Side-by-side comparison
Exterior Detailing vs Full Detail
Real comparison from a working detail shop, not a generic SEO matrix. We do both — here's how each fits.
| Exterior Detailing | Full Detail | |
|---|---|---|
| Short version | Exterior-only deep clean. Wash, clay, light polish, sealant or wax. Tires and trim dressed. No interior work. | A full detail is interior plus exterior, done by hand. Vacuum, steam, clay, polish, seal. We bring the water and power. |
| Duration | 2-3 hours | 4-6 hours, depending on vehicle size and condition |
| Recovery / lasts | 12 hours before any rain to let the sealant cure | 24 hours before driving in heavy rain to let the sealant flash off |
| What's included |
|
|
| Not the right call when | If your paint has moderate to heavy swirl marks visible under direct sun, exterior detailing will not fix them. You want paint correction. Exterior detailing brightens; paint correction repairs. | Skip this if your paint already has heavy oxidation or deep scratches. You want paint correction first, then a full detail. |
WHEN TO CHOOSE EACH
Which one fits your situation.
Choose Exterior Detailing when…
- Exterior-only deep clean. Wash, clay, light polish, sealant or wax. Tires and trim dressed. No interior work.
Choose Full Detail when…
- A full detail is interior plus exterior, done by hand. Vacuum, steam, clay, polish, seal. We bring the water and power.
About Exterior Detailing
Exterior-only deep clean. Wash, clay, light polish, sealant or wax. Tires and trim dressed. No interior work.
What's included
- Foam pre-soak
- Two-bucket hand wash
- Wheel and tire deep clean
- Clay bar treatment
- Light machine polish (one step)
- Sealant or carnauba wax
- Tire and trim dressing
- Glass cleaning
About Full Detail
A full detail is interior plus exterior, done by hand. Vacuum, steam, clay, polish, seal. We bring the water and power.
What's included
- Vacuum and steam the interior
- Clean and condition all leather and vinyl
- Clay bar the exterior to remove bonded contaminants
- Hand wash with foam pre-soak
- Machine polish to remove light defects
- Apply a 6-month spray sealant
- Dress tires and trim
FAQS
Questions we hear about Exterior Detailing and Full Detail
Can faded leather color be matched?
Yes, professional detailers and upholstery specialists can match faded leather color using either pre-mixed OEM dye codes (BMW, Mercedes, Lexus all publish them) or custom-tinted dye matched to a hidden sample area.
Can I park in the sun after ceramic coating?
After 12 hours of cure, yes. Direct sun is fine. During the first 6 hours, prefer shade if possible. UV during the early flash-cure can create uneven curing on the coating surface.
Can I wax a ceramic-coated car?
Yes. Wax on top of ceramic is harmless. It just adds maintenance work without adding protection. The ceramic underneath does the job. Wax adds warmth to the gloss but fades in 6-8 weeks.
Can paint correction fix clear coat failure?
No. Once clear coat starts peeling, flaking, or hazing in a pattern, the failure is structural. Polishing exposes more failing clear coat underneath. The fix is repainting the affected panel(s).
Can PPF be removed without damaging paint?
Yes, within the rated life of the film. Quality TPU films remove cleanly with heat and slow peel. Past 10 years, adhesive hardens and removal gets harder. And risks pulling paint with it.
Can you ceramic coat a wrapped car?
Yes. But with vinyl-specific ceramic, not paint ceramic. Standard paint ceramics can lift wrap edges and dissolve adhesives.
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