August 5, 2022
Car detailing in Australia typically costs between $185 and $400, depending on your vehicle's size and condition. At Star Car Wash, a small car detail runs about $185-$250, while larger vehicles like SUVs and 4WDs can run $250-$400. Interior-only details often cost less than a full detail.
Car detailing costs in Australia depend on the service you choose, your vehicle's size and condition, and where you book. A single national average won't necessarily tell you what your own car will cost to detail.
At Star Car Wash & Detailing, Interior Detail and Exterior Detail each start from $199, Full Detail from $290. These are advertised starting prices, not fixed quotes, and prices and availability vary by centre.
Car detailing goes beyond a regular wash, with a deeper clean of the interior, exterior or both, depending on the package. Here's what each Star Car Wash & Detailing service includes, what affects the price and when detailing may be worth the extra cost.
Star Car Wash & Detailing advertises starting prices for its detailing services. Your final price depends on your vehicle, its condition and the centre you visit.
|
Service |
Advertised starting price |
Typical time |
|
Interior Detail |
From $199 |
A few hours |
|
Exterior Detail |
From $199 |
Ask your centre |
|
Full Detail |
From $290 |
Around three to four hours |
|
Paint Protection |
From $349 |
Ask your centre |
Prices depend on the service, location, vehicle size and condition. Offers can change, so check the car detailing services page for current prices at your nearest centre. Heavy soiling or additional treatments may increase the cost. Any extra charge should be discussed with you before work begins.
The starting price is only part of the picture. What's included in each package matters just as much when deciding which service suits your car.
An Interior Detail focuses on a deeper clean of the cabin. Treatments include carpet extraction, cloth seat cleaning, leather cleaning and conditioning, and cleaning and conditioning of the dashboard and internal trims. Cup holders, compartments, door frames, the boot, interior windows and mirrors are also cleaned.
The package includes a Platinum Wash, so you don't need to book a separate exterior wash.
Read more in our guide to how much interior car detailing costs.
An Exterior Detail builds on Star Polish, which includes an exterior hand wash, wheel and tyre cleaning, tar and bug removal, and a hand wax polish. Clay bar treatment is used when the vehicle needs it, following an assessment.
The detailing package adds further attention to the paintwork and exterior trim, including scratch and swirl mark reduction, trim conditioning and minor spot buffing where required.
A Full Detail combines Interior Detail and Exterior Detail in one visit. It's worth considering if both the cabin and paintwork need attention, whether you're preparing to sell your car or it's been a while since its last thorough clean.
See what a full service detail involves.
Paint Protection is a separate treatment applied to clean, polished paintwork. It's designed to help protect the finish against everyday contaminants such as bird droppings, tree sap and road grime.
It won't repair existing paint damage, and the result depends on the condition of the paintwork underneath. Our guide to car paint protection explains what to consider.
Some treatments, including clay bar and spot buffing, are carried out when the vehicle's condition calls for them rather than automatically on every car. The amount of work required can therefore differ between vehicles booked for the same service.
Several factors can affect your final price:
● Level of service: The package determines which parts of the car are covered and how much cleaning is involved. An Interior Detail focuses on the cabin and includes a Platinum Wash, while a Full Detail combines the interior and exterior treatments.
● Vehicle size: SUVs, 4WDs, utes, vans and people movers generally take longer to clean than smaller cars. This can mean a higher price than the advertised starting rate.
● Vehicle condition: Regularly washed cars may need less work than those with heavy soiling, pet hair, sand, stains or neglected paintwork. The condition of the vehicle also affects what a detail can realistically achieve.
● Additional treatments: Paint Protection and other optional services add to the total cost. The team can advise whether they're suitable for your vehicle.
● Location: Prices and service availability vary between centres, so the advertised figures are a guide rather than a guaranteed quote.
A full detail isn't always necessary. If your car is already in good condition and mainly needs everyday dirt removed, a regular hand wash may be the more practical and affordable choice.
Star Car Wash & Detailing's wash services cover regular cleaning, from the Express Wash (from $25, around 25 to 45 minutes) to the Platinum Wash (from $59, around 60 to 90 minutes). Star Polish takes around 75 to 110 minutes and adds a full hand wax polish, along with clay bar treatment where needed.
These services are designed for routine upkeep and can fit around errands or a coffee break. Our guide to car wash costs and prices compares the options in more detail.
A detail involves more thorough cleaning and additional treatments. Inside, that can mean extracting dirt from carpets and cleaning and conditioning upholstery and trims. Outside, it can include treatments to address bonded contaminants and improve the appearance of light swirl marks.
If the cabin needs a deep clean, the car hasn't been detailed for months or you're preparing it for sale, a detail may be worth considering. If you simply want to remove everyday dirt, a wash may be all you need.
Ultimately, it comes down to what your car needs. Detailing can refresh its appearance and help you maintain the interior and paintwork, but you may not need the extra work and cost every time you clean it. Our guide to whether car detailing is worth it can help you decide.
A few simple steps can help you choose the right service and make the most of your spend.
● Check current offers: Offers on selected services change, so look at the detailing and wash pages before booking.
● Keep up with regular washes: Washing between details helps prevent dirt from building up. If you wash regularly, prepaid Wash Saver Packs and Regular Care packs can reduce the cost of each wash. Terms and availability vary by centre.
● Choose the service that matches your needs: An Interior Detail may be enough if the outside is already in good shape. An Exterior Detail may suit a car whose paintwork needs attention more than its cabin.
● Point out problem areas: Let the team know about stains, pet hair or paintwork marks when you drop off the car. They can assess these areas and explain whether any additional work or charges may apply before starting.
At Star Car Wash & Detailing, a Full Detail starts from $290. It combines Interior Detail and Exterior Detail and generally takes around three to four hours. Larger or heavily soiled vehicles may take longer, and the final price depends on the vehicle and centre. Check current detailing prices before booking.
The amount of work required can vary considerably. Service level, vehicle size, condition, location and additional treatments all affect the price. A heavily soiled 4WD may take much longer to detail than a well-maintained hatchback, even if both are booked for the same service.
Yes, based on Star Car Wash & Detailing's advertised starting prices. An Interior Detail starts from $199 and focuses on deeper cabin cleaning, with a Platinum Wash included. A Full Detail starts from $290 and combines the interior service with the additional exterior detailing treatments.
Choose a package that matches your car's condition, check online for current offers and keep up with regular washes between details. Prepaid Wash Saver Packs and Regular Care packs can also reduce the cost of regular washes. Check the terms and availability at your local centre.
For many cars, a Full Detail every six to 12 months is a reasonable starting point, with regular washes in between. Cars driven daily, parked outdoors or regularly used by children and pets may need more frequent attention.
Our guide to how often you should get your car detailed explains what to consider.
Star Car Wash & Detailing has been caring for Australian cars since 2003, with more than 160 centres across the country. Many are in or near shopping centres, making it easier to fit a wash or detail around your day.
Vehicles are washed by hand, with attention to the care each service requires. You can walk in or book ahead, then get on with your day while the team works on your car.
