I?m a car wash business with a detailing operation as well.  I?m
trying to post some articles (or links to articles or web sites) on my
web site that help educate my customers as to:

1) How often they should wash their car?

2) How often they should wax their car?

3) Why is hand waxing better than using a buffer?

4) How often should they ?detail? their car ? i.e. clean the paint
from oxidation and other contaminants (we use a ?clay bar? to do
this)?

5) Does disinfecting the carpets and upholstery of the car provide a
safer environment?

6) How soon after a spill or stain on carpet or upholstery occurs
should it be shampooed or cleaned (i.e. how long before a stain
becomes permanent)?

7)  What are the effects of tree sap, bird droppings, oxidation, water
marks, etc. on a car?s finish?

8) General car care facts (like how often to change your oil, how to
find a good mechanic, when to replace tires, etc.)

Criteria for a link/article:
There are lots of articles on the web covering these subjects. 
Unfortunately, nearly all of the articles are biased ? they are
written by companies trying to sell more car care products.  I?m
looking for articles that were published in reputable, unbiased
sources or web sites.  Car care club web sites.  Magazines. 
Newspapers.  Etc.

Number of links/articles per question
One other thing you will find is that there are many different
philosophies on how often these services should be performed as well
as what wash solutions, waxes, etc. should be used.  Hence, a further
complication is that I need to find sites and articles that generally
espouse the same things we use.  It would be too difficult to put what
we do in this question because there are too many subtleties.  Hence,
I am looking for as many links from you as I can get that meet the
above criteria.  That way I can sort through them and choose what to
post.  I will consider this question answered when I have at least 3
links/articles per question.  This project is posted for $35 and the
tip will vary depending on the number of articles/web sites you give
me for each question that are good, and meet the Criteria above.

<1. Washing.

How to Keep Your Car Going? and Going. Joseph D. Younger. Automobile
Club of New York.
This feature recommends washing your car once a week. It also gives
other tips for car maintenance.
http://www.aaany.com/automotive/maintenance_service/tips_stories/Automotive_Advice/Upkeep_Tips/story.asp?xml=how_to_keep_your_car_going.xml&SrcID=11

Wash Your Car Once a Month. By Courtney Caldwell. American Woman Road
& Travel Magazine.
This article recommends a monthly wash. It also advocates using a car
wash for environmental reasons. It explains what causes corrosion and
that it diminishes resale value.
http://www.ktok.com/script/headline_newsmanager.php?id=228214&pagecontent=automotive&feed_id=225


Washing Your Car. Lolita Standifer. AAOW Magazine.
This article says that The International Carwash Association (ICA)
suggests washing your car every 10 days in nice weather. Every other
day is recommended after each rain and snow fall. Waxing should be
carried out every six months.
http://www.onwheelsinc.com/aaowmagazine/1998_spring/411.asp

This government site advises using a car wash for environmental reasons.
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/newsletter/carwashing.htm
------------------------------------------------------------
2. Waxing

The Car Care Council recommends waxing at least twice a year.
http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Articles/wash_wax.shtml

Polishing and Waxing Your Car. Scott Roush. CarTrackers.com
Recommends twice a year and by looking at when water beads flatten out.
http://www.cartrackers.com/Buyers_Guide/Consumer_Advice/Car_Care/PID.3785.32258615100.1.html

Carjunky.com
This article includes advice from the International Car Wash
Association which recommends waxing a car every 3 to 6 months.
http://www.carjunky.com/news/springinfo/ntgisfssdyc.shtml

Spring Car Care And Resource Guide. Dan Sage and Jeff Stuckey.
Waxing ? every six months.
http://www.carcollector.com/cover_detail.cfm?StoryID=1515

------------------------------------------------------
3. Hand waxing better than a buffer


Automotive Care Articles. Autosupermart.com

Hand waxing is the best method as it reduces the likeliness that you
will scratch the finish or remove too much paint.

According to this article buffers can cause swirl marks which are fine
scratches in your clear coat layer. Hand waxing is the best method as
it reduces the likeliness that you will scratch the finish or remove
too much paint.

Rotary buffers can burn through the paint and leave you with a
expensive paint repair bill.
http://www.autosupermart.com/shop/articles/intro.html?id=qsCcm497

Buffer basics.
The problem with high-speed buffers in unqualified hands is, they have
a nasty habit of burning or sometimes even completely removing paint. 
This is especially common at edges and sculpture lines.  Even if you
manage not to damage your car?s paint it?s almost guaranteed you?ll
wind up with swirl marks.  Swirl marks show up as circular reflections
that make the paint look like it?s covered with spider webs.
http://www.patgosscarworld.com/buffer.htm

Bettercarcare.com
Buffers are for pros or serious enthusiasts.  The opportunity to ruin
a paint job with a buffer is too high when a powerful, rotating
machine is put in the hands of an unskilled person.  Buffers spin at
1700 to 3600 RPM.  One small slip and you?ll pop off a molding, burn a
hole in your paint, or break off a windshield wiper.
http://www.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=24

It Takes More Than The Occasional Wash and Wax to Keep Your Car
Looking its Best. Scott Mead. Edmunds.com
While rotary or orbital buffers can be used, the average person should
apply cleaners by hand, avoiding the possibility of "burning" the
paint with too much friction. While rotary or orbital buffers can be
used, the average person should apply cleaners by hand, avoiding the
possibility of "burning" the paint with too much friction.
http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/maintenance/articles/43777/article.html

Automotive Paint Protection.
This piece recommends hand waxing
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl869a.htm

Swirl marks. Auto Laundry News. Kleen Car Auto Appearance.
This article explains how buffers can cause swirl marks.
http://www.kleencarauto.com/html/Article_Swirl_Marks.htm

-------------------------------------------------------
4. Detailing.

Perfecting Paint Finishes. Wet-sanding and other techniques to
rejuvenate a vehicle?s surface. By Prenctice St. Clair. Modern Car
Care.
This article recommends that a car should be clayed before waxing or sealing.
http://www.moderncarcare.com/Articles/261deta1.html

Clay is Here to Stay. By Prentice St. Clair. Modern Car Care.
Recommends that a car should be clayed before each application of wax.
http://www.moderncarcare.com/Articles/221deta1.html

This article from AAA California describes claying and recommends it
should be done once or twice a year or whenever painted surfaces feel
rough. Workin? at the Car Wash. Roy M. Wallack. Westways.
In addition the frequency of washing, drying, waxing and interior
cleaning are given.
http://www.aaa-calif.com/westways/0702/car-wash.asp

Carforums.com
This article explains what clay bars do.
http://www.carforums.com/auto_help/paint_care/car_paint_clay_bar.php

Trick Tool for Paint Preservation. Tom Moor. AutoMedia.com
This article advises using a clay bar when you can feel foreign
particles in the paint surface.
http://www.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/html/ccr/ccr20030101cb.html

------------------------------------------------------
5. Upholstery 

Are You Driving Around in a Sick Car? Mold-Help.
http://mold-help.org/content/view/248/ 

Care care: Offensive Odors.
This article looks at the causes of odors and suggests steam cleaning
to kill bacteria.
http://www.motortrend.com/features/care/112_9906_cc/index1.html

Bacteria give carpet a nasty smell. Science Service, Inc.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_23_157/ai_63184615

Getting rid of Foul Smells Learn the science behind odour removal.
Scott Barrett. Modern Car Care.
http://www.moderncarcare.com/Articles/111deta2.html

------------------------------------------------------
6. Stains - how soon? 
The Science of Carpet Cleaning. Bud Abraham. Detail Plus.
This article says that a stain should be cleaned as soon as possible.
http://www.mobileworks.com/carpetscience.html

Interior: General Care. Car Care Council.
Spills should be cleaned up as soon as possible to reduce the
possibility of stains.
http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Interior/interior.shtml

Cleaning your Car?s Interior. Scott Roush. Editor of a collision
repair magazine. CarTrackers.com.
http://www.cartrackers.com/Buyers_Guide/Consumer_Advice/Car_Care/PID.3040.11911112101.1.html

------------------------------------------------------
7. Tree sap, bird droppings, oxidation, water marks
Clean Cars: Why a car wash is good for your well-being, too. Courtney
Caldwell. Road & Travel.
This article describes how sun, salt from the sea, salt from snow
trucks, grease and grime from the road, acid rain, smog, tree sap,
dead bugs, and bird poop bombs eat away at a car?s metal and chrome,
dull the paint, cause rust and diminish a car?s resale value. It also
recommends using a car wash for environmental reasons.
http://www.roadandtravel.com/carcare/carwash.htm
Care Care Reports ? Help the Environment And Protect Your Car Investment.
This article describes the damage to cars from acid rain, heat, bugs,
bird droppings,  tree sap, sun, moisture, salt, road grime, brake
dust.
http://www.autoswalk.com/helenandprot.html
Auto Paint Deterioration from Acid Rain Cause and Effect. Greg Dumond.
Nationaldetail.com
This article explains the effect of acid rain on paint work and
recommends waxing twice a year.
http://www.nationaldetail.com/tips/jan.html
Eliminating Water Spots. Get rid of them before they ruin your paoint
& glass. Leonard Emauelson. AutoMedia.com
http://www.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/html/ccr/ccr20020801hw.html

-------------------------------------------------------
8. General car care facts

Service interval schedule from the Car Care Council.
This has sections showing what to  check every month, 3 months/3,000
miles, 6 months/6,000 miles, 9 months/9,000 miles and 12 months/12,000
miles.
http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Industry/pdf/BCCA%20interval%20schedule%20color.pdf

Car care tips.
This features a chart showing weekly, monthly, 2 monthly and other
periodic checks that should be made. The information is produced in
collaboration with the Car Care Council.
http://www.meineke.com/stuff_about_cars/maintenance.asp?page=stfrepmaint&_lscid=88154954

Car maintenance illustrated guide how to maintain your car.
http://www.samarins.com/maintenance/simple.html

Vehicle Maintenace Tips Spring & summer
http://www.caamanitoba.com/web/automotive/driving-safety-spring.html

Checklist from the Automobile Club of California. This also give
advice on finding a mechanic.
http://www.aaa-calif.com/corpinfo/04-10-01-car-care.asp

Car and Travel online ? archive of upkeep tips.
http://www.aaany.com/automotive/maintenance_service/tips_stories/Automotive_Advice/Upkeep_Tips/index.asp

How to Find a Good Repair Shop. Automobile Association, New York.
http://www.aaany.com/automotive/maintenance_service/tips_stories/Automotive_Advice/Upkeep_Tips/story.asp?xml=7ccd4ceefaab.xml>


<Search strategy:>

<"car care" "should be clayed" article>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=%22car+care%22+%22should+be+clayed%22+article>

<"tree sap" car damages>
<://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&q=%22tree+sap%22+car+damages>

<automobile checklist club>
<://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&q=automobile+checklist+club>

<car association maintenance>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=car+association+maintenance>

<"car care tips">
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22car+care+tips%22>



<Hope this helps.>

This was a very good answer.  I was able to find the information I was looking for.