Interior vs Exterior Detailing: What's the Difference?

When it comes to professional auto detailing, you'll typically see three main service categories: interior detail, exterior detail, and full detail. Understanding what each includes helps you choose the right service for your needs and budget.

Exterior Detailing: What's Included

Exterior detailing focuses on everything outside your vehicle. A professional exterior detail goes far beyond a standard car wash.

Basic Exterior Detail Includes:

• Hand wash: Gentle, thorough cleaning using proper techniques and pH-balanced products
• Wheel and tire cleaning: Removing brake dust, road grime, and old tire dressing
• Clay bar treatment: Removing bonded contaminants like industrial fallout, tree sap, and overspray
• Paint correction: Removing or reducing swirl marks, light scratches, and oxidation
• Wax or sealant: Applying protective coating to shield paint from UV rays and contaminants
• Glass cleaning: Streak-free cleaning of all exterior glass
• Trim restoration: Restoring faded plastic and rubber trim

When to Choose Exterior Detail:

• Your interior is already clean but the outside looks dull
• You want to remove oxidation or restore shine to faded paint
• Before selling your vehicle to maximize curb appeal
• After a long road trip with bug splatter and tar

Our pricing: Exterior Detail starts at $250 for cars, $300 for SUVs, $375 for trucks.

Interior Detailing: What's Included

Interior detailing transforms the inside of your vehicle, addressing everything from the headliner to the carpet.

Full Interior Detail Includes:

• Complete vacuum: Seats, carpets, floor mats, trunk, and all crevices
• Steam cleaning: Sanitizing and deep cleaning fabric surfaces
• Carpet and upholstery shampoo: Removing stains, spills, and embedded dirt
• Leather cleaning and conditioning: Cleaning leather surfaces and applying conditioner to prevent cracking
• Dashboard and trim detail: Cleaning and dressing all hard surfaces
• Air vent cleaning: Removing dust and debris from HVAC vents
• Glass cleaning: Interior window cleaning for crystal-clear visibility
• Door jamb cleaning: Often overlooked areas that collect dirt

When to Choose Interior Detail:

• You spend a lot of time in your car and want a fresh, clean environment
• Kids, pets, or passengers have left the interior dirty
• You notice musty odors or visible stains
• Before selling or trading in your vehicle

Our pricing: Interior Detail starts at $250 for cars, $300 for SUVs, $375 for trucks.

Full Detail: The Complete Package

A full detail combines both interior and exterior services for a complete vehicle transformation. This is our most popular service because it addresses everything at once.

Full Detail Includes:

• Everything from exterior detail
• Everything from interior detail
• Engine bay cleaning (upon request)
• Trunk or cargo area detail
• Complete attention to every surface inside and out

When to Choose Full Detail:

• You haven't detailed your vehicle in a while
• You want the complete transformation experience
• You're preparing to sell your vehicle
• Seasonal deep cleaning (we recommend quarterly)

Our pricing: Full Detail starts at $300 for cars and SUVs, $375 for trucks.

Quick Comparison Chart

Our Recommendation

If you're unsure which service to choose, consider these factors:

1. Budget: Exterior and interior details are priced the same. A full detail offers better value than booking both separately.

2. Time since last detail: If it's been more than 6 months, a full detail is usually the best choice.

3. Specific concerns: If you only have a problem area (like stained seats or oxidized paint), a targeted service might be more appropriate.

4. Future plans: Selling your car? A full detail provides the best return on investment.

*Still not sure which service is right for your vehicle? Take our Service Finder Quiz or call us at (808) 782-1526. We'll help you choose the perfect service for your needs.*