Car Detailing Gets Your Vehicle Beautifully Clean
Having a car detailed is important to evoke a good-as-new look and ensure a long lifespan for the components of a car. There are many steps that are taken in the detailing process to ensure that all components of the vehicle, including the glass, wheels, and exterior, are properly cleaned and preserved for future use. Depending on the extent of the detailing service offered, this process can be even more complex.
As a vehicle owner, it's important to look at car detailing as a must. Many look at detailing as a luxury for those who can afford it. The truth is that basic car detailing isn't overly expensive. Every vehicle owner should invest in professional car detailing every few months to ensure that their car lasts as long as possible.
What's Included in Basic Car Detailing?
When one's car gets to the point where it doesn't feel fun to drive anymore, a great car detailing job can make it look as good as new. Most companies that offer car detailing services will offer packages at a specific price instead of charging per labor hour. Customers will have the option of choosing from several different detailing packages. Typically, the most basic package will include:
- Exterior Wash And Wax
- Interior Vacuuming
- Window Cleaning
- Surface Polishing
More intricate packages can offer some premium services, including:
- Paint Touch-Ups
- Air Conditioner Mold Removal
- Synthetic Paint Sealant
- Wheel Well Undercoating
Most providers will have a list of the services that they offer in each package at their office location or listed on their website. It's a good idea to look over the list and determine which package fits one's needs the best.
The Detailing Process
The car detailing process will be highly dependent on the specific services that will be performed based on the package that the car owner purchased. However, there is a basic process that all car detailers use to get consistently great results for each customer. This includes:
- Wash - The first step in any car detailing process is washing the exterior of the car. If an engine washing is included in the package, now is the time the engine is carefully washed.
- Dry - Next is the drying stage. This can be done with microfiber cloths or a car blower.
- Clay - Experienced car detailers will use a clay bar lubricant on the car's windows, headlamps, paint, and tail lamps. This bar lubricant works to remove unwanted contaminants from the surface of the car's exterior.
- Prep - At this stage, the clay lubricant is carefully removed from the vehicle. If paint-touch ups were part of the detailing service, this is when they will be performed.
- Polishing - An orbital sander is used to polish the outer coat of the vehicle. A protective wax is applied with a buffer to ensure an even coating of the entire vehicle.
- Interior Cleaning - Once the exterior is waxed up, it's time for the interior work. This means vacuuming, shampooing, and applying a protectant to the interior trim and dash. The seats will be treated according to their fabric specifications to ensure a good-as-new appearance.
- Wheel Cleaning - Next, the wheels are completely cleaned to evoke a shine. A synthetic sealer should be used to dress the tires and ensure that the cleaner look lasts longer.
- Glass - The last part of the car detailing process is treating the glass. This includes the windows, taillights, and headlamps. A non-abrasive sealant will be applied to protect the shiny hard plastic and glass surfaces.
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of getting a car detailed depends on a number of factors. These include the type of vehicle, the detailing package desired, and the service station. As a general rule of thumb, SUVs and trucks are going to cost more to have detailed than cars. This is simply because there is more surface space to cover in larger vehicles than in small ones. For a basic car detailing package, one can expect to pay between $50 to $100 for a car and between $75 to $150 for a truck or SUV.
Upgraded packages that include more precise work will increase the price of the job. Most upgraded packages will start at around $150 for cars and $175 for trucks and SUVs. Their price will continue to go up as more customized detailing services are added. One can lower the price by using coupons and signing a long-term contract for multiple detailing appointments at a cheaper rate.
