What is Car Detailing?

What does it mean to detail a car? It means, at its root, to clean the car. But when done correctly, detailing involves much more than a thorough exterior wash and wax and cleaning of the interior.

A complete detailing service starts with vacuuming the interior and washing the exterior. Then it typically includes services such as steam cleaning door jambs, pressure-washing floor mats, removing upholstery and carpet stains, and removing tar, road grime, and oxidation (which dulls your paint job) from the car’s paint. Those types of “details” usually aren’t included in even a super-duper car wash and wax package.

Why Should I Get My Car Detailed?

Keeping a car clean and shiny will likely increase its resale value (though mileage, mechanical condition, accident history, and other factors can drag the value down). Car detailing can also provide a psychological benefit that boosts the owner’s pride of ownership.

Levels of Car Detailing

Shops that detail cars typically offer a range of services, running from basic to deluxe, and the prices escalate depending on how much work is performed.

Basic detailing typically includes an exterior wash; cleaning the exterior paint with a clay bar (which helps remove dirt); polishing the paint by hand or machine to remove minor scratches; and then applying wax and/or paint sealant to give the paint shine and help it last longer. The wheels are cleaned and waxed, and the tires get spiffed up with a shiny dressing.

A typical interior detailing includes vacuuming and shampooing the upholstery and carpeting; pressure washing or scrubbing floor mats; cleaning and conditioning leather upholstery; cleaning vinyl and plastic interior trim and coating it with a dressing; and cleaning the glass.