The Problem

A Brier Creek homeowner had parked their Lexus RX 350 under a large oak tree for an entire fall and winter season while their garage was being converted. Acorns had dented the hood and left tannin stains across the roof and trunk. Pollen from the following spring had layered on top of the tannin marks, creating a stubborn composite film on the paint. The wheels had heavy brake dust accumulation from months of short-distance driving to school and errands around Raleigh, and the tires had developed a brownish discoloration from sitting. Inside, acorn fragments and leaf debris had been tracked into the cabin on shoes and had worked into the carpet fibers. The leather seats had a dry, cracked appearance from temperature swings between cold winter air and direct sun through the windshield. The interior smelled faintly of damp leaves — a result of organic debris decomposing in the door sill channels and under the floor mats. The owner wanted a full car detail to undo a season's worth of outdoor parking damage.

Our Process

• Tannin stain treatment on hood, roof, and trunk with specialized stain remover
• Full exterior foam cannon wash with focus on dissolving pollen-tannin film
• Clay bar decontamination to remove embedded fallout from extended outdoor parking
• Light machine polish to address tannin etching and restore paint clarity
• Ceramic spray sealant for UV and contaminant protection going forward
• Wheel iron fallout decontamination and barrel cleaning
• Tire cleaning and conditioning to restore black appearance
• Interior leaf and acorn debris removal from carpet, sills, and under-mat areas
• Door sill channel cleanout of decomposing organic material
• Leather deep cleaning and conditioning to address cracking and dryness
• Full carpet hot water extraction and cabin deodorizing
• Interior and exterior glass cleaning

The Results

The RX 350 was rescued from a rough season outdoors. The tannin stains were dissolved and polished away, revealing clean paint underneath with no permanent etching. The pollen film was stripped, and the ceramic sealant gave the finish a protective layer it desperately needed. The wheels were cleaned down to bare finish, and the tires looked black and healthy again. Inside, the leaf debris was fully extracted, the door sill channels were cleared of decomposing matter, and the damp leaf smell was gone. The leather seats were cleaned and heavily conditioned to restore flexibility and prevent further cracking. In the Raleigh area, oak tree canopies are everywhere — tannin damage and organic debris accumulation are some of the most common issues we see from extended outdoor parking. If you're looking for mobile car detailing in Raleigh or Brier Creek, Swift provides professional on-site interior and full detailing.