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Does professional detailing just save time and effort instead of doing it one's self or are there other advantages? What does detailing usually cost and include? I have a 2008 Subaru Outback that looks pretty sad due to being kept outdoors in the high desert.
In the past, I've spent a day and never was able to get it quite as good as a pro detailer can in a few hours.
Costs and what is included can vary greatly by area. Size of vehicle of course matters. You can get a complete interior/exterior detail, just interior, or just the exterior.
I take my own car to the self-serve car wash once a week or so and vacuum the interior. I'll wipe down the leather seats, door panels, and dashboard with the appropriate protectant as well as clean the windows.
I generally get mine done professionally once a year.
Depends on what you are looking for. Great detailers can bring it to "almost" show room shine. The important part is the care after. It will take work on the owners part to keep that show room shine and not go back to what it was in a few months.
That usually means washing the car and most important drying the car correctly. The less you touch the paint the better. Some people use leaf blowers to dry the car.
Only if you're not willing to put in the effort yourself.
I've had neighbors try to pay me to detail their cars like mine but you couldn't pay me enough to do that. It's a labor of love. Similarly I wouldn't pay someone else to touch my car.
Does professional detailing just save time and effort instead of doing it one's self or are there other advantages? What does detailing usually cost and include? I have a 2008 Subaru Outback that looks pretty sad due to being kept outdoors in the high desert.
Depends what they do. Full detail for Outback, I'd figure $200-400 probably on the higher end given the condition of the paint. I wouldn't waste the money on a car you don't take care of cosmetically anyway. Basic wash, clay, wax is just laziness. Anyone who doesn't have a physical handicap can do that well enough. Paint correction I'd leave to professional detailers unless you know what you're doing. That said, perfect car to learn how to do it on if you have the inclination.
I plan to have my car detailed. Have some stains on the drivers seat. My best efforts only made them worse. Luckily I don't notice the stains when I sit in the car.
As much as I try I can never get my car looking quite as nice inside or out as a good professional detailer can. As others have said, if you aren't going to do it regularly it is sort of a waste of money.
The one time I would consider paying for it is if I'm getting ready to sell my car. If a buyer is looking at several examples of your vehicle a good detailing can really make it stand out.
Be VERY careful with who you hire as well.... I've seen some multi-hundred dollar "details" where cleaning spooge was left puddled in interior trays, emblems were blasted off with the pressure washer, a glovebox door was damaged, and the "detail" was terrible, far worse than my normal "cleaning".
I went by online reviews and had it done a few hours after picking up a new-to-me, used car before driving it home. Absolutely disgusted me and a heated argument over their business ethics and quality of work ensued.... they were out of business less than a year later. I didn't pay anything, but probably spent more money fixing the damage they did and Still had to clean it myself.
I know that's not the norm, but worth understanding that there are no qualifications to call yourself a "detailer" and even reviews can be misleading. Businesses can change "detailers" and keep the good reviews already posted while providing inferior product.
Me, I'll never pay someone to make something I own worse again, even if there's a Chance they might make it better. Risk simply isn't worth it.
It really depends on the condition of your paint and what you want to accomplish.
Simply cleaning the car is something you can do if you have the time. Paint decontamination, Paint correction, steam cleaning, stain removal, etc. are all things that take experience, knowledge and special tools to create a desirable result.
It usually is not cheap because to do it right it takes many hours/days and much knowledge and tools...as I said above.
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