Your car is your pride, it takes you anywhere and any time while maintaining your comfort level. However, its condition can get a little worse with time. It looks less shiny and dirty due to the dust, and rough usage, and finally needs some TLC. This is where car detailing steps in. It’s not just a usual car wash but a process of restoration and deep cleaning that can give your old car a brand-new look.
But before considering a car detailing service an important question might resonate in your mind: How long does it take to detail a car? In this article, we will explore the factors that affect the time commitment and cost estimation to find the best possible answer to this question.
We will also explore the pros and cons of detailing a car yourself vs hiring a professional.
Factors That Influence Car Detailing Time
Car detailing time depends upon the following factors.
Car size
A small-sized car will be quicker to detail than a huge SUV or truck.
Car condition
A slightly used car with minimal dirt will be easy and quicker to detail as compared to one that is heavily soiled with a dirty interior and strong strains on it.
Type of detail
A Normal wash and vacuum can be done in 1-2 hours while a deep detailing process including exterior, interior, polish, and paint protection can take a whole day.
Detailer’s experience
An experienced detailer with a complete understanding of equipment often takes less time and works more efficiently as compared to one who is new to car detailing.
Additional services
Adding on services like engine cleaning, headlight restoration, or fabric protection can extend the detailing time. Be honest with your car and give it the maximum time to get perfect
Average Time Estimates for Different Detailing Levels
Here is a breakdown of the average time estimate according to different detailing levels. But keep in mind that this time estimate may vary according to the situation.
Normal Interior detail
Basic interior details include wiping the surfaces, vacuuming, and cleaning the windows and it takes an average time of (1-2 hours)
Deep interior detail
Deep interior details include all the processes of normal interior detail plus stain removal, carpet shampooing, and leather conditioning. This process usually takes 4-6 hours.
Basic exterior wash and wax
This process includes washing the overall car, drying it, and applying coats of wax for shine and protection. This process takes an average time of (1-2 hours)
Full Paint correction and exterior detail
Removing minor and major scratches, polishing the body to enhance the paint for a shiny look, and applying extra protective layers may take a bit longer time usually a whole day.
Complete Detailing
This is the combination of full interior and exterior details and takes an average time of 3-8 hours.
How Much Does Car Detailing Cost?
Here is a complete breakdown of car detailing costs.
Type of details
Basic interior detail (DIY)
Although Diy is a budget-friendly option still it costs an average 20$- 50$ for the basic interior cleaning process.
Basic Interior Detail (Professional)
Basic interior details by professionals cost an average of 50$-100$. As they work with perfection and ensures the quality detailing.
Deep Interior clean
This is a bit more expensive than basic cleaning and costs an average of 100$- 200$. This dives deeper than basic cleaning.
Basic exterior wash and wax
Basic exterior wash and wax by professionals cost an average of 50$-100$.
Full paint correction and exterior Detail
This is the most expensive part of car detailing and costs an average of 500$+ including the ultimate makeover which removes all scratches on the body of a car.
Full Detail (interior+exterior)
The combination of deep interior and full exterior clean costs and an average of 150$-500$+. You can expect the cost to reflect in the form of a complete transformation of your car.
Following are Some other factors that can affect the cost estimate
Generally, a small-sized car will cost less as compared to a big SUV. Similarly, a car with minimal dirt will be less expensive for Delta as compared to a massive SUV. Highly experienced professionals with good reputations are a bit expensive and usually cost more, but you can see their expertise in the form of quality work.
Going for additional services like engine cleaning, headlight restoration, and fabric protection can increase the overall cost of car detailing but adding these services increases the durability of your car.
DIY vs. Professional Car Detailing
The time commitment can also depend on your decision to carry out the details yourself (DIY) or hire a professional car detailer.
DIY
If you have enough time and you love to work yourself DIY is the best and budget-friendly option for you. However, DIY requires purchasing the cleaning equipment, learning the proper method, and potentially spending a whole weakened on deep detailing of your car.
Professional
Professionals have great experience in car detailing. They use special products and time-saving techniques to get the work done efficiently. Hiring a professional is costly as compared to DIY but it saves your time and ensures high-quality cleanliness.
How to Find a Reputable Car Detailer
Finding the best car detailing service can be tough sometimes but you can ask your friends and family and get recommendations. Additionally, you can check online customer reviews of various car detailing services. These reviews can inform you about the past customer’s experiences. It’s important to compare the prices before hiring someone. Finally, you may trust your gut feeling and choose someone who clearly explains the process to you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, car detailing time and cost depend on car size and condition, detail type, and detailer’s experience. However, a basic wash takes around 1-2 hours while a complete detailing process can take a whole day which costs you hundreds of dollars. You can choose between DIY and professional detailing by comparing the budget and time you have.