CAR PRETTY journal
Real car care.Written for Valley drivers.
Practical guides from the CAR PRETTY shop on McHenry Avenue in Modesto — what actually happens to cars here, and what to do about it.
First Rain Car Wash in Modesto: Is a Detail Worth It?
Road film after Modesto’s first rain? Decide whether a hand wash or full detail fits your car, and ask CAR PRETTY to look at the finish before booking.
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Tule Fog Season: Getting Your Car Ready for a Valley Winter
Tule fog makes Central Valley winters hard on cars and drivers. Here is how to prep your glass, lights, wipers and damp interior before it sets in.
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Paintless Dent Removal: Which Dents Come Out and Which Do Not
Some dents pop out with no paint work at all and some do not. Here is how to tell which kind of dent you have before you take your car in near Modesto.
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Which California Vehicles Need a Smog Check?
Which California vehicles need a smog check and which are exempt: newer cars, older gasoline cars, electric vehicles, motorcycles and more.
Read the articleRegistering an Out-of-State Car in California: Smog
Moved to Modesto with an out-of-state car? How the California smog check fits into first-time registration, plus the VIN verification step.
Read the articleSmog Check When You Buy a Used Car in California
Buying a used car in Modesto? Who provides the smog certificate on a change of ownership, how long it is valid, the exemptions and what to check.
Read the articleSTAR Station vs Regular Smog Station: Your DMV Notice
Your DMV renewal says your car must be smog certified at a STAR station. What that means, and Test-Only vs Test & Repair.
Read the articleFailed a Smog Check in Modesto? What Happens Next
Your car failed its California smog check. What the report means, why test-only stations send you elsewhere, and how repair and retest work.
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Curb Rash: When a Wheel Can Be Repaired and When It Should Be Replaced
Most curb rash is cosmetic and can be repaired. Here is how to tell scraped finish from structural damage, and when a wheel should be replaced instead.
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Ceramic Coating vs Wax in Valley Sun: An Honest Comparison
Ceramic coating and wax protect paint in different ways. Here is an honest comparison for Modesto drivers dealing with heat, dust and hard water.
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Almond Dust and Ag Season: Why Central Valley Paint Needs More Than a Wash
Ag dust, orchard spray and hard water do real damage to paint around Modesto. Here is why a rinse is not enough and what actually protects your finish.
Read the articleSmog Check and a Detail in One Stop
You can get your California smog check and a detail handled at one Modesto location. Here is how to plan the visit and what to have ready before you go.
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Cloudy Headlights: When Restoration Works and When You Need New Housings
Foggy headlights can usually be restored, but not always. Here is how to tell whether your lenses can be brought back or the housing has to be replaced.
Read the articleWhat a Full Detail Actually Costs in Modesto and What Changes the Price
Wondering what a full detail costs in Modesto? Here is what actually moves the price on your car, and how to get an exact quote from Car Pretty.
Read the article4207 McHenry Ave · Modesto
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