I know Maplewood cars. Ridgewood Road, Wyoming Avenue — shaded almost end to end. Beautiful in July, rough on paint.

Sap and pollen sit on a clear coat for weeks, and then winter comes and the salt does the rest. That doesn't come off with a wash. It needs decontamination and real protection.

So that's what I do. Clay bar the paint properly, seal it so it can shed what this town throws at it, and give every step the time it takes.

Being local means I'm minutes away if anything needs another look.