FOR the last 10 years, Max Bazilevski has been fighting against filth.
The owner of Blitz Auto Spa, Bazilevski has been wiping, polishing, waxing, and buffing cars that have rolled into either of the company's two North Shore locations.
"We normally clean the oxidation off and buff it up and seal it with a coat of wax," he says.
Adding that coat of wax to your car is critical, according to Bazilevski.
The wax can shield the car from ultraviolet rays while also protecting against the destructive force of oxidation.
When oxidation sets in, a chalky residue covers the car, sometimes crystallizing and ruining the car's finish.
Bazilevski says he does his best to remind his customers that despite appearances, the surface of a car is fairly porous.
"Maybe it looks clean, but that's where stuff gets in those pores like bird droppings and then the paint starts cracking and peeling," he says.
A good coat of wax can last for as long as six months, according to Bazilevski, who stresses the importance of maintaining your vehicle as the days get shorter.
"They have to keep it waxed over the winter," he says.
Blitz has expanded since first opening up shop on the North Shore in 2003.
The company is located at Marine Drive near Fell Avenue in North Vancouver and on Clyde Avenue in West Vancouver.
"We started setting the standards in the industry here," Bazilevski says.
Blitz rose to prominence on the North Shore by using enzyme-based organic cleaners in their detailing. Their technique is a contrast to other car washes that use more abrasive chemicals to clean the cars.
"We've tried to apply proper chemicals on the inside when we do cars, we make sure there is nothing toxic," Bazilevski says.
Depending on where they have their car cleaned, many drivers could end up breathing in the residue of toxic cleaning supplies.
"There are no standards in this industry, unfortunately," Bazilevski says. "Sometimes it's just horrifying what they use on the inside of vehicles to clean it."
While some new cars are furnished with an extra layer of paint called Clear Coat, Bazilevski reminds drivers that the additional layer of protection does eventually wear off.
While detailing a car can seem a simple, if arduous job, Bazilevski says it takes a lot of experience to do it right.
"It takes a lot of time for a detailer to become really good, especially with car polishing. That's the hardest part, because when people wax their cars they sometimes start buffing it and they leave swirls . . . and the whole car looks swirly."
