Car issues can be some of the most annoying problems you have to face. The most common is that you see your car hasn’t been washed lately. We understand how frustrating it can be to go get a car wash when you are already running late for work. More importantly, it is necessary you know the difference between a car wash a full car detail so you can plan your time accordingly. If you haven’t guessed, the latter takes more time. Here’s how to know your car needs a full car detail.

What is a full car detail? Well, it means cleaning your car from the inside out including things like wheels and door jambs, all non-mechanical components of your car such as tires, chrome trim, interior surfaces, seats, and carpets. A standard full-detail might not be that costly but the high-end ones take more than 20 hours and cost you around $1,000 or more. Now, let’s discuss talk about what you should expect from a full car detail.

  1. The paint on your car is very delicate. In fact, if your car is parked under the scorching sun for days on end, the paint might start peeling off after a certain point. A full car detail would protect your car’s paint job. The car body is washed and dried to remove any dirt and grime, then the clay bar is applied which removes other contaminants such as metal particles, dirt, and tar. After that, the paint will be polished so that any swirl marks and scratches are removed before the final waxing process that helps the paint shine.

  2. The second thing you’ll get with a full car detail is the thorough cleaning of the chassis and wheels. Even the wheel wells and most components of the car’s suspension such as control arms and roll bars are cleaned too. Aside from that, the car wash will install a plastic protectant to the splash guards and inner fender liners.

  3. The full car detail will involve detailing the headlights, taillights, and exterior trim. Many detailing providers polish the lights but do not seal them with a plastic sealant. Make sure your service provider does that for you. Other than that, the chrome trim is cleaned and any vinyl or plastic trim must be covered with a plastic protectant.