This most certainly depends on geographic location and seasons, but specific to Central and Northern California, I found the best times to detail your vehicle are late March and early October. Twice a year detailing is typically recommended if the vehicle is parked outdoors and consistently exposed to the elements. In Sacramento, that means tree fallout like sap, pollen, leaves and bugs that come along with it, as well as railway fallout, shipping yard fallout and a ton of highway debris exposure.
Let’s start with March. This is Spring time, and we begin to receive steady sunshine with less rain. Getting your vehicle decontaminated by means of clay bar and even paint polishing, and getting a solid coat of protection will prepare the exterior of your vehicle for the intense summer months to come. Clay bar is going to remove embedded micro contaminants so that the protection will last longer, so even a synthetic spray wax can get you through the summer months. Getting your vehicle detailed in March is also ideal because availability for quality detailers is still good. Once late April hits, most professional detailers, mobile detailers or shop detailers, will begin to fill their schedule and may already be booked out 2-3 weeks. Once June hits, most of these professionals will be booked out for the entire summer. NorCal summer months can also be devastating for interior components like dashboards, leather upholstery and other vinyl/plastic components. Protection for these areas is also very crucial for longevity. UV can break down leather and plastic over time, but having quality protection will help keep it looking better, longer.
The benefits of October are somewhat obvious; you get your detail decontaminated and protected before the winter season begins. More fallout! Including rain and the contaminants it brings with it. October also marks a 6-7 month period if you had your last detail in March, which is very ideal for a bi-annual routine. If you have a solid coat of protection going into the rainy season, you can watch the water bead on your vehicle’s paint and will look cleaner, longer! Cold Northern California weather can also be tough on leather upholstery. Leather tightens and stiffens in the winter and if not protected or conditioned, can create cracks in your leather upholstery.
And just to give you a secret most detailers won’t want you to know, if you wait until December to get your detail done, you can likely get in on some good deals as this is a detailers slow period and when promo’s start to get really good! Don’t tell them I told you!
