How long does a car detail take? It depends on the service. A regular maintenance clean takes about 1.5 hours, a full service valet 2.5 to 3 hours, and a deep detail can take a full day.
Most people want to know two things before they book. They want to know what it costs, and they want to know how much of their day it will take. The second one matters more than you'd think, because a detail is done at your home or workplace and you'll want to plan around it. This post goes through each service, what takes the time and what you can do to keep it moving.
How long each service takes
The time comes down to how much we're doing to the car. A quick clean on a car that's looked after is a short job. A car that needs the paint corrected is a long one. These are the times for each service on our pricing page.
- Regular Maintenance Clean: about 1.5 hours
- Full Service Valet: 2.5 to 3 hours
- Deep Clean: 3 to 4 hours
- Wax & Sealant Deep Clean: 5 to 6 hours
- Deep Clean Detailing: 1 day
- Ceramic Coating: 1 to 1.5 days
We give you a time estimate when you book, so you know what to expect on the day. It's an estimate because every car is different, and I'd rather take the time to do it properly than rush to hit a number.
In short:
- A maintenance clean is a morning or afternoon job
- A valet or deep clean takes up most of a half day
- Paint correction and ceramic coating take a full day or more
What happens in a regular maintenance clean
This is the quickest service and the one most people book on repeat. We start with a foam to loosen the dirt, then hand wash and rinse the car. The wheels and tyres get cleaned, the windows are polished and the door shuts are wiped out. We finish with a quick vacuum of the footwells and an aqua seal to help the water run off.
It takes about 1.5 hours because the car is already in good shape. We're keeping it that way, not recovering it. If you book this every few weeks, it stays quick. If the car hasn't been cleaned for months, it's worth starting with something bigger.
Why a valet and a deep clean take longer
A full service valet adds the inside. We vacuum and dust the whole interior, dress the plastics and trims, wipe the dashboard and console, clean the windows inside and do the boot. That's a lot of small jobs, and each one is done by hand. You're looking at 2.5 to 3 hours.
A deep clean goes further. It includes a full exterior wash, a full interior clean, an engine bay clean and a ceramic protective sealant that lasts around 6 months. That's why it takes 3 to 4 hours. The wax and sealant version adds graphene wax and runs to 5 or 6 hours, and it gives you about 12 months of protection. If you're not sure which one you need, our post on the differences between a car wash, a valet and detailing explains it.
Why paint correction takes a full day
Deep Clean Detailing is where we machine polish the paint. That removes fine swirl marks and oxidation, and it brings back a deep gloss. It's slow because polishing is done panel by panel, and each panel is checked before we move on. Rushing it is how paint gets damaged.
If swirl marks are what's bothering you, it's worth reading how automatic car washes cause swirl marks. Ceramic coating takes a day to a day and a half, because the paint is corrected first and the coating needs time to be applied and cure properly. It's the longest job we do, and the one that lasts the longest too.
In short:
- Polishing and coating are done panel by panel, so they can't be rushed
- A longer job means a longer lasting result
- A car in poor condition always takes longer than the same service on a clean one
What can make a detail take longer
A few things can add time, and most of them are easy to avoid. Pet hair is a big one, and it takes real effort to get out of carpets and seats. A very dirty interior, like one with sticky spills, needs more work than a light dust. Heavy tar, bird droppings or hard water marks on the paint also need extra steps.
We need an outdoor tap and electricity, so having those ready means we can start straight away. If we can't park close to the car or the tap, setup takes longer. And if it's raining, we'll talk to you about the best way to handle it, so you're not left guessing.
Do I need to be there the whole time?
No. Once we've been through the car with you and agreed what's being done, you can get on with your day. Plenty of customers are at work, and we're at their house or workplace. We'll let you know when we're finished.
If you're at home, you don't need to move the car or do anything while we work. We just need access to the car and to the tap and electricity.
FAQ
Can you detail my car while I'm at work?
Yes. We can work at your workplace if there's a parking spot, access to water and mains electricity. We'll fit around your schedule.
What time do you start?
We work Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4pm, with later times on request. Sundays are by appointment.
Can I get a faster service?
You can choose a shorter service, like the Regular Maintenance Clean. We won't rush a bigger one though, because that's when the finish suffers.
Will the time change if my car is very dirty?
It can. We'll give you an estimate when you book, and if the condition is different from what you described, we'll tell you before we go ahead.
Ready to book
If you know what you want, get in touch and we'll give you a time estimate. If you're not sure, tell us about the car and we'll point you to the right service. You can see everything we offer on the services page.