Frequently Asked Questions
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What Is "Detailing"?
Auto detailing is the practice of performing an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and protection of an automobile, both inside and out, to produce a showroom-quality level of detail. Elements of exterior detailing include claying, polishing, and waxing. Interior detailing involves the cleaning of the interior of a vehicle using vacuums, liquid cleaners, and brushes. Engine detailing involves cleaning the engine bay area of dirt and grease by using degreasers and all-purpose cleaners.
Why choose Atomic Detailing?
We are mobile
We come to wherever you are. At home or work, we bring the water, electricity, chemicals, tools, and trained professionals.
We use the best tools
From hot water extractors to clean carpets, to high speed polishers to remove scratches and swirls… we are completely equipped with and trained in their proper operation.
We use the best chemicals
We only use chemicals from professional detail suppliers with years in the business, are completely bio-degradable, leave behind not heavy residue or odor, and achieve superior results. We are so confident in our chemicals, that we use them on our own vehicles everyday.
We are trained, knowledgeable professionals
Each of our technicians have undergone an extensive and continual training program that focuses on our 3 Core Values to Professional Results.. Clean, Correct, & Protect.
We are professional, courteous, and friendly
In this day and age, a professional company that is also personable is hard to come by. We believe that our customers are #1 and in stow this belief in our culture. Everything we do is focused on providing our customers with the most pleasurable experience that is lacking with other businesses. We also enforce a strict, drug-free work environment and conduct background checks on our employees to ensure a safe, comfortable experience.
What‘s the deal with automated car washes? Good or Bad?
Automated car washes, when operated properly, can safely clean a car. However, many automatic washes are not operated properly. This is the result of improper chemical ratios that are much higher than needed. This often strips any kind of protective wax or sealant from a vehicle’s surface, causing pre-mature wear of the clear coat and eventual failure. In addition, brushed type washes will often scratch a vehicle’s clear coat, requiring expensive compounding and polishing to correct.
What about assembly line car washes?
These types of car washes are all about quantity, not quality. They often use higher concentrations of chemicals to achieve better results. This will strip any kind of wax or protective sealant form the paint, causing pre-mature wear of the clear coat and eventual failure. These types of washes will also use the same wash mitts and towels on multiple vehicles before they wash or replace them. This too causes many scratches and wear of the clear coat.
How long should I wait before I have my new car waxed?
There are many myths that say that you should not wax a car for at least a year after purchase because the paint has not “cured”. The truth is, modern paint systems have much shorter cure times. In most cases, just 3 months.
By the time you purchase your vehicle, it has most likely sat on the lot for several months. Many foreign cars, will also sit in a shipyard for at least another 1 or 2 months. By the time you purchase you vehicle, it could very well be over 9 months old… well over due for the recommend wax interval of every 4 months.
And don’t expect the dealership to have waxed it at some point. Dealerships need to turn a profit and will do just about anything to not spend the labor and material cost to wax a car while it sits on a lot.
So how can you tell how old the vehicle is? Look at the driver side door jamb or door. You will find a manufacturer sticker that will have the date or month of manufacturer. In most cases for example, you will find a 2009 model was actually made sometime in late 2008.
How can detailing help me sell my car?
Having your vehicle detailed can instantly increase it’s value. Our Economy or Standard Detail package in combination with Engine Detailing are a great choice the will enhance the vehicle’s appearance and will help increase resale value… in most cases, 4 to 7 times the cost of the detail itself.
What is the difference between a local car wash / gas station detail and a professional detail?
Many of these businesses that offer detailing as an add on to their services, specialize only in the original service they offer. Many of these companies are trying to turn an additional profit and do not acquire the proper knowledge, training, and expertise to properly and safely detail a vehicle.
What is the difference between polish and wax?
These 2 words are often used and inter-changed a lot in the automotive appearance industry, however, by definition, are completely different.
A true polish is either a chemical or abrasive solution that is used to remove, scratches, swirls, and other minor paint defects and increases shine and gloss of the surface. Another similar, but more aggressive solution, called “compound“, works like polish, but on more moderate to heavy defects. Polish will often remove any protective product and will not protect paint.
Wax is a protective substance that is applied after polish to protect vehicle paint from elements such as UV rays, rain, and oxidation. Most premium waxes last between 3 and 4 months. Another similar substance, called “sealant”, is used in place of wax and will protect paint on a longer time scale.
Can all stains be removed?
With most of our interior detailing packages, pre-treatment of spots and stains will remove many, if not all. However, depending on the make up of these stains, especially red stains, even pre-treatment will not work. In this case, the carpet will either need to be replaced, or re-dyed.
I'd like to bring my car in for service. Where are you located?
We come to you! We bring the water, electricity, and other equipment to perform the work right to your door step. However, our office is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Do you sell gift certificates?
Yes, we do! Gift certificates are available for purchase online at www.atomicdetailing.com/giftcertificates. They are available in $25 increments and we can even email them to you by the next business day!
What types of payment do you accept?
We accept most common forms of payment including check, cash, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discovery. Please make checks payable to Atomic Detailing.
How do I get started?
Just contact us or fill out a quote request
Atomic Detailing is a full service, mobile detailing company that comes to you. Atomic Detailing services the following areas that include, but are not limited to: ELLICOTT CITY, CATONSVILLE, COLUMBIA, BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE MD, ELKRIDGE, WINDSOR MILL, HANOVER, GWYNN OAK, HALETHORPE, WOODSTOCK, SIMPSONVILLE, LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, JESSUP, RANDALLSTOWN, HARMANS, MARRIOTTSVILLE, SAVAGE, ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, LAUREL, CLARKSVILLE, PIKESVILLE, BROOKLYN, FULTON, WEST FRIENDSHIP, GLEN BURNIE, SEVERN, HIGHLAND, DAYTON, SOUTHERN MD FACILITY, LISBON, OWINGS MILLS, STEVENSON, GLENELG, FORT MEADE, FORT GEORGE G MEADE, BURTONSVILLE, GLENWOOD, CURTIS BAY, RIDERWOOD, BROOKLANDVILLE, ASHTON, BRINKLOW, COOKSVILLE, TOWSON, SYKESVILLE, SPENCERVILLE, BROOKEVILLE, LUTHERVILLE TIMONIUM, SANDY SPRING, SILVER SPRING, ODENTON, GLYNDON, MILLERSVILLE, BELTSVILLE, REISTERSTOWN, DUNDALK, OLNEY, BELTSVILLE, WOODBINE, PARKVILLE, ROSEDALE, BOWIE, HUNT VALLEY, GAMBRILLS, HUNT VALLEY, FINKSBURG, PASADENA, SEVERNA PARK, COCKEYSVILLE, GREENBELT, CROFTON, GREENBELT, SUBURB MARYLAND FACILITY, CROWNSVILLE, NOTTINGHAM, GLENN DALE, FORT HOWARD, GAITHERSBURG, BORING, COLLEGE PARK, CAPITOL HEIGHTS, ESSEX, ROCKVILLE, BUTLER, SPARROWS POINT, HYATTSVILLE, DERWOOD, GLEN ARM, LANHAM, PHOENIX, ANNAPOLIS, LONG GREEN, SPARKS GLENCOE, MOUNT AIRY, PERRY HALL, RIVERDALE, UPPERCO, MIDDLE RIVER, ROCKVILLE, GAITHERSBURG, ARNOLD, SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, WASHINGTON GROVE, TAKOMA PARK, KENSINGTON, KENSINGTON, GARRETT PARK. BLADENSBURG, HYDES, WHITE MARSH, GIBSON ISLAND, WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON DC, DAMASCUS, WESTMINSTER, DAVIDSONVILLE, MOUNT RAINIER, CHASE, FORK, BRENTWOOD, RIVA, KINGSVILLE, BETHESDA, BALDWIN, CHEVY CHASE, NEW WINDSOR, MONKTON, BETHESDA, UPPER FALLS, HAMPSTEAD, UPPER MARLBORO, UNIONVILLE, EDGEWATER, FALLSTON, GLEN ECHO, BENSON, PARKTON, CABIN JOHN, POTOMAC, NAVAL ANACOST ANNEX WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, UNION BRIDGE, HARWOOD, SUITLAND, ARLINGTON, MANCHESTER, MAYO, FREELAND, MC LEAN, SUITLAND
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