G&R Body Shop

She’s always there for you. Takes you where you need to go. Offers you peace of mind, sanctuary, and sense of adventure. She’s a loyal partner, doesn’t judge you when you get angry, and forgives you when you’ve had a bad day. She’s your car/your truck/your SUV/your ride, and she deserves all the TLC you can give her. And a regular regimen of waxing can keep her looking glorious for years and years to come.

Detail packages are available at carwashes, dealerships, and even in parking garages. Depending on how much is included, the price can range anywhere from $30-$300+. That may seem expensive at first, but in the grand scheme of things, you‘re more than likely going to keep the same car for a number of years. From door dings in parking lots, to cart bumps in the grocery store lot, to the occasional small fender-bender, your car goes through a lot for you. Investing in a good waxing helps your car not only represent you well, but protects it as well.

Though the immediate result is a beautiful shine and restoration of paint gloss, waxing offers longer term effects as well. When you wax your car you are protecting the body from everyday dirt, grime, and pollution and preventing the sun’s ultraviolet rays from fading the paint. Waxing prevents water spots from forming, as the wax causes water to bead and roll off your car leaving the body virtually spot free.

From do-it-yourself kits to premium detail packages at your local carwash, waxing care can fit into any budget. With a bit of time and a lot of elbow grease, you can give your car the luxury treatment all by yourself. Here are some great straight-to-the-point tips for correct DIY waxing techniques from eHow.com.

• Make sure you pick a non-abrasive wax. Some waxes can damage clear-coat and lacquer finishes found on many darker-colored paint jobs. Best to check with an auto parts associate or paint/body professional before purchasing.
• Be sure to wax your car in a shady or covered area. The sun can bake and harden the wax too quickly causing a white paste that is difficult to remove.
• Wax only a small area at a time. This way you can be sure that the wax doesn’t harden before you get to it.

Here’s a very simple step-by-step video from eHow.com.

But sometimes with today’s rushed lifestyles and busy work and family schedules, an afternoon dedicated to car waxing isn’t possible. Automatic, drive-thru carwashes have appeared in local gas stations on almost every corner. Although they’ve gotten a bad reputation over the years for having abrasive brushes that scratch your paint and break your antennas, now that there are so many of them it’s easy to shop around. Look for stations that offer a “Touchless” car wash. These carwashes use high-impact sprayers to remove dirt and grime without the use of brushes of any kind.
If you opt for the drive-thru car wash, the next question is what kind of wax job are you getting for your extra $2 to $8? The popular automatic carwash add-on known as Rain-X is actually a glass-cleaner construct, even though it’s applied all over the surface of your car. It helps bead water to prevent spots and surface damage like wax, but does not provide UV protection, nor do you get the benefit of scratch reduction that comes with surface buffing. The drive-thru results in a much more temporary shine, but a very nice shine. And the fact that it’s so quick, affordable, and easy might make it the right choice for you.

Whether you choose a detail package, a do-it-yourself wax job or an automated “Touchless” drive-thru, here’s the bottom line: if you take care of your car, it will take care of you. Protecting your finish by proper waxing will extend the life and beauty of your vehicle’s finish.

For additional information, advice, or to compare the cost of waxing versus full professional paint repair over time, please don’t hesitate to contact our Sacramento auto body professionals at G&R Paint and Body Shop at 916-731-8203.

Your car or truck may run like a dream and look clean as a whistle under the hood. But if your paint is peeling, your undercarriage corroded, your bumpers banged up, the value of your vehicle is diminished—to say nothing of your pride of ownership.

Whether you just drove a new vehicle off the dealer lot or you recently invested in a high-quality refinish job, the steps you take to protect your vehicle’s finish can go a long way to extend the life and the value of your ride.

• Wash: Your vehicle’s exterior finish bears the brunt of the elements. Wind blasts your paint with abrasive sand and gravel; salt air and dampness create rust and corrosion. According to the Car Care Council, some one-third of vehicle owners use dish soap, household cleaners and scratchy cleansing pads and brushes that can strip away wax and may damage your vehicle’s finish. The best way to keep your vehicle finish smooth and shining is to wash it frequently, in a shaded area, using soap and a mitt or soft brush specifically made for washing cars.
• Rinse: Remove the spray nozzle from your hose and rinse frequently. Don’t allow soap to dry or remain on your vehicle finish.


Use proper car washing materials to protect your vehicle's paint.

• Dry: Don’t just let it drip! Dry surfaces thoroughly after washing, using a chamois or soft, lint-free cloth. Drying your vehicle protects from water spots and rust.
• Wax: Wax exterior surfaces monthly, or at least several times a year. A good quality paste car wax creates a protective surface that repels water and dirt, making it easier to keep your vehicle clean and shiny. Apply wax to a small section of the vehicle, rubbing wax on with a soft cloth and circular motion. Allow wax to dry, then buff until no visible paste remains. Do not leave wax on too long before buffing, or the result can be dried white paste that is tough to remove—thus don’t apply wax to too large an area at a time!
• Shelter: Park in a garage or carport if you have one. If you must leave your car uncovered under our hot California sun, try to park in shaded areas whenever possible. Like wind, rain and sea salt, sun will bake and fade your paint job. If you must park outdoors, consider purchasing a car cover.
• Repair: The steel used to make cars and truck is one of the strongest substances on earth, but a dent or scratch can still leave it vulnerable to rust and corrosion. Cover chips with touch-up paint as soon as possible. Clear nail polish applied to a chip or scratch can provide temporary protection, or you can find do-it-yourself scratch repair kits at your local car wash or big-box discount store. Or better yet, take your vehicle to a qualified auto body and paint shop for professional color matching and a factory-quality finish.
• Undercarriage: Don’t forget to keep wheel wells and undercarriage clean and free of debris, especially if you travel in snowy areas where salt and abrasive materials such as sand or cinders may be used for road maintenance. Cars from states with cold winter climates are notorious for rusting out after a few years. Consider having your vehicle professionally undercoated. Look for rubberized spray-on protectants for wheel wells.
• Protect: Consider rust-proofing your car and protecting your paint job with a professionally applied sealant. Most manufacturers provide a five-year warranty against rust perforation. But don’t wait until year six to think about a sealant; prevention is key, and you might be too late. A 1999 Minneapolis Star Tribune article recommends having a sealant applied to a new car if you plan to keep it longer than five years, or to a used car that is more than three years old.


Road salt and chemicals can damage your car's undercarriage

Many of our customers at our Sacramento body shop pamper their cars; that’s one of the reasons they come to us for quality repairs and service. But caring for your vehicle properly not only keeps it looking great and you feeling proud; it’s an expenditure of time, labor and sometimes a little cash that will protect one of your largest investments—your vehicle—in the long-run.

Don’t hesistate to give us a call for any of your autobody maintenance or repair needs–916-731-8203, or e-mail info@grbodyshop.com.