Car washing vs car detailing: Differences explained

There are many components about car ownership that are enjoyable, but seeing it parked spotless and gleaming in your driveway is arguably one of the more underrated ones. Indeed, giving your car a good scrub is something a lot of enthusiasts look forward to. It’s here that you can give your vehicle two kinds of treatments: a car wash, or a thorough detail.

While both car washing and detailing involve cleaning your vehicle, they are not the same. A car wash differs from a detail in a few key areas. Getting your car washed is a quicker process and is meant to be done a lot more frequently. Detailing can be thought of as something that’s more extensive and thorough, but laborious, time-consuming, and is something that’s only done after a car wash.

In our guide to the key differences between car detailing and washing, we will run through what sets them apart, how often you should get them done, and why they’re important for your vehicle.

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What is car washing?

The main purpose of a car wash is to get rid of dirt, tar, salt and any other environmental debris from the clear coat of your vehicle. Some prefer to get their vehicles washed themselves, while others prefer a more traditional car wash setup.

A professional car wash setup will give you more options in terms of choosing between a regular hose wash or, in some cases, there is even a machine wash on offer. Another key aspect of a regular car wash is that it is not too time-consuming. It can be done in as little as 10-15 minutes, or if it’s a slightly more detailed wash that’s being done by a professional hand, then it could stretch to 30-40 minutes, too.

A typical car wash generally consists of having the exterior cleaned, the engine bay hosed down, and the underbody washed thoroughly, with a tyre shine thrown in to complete the process. Car washes also don’t cost as much compared to a car detail. Lastly, the intervals of your car washes should be fairly frequent, or at least once a week.

What is car detailing?

In comparison to a car wash, getting your car detailed is a lot more thorough. Detailing is primarily done with the intention of long-term maintenance to allow the car to keep that fresh look it had when it first rolled off the factory floor. An additional benefit is that it minimises wear and tear and will likely help increase the value of the vehicle when time comes to sell it.

While it is possible to get your car detailed yourself, it is recommended to have it done by professionals. This is because, in addition to washing and vacuuming your vehicle, detailing done by professionals also includes a deep clean of the interior and the exterior. Other services included in detailing jobs include shampooing your floor mats, deep-cleaning the headliner, polishing your dashboard, and even restoring your head- and tail-lights.

Considering the amount of work done during a detail, it is natural that it will take longer to complete. You can expect a typical detail to last from 6-7 hours or even the entire day, depending on the amount of options you’ve enlisted. Also, given the use of professional tools and equipment, detailing is more expensive than a regular car wash. On the flipside, you only need to get your car detailed every six months to a year. That said, it is always a good idea to get a seasonal detail done.

Key differences between car washing and detailing

There are a few key differences between car washing and car detailing. The primary aspect that sets the two apart is how in-depth the cleaning is. A car wash is a surface clean that is meant to keep environmental debris from harming your car’s clear coat. On the other hand, a car detail is a maintenance service that aims to extend the life of most external and certain internal components of your car.

Scope of cleaning

A car wash primarily focuses on the exterior and getting dirt, grease, muck, and other debris off your car’s paint. A detail concerns itself with a deeper clean. This includes things like waxing, polishing, interior vacuuming, headliner cleaning, head- and tail-lamp restoration, and the like.

Time commitment

Whereas a car wash can be wrapped up in under 30-40 minutes in most cases, getting your car detailed is a much bigger investment of time. You can expect detailing jobs to last anywhere between 6-12 hours. The additional time taken during a detail is based purely on the fact that, in addition to the exterior of the vehicle, detailing jobs cover every small fold and crevice  of your vehicle with professional tools.

Cost

Car washes are a lot cheaper in comparison to detailing. Depending on where you go, a car wash for a compact car can even cost as little as ₹350. On the other hand, car detailing is more expensive because of the amount of time and resources it takes. Naturally, how much it costs depends on where you get your vehicle detailed and what packages they have on offer, but you can expect a basic package to start at about ₹10,000 for a compact car, with prices going up to around ₹50,000 for a comprehensive package for larger vehicles.

Frequency

A car wash is done a lot more frequently, usually on a regular basis. On average, you should get your car washed at least once a week, or depending on how quickly your car gets dirty. Detailing is an activity that’s reserved for once or twice a year, unless you factor in seasonal detailing.

Tools and products used

Getting your car detailed involves the use of machines that help polish, buff, and shine every surface. These machines include a car vacuum, powered detailing brushes, a steam cleaner, a glass cleaner, a powered polisher, and a lot more. There’s also the fact that shampoos are used to get the mats cleaned, and in certain cases the leather in your cabin is even treated with a special leather cleaner. Car washes simply need scrubs, a few high-absorbent cloths, and some shampoo to help get the dirt and grime off convincingly.

Interior cleaning

When it comes to the interiors of the car, a lot more time and effort is spent during car details. While getting your car detailed, you can expect a thorough interior cleaning, which includes getting your mats and carpets a shampoo, conditioning the leather on your seats and wherever else it’s present, and even the restoration of certain components. On the other hand, during a car wash, the interior typically only gets a vacuum and a wiping down of certain surfaces.

Paint protection

Getting your car washed doesn’t involve any specific treatment or protection for your paint, other than the fact that it removes dirt and grime from the car’s exterior. During a detail, however, there is generally an application of protective products like paint sealants, surface refinement sprays, underbody corrosion treatments, and a lot more depending on the package you choose. Some packages even make use of a clay bar, which is essentially something that’s made of a type of resin designed to remove harmful particles and dirt from a vehicle’s paint. A wash typically doesn’t remove these contaminants, which is where a clay bar comes in handy. 

Additional services

A car wash takes a lot less time compared to a detailing job. The priority during a wash is a quick turnaround with only the basic components of a car getting cleaned. With detailing, however, more time is spent on the vehicle, which means you can expect additional services like getting your engine bay, your wheel wells, the recess of a fuel-filler cap, and the underbody a thorough cleaning.

Results

Whereas a car wash’s effects last only for a few days at a stretch (or less, if you’re in a particular dusty locality), detailing your vehicle lasts a lot longer thanks to dust-resistant chemicals, coatings and wax being used.

Conclusion

Taking good care of your vehicle is an important aspect of car ownership. While ensuring all the mechanical components are regularly serviced and maintained is the key to a long life for your vehicle, ensuring the exterior and cabin remains clean and feeling like new is equally important. The knock-on effect of regularly cleaning your vehicle is that it’s likely to fetch a better resale value. Regular car washes and a comprehensive detailing package go a long way towards ensuring that your vehicle undergoes minimal wear and tear.

FAQs

Q. Is car detailing the same as car wash?

Car detailing and car washes are closely linked, but they are not the same thing. Detailing is more in-depth compared to a car wash.

Q. Is car detailing worth it?

Car detailing may seem like an unnecessary expense, but in the long run it could end up fetching a higher resale value for your car.

Q. When should you choose car washing?

You should get your car washed at least once a week, or when your vehicle gets dirty enough.

Q. When should you opt for car detailing?

Car detailing is a great option if you want your car to retain its lustre and paint quality long term. It is recommended to get your car detailed seasonally, or every six months.