What to Expect From a Full Detailing Service

When you book a car detailing service, you’ll likely have a menu of services to choose from. At the top of the list is the “full detail.”

But what exactly does a full detail entail?

Well, just like it sounds, a full detail covers all non mechanical components of your vehicle: Tyres and wheels, exterior paint, chrome trim, the interior surfaces, seats and carpets. It’s a head-to-toe revitalisation for your vehicle.

Is it time to schedule a full service car detailing? Whether you’re preparing your vehicle for sale, or you’d like to restore it to its near-new shine, cleaning and detailing your vehicle regularly is always a good idea. Here are a few specific things you can expect:

Exterior Paint Care and Polish

In Australia, our car’s paint takes a beating. Dust, dirt and grease collect on the surface of the paint, and over time, this debris can eat into the paint’s finish and lead to corrosion, paint fade, and chipping.

With a full detail, the paint on your vehicle gets the closest of attention. First, the exterior is pressure washed to remove dirt and then hand-dried. A clay bar may be used to remove the tough-to-eliminate dirt particles. Finally, a hand or machine polish gives the surface an even shine and removes fine scratches.

Exterior Accents Cleaned and Polished

Exterior surfaces and accents like plastics, rubber and chrome can all fade and crack without proper care. Regularly cleaning and restoring the materials will ensure they’re protected. During a full detail, exterior surfaces are cleaned, and then they’re protected. A plastics sealant may be applied to rubber or vinyl, and the chrome accents will be polished.

Wheel and Tyre Detailing

Brake dust, dirt and contaminants from the road collect on your wheels, and overtime, these blemishes become difficult to remove. Fortunately, specially designed products can help remove these tough stains. A full service detail will completely restore the wheels of your vehicle, remove these tough stains and polish the chrome, steel or aluminium. The tyres will also be protected with a rubber sealer, which gives them a glossy finish.

Interior Surfaces Cleaned and Sealed

Every nook and cranny of your vehicle’s interior tends to collect dust and grime. A detailer’s job is to remove dirt and dust from hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. This service includes all surfaces including the dashboard, the entertainment console, the door interiors, under the seats, and any other interior surface. Once the dirt is removed, sealants are applied, which give these surfaces a high-gloss sheen.

Leather Seats, Surfaces Restored

Leather requires special conditioning and handling during cleaning. Some traditional car cleaning products are too caustic for leather and may even do more harm than good. During an interior detailing, any leather surfaces in your vehicle will be properly cleaned and conditioned. This will help return the leather’s natural lustre, as well as protect it from stains and water damage.

Carpet Deep Cleaning

Most DIY auto detailers don’t have the equipment to properly clean, deodorize and shampoo the carpets. A full service detail restores the carpets, first with a deep vacuuming. Then, the carpets are shampooed and deodorised.

Beyond the aforementioned, a range of additional services are included in a full service car cleaning. Bottom line, your vehicle will be completely revitalised. It will look near-new when the job is complete; it will smell great, and the surfaces will be protected from dirt and grim.

What to Expect From a Full Detailing Service