Guide
How often should you get your car valeted?
How often to wash, valet and deep clean your car around Sheffield and the Peak District, and why a maintenance valet every 4 to 6 weeks works for most drivers.
By Cameron Duffy, founder of DRC Car Care3 min read
For most cars, a proper maintenance wash every 4 to 6 weeks and a deep clean once or twice a year keeps them looking right. If the car lives outside, does a lot of motorway miles or carries dogs and kids, lean towards the shorter end.
A rough guide
| What | How often | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance valet | Every 4 to 6 weeks | Stops dirt and road film bonding to the paint. |
| Deep clean | Once or twice a year | Resets the car inside and out and renews the sealant. |
| Paint correction | Once, then protect it | Polishing removes clear coat, so it isn't one to repeat often. |
| Ceramic coating | Reign is rated for 7 years | Kept performing by safe washing. |
Why winter changes things
Through the winter the roads around Sheffield and the Peak District are salted. Salt, grit and road film sitting on the paint and underneath the car for weeks does real harm. A deep clean before winter, regular maintenance washes through it and another deep clean in spring is the best way to stay on top of it.
How you wash matters more than how often
Washing a car badly is how most swirl marks get there. Automatic brushes, a single bucket and a gritty sponge drag dirt across the paint every time. Our maintenance valet uses a thorough pre-wash and the two bucket method, so the car stays clean without picking up new marks.
Start from a clean slate
Maintenance works best on a car that's already right. If yours hasn't been properly cleaned in a while, start with a deep clean, then keep it there with a maintenance valet from £55 a visit.