How much does it typically cost to get a car detailed?

Zook024 · 09-04-2017, 10:49 AM

I have never gotten my 328i detailed before and I am therefore curious what it should realistically cost to bring it to a detailing shop to have the car washed with special attention made to the crevices between the doors and windows, the trunk and hood to clean out the dirt and grime. I am interested in having the entire engine bay cleaned out as well along with the wheels and rims.

Any thoughts/experience is appreciated!

overcoil · 09-04-2017, 11:43 AM

A lot depends on reputation/quality of the detailer. The price gets 'high' when paint correction/removing swirl - light scratching.
Wash and wax should include the door jambs.
Interior detailing is often included in the base wash/wax.

Engine detailing you need to be careful with, read stories of steam or pressure causing issues.

Wheels can be very labor intensive, if the wheels are removed?

And then there is the quality of the products. You need to ask the name of the products they will use and familiar yourself.

Some guys might charge $100 for all that work and some guys might charger $500.

I'd do a $100 hand-wash detail first (minus the engine) from a recommended shop that's clean and does nice cars.

c1pher · 09-04-2017, 04:33 PM

Yeah, I have literally paid $125 for a full inside/outside detail. The interior was a standard cleaning, but exterior was a full wash/clay bar, correction and wax. I have been quoted as high as $1600 just for the outside. It does pay to shop around.

Maxwagen · 09-13-2017, 03:31 PM

There is a guy in my town who has a detail business on the side, from his garage. He'll do a basic inside/outside job, hand wash, buff, and wax, and scrub carpets, condition leathers, do the whole inside, etc. Granted for a typical detail (I think I could pay him extra to do some wet sanding or claybar if I wanted) he doesn't put in the extra elbow grease in to take care of every tiny exterior blemish and doghair, but at $125 I ain't complaining. This weekend he'll be doing a wash and wax on my BMW for $45. Can't really argue with that.

LiquidMercury · 09-13-2017, 03:36 PM

Luck of the draw for me as I found a detail guy that does it from his home (used to work at a detailer) and did a stage 3 cut polish on mine for $75. Referred a half dozen friends/family to him since. He's that good.

R3dliner · 09-13-2017, 03:58 PM

Detailing prices are so high here it's not worth it. I'd rather sacrifice 4-5 hours to do it myself and it probably comes out better too. $500+ for a light paint correction is crazy.

jlo0109 · 09-13-2017, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Detailing prices are so high here it's not worth it. I'd rather sacrifice 4-5 hours to do it myself and it probably comes out better too. $500+ for a light paint correction is crazy.

There's that and there are a whole lot of people that are willing to fork out a couple of hundred dollars once in a while to get a wash that most people won't even know how to properly do.

I do detailing as a side business and I can tell you from first-hand experience that 90% of the people have zero clues of how to properly clean a vehicle.

Zook024 · 09-15-2017, 09:03 PM

many thanks for the comments folks. I've decided to forgo going to a shop and doing the hard work myself, reading up on it now!

c1pher · 09-15-2017, 09:41 PM

If I may make one suggestion is to pay $200 for a Chemical Guys kit with the Porter Cable 7424. It comes with a backing pad and five polishing and waxing sponges, and some additional towels and sprays for the pads. The PC is not too powerful where you’ll screw up your car and if you remember to go from least invasive to more invasive to get rid of swirls or scratches you won’t ever overdo it. It will more than pay for itself and you will always be more meticulous on your own car than someone you pay who in reality just wants to be done with your car so they can get to the next customer.

R3dliner · 09-19-2017, 01:06 PM

I just tested this combo and the results are incredible. Gave it such a wet look and most of my light swirls are gone.

Wash - clay - klasse polish - klasse sealant - p21s wax

took only 2.5 hours of my time

Red Bread · 09-19-2017, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3dliner

I just tested this combo and the results are incredible. Gave it such a wet look and most of my light swirls are gone.

Wash - clay - klasse polish - klasse sealant - p21s wax

took only 2.5 hours of my time

That's only about twenty years old. Lots of new stuff with more durability and easier application, but I still keep AIO around as it seems to be able to clean up water spots and bird bombs faster than a normal polish.

R3dliner · 09-19-2017, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

That's only about twenty years old. Lots of new stuff with more durability and easier application, but I still keep AIO around as it seems to be able to clean up water spots and bird bombs faster than a normal polish.

Lol I have all new new stuff and wanted to change things up a bit. I usually use poor boys, menzerna, chemical guys, and wolfgang. I like hording this kind of stuff and trying new and old combos.

Red Bread · 09-19-2017, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

That's only about twenty years old. Lots of new stuff with more durability and easier application, but I still keep AIO around as it seems to be able to clean up water spots and bird bombs faster than a normal polish.

Lol I have all new new stuff and wanted to change things up a bit. I usually use poor boys, menzerna, chemical guys, and wolfgang. I like hording this kind of stuff and trying new and old combos.

Same, but SG remains the devil, either applied as instructed or wiped on and wiped off. Foggy, cloudy stuff. I think a lot of it?s our humidity, but it drives me crazy.

danniexi · 09-20-2017, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3dliner

I just tested this combo and the results are incredible. Gave it such a wet look and most of my light swirls are gone.

Wash - clay - klasse polish - klasse sealant - p21s wax

took only 2.5 hours of my time

wth. it takes me 2 hours just to wash the damn car.

Red Bread · 09-20-2017, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danniexi

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3dliner

I just tested this combo and the results are incredible. Gave it such a wet look and most of my light swirls are gone.

Wash - clay - klasse polish - klasse sealant - p21s wax

took only 2.5 hours of my time

wth. it takes me 2 hours just to wash the damn car.

Are you using a q-tip for a sponge? I take a little under an hour, but that?s rinseless, doing the door jambs and light engine detailing and cleaning the exhaust tips and 303?ing the tires. Maybe you?re making a burger in the middle too?

R3dliner · 09-20-2017, 10:37 AM

Typically for me I clay bar while I soap and it saves a lot of time. Power washer also helps tremendously.
Sonax wheel cleaner + brush + power washer = clean wheels with minimal down time.

danniexi · 09-20-2017, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Typically for me I clay bar while I soap and it saves a lot of time. Power washer also helps tremendously.
Sonax wheel cleaner + brush + power washer = clean wheels with minimal down time.

oh gotcha, thats why.

yeah its the wheels that take the longest... sonax. wheel brush. ez detailer to go through each and every spoke. washing the car takes another 30-45 minutes, and then drying the car and wheels add another 15.

maybe i should really invest in an electric power wash.

Red Bread · 09-20-2017, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danniexi

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Typically for me I clay bar while I soap and it saves a lot of time. Power washer also helps tremendously.
Sonax wheel cleaner + brush + power washer = clean wheels with minimal down time.

oh gotcha, thats why.

yeah its the wheels that take the longest... sonax. wheel brush. ez detailer to go through each and every spoke. washing the car takes another 30-45 minutes, and then drying the car and wheels add another 15.

maybe i should really invest in an electric power wash.

Or go rinseless. Even faster and honestly is surprising how good it works, even on Jet Black and Sapphire Black.

BayE30 · 09-20-2017, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Or go rinseless. Even faster and honestly is surprising how good it works, even on Jet Black and Sapphire Black.

I also use a waterless wash, it yields the best results in the least time by far. I use the P&S waterless wash.

danniexi · 09-20-2017, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Or go rinseless. Even faster and honestly is surprising how good it works, even on Jet Black and Sapphire Black.

something like ONR? will definitely have to look into that. I've read about it but never fully committed.

wheels are still a bitch though.

Red Bread · 09-20-2017, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danniexi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Or go rinseless. Even faster and honestly is surprising how good it works, even on Jet Black and Sapphire Black.

something like ONR? will definitely have to look into that. I've read about it but never fully committed.

wheels are still a bitch though.

Yeah, I?ve been using ONR for about a decade now. It?s really easy to use, even if you?ll read the instructions ten times, watch uTube videos for hours and still be nervous before actually trying it.

I use a sealant on my wheels and just a horse hair brush and ONR to clean them and it works fine. Just be sure to do them last if you?re using the same wash bucket for everything.

ssgtcarroll · 09-20-2017, 05:30 PM

People in this thread make me laugh. Too much for a detail? Ever really detail a car properly?

Clean engine
Clean wheels off car
Wash exterior
Clay bar/ paint correction
Seal/wax
Clean interior

On a good day it would take all day.

So 8 hours ? (Which I think is low)

A real company would need atleast $75 a hour so there's $600 plus his materials.

All detailers cut corners to get the cost down to where people who don't own businesses think it should cost.

No I'm not a detailer but I put some thought into it and I don't see how someone could do it "right" for a living unless they had the right clients.

For people to claim more then $150 is too much for a full detail is laughable!

09-04-2017, 10:49 AM	#1
Zook024 New Member 7 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	How much does it typically cost to get a car detailed? I have never gotten my 328i detailed before and I am therefore curious what it should realistically cost to bring it to a detailing shop to have the car washed with special attention made to the crevices between the doors and windows, the trunk and hood to clean out the dirt and grime. I am interested in having the entire engine bay cleaned out as well along with the wheels and rims. Any thoughts/experience is appreciated!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-04-2017, 11:43 AM	#2
overcoil Major General 3140 Rep 5,583 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	A lot depends on reputation/quality of the detailer. The price gets 'high' when paint correction/removing swirl - light scratching. Wash and wax should include the door jambs. Interior detailing is often included in the base wash/wax. Engine detailing you need to be careful with, read stories of steam or pressure causing issues. Wheels can be very labor intensive, if the wheels are removed? And then there is the quality of the products. You need to ask the name of the products they will use and familiar yourself. Some guys might charge $100 for all that work and some guys might charger $500. I'd do a $100 hand-wash detail first (minus the engine) from a recommended shop that's clean and does nice cars. Last edited by overcoil; 09-04-2017 at 04:54 PM..
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09-04-2017, 04:33 PM	#3
c1pher Primo Generalissimo 5078 Rep 4,221 Posts Drives: All of them Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: DC area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Ford Bronco Ra ... [10.00] 2018 Porsche 911 GTS [10.00] 2023 BMW M2 [9.25] 2022 Ford F-250 Tremor [8.50]	Yeah, I have literally paid $125 for a full inside/outside detail. The interior was a standard cleaning, but exterior was a full wash/clay bar, correction and wax. I have been quoted as high as $1600 just for the outside. It does pay to shop around.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-13-2017, 03:31 PM	#4
Maxwagen Private First Class 29 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2017 330i Wagon Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Trumbull, CT iTrader: (0)	There is a guy in my town who has a detail business on the side, from his garage. He'll do a basic inside/outside job, hand wash, buff, and wax, and scrub carpets, condition leathers, do the whole inside, etc. Granted for a typical detail (I think I could pay him extra to do some wet sanding or claybar if I wanted) he doesn't put in the extra elbow grease in to take care of every tiny exterior blemish and doghair, but at $125 I ain't complaining. This weekend he'll be doing a wash and wax on my BMW for $45. Can't really argue with that. __________________ 2017 330i Wagon \| Glacier Silver/Black/Anthracite, M-sport, Nav, Tech, Premium, DA, DA+, Cold, LED's, Carplay
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09-13-2017, 03:36 PM	#5
LiquidMercury Lieutenant 207 Rep 589 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (7)	Luck of the draw for me as I found a detail guy that does it from his home (used to work at a detailer) and did a stage 3 cut polish on mine for $75. Referred a half dozen friends/family to him since. He's that good.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-13-2017, 03:58 PM	#6
R3dliner Lieutenant Colonel 991 Rep 1,929 Posts Drives: 18 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NYC iTrader: (5)	Detailing prices are so high here it's not worth it. I'd rather sacrifice 4-5 hours to do it myself and it probably comes out better too. $500+ for a light paint correction is crazy.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-15-2017, 09:03 PM	#8
Zook024 New Member 7 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	many thanks for the comments folks. I've decided to forgo going to a shop and doing the hard work myself, reading up on it now!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-15-2017, 09:41 PM	#9
c1pher Primo Generalissimo 5078 Rep 4,221 Posts Drives: All of them Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: DC area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Ford Bronco Ra ... [10.00] 2018 Porsche 911 GTS [10.00] 2023 BMW M2 [9.25] 2022 Ford F-250 Tremor [8.50]	If I may make one suggestion is to pay $200 for a Chemical Guys kit with the Porter Cable 7424. It comes with a backing pad and five polishing and waxing sponges, and some additional towels and sprays for the pads. The PC is not too powerful where you’ll screw up your car and if you remember to go from least invasive to more invasive to get rid of swirls or scratches you won’t ever overdo it. It will more than pay for itself and you will always be more meticulous on your own car than someone you pay who in reality just wants to be done with your car so they can get to the next customer.
	Appreciate 1 Red Bread4459.00 Quote

09-19-2017, 01:06 PM	#10
R3dliner Lieutenant Colonel 991 Rep 1,929 Posts Drives: 18 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NYC iTrader: (5)	I just tested this combo and the results are incredible. Gave it such a wet look and most of my light swirls are gone. Wash - clay - klasse polish - klasse sealant - p21s wax took only 2.5 hours of my time
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-20-2017, 10:37 AM	#16
R3dliner Lieutenant Colonel 991 Rep 1,929 Posts Drives: 18 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NYC iTrader: (5)	Typically for me I clay bar while I soap and it saves a lot of time. Power washer also helps tremendously. Sonax wheel cleaner + brush + power washer = clean wheels with minimal down time.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-20-2017, 05:30 PM	#22
ssgtcarroll Enlisted Member 9 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 08 135I Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: York, PA iTrader: (0)	People in this thread make me laugh. Too much for a detail? Ever really detail a car properly? Clean engine Clean wheels off car Wash exterior Clay bar/ paint correction Seal/wax Clean interior On a good day it would take all day. So 8 hours ? (Which I think is low) A real company would need atleast $75 a hour so there's $600 plus his materials. All detailers cut corners to get the cost down to where people who don't own businesses think it should cost. No I'm not a detailer but I put some thought into it and I don't see how someone could do it "right" for a living unless they had the right clients. For people to claim more then $150 is too much for a full detail is laughable!
	Appreciate 0 Quote