Alberta winter drops road salt, sand, and grit onto every vehicle. Left too long, salt corrodes paint edges, damages carpet fibres, and dulls sealant.
There's no single 'right' cadence — it depends on your commute, garage vs street parking, and how much you drive on treated roads. Below is the Detail Pals baseline.
Recommended cadence
Exterior wash + spray sealant — every 2-3 weeks in winter. Removes salt before it damages paint and clear coat.
Interior detail — every 4-6 weeks. Extracts salt from carpets, treats mats, cleans door sills.
Full complete detail — once at the end of winter (typically April) as a reset before summer.
Signals it's time
White salt rings on mats — schedule interior work now.
Visible salt film on the paint that doesn't rinse — schedule exterior wash.
Wet carpet smell — moisture is trapped; schedule extraction.
Cloudy plastic trim — treat with dedicated dressing during the next detail.
Why summer isn't 'off'
Bugs, tree sap, and sun-baked contaminants are just as damaging over long periods. Plan roughly one exterior detail per month in summer and one interior every 6-8 weeks.
FAQ
Can you detail below freezing?
Interior work: yes. Exterior: only above freezing with warm-water access. Below -10°C we typically reschedule for a warmer day.
Do you offer winter maintenance packages?
Yes — customers on a 2-week or 4-week cadence can book a repeating slot. Call to arrange.