come right to you. 

Do we need to use your water and electricity?

Yes we need to use your water and electricity. I do not currently travel with a water tank or a generator, so I will need to use yours during the detail. Don't worry though, I use the least amount of water necessary to complete the detail. 

Can you detail my car at my office or apartment?

Only if your office or apartment has a direct connection to water and electricity, as well as a shaded area to work. If you don't have a place where I can detail your vehicle, feel free to drop it off with me instead. 

What types of products do you use?

At Performance Auto Detailing, only the highest quality products will be used on your vehicle. We use a variety of products from: Ammo NYC, CarPro USA, Gyeon, Menzerna, and Shine Supply. Performance Auto Detailing uses strict wash techniques to ensure your vehicle is washed safely and effectively. We utilize the 2-Bucket Wash System as well as Rinseless Washing (only when appropriate), for maximum safety. Our techniques ensure a completely swirl-free wash. If you have any questions about our technique and procedures, contact us here.