Car Detailing FAQ - Auto Detailing FAQs
What is Car Detailing?
Car detailing is the act of cleaning a car, inside and out. Some people choose to detail their own cars while others pay pro auto detailing professionals to do the job. Detailing can be done for many reasons, including cosmetics, to maintain the value of an older vehicle, or simply because you just want your car looking its best!
A basic detailing job includes washing, waxing, polishing, vacuuming the interior, and getting rid of any trash inside. They may even take it a step further by doing the engine which is great for looking at all the parts that are not well-seen or touched during normal maintenance visits.
What Happens During a Detailing Appointment?
Typically during a detailing appointment, the interior and exterior of the car are inspected. The interior may include vacuuming carpets and upholstery, wiping down any surfaces such as the dashboard and door panels, scrubbing away any stains - such as spills, dirt, or pet hair - from seats, removing DashMat (if applicable), and applying a protectant to the dash and door panels.
Exterior work may include a clay bar treatment, a thorough hand car wash with a two-bucket method, cleaning any wheel wells or engine bays, waxing or polishing metal parts such as bumpers and side mirrors, applying a sealant to the paint, and applying tire dressing.
What is the Purpose of Mobile Auto Detailing?
The purpose of an auto detail service may vary from person to person. However, here are some of the most common reasons people choose to detail their cars:
Cosmetic - A new paint job, for example, is a great time to have your car detailed. This will ensure that it's free of contaminants that may have gotten on the vehicle over time. After all, you just paid a lot of money for your new car, so why wouldn't you want to protect it?
Maintenance - The interior and exterior of a car require maintenance from time to time. If the vehicle is getting old or you haven't had it professionally detailed in a while, now may be a good time to have the work done! It's a good idea to detail your car before putting it up for sale. This will ensure that the vehicle looks as good as possible, making it more attractive to future buyers.
Maintain Value - It is a great way to maintain the value of your vehicle. If you have an older model car that you plan on keeping for some time, it's definitely worth it to get the exterior and interior detailed every couple of years. This will keep your vehicle looking newer, which means its value won't decrease any time soon!
Is Detailing a Car Worth it?
Absolutely! There are many benefits to having a car detailed, and not just for cosmetic purposes. A car detail service will make a used vehicle look new, and it will give the interior an opportunity to breathe (removing harmful contaminants such as smoke odors can be very beneficial).
The exterior of the vehicle will benefit greatly from auto detailing services as well. Detailing will remove any hard contaminants that may have gotten on the paint over time, including tree sap, spilled liquids, or bird droppings. It makes for an excellent way to protect your new paint job!
How can I Find a Mobile Auto Detailing Service?
You can find car detailing services in your area by checking Google for "Mobile Auto Detailing" or similar phrases. You may wish to ask friends, family members, or co-workers if they have a favorite car detailer.
When looking for an auto detailing service, it is important that you find someone with experience with the type of vehicle you own. While anyone can clean a car, an experienced detailer will know how to handle specific problems like paint jobs and stains.
Here are some questions you should ask when interviewing a mobile car detailing service:
How long have you been in business?
Which neighborhoods do you service?
Do you charge by the job or the hour?
What types of cars do you usually work on?
Will I get to watch while my car is being detailed?
How long will the job take?
What additional services do you offer?
Can you recommend wax?
Asking these questions will help you narrow down services to find one that meets your needs.
What's the Difference Between a Basic and a Full Detail?
This one is entirely up to you! A basic detail includes a wash, wax, and vacuum. A full detail adds a few more elements to the list: interior & engine bay cleaning, leather conditioning, carpet shampooing, window tint removal (if applicable), and often times headlight restoration as well.
How Often Should I have My Car Detailed?
This all depends on how often you drive your vehicle. If you have a daily driver, it's best to get the exterior professionally detailed every 3-6 months. An annual detail is a good idea for classic or newer models that will be going up for sale within the year.
The inside should also be cleaned every 1-3 months to keep your vehicle looking its best. This includes interior cleaning products to remove dirt, mildew, and odors.
This service is a wonderful way to keep your car looking new and protection for your paintwork for years - even decades!
When is the Best Time to Get My Car Detailed?
Typically, you'll want to have your car detailed before putting it up for sale. This will help make sure potential buyers are attracted, and it increases your vehicle's value!
A nice polished auto detailing can be done at any time, though. If you just got a new paint job done on your vehicle and want to make sure it's protected, a good time for detailing would be immediately after the paint job.
You can also detail your car whenever you feel like it needs a bit of cleansing!
Do I Need to Wash Out my Car Before Detailing?
When conducting interior detailing, it's advisable to remove any items from the vehicle. This includes loose change, maps, bags, and anything else that can possibly fall or get knocked around during the process.
When detailing the car's exterior, make sure to wash and dry your car beforehand. If you intend to wax your car as well, it is best to wait for a minimum of a day after the services before waxing.
How Long Does it Take us to Detail a Car?
The length of time to detail a car varies depending on the type and condition of your car. Generally, it will take around 4 hours for an exterior detail and 2-3 hours to finish the interior.
How do I Choose?
Choosing a car detailing service can be intimidating, especially if you're not sure what to look for. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing your mobile car detailer:
Experience - On average, an experienced mobile detailer will cost more than someone newer to the business. However, you should still make sure that whoever is detailing your car has experience detailing cars!
Equipment - Ensure that your mobile detailer is equipped with professional, quality equipment - this will make sure you are getting the most out of your detailing service.
Reviews - Customer reviews are one of the best ways to determine how good a mobile detailer really is
Insurance - Along with your car's safety, you should also look for a mobile detailer that has the right insurance. Auto detailing without insurance is illegal!
Guarantee - Ensure that your mobile detailer guarantees their work - this way, if something does happen to go wrong, they are willing to take responsibility and fix the issue.
Making sure to consider these tips will ensure that you are getting the best possible service from your detailer!
We hope our FAQs were helpful!
If our frequently asked questions section did not answer all of your FAQ’s, please be sure to call us or email us with more questions.
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