A full detail means the whole vehicle, inside and out, cleaned and protected to a standard well beyond a wash and vacuum. Because the term is used loosely across the industry, it is worth spelling out what should be included so you can ask the right questions.
Exterior scope
- Pre-rinse and safe hand wash of all painted surfaces
- Wheels, tires and accessible wheel wells cleaned
- Chemical decontamination where the paint condition calls for it
- Clay treatment if the surface is not smooth after washing
- Bug and tar removal from front-facing panels
- Exterior glass cleaned
- Protection applied: wax, sealant or a coating maintenance product
- Tires and exterior trim dressed to a natural finish
- Door jambs cleaned
Interior scope
- Complete vacuuming including under and behind seats and the cargo area
- Carpets and mats cleaned, with extraction where warranted
- Seats cleaned according to material
- All hard surfaces hand cleaned and protected
- Vents, seams and crevices detailed
- Interior glass cleaned
- Seat belts and door sills addressed
What is usually not included
- Paint correction, which is a separate machine polishing service
- Ceramic coating application
- Engine bay detailing
- Headlight restoration
- Heavy pet hair removal, usually quoted as an addition
- Odor remediation beyond what cleaning resolves
- Any repair work
Questions worth asking before booking
Ask whether decontamination is included or only washing, what protection is applied, whether any polishing is part of the service, and how long the appointment will take. Those four answers tell you almost everything about the scope you are buying.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a full detail include polishing?
- Typically not. A full detail cleans and protects; polishing removes defects and is a separate service with its own time and cost.
- Is the engine bay included?
- Usually not, because it requires different preparation and care. It is commonly added when preparing a vehicle for sale.
- How long does a full detail take?
- Vehicle size and condition drive it, and heavily soiled vehicles take substantially longer. A realistic window is given at quoting.