The Age Old Question: Why Detail a car and what's detailing?

**theveed** · March 6th, 2003 07:13 PM

This is a US article, but the content is pretty universal. If you're clearly not the type of car owner that wants to keep your car (inside and/or out) as new as possible, then detailing services may not be for you. Otherwise, read on.

Dollars & sense: It's all in the details
John Ewoldt

Star Tribune
Published Apr. 13, 2000
JE13

If you think paying $25 for a full-service car wash is pouring money down the drain, then car detailing may not be for you. But if you're like John Forch of Minneapolis, a typical car wash was never an option for his '97 Pontiac Bonneville. "The brushes at most car washes scratch the surface and guys dry it off with dirty rags," he said. "When I opened the door after a wash, water would drip out along the edge. I don't have to worry about those things from a detailer."
The job of a detailer is "to keep the car looking as new as possible for as long as the customer wants," said Sam Wilson of Five Star Express Auto Clean Ups in downtown Minneapolis.
Keeping your car looking like new can cost from $100 to $170 for a full interior and exterior detailing. Most jobs take three to five hours. Vans and sport utility vehicles cost an extra $10 to $30. Some shops also do boats and recreational vehicles. Generally, new customers get the works on the first visit and then get an interior or exterior detailing as needed, for about half the cost.

What's included

A full detail includes hand washing and waxing, polishing, buffing out minor scratches, engine degreasing, tire dressing including the spare tire, vacuuming and shampooing upholstery and carpeting (including stain removal), cleaning doorjambs, floor mats, visors, ashtrays, vents, sunroof and headliner and dashboard.

Some may charge extra for problems such as tar, tree sap or mud-caked exteriors. Interiors that have gone from dirty to filthy with food spills, pet hair and urine, smoke buildup and more will cost extra. Detailers say they can remove most upholstery stains if the car owner can identify them. The hardest task is getting rid of cigarette smoke. "As much as I want someone's business, I have to tell people that I can reduce the smoke smell but not eliminate it," said Rick Robbins of Edward Robbins Auto Cleaning in Hopkins.

Sometimes part of the detailing is not performing a service. Many people may not want Armor-All used on their dashboard. Robbins doesn't use it anyway because most of his customers, especially European car owners, "just want the dashboard to look clean and dry, not silky," he said.
Services that can be included for an additional charge are upholstery protection for fabric seats and carpeting, leather seat and vinyl roof protection, and paint sealants and rustproofing.

Finding a detailer

Spring is usually when most people think of using a detailer, so they can wash away the accumulated winter crud, but fall is just as important. "Think of the spring cleaning as protection against acid rain and hot weather. The fall detail is the new coat that your car needs to protect it from winter elements," said Robbins.
Men are generally more concerned about the exterior, women the interior. "Men ask about wheels and doorjambs," said Robbins. "Women want to know if we can blow out the crevices between the seats they can't reach."
Call ahead for an appointment. Many detailers are booked two weeks in advance. When making a reservation, ask about pickup and delivery. Others may offer a loaner car or a ride to work or home. Those who want a Saturday appointment will have the best luck at a car wash/ detailer.
Specials are not uncommon but the discounts are not as plentiful as with car wash coupons. Five Star Express usually offers spring and fall specials. Ask about a full detail for $100 (regularly $135) in May or the Mother's Day special ($50 for an exterior detail, regularly $65). The Downtowner in St. Paul takes $10 off for a spring special ( regularly $130).
Many full-service car washes offer detailing. But if you're adamant about your vehicle not being machine-washed, you should specify hand washing. Most detailers who are not affiliated with a car wash do it by hand. For a list of detailers, look under "Auto Detailing" in the Yellow Pages.

Getting the best service
You're spending $150 for the ultimate wash, wax and clean, but no matter the price, the key to getting good service is to talk with the detailer before and after the job.

The first time you use a detailer, allow time to go over your vehicle carefully with the shop manager. Point out the spots that you don't want missed, any parts that may be hidden or difficult to access, such as a sticky rear seat cupholder. Be upfront about the stuff that is important to you, such as stain removal, spotless windows or cleaning bugs off the bumper. Allow time when you're picking up the car to check it over carefully and point out any missed areas that can be remedied immediately. If you're picking it up after closing, call within seven days to alert them to anything missed or make a note to mention it the next time.

Customers can be as specific as they want in their requests. Wilson of Five Star Express says customers make requests such as "No Armor-All, no air freshener, don't open the glove box, or don't get this wet."
To get the best service, customers may want to de-clutter the inside first. Generally, the glove box's contents are put back after it is cleaned, but items found under the seats, on the floor and in door pockets are generally placed in a bag and left in the trunk.

**theveed** · March 6th, 2003 07:14 PM

Can the admin please "sticky" this topic? Thanks.

**TJMaxx** · March 9th, 2003 12:04 AM

Theveed, you've lived in the US for quite
sometime, haven't you?
Have you noticed that most cars on the
road there are quite dirty and unkempt...
Well, compared to here na maraming
makikintab ang kotse at naka tire-black pa,
doon bihira. Yung mga car wash nga nila doon
ay automated at libre pa yata pag doon sa station
na yun nagpakarga. Pagkalabas ng car wash, wala
nang punas punas pa, alis agad.
Masyado siguro silang busy...

**theveed** · March 10th, 2003 11:30 AM

well, to note din, we can live off 2-3 weeks during summer or fall without washing the car and it'll still look great after a wax job, unlike in Pinas, wash your car now, 6 hrs later, it'll be covered in dust...

**mazdamazda** · January 24th, 2005 07:57 PM

bumping this useful article up.

**totoybato** · January 24th, 2005 08:34 PM

okay lang ba na ipa detail yung bagong car ( exterior lang),I mean 6 months old na yung car pero mga 6 times pa lang nagagamit at lagi lang naka park sa covered parking area, gusto lang kasing mukhang bagong bago talaga pag iniuwi at ginamit na dyan sa atin. Thanks.

**ram** · January 24th, 2005 08:39 PM

thanks m2. plano ko pa naman magpadetail this weekend. nice article

**kiper** · January 25th, 2005 03:21 AM

luma na to ah..

ayos ung article na un..after mo basahin mapapaunta ka sa detailer..hehe

lapit na ko magpadetail ulit..2 years na si Escape sa March..ambilis ah!

**hagiber** · January 25th, 2005 09:23 AM

Even if a car is brand new, okay lang ipadetail yung exterior... imagine mo lang na it has been sitting on the manufacturers parking lot and the dealers parking lot for a few months before you bought it. If you want to preserve the brand new look, you have to start maintaining it as early as possible.