Auto Detailers Near Me [Locator Map + Guide + FAQ]

Auto detailing is a meticulous process of cleaning every inch of your vehicle. There are so many people out there who charge outrageous prices for subpar services. I for one have had enough and that’s why I am going to help you find the best detailers in your area. You will learn how to choose an auto detailer for your particular situation, where to find them in your area, what is a fair price, and what you should ask before you hire them. I will also share my experiences both good and bad with the auto detailers near me.

Find Auto Detailers Near Me – Use the Locator Map Below

If you are searching for “Auto Detailers Near Me” or “Auto Detailing Near Me, the map below covers your best options. Its filtered for companies that meet our 4.5 stars or better criteria.

What is Auto Detailing

Detailing your vehicle is a process of systematically performing cleaning tasks that keep your auto looking pristine. Many people confuse a car wash with detailing. These two processes aren’t remotely equal. A vehicle detailing process is carried out by a professional using specific proven techniques and products that don’t harm your vehicle. They start with a hand wash then meticulously remove dirt, debris, and other contaminants from the interior and exterior. Once it’s clean both the inside and the outside are finished to a show room polish.

The benefits of auto detailing isn’t just glam and aesthetics . It can extend the life of the auto and reduce environmental impacts of sun, rain, dirt, and snow. When done often it can increase the resale value of the vehicle. It’s almost like a lite version of vehicle restoration.

There are two parts to auto detailing: interior detailing and exterior detailing.

Interior Detailing: This process involves cleaning the entire inside cabin of your vehicle. This goes beyond a standard vacuum job, sometimes steam cleaners are used. Everything inside gets attention from polishing leather seats to removing pet hair from cloth seats, and even removing knobs and buttons to clean them and going down into the cracks in your center console.

Exterior Detailing: This process involves restoring your vehicle back to show room quality. This is not your standard vehicle wash, it is thorough hand wash and dry, clay bar to remove contaminants, polishing, and waxing. It will even entail through cleaning of your windows, degreasing your rims, and getting your tires to a shiny black finish.

Interior Auto Detailing Near Me

Interior vehicle detailing is where a majority of the time and effort will be spent. Interiors are much harder to clean when you consider this is where you and/or your family spend their time in the auto. There are more complicated surfaces of varying material like vinyl, leather, cloth, glass, and plastic. Not to mention stains, pet hair, and bad odor to potentially mitigate. The glass will also be cleaned and treated.

The Auto detailers near me offer different packages based on the kind of cleaning or services you want. Every detailer may have some variation in service and process, but here is what you should expect from an inter auto detail:

Stage 1 Vacuuming: All the car mats will be removed and power vacuumed. All of the cabin of the vehicle will be power vacuumed including seats, floors, trunk, storage areas, headliners, and the rear cargo area. If there is deep dirt or hard to reach places, it will be blown out with an air compressor. For pet hair removal, beyond surface level vacuuming most services charge extra.

Carpet Cleaning: This will involve a variety of techniques depending on the level of dirt and grim built up. They will brush the carpets in the vehicle without the mats in and then steam clean them. They will do the mats separately. Then it’s left to dry completely so they don’t develop mildew.

Glass Cleaning: Glass cleaner is applied which is also safe for tinted windows. They will remove any haze and leave a streak free shine on the windshield, rear windshield, door windows, moon roofs, panoramic roofs, or anywhere there’s glass.

Leather Treatment: A leather cleaner on a soft towel will be used on any leather inside the vehicle. If there is some build up, it will be removed with a damp cloth. Even if you have partial leather seats, they will treat it. If you have old dried up leather they can apply a conditioner to it, which can help restore the original luster.

Stage 2 Vacuuming: A second more detailed vacuuming is done of all of the interior. This is to get any dirt and dust that has stirred up from cleaning the vehicle.

Wiping and Shining: Dashboard, consoles, doors, steering wheel, and cup holders all get meticulously wiped down with a clean cloth using a detergent. Every surface will be left with a show room shine.

Perfuming: This is to make your vehicle smell good. It may involve a simple air freshener.

There are other interior services that can be added such as pet hair removal, fumigation to remove odors, and deep stain treatment for the worst areas where something spilled.

Exterior Auto Detailing Near Me

Exterior auto detailing is not a standard car wash and dry you might get a local service. This is a hand wash and hand dry job that will make the clear coat shine. It will be done in a manner as to not cause paint chips or leave water marks behind.

The Auto detailers near me offer different packages based on the level of exterior cleaning you would like. Every shop may have some variation in service and process, but here is what to expect from an exterior auto detail:

Hand Wash and Hand Drying : First the automobile is sprayed with a special high powered spray. Then it is thoroughly hand scrubbed using soft cloth and a safe detergent. They will wash the rims , door jambs, trim, glass and all the exterior panels of the vehicle. Even lifting your truck hood to clean the exterior edge.

Clay Baring: This is the true exterior detail step. A clay bar is pushed over the surface of the vehicle to remove any additional fine residue that the car detergent didn’t get.

Polishing: They will polish your vehicle to a show room shine. Depending on the level of shine needed it will be done either by hand or with a buffer.

Sealing: Sealing is the step that adds the gloss to the polish. It is what makes the exterior gleam. This is often done by hand waxing the vehicle. The purpose is not only to make the vehicle shine, but to protect the exterior from weathering.

Add on exterior detailing services often include trim repainting, engine pressure cleaning and detailing, paint touch up, and even paint correction. Some places will also offer ceramic coating which is a more powerful sealant and much more expensive.

How Much Does Vehicle Detailing Near Me Cost?

All of the auto detaling shops near me, charge different rates. Rates are impacted by they type of vehicles they service, their reputation and professionalism, convenience, the level of detailed package you want, and the size of your vehicle. The higher level of service and the bigger your vehicle, the more you will pay. Let’s talk on average though. The national average low price is about $114 and on the high end is $160 according to a study by Mobile Tech RX. Here is my experience with standard pricing…

Basic Package: This would include services including a hand wash, waxing, interior vacuuming and polish, window and mirror wash inside and out, trim detailing, rim degreasing and shine, and tire shine. On Average you can expect to pay $75 to $125 for a mid size auto. An SUV or van is gonna run $75 to $150.

Upgraded Service: This is a more meticulous and thorough cleaning and would include the basic package in it. What it will include will vary by the business you choose. This could be adding on services like superior waxing (+$50), carpets steaming or shampooing (+$75), full leather treatment and care (+$50), pet hair removal, and stain removal (the will assess and quote). All the vehicle detailers near me start packages like this at $150 for a standard size auto and $175 for larger vehicles. The auto detail shop near me I pay $200 for a 4 door Mercedes C450 to get the works.

No matter what service you decide you should have a dialog about what you want. Other upgrades can include higher quality cleaning agents or special care for classic cars, boats, motorcycles or RVs. My place even does dent removal. You just got to ask.

Do You Tip an Auto Detailer?

In my opinion you do, but it is not required. I usually will tip $20 for great service. The auto detailing near me always over delivers on their promise and I get more then I paid for.

What to Expect When You Pick Up or Drop Off Your Auto

When you pick up or drop off your vehicle you are trusting it in their hands. On average you should expect for it to take 3 to 4 hours depending on the level of package you are buying.

Your expectations when dropping off the auto should be:

Told roughly how long it will take, how much it will cost, and how they will communicate if they have questions.
A walk around with you of the vehicle to inspect for damage, dents, dings that are already there.
Visual assessment of the exterior to discuss areas you may be concerned about and for them to suggest additional services
Visual assessment of the interior to to discuss areas you may be concerned about and for them to suggest additional services

Your expectations at pick up should be:

An auto with a showroom shine inside and out.
A walk around the vehicle inside out with a detailer to ensure you are satisfied.
A mention of potential issues such areas of flaking, peeling, cracking, rust and damage from acids and other effects of oxidation.
The price you agreed on and nothing more.

Mobile Detailing

Worth mentioning that there are mobile detailers who will come to your location. They will wash and detail your vehicle at you home, job, or anywhere. They typically have a van with a water tank in it and have everything they need to wash and detail your vehicle. They just need the keys from you to get in. I use mobile detailing on occasion and I have them detail my vehicle while it’s parked at the train station while I’m at work. Couldn’t be more convenient and nice to come home to a clean car.

While you expectations and service should be the same as visiting a detailing shop, mobile is actually sometime cheaper. They don’t have the same over head costs as a detailing shop. You can find mobile car detailers here.

The Benefits of Auto Detailing

Cleaning your vehicle frequently is the best way to upkeep in between detailings. If you get your car washed and waxed the outside sealant should last 6 to 8 months. With time even on a new car exposure to sunlight and rain wear down the clear coat and it loses it’s luster.

Here are the benefits of keeping up with a regular routine of detailing:

Extends the Life of The Auto: Detailing removes contamination that damages materials on or in the vehicle such as chrome, leather, paint, etc. By regularly cleaning it properly the vehicle will depreciate at a lower rate.

Saves You Money: By doing regular upkeep you will have fewer things to fix later. If you are getting your engine detailed, it will run more efficiently and save on gas.

The Vehicle Looks Fresh and You Feel Good: After awhile even new cars lose their luster. Even if you are taking to you local car wash or hand washing it yourself and vacuuming a deep cleaning on all surfaces is necessary. Who doesn’t love getting in a freshly dipped clean car that smells like new. If you are using your automobile for business, a clean car makes a statement.

Prevents Wear and Tear on the Paint: When a car gets sealed with wax it provides a protective barrier on the paint from debris, bust, dirt, bird droppings, etc. Wax it what gives the car the shiny glean in the sun, but it serves a broader purpose of paint protection.

Extends the Resale Value: Keeping up with regular detailing will keep the vehicle in better condition. This can often be the difference in your KBB values between good and great.

Healthier Cabin Air: Dust particles and allergens can get in the carpet or ventilation system. Detailing the interior reduces long term effects of environmental exposure.

Reduce the Risk of Accidents: Glass cleaning removes haze from the windows and windshields which allows you to see better and with less glare. If you also get headlight restoration your headlights will shine brighter and allow you to see more of the road.

How to Choose an Auto Detailer Near Me

There are many different schools of thoughts to choosing an auto detailer. You can choose by services offered, vehicle type they work on, price, location, availability.

Here is the way I think about the auto detailers near me:

Vehicle Types Serviced: What kind of vehicles do they do? (everyday cars or does this shop to exotics) I want to match my vehicle to their brand. Why would I take my corolla to someone who details Mclaren’s.

Services Offered: Do they have the services I want? Maybe organic or natural compounds is a requirement, you need to ask what they use.

Read Reviews and Testimonials: What are their reviews saying? Look at pictures people posted. Read the good and the bad reviews.

Pricing: Can I afford It? Is it priced reasonable? How dirty is my vehicle…will it cost more for a Jeep that just went off roading?

Location and Availability: Can I conveniently get the vehicle there? Can they pick it up? Can they drive me back? Do they have mobile detailing? Do they have after hours?

Can Any Vehicle Get Detailed?

While we often first think of cars when we think of detailing, there are detailing services for all vehicles. Prices are always varying those based on the size of the vehicle. For example a detail job on a little Nissan Sentra is going to be way less then an RV or a boat. More products are involved, more time is involved, and even different techniques are used.

Below are a few of the most popular detailing service by vehicle type and some of the sub genres that get serviced:

Auto Detailers Near Me Conclusion

Detailing is certainly not a must do for everyone, because it can get pricey and the shine doesn’t last forever. However a good interior and exterior detailing even with a basic package can have so many benefits for your automobile. While I personally love those benefits for me it’s more about how much I love the way a clean vehicle makes me feel. Despite the fact I own a luxury auto, even my Corolla gets detailed and its so nice to get in and feel good about my ride. This is what i have learned from the auto detailers near me.