FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below is a comprehensive list of commonly asked questions, please contact us if there are any questions you may have that are not addressed here. You can reach Pinnacle Detail via our online message function here, by email at info@pinnacledetail.com or by phone at (301) 233-7853.

What is detailing?
Detailing is a term used to describe enhancing a car's appearance. Typically, this includes a regular wash and wax job, which is the proper way to maintain cars with perfect paint. However, the average detail often causes more harm than good by using improper wash methods, caustic chemicals for cleaning, and buffers to apply wax. These techniques introduce marring and swirling (also known as webbing) into your paint, as well as etching, holograms and buffer trails.

This type of detailing can sometimes remove visible dirt from the interior and exterior of your car, but their results are often limited due to the techniques and products utilized. Pinnacle Detail offers detailing that goes far beyond a simple cleaning. Proper detailing corrects the imperfections caused by improper wash and wax application tecniques and protects the paint finish from future damage. Even the tried and true hand washing can cause swirling and marring in your vehicle.

Next time you're in a showroom or washing your car take a closer look at the paint. Most cars have swirl marks and other paint defects that no amount of wax can mask. These unsightly and damaging scratches can only be removed by a highly skilled polishing process with specialized machinery. Any other treatment is simply hiding the imperfections instead of correcting them.

Why does a drive-thru car wash cost less than a detail?
A drive thru car wash costs less because of the cheaper chemicals and lack of labor involved. The downside of these caustic chemicals and automation are permanent and cumulative damage to the finish of your vehicle. We are able to restore most damage caused by improper car washing, but prolonged and/or repeated damage will result in an un-restorable finish that will require a new paint job. This will rarely look as good as the original finish in addition to costing a large sum and reducing the value of your vehicle. The best appearance and protection for your vehicles is achieved by proper and regular detailing.

How is a detail superior to an automated car wash?
A detail is a labor-intensive process that uses materials that safely clean your vehicle rather than caustic chemicals. A detail also protects the vehicle surfaces instead of using short lived, damaging chemicals to cover up the damage and appear attractive. Since a detailer is going over every inch of your vehicle by hand, areas that need more attention receive it and areas that don’t need as much work are not excessively cleansed. It is this attention to detail that gives our trade its name.

How is a detail superior to a brush-less or regular hand wash?
A detail is superior to all forms of car washing due simply to the attention to detail. A detailer is expertly trained to clean a vehicle without damaging it. A detailer uses high-grade materials and equipment that is properly cleaned and prepared for work. For example, no dirty or worn towels are used, which are a common cause for swirls and scratches. In fact several high-grade, microfiber towels are used in the process of a simple wash and wax service. Compare that to what you see at your local car wash and you can begin to appreciate the differences between a detail and a wash. Small details such as this are what set a detail apart from a cheaper car wash.

How long does a detail take to complete?
The time necessary to complete a detail depends on the service being performed. On average maintenance wash and wax service takes 1 hour, basic details take 3 hours and premium detail service requires about 6 hours. Show car preparation is something we take great pride in doing out of passion for cars and for our trade. Pinnacle show preparation and restoration service times vary greatly and should be discussed on a case by case basis.

What differences are there between detailers?
Detailers differ a great deal between their skill, equipment and quality of materials. We strive to offer the best results by constantly training our associates, maintaining a collection of cutting-edge equipment and using the best materials including the same finishing products used by major manufacturers such as Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi and Mercedes Benz on their respective production lines.

How does a detail protect the value of my vehicle?
A detail protects the condition of all surfaces of your vehicle. This is a large factor when assessing the condition of your vehicle for trade in or sale. We perform many preparation and restoration services on vehicles that have been returned on leases or traded in for dealers. In these cases the previous owner has taken a loss on the value of the vehicle because of the condition it was returned in.

When should I begin having my vehicle detailed?
Some vehicles have the benefit of receiving our protective services when sold as new at the dealer. Those vehicles should have a follow up service performed within 3 months to properly assess use and set up a maintenance schedule. First time customers should not hesitate to have their vehicles detailed. The results will surprise you and we can set up a customized schedule to meet your needs.

How often do I need to have my vehicle detailed?
The interval between detail services depends on the level of service a customer desires and conditions of use a vehicle is operating under.

How do know what type of detail to get?
First time customers are encouraged to schedule an introductory appointment with a detailer to go over the vehicle. This allows the detailer to explain exactly what needs to be done and how as well as what results can be expected. The customer will have a much better idea of what services they require and how much time it will take. Returning customers can have a quick conversation with their detailer who has their detail history on record.

Do you offer pick-up and delivery services?
We offer pick-up and delivery for all of our customers. Select customers may also have concierge ride service available to them.

Do you offer mobile on-site services?
Mobile service is limited to maintenance and emergency services for our maintenance contract customers. Dealer and fleet contracts may have mobile service available to them. Contact sales@pinnacledetail.net for more information.

What are your detailers' qualifications?
All Pinnacle Detail detailers are required to undergo a rigorous training and certification process in order to maintain a consistent level of quality.

How do I schedule a detail for my vehicle?
First time customers can schedule an appointment using our contact form here or email us at contact@pinnacledetail.net

What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, cashiers checks, wire transfers and money orders. Under certain circumstances we may accept personal checks for retail service and gratuities.

What type of guarantee do you offer?
We are proud to offer our Absolute Satisfaction Guarantee. Our guarantee is exactly as it reads; If you are not absolutely content with your vehicle upon delivery, we will re-detail your car until you are satisfied. To avoid abuse of this comprehensive guarantee we will be unable to service any retail customers previously unsatisfied with our work.

What types of insurance do you have?
We are fully insured against all damage related to the transport, storage and work a vehicle receives. This is supplementary protection to our professional service and expertise. Needless to say we do not plan on using insurance but offer it as another layer of protection for our customers.

What services do you offer for fleet vehicles?
We offer customized fleet services. These services will vary with the needs of the specific fleet owner. Typical service includes maintenance schedules for limousine fleets, restoration for leased vehicle returns, new car delivery preparation and showroom vehicle preparation and maintenance. Please contact our sales department sales@pinnacledetail.net directly to discuss your specific needs and what we can offer.

What show room preparation services do you offer?
Whether new or used, showroom vehicles benefit greatly from proper preparation and maintenance. Regardless of vehicle class, market or margin, a proper detail adds value to a vehicle well in excess of its cost. Beyond simple cost/benefit, well-maintained showrooms go a long way to raise the prestige of a dealership or brand. Public and private exhibition service is also offered with absolute discretion for our customers.

What dealer services do you offer?
We offer a full line of detailing services for dealers. By offering all the services of an in-house detailing department with a s higher level of workmanship, we can help dealers remove the costs associated with maintaining a detailing department while still retaining the substantial benefit proper detailing delivers. Interested parties can email our sales department sales@pinnacledetail.net to discuss tailoring a specific package.