What is Car Detailing?
If you’ve ever done a double take of a car because of its squeaky-clean, impeccable cleanliness, chances are it has had detailing done. You might wonder if this differs from average car cleaning. The short answer is yes, it is a far higher tier of sterilization.
Car cleaning or car washing can refer to a simple wash, valet or detailing. The former is usually a basic and superficial cleanse by hand or a drive through machine which runs bristles, soap and water across the car’s exterior. When done by hand, it’ll be dried off with a towel to catch any spots or streaks and a spray wax is sometimes applied as the last step. Most places also provide a vacuum of the interior. The quick process usually takes between ten and twenty minutes and costs between $10 and $40 - slightly more if the interior is also cleaned. If your main priority is not being fined for having dirt-covered, unreadable number plates, this may be sufficient. But if you want to take serious pride in your car and ensure it gets the deep clean it deserves, we recommend opting for something more inclusive.
The next upgrade is car valeting, which includes the extra offerings you will find at a car wash. However, the difference between a standard wash and one with added extras is not significant. The cost differs depending on whether it’s a wash, dry and wax - just like a wash, but with slightly more attention to details. Door shuts are often included, while the vacuum and polishes will be more thorough and all surfaces will be wiped down (although sometimes the products used for leather seats can be slippery and greasy). The top range valets can cost around $100 with a paintwork polish and clean of both sides of the windows.
Then there is the cream of the car cleaning crop - and for good reason. Unlike washing and valeting, car detailing penetrates far deeper than the paint. The cleaning and reconditioning involved goes beyond a shallow wipe, with the goal of restoring the paintwork to look brand new. It does this by eliminating even the toughest of scratches or swirl marks, whether by buffing, polishing or vacuuming.
Car detailing is done in two phases:
- the interior
- the exterior
Exterior Car Detailing
The outside clean includes softening dirt and mud and lifting it off with foamy soap. Special brushes clean the dirtiest parts: the wheels. Every inch of the paintwork is washed and dried with mitts and microfiber towels before an automotive clay bar removes the tightly bonded dirt of the car’s clear coat. If there are light scratches, oxidation and swirl marks, the paint is polished by hand or machine (which can be quite time-consuming if the paintwork is in a poor state). A high-quality carnauba based paste wax is used to form an extra protective layer with added shine. Last but not least, the windows, rubber parts and any other exterior components are polished and carefully cleaned. The whole process is done with more effective products and a more meticulous eye than a wash or valet.
Interior Car Detailing
Moving on to the interior, the entire upholstery is thoroughly vacuumed and shampooed. Tough marks vanish from leather surfaces through meticulous conditioning and scrubbing, while plastics and vinyl are cleansed and dressed and all glass is cleaned and polished. The optional step of cleaning the engine bay helps prevent and find engine problems while protecting some parts from wear and tear.
How much does it cost to detail your car?
A basic car detailing package costs between $199 and $399, depending on the vehicle’s size. But, a complete car detail is not always necessary. Mini, cheaper ones can be performed in between. Extra services such as clay bar treatment, leather conditioning and pet hair removal can bump the price up.
Is detailing your car worth it?
Detailing helps keep your car in a pristine condition and increases the resale value to a standard that other cleaning methods can’t compete with. Investing more money into its upkeep will reap rewards later on - and who doesn’t enjoy riding in a sparkling, clean-as-new vehicle?
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