Car Detailing vs. Car Wash: What Is the Difference?

Giving your car a thorough cleaning is one of the best ways to take care of it without going to the mechanic for a checkup. Deep cleans can remove corrosive materials and add a layer of protection to its paint and other surfaces, but not every car cleaning service can provide that. You need to know the difference between car detailing and car washing; they are two similar yet different services that have their own benefits.

Car washing is a broad cleaning process that washes away dirt and grime from the exterior of your car. It’s a general solution to cleaning your car without a time-consuming or invasive process. Typically, car washes don’t go too deep into cleaning a vehicle, sometimes even leaving dirt and other substances in hard-to-reach areas while also leaving cleaning residue on the car’s surface.

This method is best for people who need a quick cleaning for a low price. It’s a one-size-fits-all concept that generally provides the same cleaning procedures, no matter the vehicle’s size, shape, or dirtiness.

Conversely, car detailing is a much more involved process than car washing; detailing targets the exterior of the car and the interior. Car detailing professionals take time to get into all the nooks and crannies that car washes tend to miss, providing a more specified vehicle cleaning that’s tailored to the needs of the client. Auto detailing services offer a precise way of cleaning; the waxes and solutions professionals use also serve to protect the vehicle for the coming years.

Because of the level of involvement on the part of the detailer and the cleaning solutions they use, car detailing can take much longer than a five-minute car wash and can be more expensive. But the quality of the cleaning is often more than justifiable for the price of service. It protects the car and ensures that your vehicle will remain easier to maintain.

Which option is best will depend on current circumstances; if you know you don’t expose your vehicle to corrosive substances and your interior is relatively spotless, you can benefit from a regular car wash. However, if you want to go the extra mile and take steps to protect your car from any current or future issues, you’ll want a detailing service to get the job done. Know what makes car detailing and car washing different to get the results you need.