Getting a classic car detailed can be a bit more involved then a standard auto detail job. You need someone who not only is a great detailer, but understands the special needs of an antique automobile. You have likely already invested alot in the car, paying a bit extra for the right service is critical. Below I will discuss where to get a vintage car detailed, what to expect from a service, and how to evaluate each company. I will also share my experience with the place that I go for classic car detailing near me.
Find Classic Car Detailing Near Me
If you are looking for “Classic Car Detailing Near Me” or “Antique Car Detailing Near Me”, the map below shows your local options…
How Classic Car Detailing Differs From a Standard Detail?
In general a auto detail is a service where a vehicle gets meticulously cleaned. This can be on the interior, exterior, or both. That is true of any detail job for any style or year of vehicle.
Where an antique vehicle is different is that it requires special materials and trained percision. You want everything done by hand with no machines even near the car. You also want safe carefully selected products used that will not damage your surfaces overtime. Since body materials on antique cars are different then todays models, then tend to rust easier. This puts more emphasis on the drying process to avoid rust damage.
A standard auto detail service will treat your classic car like any new modern vehicle and that can mean damage and costly repairs or even paint corrections later.
Getting your classic car detailed correctly is far more important then detailing your evryday commuter car. Since the value of the vehicle can be much higher, that means the higher risk of decreasing the value from build up of debris and other contaminants.
What I Expect From the Classic Car Detailing Near Me
When you have had bad service before, you start learning lessons about what is acceptable and what is not. When I visit the classic car detailing near me, I pay alot of money and therefore I have high expectations. Here is what you should demand from full service detail on a vintage automobile:
Exterior Detaling
- Safe Non Abrasive Products: They need to use cotton chenille or sheepskin washing mitts because they don’t leave any visibile surface marks. Then for drying, a soft leather chamois or a micro-fiber cloth as these wll not put scratches in the surface. A non-abrasive detergent for the soap.
- Hand Wash and Dry: No machines used, hand wash and dry only with non-abrasive soap and materials. Extra attention is paid to ensure they are not leaving swirls and imperfections. This wash needs to be done indoors in a vehicle bay without contact from the sun. They also need to wash it from the top down so that contaminants are always moving down the vehicle. The drying process should be done with the most difficult areas complted first to avoid rust.
- Convertible and Vinyl Top Treatment: For these tops speciically it reuqires lukewarm water, a neutral soap and a brush with lite brissels. Then they should use a very mild cleanser that foams. Each step of the way ensuring it doesn’t touch your paint. Then they carefully dry the top.
- Clay Bar Application: Next, they will apply the clay bar. This is a piece of clay that collects small pieces of debris that the soap didn’t catch. Most shops will spray on a detailing lubricant before using the clay bar.
- Wax Sealant: For a classic it should have a wax sealant applied. this creates a protective layer against debris and UV rays. It also is what makes the vehicle shne.
- Glass Cleaning: Automotive glass cleaner gets applied to all mirrors and windows (inside and out). They will use tecniques, like always going in the same direction, to ensure a streak free finish.
- Chrome Polish: Many antique autos have chrome. They will use a high end chrome cleaner to polish any and all chrome surfaces. Since a chrome polish can damage your paint they need to take precautions in protecting the paint before applying chrome polish.
- Rubber Seal Conditioning: Old cars have old rubber and it needs protecting, which helps prevent dry rotting and leaks. They will cleans and apply a rubber seal around your trunk and doors.
- Tire Dressing: Tires should always be done last. A chemical agent can be applied to them to prevent dry rotting and give them a beautiful black shine. If the tire has white walls, then those need special attention and scrubbing to bring out the true white color. They also need to clean and polish your rime or hub caps. Understanding that how you treat a steel rim vs an aluminum hub cap is important.
Interior Detailing
- Brushing and Vaccuming: First they should brush the carpet, which brings dirt to the surface. Then they should vaccum it. They will work the carpeting in small sections.
- Floor Mat Shampooing: Floor mats are removed, brushed, shampooed with a foam upholstery cleaner. Then they are vaccumed a second time. A good classic car detailer should even hit the floor mats with compressed air to fluff it. Then it is air dried.
- Carpet and Upholstery Shampooing: The interior carpet is brushed and vaccumed, then worked in small increments with a foam upholstery cleaner. Then it is vaccumed again. Next they will hit it with compressed air to fluff the carpet. Last they open all the doors and let the interior air dry.
- Wipe Down: This is a wipe down of all interior surfaces. A vent duster tool will be used to clean the vents out. They will also dust all the interior surfaces like the dashboard, center console, instrument gauges, and doors. This is done with a soft towel and a non-abrassive cleaning agent. They need to pay special attention to where grim builds up like a shifter and door handles.
- Leather Cleaning: For leather seats and interior pieces they will use a vaccum with a special upholstery attachment which protects the leather. Next they apply a special leather cleaning and conditioner with a microfiber towel. Then they use a clean towel to ensure every leather surface is dry.
- Fabric Cleaning: For fabric interior pieces it starts with a vaccuming. Then a fabric cleaning agent is applied. For a classic car they will likely use a volatile cleaning agent on the fabric. This is due to their high solvency and ability to protect the fabric’s color. Once done and dried it gets vaccumed again.
The Benefits of Classic Car Detailing
Whether you do it yourself or get a professional detailing services, the benefits are clear:
- Long Term Saving: Since an antique car is a high value possession, protecting it will help hold it’s value long term. Regularly detailing will decrease maintenance costs and prevent small problems from building into larger problems. Any good detailer will also tell you any small problems they notice, which helps you get them fixed faster.
- Increased Resale value: It is a fact that cleaner cars have higher resale values. A classic car that is detailed regularly will sell for more then the same exact model and condtion vehicle that isn’t. Owners of classic vehicles are all about the the aesthetics.
- Safety: Having clean windows, haze free headlights, and no rust all equate to a safer vehicle.
How Often Should You Detail a Vintage Car?
I have read alot of articles that suggest every week for a classic car and every two weeks for your daily driver. I disagree however and think this is to much. Detailing is expensive and time consuming if you do it yourself and you can damage the vehicle when you are doing it.
It will depend on how much you drive it and take it to car shows. For most folks once a month is more then suffecient. Then spot treating small issues in between.
How Much Does it Cost to Detail an Antique Car?
The cost can vary greatly depending on the type and size of vehicle as well as the level of service you ask for. On the low end $250 and on the high end $400. For my 1957 Ford Thunderbird, which is small, I pay about $300.
Finding the Best Classic Car Detailing Near Me
Theres alot oto consider when choosing whom to trust with your vintage automobile. The common factors of course are services offered, price, location, and scheduling availability.Here was my process for chossing the classic car detailer near me:
- Vehicle Types Serviced: What kind of vehicles do they do? Do they regularly work 90’s JDM’s or American classics. If they regualrly deal with fabric interiors, I may re-think bringing in my Thunderbird with an all leather interior including the dash.
- Services Offered: Perhaps you have a special need or modification on the vehicle that needs special treatmeant. Find out if they can handle your special request. An add on service for example could be an engine detail.
- Read Indpendent Reviews: What do their clients say? Use Yelp and Google My Buisness. Don’t read the reviews or testimonials on their website. Those can be faked. Look for real customer reviews and real star ratings on independent. sources. Find before and after pictures people posted.
- 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? Do I need to account for more money on a classic car transport service.
Classic Car Detailing Near Me – Conclusion
Whether you are doing car shows or riding your vintage auto around town, you want it looking pristine. Finding the right classic car detailer who uses the right techniques and products is critical. Since these vehicles carry more value then your daily driver, you will want a detailer who knows how to go the extra mile. This is what i have learned from the places that do classic car detailing near me.