Car Detailing Services Guide

Not sure which detailing service you need? This guide covers all major auto detailing services, what's included, pricing ranges, and how often to get each service done.

Quick Comparison

ServiceTypical PriceTimeFrequency
🚗 Exterior Detailing$80–$200 depending on vehicle size2–4 hoursMonthly or quarterly
🪑 Interior Detailing$100–$300 depending on condition and vehicle size3–6 hoursEvery 3–6 months
✨ Full Detail$200–$500 for most vehicles5–10 hours1–2 times per year
🔧 Paint Correction$300–$1,500+ depending on severity and stages1–3 daysEvery 2–5 years or as needed
💎 Ceramic Coating$500–$2,500+ depending on package and vehicle size2–3 days (including curing)Every 3–7 years
🛡️ Paint Protection Film (PPF)$500–$6,000+ depending on coverage area1–5 days depending on coverageEvery 8–12 years
🚐 Mobile DetailingAdd $20–$50 to standard service pricingSame as in-shop servicesWhenever needed
🌑 Window Tinting$150–$600 depending on vehicle and film grade2–4 hoursEvery 5–10 years
💡 Headlight Restoration$50–$150 per pair1–2 hoursEvery 1–3 years

🚗 Exterior Detailing

A thorough cleaning and protection of your vehicle's exterior paint, glass, wheels, and trim.

✅ What's Included

  • • Hand wash & dry
  • • Clay bar decontamination
  • • Wheel & tire cleaning
  • • Trim dressing
  • • Glass cleaning
  • • Light polish or wax

🎯 Best For

  • • Routine maintenance
  • • Pre-sale prep
  • • Removing light contamination
  • • Restoring shine
💰 Price: $80–$200 depending on vehicle size⏱ Time: 2–4 hours🔄 Frequency: Monthly or quarterly

🪑 Interior Detailing

Deep cleaning of every interior surface including seats, carpet, dashboard, headliner, and door panels.

✅ What's Included

  • • Vacuuming carpet & upholstery
  • • Steam cleaning
  • • Dashboard & console wipe-down
  • • Window cleaning
  • • Odor elimination
  • • Leather or fabric conditioning

🎯 Best For

  • • Pet hair removal
  • • Food/drink spills
  • • Smoke odor elimination
  • • Pre-sale preparation
💰 Price: $100–$300 depending on condition and vehicle size⏱ Time: 3–6 hours🔄 Frequency: Every 3–6 months

✨ Full Detail

A comprehensive interior and exterior detail that covers every inch of your vehicle inside and out.

✅ What's Included

  • • Complete exterior detail
  • • Complete interior detail
  • • Engine bay cleaning (optional)
  • • Tire dressing
  • • UV protectant on plastics

🎯 Best For

  • • Annual maintenance
  • • Pre-sale prep
  • • After long road trips
  • • Fleet management
💰 Price: $200–$500 for most vehicles⏱ Time: 5–10 hours🔄 Frequency: 1–2 times per year

🔧 Paint Correction

Machine polishing to remove swirl marks, light scratches, oxidation, and water spots from your paint. Reveals true depth and gloss.

✅ What's Included

  • • Paint thickness measurement
  • • Single or multi-stage polish
  • • Swirl mark removal
  • • Scratch reduction
  • • Paint surface preparation

🎯 Best For

  • • Swirl marks from car washes
  • • Light scratches
  • • Oxidized paint
  • • Pre-ceramic coating prep
💰 Price: $300–$1,500+ depending on severity and stages⏱ Time: 1–3 days🔄 Frequency: Every 2–5 years or as needed

💎 Ceramic Coating

A liquid polymer applied to your paint that chemically bonds and creates a permanent, hydrophobic protective layer. Makes washing easier and provides years of protection.

✅ What's Included

  • • Paint decontamination
  • • Paint correction prep
  • • Ceramic coating application
  • • Curing time
  • • Warranty (varies by brand)

🎯 Best For

  • • Long-term paint protection
  • • Hydrophobic water repelling
  • • UV protection
  • • Enhanced gloss
  • • Easier maintenance washes
💰 Price: $500–$2,500+ depending on package and vehicle size⏱ Time: 2–3 days (including curing)🔄 Frequency: Every 3–7 years

🛡️ Paint Protection Film (PPF)

A thick, clear urethane film applied to high-impact areas or full vehicle. Self-healing properties protect against rock chips, road debris, and minor scratches.

✅ What's Included

  • • Computer-cut film patterns
  • • Professional installation
  • • Self-healing topcoat
  • • Partial or full vehicle coverage
  • • 10-year warranty (varies)

🎯 Best For

  • • Rock chip protection
  • • Hood, bumper, mirrors protection
  • • High-value or new vehicles
  • • Off-road or highway driving
💰 Price: $500–$6,000+ depending on coverage area⏱ Time: 1–5 days depending on coverage🔄 Frequency: Every 8–12 years

🚐 Mobile Detailing

A fully equipped detailer comes to your home, office, or anywhere convenient. Offers most services available at a fixed shop.

✅ What's Included

  • • On-site water supply
  • • Generator power
  • • Full range of products
  • • Any location scheduling
  • • Residential & commercial

🎯 Best For

  • • Busy professionals
  • • Fleet vehicles at work
  • • No transportation to shop
  • • Convenience
💰 Price: Add $20–$50 to standard service pricing⏱ Time: Same as in-shop services🔄 Frequency: Whenever needed

🌑 Window Tinting

Application of window film to reduce UV rays, heat, and glare, while adding privacy and style.

✅ What's Included

  • • Film selection consultation
  • • Computer-cut patterns
  • • Professional installation
  • • Scratch-resistant coating
  • • Lifetime warranty on film

🎯 Best For

  • • UV & heat reduction
  • • Privacy
  • • Interior protection from sun
  • • Aesthetic upgrade
💰 Price: $150–$600 depending on vehicle and film grade⏱ Time: 2–4 hours🔄 Frequency: Every 5–10 years

💡 Headlight Restoration

Restores cloudy, yellowed, or oxidized headlight lenses to clear, like-new appearance — dramatically improving nighttime visibility and vehicle aesthetics.

✅ What's Included

  • • Wet sanding to remove oxidation
  • • Multi-stage polish
  • • UV sealant application
  • • Both headlights

🎯 Best For

  • • Cloudy or yellowed headlights
  • • Improved night visibility
  • • Pre-sale prep
  • • Avoiding expensive replacement
💰 Price: $50–$150 per pair⏱ Time: 1–2 hours🔄 Frequency: Every 1–3 years

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