I've always done my own cleaning, polishing, waxing, etc. These days it seems harder and harder to actually find the time to spend an entire day doing these things. I thought about having it done locally, and this popped up from a well reviewed local shop. Are these prices normal for this type of service? Maybe I am far out of touch, but these seems very high?
What does exterior detailing cost these days?
- Thread starter Johnny248
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f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2025
Prices are highly variable. Depends on your location, the service provider (independent, affiliated with new car dealership), products used and depth of the actual service provided. Also the skill and ability of the provider. It is difficult to give a specific number.
Be very wary of any warranty. Most shops are not going to honor them...if they are even still in business...
Be very wary of any warranty. Most shops are not going to honor them...if they are even still in business...
For me, about $2.00
Whether it's summer or winter, my car is always dusty or covered with salt.
I keep a roll of quarters and just stop at the DIY car wash.
Or if I'm feeling really 'cheap', a quick wash in the driveway.
Whether it's summer or winter, my car is always dusty or covered with salt.
I keep a roll of quarters and just stop at the DIY car wash.
Or if I'm feeling really 'cheap', a quick wash in the driveway.
Ceramic coating is not the same as an exterior detailing (though the ceramic coating process starts with exterior detailing).
When I test drove a Tesla, there was no local outlet so I went to a place that sold used ones. They let me test drive one of theirs. They also had a blue one that had been ceramic coated over top of a poor exterior detailing. The paint was quite streaky, more or less permanently.
When I test drove a Tesla, there was no local outlet so I went to a place that sold used ones. They let me test drive one of theirs. They also had a blue one that had been ceramic coated over top of a poor exterior detailing. The paint was quite streaky, more or less permanently.
Detail, which would include wax, is very different than Ceramic Coat, which requires paint prep and much more labor-intensive application. It takes a while to Ceramic Coat, and poor work will be visible for a very, very long time.
Around here, the dealer offered to do ceramic coat for $1,200 on a brand new car.
The detail guy I use charges $900 for ceramic coat. I have seen prices from $900 - $1,200 for ceramic.
But I would expect closer to $200 for a full interior exterior wash and wax.
Which is why I generally do it all my self. The detail guy I use did both Mercedes when we had family in town for a funeral. The house was full, I didn’t have time, and I think it was about $500 for both cars, with tip, and the cars looked awesome when he was done.
I got to be with my family during a difficult time instead of in the driveway with a bucket and buffer.
Around here, the dealer offered to do ceramic coat for $1,200 on a brand new car.
The detail guy I use charges $900 for ceramic coat. I have seen prices from $900 - $1,200 for ceramic.
But I would expect closer to $200 for a full interior exterior wash and wax.
Which is why I generally do it all my self. The detail guy I use did both Mercedes when we had family in town for a funeral. The house was full, I didn’t have time, and I think it was about $500 for both cars, with tip, and the cars looked awesome when he was done.
I got to be with my family during a difficult time instead of in the driveway with a bucket and buffer.
Is the ceramic coating worth it? I've seen plenty of YouTubers rave about their sponsored ceramic coating. I've also seen engineers who say it's basically BS. Like I said, I've always taken care of my own vehicles, I'm going to try to find time to take care of this one. It also seems like whenever I find a free day, it's 95° out and 120% sunshine lol
When they push enough sponsored videos, they progress to their own (re)branded line, and then their social media / videos are one big commercial.
I do my own but looked recently and it’s about $1,500 here iirc. The ceramic products are usually only $50-$200 (slightly more for pro-only higher solid coatings). It’s a labor intensive process though so it’s the 6-8 hours for a good job where the cost is.
Personally a couple of my neighbors did it to their cars and to be honest I don't think its worth the money. But hey I'm cheap! I just use Meguiars Hybrid on all my cars and they look good enough for me
I agree, a good ceramic coating really does help keep it cleaner. Coat the wheels too, then you can just rinse off the brake dust.
I had my Mercedes done for $200.00, NO ceramic coating, which would have made the job $500.00.
So yeah, those prices are high.
Griot's 3 in 1 after that and it still looks great 5 years later.
So yeah, those prices are high.
Griot's 3 in 1 after that and it still looks great 5 years later.
That seems very cheap (for the coating). Is that at a dealership?
No, an independent detailer in the neighborhood. He did a great job too. He even had to remove some stubborn leftover ceramic coating from the top of the hood. I think it was some kind of spray on crap that the dealership used. I'm thinking the car was hot, in the Florida sun, or from idling, and it dried out on the hood.
Dealer prob charged the first owner a bunch for that too!
Oh yeah, I think I gave him a $50.00 tip for doing that.
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So California is filled with detailers. Every 3 or 4 months I hire a detailer by the hour. The charge 50 to 60 dollars an hour. I then provide the coatings I want applied. Car pro c quartz UK 3.0. Car pro essence polish. Then I have them do interior detailing. Considerably lower cost and both of us are happy.
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