[DougL]

Newbie to the whole detailing thing, and I work too hard to spend multiple hours working on my car. Its high time to get it professionally detailed (no flames, please) and I don't really know enough to ask the right questions, and get the right services at the right price.

I'd say at a minimum for the exterior I'd want them to wash, clay the paint to remove grime, dirt and rain spots, wax the paint, and... that's all I know. Should they do something specific with the trim? Windows? (I'm not a fan of Rain-X, personally)

Here's the kicker: top to bottom, how much should all of this cost? $120 - 150? Something else? FYI I'm going to have it done in either New York City or on Long Island.

As I look back on it this seems like a pretty silly post, but if there's anything in particular that I should have done please let me know.

Thanks.

 

[sfzBimmer2]

I think you could easily get your car washed, waxed and the interior cleaned/protected for less than 100. Having the car clayed is a different matter, as I tend to see most detailers charge a lot for it. It only took me an hour to clay my car, so I don't know where some detailers claim up to 3 hours for it. Be prepared to pay for it. If you're going to do all that, you might as well have the car polished after claying and before waxing. If the paint is in bad shape (water spots, oxidation, stuff I wouldn't expect on a car as new as yours), have the paint cleaned with a paint cleaner or stronger polish first.