Car detailing is much more then a car wash. It is a total vehicle meticulous cleaning to make your car shine and protect it. Many people overlook having their car detailed because of the expense. On the contrary though the benefits of the service are increased resale value and a vehicle that lasts longer. In the article below I will address what to expect from a detailer, how much they charge, and how to choose the best company. I will also share my experience with the places that do car detailing near me.
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What is Car Detailing?
Detailing your car is when you have it professionally cleaned on the inside and the outside. Although it’s unusual for cars to pick up mud and dirt to the point where they are unrecognizable, the grime will build if you leave it too long without sprinkling water over the exterior. When detailed a professional will meticulously clean every aspect of the car using proven techniques and high quality cleaning products.
Detailing involves a deep cleaning of both interior and the exterior. The car detailing near me offers services for interior only, exterior only, or full service which includes both. Then they have different packages for basic and upgraded service.
What to Expect on the Exterior and Interior of your Car
Before you search for car detailing near me, it’s good to know what a good detail shop will do. Here is my general experience on what you should get from a full service detail:
Exterior Detailing
- Hand Wash and Dry: They will hand wash your car with a high end soap using non abrasive materials to scrub the panels. This is to clean debris and dirt off the automobile. They will dry the vehicle with soft towels and make sure there are no water spots or swirls.
- Clay Bar Treatment: Next, they will clay bar the car. A clay bar is a piece of clay that picks up very fine pieces of debris that the soap didn’t catch.
- Sealant: A sealant will be applied, often a wax to create a protective layer between the paint and the air. Waxing makes the car glean, but is really to protect the paint.
- Windows and Mirrors Cleaning: High end glass cleaner will be applied to all glass surfaces. They will ensure there are no streaks or haze left on the glass. The car detailing near me also applies a water repellent to the windshield for better visibility in the rain.
- Chrome Polishing: If your car has chrome on it, which is more typical on classic cars, they will use a high end chrome cleaner to shine it.
- Rubber Seal Conditioning: Rubber seals around your doors and trunk will be cleaned and a conditioner applied,. This prevents the rubber from aging and cracking. It will also help prevent future leaks.
- Tire Dressing: A chemical agent is applied to the tires to make them shine black . They will degrease the rims and polish them. If you have disk breaks and calipers are exposed, they shine those also.
Interior Detailing
- Vacuuming: The cabin will be vacuumed first in a good once over manner. Under the seats will be blown out with an air compressor. The second time they vacuum after the interior is cleaned as to get any dust that is settled in the vehicle.
- Floor Mat Shampooing: Floor mats are removed, brushed, shampooed, and then air dried. This is to avoid mold and mildew.
- Carpet and Upholstery Shampooing: First they will brush all your carpets. Then shampoo them. Some places may steam clean. They will only select products that are compatible with your cars requirements. Once this cleaning is done, the doors get opened and the vehicle needs to air dry.
- Vent Dusting: A vent duster tool will clean out the vents and the ventilation system. This is to remove allergens and environmental contaminants that you may be breathing in while driving.
- Wipe Down: This is a meticulous wipe down of all interior surfaces. They will use a special high end cleaner that will leave surfaces shiny. Everything gets wiped down: steering wheel, dashboard, gauges, doors, center console, door jams, etc. They will even take off knobs and buttons, clean them, and clean the areas around them where dirt builds up.
- Windows Cleaning: Windows and mirrors will be cleaned. They will remove any haze and leave a streak free shine.
- Leather Protection: If you have leather, suede, or vinyl it be treated with a protectant to keep your car protected against spills.
- Upholstery Protection: Carpets and upholstery are sprayed with a protective solution to protect against spills and dirt build up.
- Deodorizing: When Everything is complete they will deodorize the vehicle with a perfume or an air freshener.
All of this is done not only to make your vehicle stand out from the crowd but to protect it so that it lasts. Whether it’s the paint, wheel trims, or seat fabric, any buildup of dirt on these surfaces will cause the materials to break down. Once this happens, it’s a bigger and harder job to save your car.
The Benefits of Car Detailing
There are tons of advantages that you experience when you invest in a car detailing service:
- Long Term Saving: While you have to spend more on vehicle detailing than a car wash or valet service, the money is an investment that reduces your expenses in the long-term. Car operating fees are high, especially when your vehicle breaks down regularly and requires extensive repairs. A quality detailing business should prevent maintenance issues as their services remove the small-yet-damaging problems that lead to vehicle problems.
- Increased Resale value: Conventional logic says that a car isn’t an asset that it loses a big chunk of its value as soon as you drive it home from the dealership. However, although this is true, you can make your vehicle more profitable by ensuring it’s clean. Clean cars demand a higher resale value as aesthetics is a huge reason why people buy vehicles. Also, the fact that it’s not dirty highlights that it’s trustworthy and reliable.
- Safety: In extreme cases, the rust that forms as a result of not detailing your car regularly can lead to safety issues. Cleaning the windshield to remove haze reduces glare and provides you a better view of the road. When the headlights are cleaned they shine brighter and illuminate the road better. When a water repellent is applied to the windshield it helps you see better in the rain.
How Much Does a Car Detailing Service Cost?
It depends on the company and the type of package you choose. On average, you should expect to pay north of $100, with the top of the range detailing companies charging $250 . The size of your vehicle will also boost the price. At the car detailing shop near me I pay $200 for a 4 door Mercedes C450 AMG to get the works.
To be confident that you’ve picked correctly, you should look for the features above (clay bar, etc.) and check whether they perform their services by hand. The best car detailers don’t rely on machinery as it’s too impersonal and doesn’t have the desired result.
Mobile Detailing is Sometimes Less Expensive
You may be surprised, but mobile detailing is sometimes less expensive. These companies don’t have the overhead like you local detailing shop. A mobile detailer will come to you and do a full detail wherever the vehicle is parked. While mobile detailing is less expensive you should expect the same level of service and not a cheap detail job.
Choosing the Best Local Car Detailing Near Me
There are alot of things to consider when picking out the best local company. Services rendered, vehicle specialties, price, location, availability are just a few things. Here is how I went about choosing a car detailer near me:
- Vehicle Types Serviced: What kind of vehicles do they do? I don’t take my corolla to a place that does Mclarens. I don’t take my classic ’65 Corvette to some local auto detailer. Check to see what kind of vehicles they typically service.
- Services Offered: Maybe you have excessive pet hair or perhaps you want your headlights restored. Some detailers will fill your paint chips for touchups and scratches. These are extra services you may need to check and see if they offer.
- Read Reviews and Testimonials: What are past customers reporting? Look at pictures people posted. Read the good and the bad reviews. Look for people who post before and after photos of their automobiles.
- Pricing: How much do they charge versus how much can you afford. Do the prices seem reasonable against competing companies.
- Location and Availability: Can I conveniently my car to them? Can they drive me back? Is mobile detailing available?
Car Detailing Near Me – Final Thoughts…
Everybody loves to drive around a shiny car and detailing can do that for you. The truth is though that it isn’t just about aesthetics. Detailing is about showing your vehicle some love, protecting it, and making sure it lasts a long time. having trained pros do the cleaning for you is not the same as you doing it yourself. They use prove techniques and take care of the little things that you will miss. Finding the right company for your vehicle is important because you want a good job done, but you don’t want to over pay. This is what i have learned from the places that do car detailing near me.