Been detailing cars around Palo Alto for a while now, and there's one thing most people don't realize: the combination of UV exposure + tree sap + minimal rain means paint here takes a beating faster than people expect, especially if the car sits outside or under trees near campus/downtown.

A few things that actually make a difference if you're not detailing every month:

1. Ceramic sealant > wax if you're not washing often — lasts months instead of weeks

2. Bird droppings and sap need to come off within 24-48 hrs or they etch the clear coat permanently

3. Interior UV damage on dashboards is often worse than exterior fading here — a simple UV protectant on interior plastics goes a long way

4. If you've got 2+ cars in the driveway, rotating which one gets attention monthly (rather than all at once) keeps both in better shape long term

Started a mobile detailing service (Silicon Valley Auto Spa) specifically because so many families here have multiple cars and zero time to maintain them properly. Happy to answer detailing questions even if you're doing it yourself.