The Gritty Biz

Why does it take so long?
The amount of time required to clean a vehicle professionally completely depends on the detail service requested. For example, driving through an automated car wash takes anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, compared to a detailer cleaning one wheel thoroughly takes about 10 to 15 minutes. A typical basic exterior and interior detail could take about 90 minutes to 2 hours to complete. The factors to consider are ease of access to the vehicle and the electrical/water sources, how the dirty the vehicle is inside and out. Of course, the more comprehensive the service, the labor time could increase from 4 hours up to 3 days.

 

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Why is it called detailing?

Vehicle detailing is a more thorough, in-depth, version of a regular car wash. A car detail is not only focused on cleaning the vehicle but also reconditioning and restoration, such as polishing, paint correction, interior cleaning, headlight restoration, and ceramic coating.

 

What is vehicle detailing vs cleaning?

The main difference between car washing and auto detailing is how in-depth the cleaning is. A car wash is a surface clean meant to keep environmental debris from harming your car's clear coat. An auto detailing is a maintenance service that extends the life of most external and some internal components of your car.

 

What is considered a Full Service Detail?

A full detail implies that all areas of the vehicle are cleaned which entails an exterior wash, wheels and wheel wells cleaned, door jambs cleaned, windows, interior vacuumed, interior surfaces are wiped down. Of course, a client can choose an inclusive area, meaning that the client can choose interior detail only or exterior detail only.

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Is detailing worth it?

If you're wondering whether this type of service is worth it, the answer is yes. Interior vehicle cleaning and exterior detailing will not only help your vehicle look great but preserve your vehicle in the long run which might help hold its resell value.

 

Should I get my vehicle detailed often?

It depends on how often you drive your vehicle, the type of vehicle, weather conditions, your schedule, general wear and tear, and the overall upkeep are all factors to consider when you’re deciding on a regular detailing service. Most clients request a monthly service due to the frequency of vehicle use, their work and lifestyle keeps their vehicle dirty, and most common reasons are lack of time or they’re unsure of what to do.

 

What makes a good detailer?

What makes a good detailer is a passionate individual who loves the process, they’re detail-oriented so they strive to deliver realistic results to their clients. Professional detailers are all about restoring all types of vehicles to their original showroom look or regaining that “like new” appearance which depends on the vehicles current condition.

 

How much time does a professional detailer need in order to detail a vehicle?

It depends on the service and the focus. The longer list of detailing points that increases the labor time. Therefore, be sure to examine the lists involved with the detailing services before making an appointment or contact us. Premium Interior details can take 3 to 4 hours depending on the vehicles size and the interior condition. So please be prepared to wait patiently for your vehicle as we go through the detailing process.

 

Why is detailing so expensive?

One must view detailing as an investment into the restoration of their vehicle. Usually, an interior detail “resets” the entire vehicle to a like new condition. This entails, vacuuming, spot cleaning, odor elimination, sanitizing, scrubbing, eliminating any bio fluids, food and drink elimination, carpet/seat stains and an all surface/seat UV restoration. Exterior detailing can consist of high concentrated shampoo, 3 stage polishing, 3 stage paint correction, swirl and scratch removal, and 10 year ceramic coating.  As you can see this exceeds a 15-minute drive thru car wash with a brisk vacuuming.

 

Is detailing hard work?

It depends on the vehicles condition and the detail process requested. It’s more tedious and being detail oriented, as professional detailers we see areas that are normally missed or ignored. So that’s the reason for the shock factor after we’ve completed a thorough detailing project because the client finally sees the cleaned areas that were normally overlooked. Detailing is a meticulous process which requires planning, strategizing, working efficiently, and meeting the clients needs with a significant solution within a reasonable time frame.

 

Should I patronize a professional detailer/shop?

Yes. With any business-client relationship there’s a degree of trust, reliability and rapport that develops over time which makes the detailing needs easier for everyone involved. Even if you prefer a professional detailer to be on call or you’re a subscriber, as a client you have the peace of mind knowing that the detailer will meet your expectations. 

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If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, feel free to contact us.