This is the question we get asked most, usually phrased as "what do you reckon it needs?". The honest answer depends on how you use the car and what is bothering you about it.
Start with one question
When you picture the car, what annoys you? If the answer is what you see when you walk up to it, that is exterior. If it is what you notice once you sit down and close the door, that is interior.
People often book the wrong one because the exterior is what other people see. But you spend your time inside the car.
What an exterior wash actually does
A proper exterior wash is not a servo wash with a sponge. It is a snow-foam pre-soak to lift grit off the paint before anything touches it, a two-bucket contact wash, wheels, tyres and arches cleaned properly, bug and light tar removal, glass done streak-free, and a hand dry.
Book it when:
- The car looks dull, dusty or streaky from the outside.
- Wheels are covered in brake dust.
- There are bugs on the front bar or water spots on the paint.
- You want it presentable for the weekend without a big job.
It is the maintenance service. Done regularly, it is what keeps paint healthy.
What an interior deep clean actually does
Full high-powered vacuum including the boot, dash, console, vents and trims detailed, carpets and mats shampooed, seats deep cleaned, interior glass, and a deodorised finish.
Book it when:
- There is a smell you cannot place.
- Kids, pets, tradie gear or beach trips have been in the car.
- Carpets have dark patches or ground-in dirt.
- The steering wheel or gear selector feels sticky or slick.
- You are about to sell, or you have just bought a used car.
Interiors are where we have built our name, and it is the service that changes how a car feels the most.
The used car exception
If you have just bought a second-hand car, do the interior first, without hesitation. You are removing someone else's hair, skin cells, food debris and smells from a space you are about to spend hundreds of hours in. It is the single most worthwhile detail you will ever book.
When to just do both
A Full Detail bundles the two and comes in cheaper than booking them separately. It makes sense when:
- You are selling the car and want the best possible first impression.
- It has been more than a year since the car had any real attention.
- You are heading into a long trip, or coming back from one.
- You want a proper reset and then plan to maintain it with regular washes.
The Full Detail also includes a free clay bar treatment and steam clean, which the individual packages do not.
If you are still unsure: send a few photos when you book. Interior, boot, and a wide shot of the outside. We will tell you what we would do and, just as often, what you do not need to pay for.
A quick way to decide
- Open the driver's door and sit in the car. Give it thirty seconds.
- If you notice a smell, or you can see grime on the trims and carpet, book the interior.
- Now stand back three metres and look at it. If it looks dull, dirty or the wheels are black, book the exterior.
- If both, book the Full Detail and save money.
Wondering how often to do this? See our Brisbane detailing schedule. Selling the car? Read what is worth doing before you list it.