Auto detailing has become a growing trend over the past decade thanks to more and more exposure emerging on the world wide web. From rust buckets to the day-to-day runner, professional car detailing is the next step in a car wash that will give your car the make-over it’s been dreaming of. In fact, if you’ve ever driven a used model out of a car dealership and thought about just how clean and not dusty the dash is, it’s probably because it’s been given a pre-sale clean for you. That said, auto detailing has a variety of benefits that mean you should give it a go here and there (once every few months is best). So, we thought we’d drive you through everything you might want to know about the trend of making your wheels sparkle with inside-out auto detailing. 1. What is Auto Detailing? Straight off the bat, we’ll get into the swing of what auto detailing actually is. Many believe it’s just a car cleaning service and others might think it’s to do with abandoned vehicles being brought back to their former glory. Both assumptions may or may not stem from the ultra-satisfying videos we’re seeing plastered across social media such as TikTok and Instagram. Luckily, neither is false. Yet, neither does the profession justice. Auto detailing (A.K.A. professional car detailing) is actually just a part of the car cleaning process. The final ‘detail’ if you will. It makes use of specialized sprays, brushed, hoovers, power washers and buffers that bring out the true shine and sheen of every aspect of your car (inside and out). 2. What Are the Benefits of Getting Professional Car Detailing? Another here-and-there thought interchanged between who you ask is the point of it all. Some will say there’s no point and you should either leave it or DIY it while others will sing its praise. Being big motor people here at Dealership Autoplex Collision Center, it’s no surprise we’re in the latter category. But there’s reason to it, too. We suggest going for a quarterly clean, so here are all the benefits of taking your car into the shop for a professional car detailing experience. I.e., the pros of having a car spa day: • You can maintain the car’s value for longer • You can reduce the likelihood of bad smells • You are removing harmful bacteria • You can protect your vehicle’s paintwork • You will be removing hard-set dirt and grime • You will reduce the need for part repair • You become the envy of your neighbors 3. How Long Does an Auto Detail Take? The thing with durations is that we can’t be certain. It’ll depend on a few factors. For example, which tier or auto detailing you opt for, how busy the shop is, how big your car or truck is and how much care and precision your shop’s technicians put into their work. Some of them can be a leave-while-you-shop job while others you’ll want to leave your wheels in the shop overnight (or two). That said, we can give some ballpark timeframes for you to consider when it comes to a professional auto detailing experience. The average detail from start to finish on a moderate clean and medium-sized car can take around 3-4 hours. 4. What Are the 5 Different Tiers of Professional Car Detailing? There are five levels to a car detailing depending on how much you’re wanting to spend and what needs a true clean. a. Basic The basic auto detailing package will often feature a general clean of the outside and inside of your car. For example, a jet wash of the exterior, soap, rise and wax as well as a quick vacuum of the interior seats and center console. b. Full Interior The full interior is, as you may have guessed, the basic package plus some extra professional car detailing on the inside of your vehicle. This includes a seat shampoo, leather feed, anti-bacterial wipe down, mold removal and more. c. Full Exterior On the other hand, there’s the basic package plus the extra few minutes spent on the exterior of your truck. These extras include things like tire dressing, wax detailing, clay-bar treatment, rust removal and other fine elements of a clean. d. Inside-Out The inside-out package generally touches on most aspects of both the full interior and full exterior tiers meaning your car will roll out of the shop gleaming. This is often the top tier, especially for most general-use vehicles. e. Restoration The final tier of auto detailing is kept for high-end vehicles such as show cars and sports cars only driven on rare occasions. This is to maintain value and win at competitions. These can often take around 10 hours and can sometimes feature auto accessory installation such as window tinting and paint jobs. To find out more about getting auto accessories for your car, have a read of our other blog “Getting Auto Accessory Installation in the US for Your Truck”. 5. How Much Does Auto Detailing Cost in Texas? Turns out, the Lone Star State’s motto of everything being bigger in Texas doesn’t actually reach the price of a professional car detailing. This is because they’re typically around 3% lower than the average cost of auto detailing across the US. We can’t speak for every autobody shop out there, but we do know the average (thanks to sites like Yelp) is around $150 for your basic tier of professional car detailing. Although, just like with how long a detail will take, it’ll depend completely on specific factors. Those factors including the shop you drive into, the size of your car or truck, the tier you opt for and the state of your vehicle. We hope that answers all of the most important questions you have about auto detailing that are putting the pressure on your clutch. Of course, if there’s one more tip we can give ya’ll: it’s to do a quick hoover before you head over to the shop. Doing this can bring the price and waiting time down for you. When you’re ready, holler the Dealership Autoplex Collision Center team. We specialize in all-manner of vehicle TLC. So, you call us on (972) 242-0092 to find out how your car care experience and auto detailing day will go. Or take a look at our website to see the entire range of services and our opening times. Lastly, you have the option to drive straight into the shop right here in Carrollton, TX.