These are the intervals we recommend for Sacramento specifically, where UV and hard water do more damage than road salt or humidity ever will.
A workable schedule
- Hand wash: every two weeks outdoors, monthly if garaged or ceramic coated
- Interior detail: every three to six months, more often with kids or pets
- Full detail: twice a year for outdoor-parked vehicles
- Paint protection: sealant twice a year, or a ceramic coating every few years
- Clay/decontamination: once or twice a year, or whenever paint feels rough
Adjusting for your situation
Park under trees? Wash more often — sap and droppings etch fast on hot paint. Commute long freeway miles? Decontaminate more often. Own a dark car? Careful washing matters more than frequency, because swirls are the defect you will actually notice.
Frequently asked questions
Is washing too often bad for paint?
Not if it is done correctly. Bad technique damages paint; frequency does not.
What if I only detail once a year?
That works, but plan on a longer, more expensive appointment each time as contamination and staining build up.
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