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| | | Auto detailing services are typically offered at car washes, specialty stores and auto body repair shops. Car washes generally offer lower-cost detailing for the average consumer. Businesses that specialize in auto detailing will usually target car owners who are selling a vehicle, car enthusiasts or luxury vehicle owners, and fleet or government contracts. Auto body repair shops offer post-repair auto detailing services. According to Consumers' Checkbook, more mobile operators are going to customers' homes or businesses with a truck, trailer and mounted water tank. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Fees for auto detailing run an average of $58 for a basic package for passenger cars to $89 for larger vehicles such as SUVs and mini-vans. Upgraded packages run an average of $147 for passenger cars to $188 for larger vehicles.
- Prices will vary not only by size of vehicle, but also by geographical location, interior style and type of services selected. Packages will usually offer the best prices, but most businesses offer a la carte services as well.
What should be included: | - A basic detailing package should include a touchless or hand wash, wax, tire cleaning, vacuuming of the interior, and wipe-down or polish of all interior surfaces, including the dashboard, windows, mirrors and trim.
Additional costs: | - Superior wax: $58 for regular vehicles; $89 for larger vehicles
- Interior detailing (steam cleaning or hot water extraction for fabric, protectant for vinyl, carpet shampoo): $83 for regular vehicles; $128 for larger vehicles
- Leather upholstery cleaning: $47 for regular vehicles; $75 for larger vehicles
- Dent removal: $80
- Vintage or classic cars, boats, motorcycles, RVs, motor homes and trailers may all incur additional charges.
- Some businesses charge extra for white wall tires, or engine cleaning.
Discounts: | - Many auto detailing businesses offer discounts for pre-paid services. Discounts are given in the form of dollar amounts (usually $5 - $50) or percentages (anywhere from 5% to 50%). Similar discounts are often available for multi-vehicle customers. Most offers for discounts on auto detailing services can be found through the individual company websites, ads in the yellow pages, local newspapers and mailers.
- Local coupon sources such as Entertainment and ValPak may offer discounts specific to your area.
Shopping for detailing a car: | - Check for recommendations and customer reviews on subscriber websites like Angie's List or free websites such as CitySearch and Yelp.
- Consumers' Checkbook recommends asking to see a shop's liability insurance policy, to ensure it can cover repair costs to your vehicle in case it is damaged while the detailing work is done.
- As with most businesses, it's a good idea to see whether a particular company has a history of consumer complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
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Article updated March 2007 |
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Recent Posts |
| Amount: $100.00 |
Car Detailing
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| Posted by: Travis Kitchen in Hillsboro, OR. | Purchased: October, 2007 |
| Car Make: Buick | Car Model: Century |
| very clean after detailing, engine felt and looked better, car ran better and it looked good. |
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| Posted by: felipe in clifton, NJ. | Purchased: 2001 |
| Car Make: toyota | Car Model: camrry |
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| Amount: $160.00 |
car detail
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| Posted by: danica flores in orange, CA. | Purchased: September, 2001 |
| Car Make: lexus | Car Model: es 300 |
| On the phone the guy told me 49.99 for a detail then when i GOT THERE IT WAS 160.00!That includes carpet shampoo and some wax machine thing...but how do I know if they actually used the machine?I have not picked it up yet- |
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| Amount: $35.00 |
Door to Door Detailing extravaganza
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| Posted by: Brendon White in hinesville, GA. | Purchased: January, 2001 |
| Car Make: mercedes benz | Car Model: benz |
| exceptional detail service with at home convenience it took 20 minutes. complete hand wash, and wax, carpet shampoo, window cleaning, and tires shined. If you are in the area look for Door to Door Detailing it will be worth time plus great incentive offers and contracts |
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| Amount: $135.00 |
B's mobile detailing
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| Posted by: Trevor Pintost in St. George, UT. | Purchased: May, 2009 |
| Car Make: Toyota | Car Model: Avalon |
Very knowledgeable and informative. Vacuumed, shined interior, conditioned leather & washed exterior. Polished wheels and shined tires. Used a polymer paint sealant. Turned out great, and definitely can see a huge difference before and after.
Will do it again before winter comes. I'm sure I'll have him by to clean it regularly. |
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| Amount: $125.00 |
expertise @ car detailing
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| Posted by: Rick Johnson in West Palm Beach, FL. | Purchased: May, 2009 |
| Car Make: chevy | Car Model: silverado |
| I had gotten an on call, on site car detail from Anointed Hand Detailing of West Palm Beach , after the carpet to carpet detail cleaning , i was flabergasted @ how much newer my car looked. The receptionist was nice as can be. Experiences like that ,makes a person not mind paying high price for service well done. |
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| Amount: $85.00 |
Eco Wash Mobile Detailing
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| Posted by: Saidy in Stanton, CA. | Purchased: July, 2009 |
| Car Make: Ford | Car Model: Expedition |
| Very well priced and Good results!! |
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| Amount: $100.00 |
anointed hands car detailing
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| Posted by: D. Timms in west palm beach, FL. | Purchased: July, 2006 |
| Car Make: buick | Car Model: park avenue |
| My car looked exceptional after i had gotten it deatiled by Anointed Hands car detailing. The job was done efficiently and did not lack quality! The attention to detail was extrodinary and they really went above and beyond, quality and detail are most important to me and for that they will always have me as a customer. |
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| Amount: $100.00 |
Jay's Bubble Bath
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| Posted by: a user in Southington, CT. | Purchased: July, 2009 |
| Hi i got my car detailed by jay and was very pleased with his work well priced and my car lookes new again and did not lack quality he really went above and beyond for the price i will bring it back grate work |
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| Amount: $129.00 |
Keeler Honda
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| Posted by: BobM-NY in Lathem, NY. | Purchased: June, 2005 |
| Car Make: Honda | Car Model: Accord |
| Exterior Wash/Wax, wheel and tire cleaning. inside looked amazing. |
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| Posted by: a user in homestead, FL. | Purchased: October, 2009 |
| Car Make: dodge | Car Model: 2002 |
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| Amount: $300.00 |
My auto detail experience
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| Posted by: Charles Davis in Pine Bluff, AR. | Purchased: October, 2009 |
| Car Make: 2007 | Car Model: GMC Sierra |
| I owned a 2007 GMC Sierra. Pretty much a farm truck that has scratches everywhere you look and the inerior was very very dirty!!! Sand buildup in the carpet and red dust in every crack and crevice. But after I took my truck to Reflections Auto Detail-2607 So. Magnolia at Pine Bluff,Arkansas. My truck looked Great inside and out. This guy actually took the carpet out of my truck to clean it. He even brightened up my rusted tailpipe. The price was well worth what he did to make my very used truck a sellable vehicle and a pleasure to drive.... |
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Post About Your Experience With Detailing a Car |
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