Skip to content
(919) 899-2185

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.
Typical price $119 – $229 $189 – $329
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
  • 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
  • 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
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.

About Exterior Detailing

Full details →

About Full Detail

Full details →

Not sure which fits? Tell us your situation.

Ceramic Pro Authorized Installer Serving the Raleigh area Mon-Sat 8am-7pm

We respond by text or call, usually within a few hours.