October 26, 2026
A little preparation before a professional car detail can make the visit easier and help the team focus on the areas that need attention. There's no need to wash your car first, but it's worth removing personal belongings, noting any stains or damage and checking you've chosen the right service.
Here's what to do before you arrive, how to plan your appointment and what to expect when it's time to collect your car.
The main things to sort out are your belongings, any areas that need extra attention and anything the team should know about your vehicle.
Remove anything you want to keep safe, including wallets, sunglasses, chargers and work or sports gear. Check the door pockets, centre console, glovebox and boot, as well as the space under the seats, for loose change, receipts and other bits and pieces.
If there's anything you don't want mistaken for rubbish, take it out before handing over the keys. Clearing the cabin also gives the team better access to the areas that need cleaning.
If possible, remove child seats before arriving so the team can clean the seat base and the carpet underneath, where crumbs and spills tend to collect. If you'd like the seat itself cleaned, check with your local centre first.
Remember to refit the seat afterwards according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Before you leave home, have a quick look around the car. Make a note of anything you'd particularly like the team to address, whether it's a coffee stain on the passenger seat, a milk spill in the boot, pet hair or a lingering smell. It's also worth pointing out stone chips, scratches and loose trim.
Stubborn stains and embedded pet hair can take longer to deal with than everyday dirt. Mentioning them at drop-off gives the team a chance to assess the work, explain what's achievable and discuss any additional charges before cleaning begins.
Some stains, odours and marks may not disappear completely, particularly if they've been there for a long time. Let the team know what's bothering you most so they can advise on the likely results.
Let the team know if your vehicle has a matte or wrapped finish, has recently been resprayed or is an electric vehicle (EV). These details can affect which products and techniques are appropriate.
Fresh paint may need time to cure before certain treatments can be applied, so follow your painter's advice before booking polishing or paint protection. You can also read our guides to pressure washing an EV and how long after a respray you can wash your car.
Take off anything that could come loose or get in the way during cleaning. This might include phone mounts, loose dashcam cables, hanging air fresheners or accessories that aren't firmly attached.
If you're unsure whether something needs to be removed, ask the team before work starts.
Before your appointment, check that you've chosen a service that covers the areas you want cleaned. A car that mainly needs an interior refresh won't necessarily need the same treatment as one with dull paintwork.
Here's a summary of Star Car Wash & Detailing's detailing services. Check the service page for the full list of inclusions.
|
Service |
Suits |
What it covers (summary) |
|
Interior Detail |
A cabin that needs more than a vacuum, including family cars and vehicles with pet hair or interior stains |
Includes a Platinum Wash, carpet extraction, cloth seat cleaning, leather cleaning and conditioning, dash and trim cleaning, cup holders, door frames, boot and interior glass. |
|
Exterior Detail |
Dull paintwork, built-up road grime and faded exterior trim |
Includes a Star Polish, clay bar treatment where appropriate following assessment, exterior trim conditioning and minor spot buffing as required. |
|
Full Detail |
A thorough clean inside and out |
Combines the interior detailing work and exterior treatments. See what's included in a Full Detail. |
|
Paint Protection |
Adding a protective treatment to suitable paintwork |
Includes a Star Polish and paint protection treatment. |
Clay bar treatment and minor spot buffing are carried out following assessment, rather than automatically on every vehicle. Check the service page for the precise inclusions of each package.
Interior Detail and Exterior Detail start from $199. Prices depend on the service, location, vehicle size and condition, and services, prices and opening hours vary by centre.
The time required depends on the service and the condition of your car. An Interior Detail takes a few hours, while a Full Detail generally takes around three to four hours. For an Exterior Detail or Paint Protection, check the expected timing with your local centre.
Larger vehicles, such as utes and seven-seaters, or cars with heavy soiling and set-in stains may take longer. The team can give you a better estimate when you arrive.
It's worth allowing enough time rather than trying to squeeze a detail into a short break. If you need the car back by a particular time, mention this at drop-off and check whether the centre can accommodate it.
You can walk in for detailing at Star Car Wash & Detailing, or book online to choose a time and check current offers. Booking gives the team advance notice, and booked vehicles are prioritised when accepted. If your plans change, check the booking FAQs for the cancellation terms, as a fee may apply.
When you arrive, let the attendant know when you'd ideally like to collect your car. You can then head off to do some shopping or grab lunch while the team gets to work.
Star Car Wash & Detailing accepts Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Afterpay and Zip. You can also put Star Car Wash & Detailing gift vouchers towards a detail, subject to the voucher's terms and participating locations.
The exact process depends on the service you've chosen and what your car needs, but the visit generally follows these stages.
1. Drop-off. Show the team any existing damage and point out the areas you'd particularly like them to focus on. If heavy soiling or pet hair means additional work is needed, any extra charge should be discussed before cleaning begins.
2. Hand wash. Every detail starts with a hand wash, including a high-pressure rinse, pH-neutral shampoo, mag wheel wash, exterior glass cleaning and tyre shine. Our guide to what happens during a hand wash explains the process in more detail.
3. Exterior detailing. If you've chosen an Exterior Detail or Full Detail, the team assesses the paintwork and carries out the treatments included in your package. Clay bar treatment, exterior trim conditioning and minor spot buffing are applied where appropriate.
4. Interior detailing. For an Interior Detail or Full Detail, the team cleans the cabin, including the carpets, seats, trims and other areas covered by your package. Any stains, pet hair or heavily soiled areas you've pointed out will be considered as part of the agreed work, although results depend on the material and condition.
5. Collection. You'll receive an SMS when your car is ready to collect.
If you'd like to understand more about the techniques involved, see our guide to car detailing techniques.
Take a few minutes to look over the car before leaving. Start with the areas you mentioned at drop-off, then check places that can be easy to overlook, such as door frames, the boot, the space under the seats and the inside of the glass.
If something has been missed, let the onsite manager know while you're still at the centre. Star Car Wash & Detailing asks customers to check their cars before leaving, and the team will address missed areas on the spot.
Regular washing can help keep your car looking its best between details. For advice on timing your next appointment, read how often you should get your car detailed.
No. Washing the car is part of the service, so there's no need to do it beforehand. Just remove your belongings and rubbish so the team can access the areas that need cleaning, and point out any stains, odours or damage when you arrive.
If possible, yes. Removing them gives the team access to the seat base and the carpet underneath, where crumbs and spills often collect. If you'd like the child seat itself cleaned, check with your local centre before arriving. Refit it afterwards according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Yes, although detailing takes a few hours, depending on the service and the condition of the car. Many Star Car Wash & Detailing centres are located in or near shopping centres, so you may prefer to run errands or have lunch while you wait. Let the attendant know when you'd like to collect the car, then look out for the SMS confirming it's ready.
Walk-ins are welcome, including for detailing. Booking online lets you choose a time, gives the team advance notice and means your car is prioritised when accepted. If you need to cancel, check the booking terms and allow as much notice as possible.
Not necessarily. Cleaning can reduce many stains and odours, but results depend on the material, the type of contamination and how long it's been there. Older stains and persistent smells may need more intensive treatment and can sometimes remain. The team can assess the problem at drop-off and explain what's realistic before work begins.
Ready to give your car some extra attention? Book online to choose a time, or find your nearest Star Car Wash & Detailing centre to check local services, prices and opening hours.
