September 10, 2024
Car detailing is a deep, top-to-bottom clean and restoration of your vehicle, going far beyond a normal car wash. It’s designed to refresh, protect and rejuvenate both the interior and exterior, helping your car look, smell and feel like new.
A typical car detail includes:
- Exterior: hand wash, wheel and tyre clean, bug and tar removal, polish and/or wax, trim and glass cleaning
- Interior: vacuuming, seat and mat shampoo, leather and vinyl cleaning, dashboard and console detail, interior glass clean, deodorising
- Extras (depending on package): engine bay clean, paint decontamination, protective coatings and more
This way, car detailing doesn't just make your car cleaner – it helps preserve its value and finish over time.
Is your car looking less than its best? Learn what car detailing is and how our detailing experts can improve your vehicle’s appearance and resale value.
For many people, their car is the second most expensive purchase they will make after a house. Unsurprisingly, many of us want to keep our precious vehicle in top condition by regularly cleaning it. But washing a vehicle only scratches the surface of proper maintenance. For deep cleaning, you need the expert services of a car detailer.
But what is car detailing, and how does it differ from a car wash? In this guide, we explain the in-depth, precision cleaning process of car detailing and share the different types of car detailing available at Star Car Wash.
Car detailing is a professional cleaning service that restores a vehicle to like-new condition. It usually involves intensive cleaning of both the interior and exterior of a car, although specialist detailing services, including wheel and tyre detailing and engine bay detailing, may be offered as additional services.
Many steps are completed by hand for expert precision that goes well beyond a standard hand or machine car wash experience. Expert detailers thoroughly clean your vehicle using specialist tools and equipment for impressive car deep cleaning. They also correct your vehicle’s paintwork, smoothing out any blemishes before finally protecting your car’s paintwork and interior using wax and sealants.
Book your car in for expert car detailing services today.
Now you know what auto/vehicle detailing is, we can jump straight into the different types of the car detailing process:
The first step in any car detailing procedure is to clean the car thoroughly. Using a specially formulated car soap allows expert detailers to prepare the vehicle for any additional detailing steps without exposing it to any chemicals that could harm the vehicle’s paintwork. In addition, car detailers may use specific products to tackle the wheels of brake dust or remove any signs of soot around the exhaust. Once the car has been thoroughly cleaned, an expert detailer will dry it using a shammy or microfibre cloth.
Once clean, paintwork correction is the next step in the car detailing process. Over time, paint changes on a microscopic level in response to external and environmental factors. This can leave your car looking tired and dull. Paint correction restores the lustre of your vehicle by ensuring the paint is level and any imperfections, including swirls or cleaning marks, are removed. This is a labour-intensive process in which both polishing machines and elbow grease are needed. The process usually involves the following:
Once your car’s paintwork is fully restored, it must be protected to help prevent any damage and keep it looking like new for longer. Depending on your vehicle and the car detailing service you choose, this could include the application of protective waxes or sealants, a ceramic coating, or even a clear wrap of your entire vehicle.
With the exterior taken care of for thorough car deep cleaning, expert detailers will move on to cleaning the interior. Using a myriad of techniques to restore it to an impeccable condition, this usually includes:
Some detailer providers also offer specialist wheel and tyre detailing services. Not only does a clean and polish improve the appearance of your car wheels, but it can also prevent corrosion.
Engine bay detailing is a specialist service that involves deep cleaning and degreasing your engine bay. This service can help maintain your car’s engine health by preventing dirt and grime from building up.
| Car detailing – what’s involved | Car wash – what’s involved |
| Thorough clean of the exterior of your car | Thorough clean of the exterior of your car |
| Thorough clean of the interior of your car | Can be carried out at home, by professionals, at an automatic or self-service car wash |
| Paintwork correction services | |
| Interior and exterior protection provided | |
| Service delivered by professional car detailers who have years of experience restoring vehicles |
As the table highlights, a car wash is just the first step of car detailing, and while it remains an important one, car detailing offers comprehensive car deep cleaning that goes way beyond that of a standard car wash.
While both car detailing and valeting involve cleaning your vehicle, they differ in depth, purpose and results.
Car Valeting: A professional valeting service focuses on cleaning the surface of your vehicle quickly and efficiently. This usually includes washing the exterior, vacuuming the interior, wiping down surfaces and a basic polish to restore shine. Valeting is ideal for routine upkeep and keeping your car looking presentable.
Car Detailing: Detailing goes further, providing an intensive, multi-step process to restore, protect, and enhance your vehicle. It covers deep cleaning inside and out, paint correction, interior conditioning, wheel and tyre care and protective treatments like wax, sealants, or ceramic coatings. Detailing is perfect for maintaining long-term value, removing blemishes and achieving a like-new finish.
Ideally, your car should be detailed every three months to keep it in the best possible condition. However, we know that for many people sticking to this schedule can be difficult, so we’ve outlined some key instances when you may want to get your car detailed :
At Star Car Wash, we offer a range of car detailing services to suit your needs, including:
A professional car detail restores and protects your vehicle inside and out, following a clear step-by-step process:
Exterior cleaning: Removes dirt, grime, brake dust and contaminants to prepare the surface.
Paint correction & polishing: Reduces swirl marks, scratches and dull spots for a smooth, refreshed finish.
Protection: Wax, sealants or paint protection lock in shine and defend against everyday wear.
Interior detailing: Vacuuming, surface cleaning, upholstery refresh and interior polishing for a clean, comfortable cabin.
As Australia’s leading professional hand wash at Star Car Wash, our expert car detailers are dedicated to using the best car detailing tools and products to ensure your vehicle gets unrivalled treatment and leaves us in like-new condition.
Since 2003, we’ve detailed thousands of cars, helping to restore their showroom look and feel once more. Our services go beyond an ordinary car wash by removing blemishes, restoring paintwork, and revitalising interiors from leather seats to plastic coverings.
Book online today or visit your nearest Star Car Wash branch.
At Star Car Wash, our professional car detailing packages are designed to restore, protect and maintain your vehicle, giving it a like-new finish both inside and out. Whether you’re after a quick refresh or a full restoration, our expert detailers deliver high-quality results with every service.
Interior Detailing: Deep cleaning of carpets, seats, hard surfaces and trims for a spotless and comfortable cabin.
Full Detail: Combines interior detailing with exterior paint correction, clay bar treatment, scratch and swirl mark removal, duco protective wax polish and trim conditioning for complete vehicle restoration.
Paint Protection: The ultimate finish - long-lasting wax, sealant or ceramic coating to protect your paintwork and maintain a showroom-ready shine.
Specialist Services: Optional add-ons include wheel and tyre detailing, engine bay cleaning and other precision treatments for a fully polished vehicle.
Book online today to secure your professional car detailing appointment at your nearest Star Car Wash location.
Contact any participating Star Car Wash today and experience the difference a professional detailing makes.
