The fix is to get them off soon and to give the paint a layer of protection. Fresh sap and droppings usually come off in the wash. Hardened sap takes careful work, which our $100 extra contaminants add-on covers. If a dropping has already etched a dull spot, it may need polishing, and some deep marks may only get lighter.
Fall and spring are the busy seasons for this. In fall, wet leaves can leave brown stains on light paint. In spring, pollen settles in a yellow film that streaks when it gets wet. Both wash off easily while they’re fresh.
If you park under the same tree every day, a weekly rinse at home or a regular wash with us keeps the worst of it from sitting in the sun.
Why we wash by hand
Most swirl marks come from washing, not driving. Tunnel wash brushes and a dirty sponge both drag grit across the paint. We do it the slow way: a pre-rinse, then a thick foam that loosens dirt before anything touches the car, then a hand wash with clean mitts.
We dry with filtered air and soft towels so water doesn’t spot in the sun. Wheels get their own brushes and cleaners, since brake dust is some of the dirtiest grime on the car.
Hot paint makes a bad wash. In summer we start early or set up our shade tent, so soap and water don’t dry on the panels before we rinse.
Clay and wax for commuter paint
After a few months of I-80 or US-50 driving, paint feels rough even when it looks clean. That’s road film, brake dust and tiny bits of fallout stuck in the clear coat. The clay bar in Renew lifts them out and leaves the paint smooth.
You can test this at home. Put your hand in a thin plastic sandwich bag and lightly run it over a clean door. If it feels gritty, the paint needs clay.
Then wax goes on. It adds gloss and gives sap, droppings and dust something to sit on besides the paint. In long Sacramento summers, wax wears faster, so plan to renew it every couple of months. For protection that lasts years, see our ceramic coating page.
When the paint needs more than a wash
If the paint looks hazy or swirled in direct sun, a wash and wax won’t fix it. Reshine adds a one-step polish that removes most light swirls. For deeper defects, read about paint correction. Polishing needs shade, so we do it in a garage, a covered spot or our detail shop rather than at a sunny curb.
If your headlights look yellow and cloudy, headlight restoration is a $75 add-on. Exterior prices are for a sedan; trucks, SUVs and vans are priced by size. The full menu is on our pricing page.
