What is car detailing? And how is it different to car valeting

When it comes to car upkeep, there’s actually quite a lot to think about. From deep cleaning to surface cleaning to paint jobs, keeping your car in great shape requires a lot of organisation and work on your end. 

That’s why most car owners opt to pay someone else to do it for them. If you’ve never had your car detailed before, you may be wondering what it involves and how it differs from a traditional car wash or valet. 

It’s good to think about it by focusing on the word ‘detail’. Car detailing is all about honing in on those small imperfections that affect the outer appearance of your car, while a valet focuses on keeping your car thoroughly clean. 

Today, Car Cleaning Experts will dive further into car detailing, explaining what it is, what to expect from the service, and how it differs from car valeting. 

Car detailing: what is it?

To detail a car, in its simplest terms, is to restore it so that it looks as close to brand new as possible. By this definition, car detailing focuses on the exterior aspects of the car, including the paintwork, coating, and condition of the wheels.

If you have any scuffs, dirt marks, or paint defects on the body of your car, then detailing can transform it to a showroom level. Once it’s done, your car will look like the day you first bought it, with that fresh, glossy finish. 

When we break it down, detailing focuses on three main areas:

• Cleaning
• Enhancement
• Protection 

If you’re meticulous about the way your car looks, detailing might be just what you need to drive your car with pride once again. Many new cars undergo a detailing process to make sure they stay looking new for as long as possible.

What is car valeting?

A car valet focuses on cleaning the interior and exterior of your car to a high standard, so it looks and feels cleaner for longer. 

Rather than just a simpler car wash, a car valet really gets into all the nooks and crannies of your seats, floors, and the dirt patches on the outside of your car to remove months’ or years’ worth of grime. 

From the wheel to the headlights, dashboards, and tyres, every surface will be scrubbed using high-quality, professional car cleaning products. After that, a wax and polish is applied to leave your car glistening once it’s been fully cleaned. 

During a valet, a clay bar is often used to remove contaminants, such as bird droppings, tar spots, and tree sap, from the paint, rather than restoring the actual paintwork itself.

Valeting vs. detailing at a glance

Both a car valet and a car detail include methods of deep cleaning to restore the interior atmosphere of your car and improve the appeal of its exterior. 

In that case, where do the differences lie?

What does car detailing include?

Are you interested in getting a car detail? Before booking an appointment, it’s best to know what you’re getting into, so you can get an idea of what to expect from the final look. 

Typically, a car detail includes these main areas:

Initial clean

Before getting into any of the actual restoration work, we need to make sure we have a clean canvas first. 

Your car detail will begin with a thorough exterior clean with snow foam to remove any dirt, dust, and debris, such as leaves and bird droppings. This includes focusing on the headlights, windows, tyres, rims, and the actual bodywork of your car. 

Often, a car detail will also focus on the interior of your car, vacuuming and scrubbing upholstery, dashboards, and carpets. At Car Cleaning Experts, we use non-abrasive tools, such as soft sponges and microfibre towels, along with specialised car shampoo, to leave your car spick-and-span.

To prevent cross-contamination, different cleaning tools are used for different areas, helping to avoid any scratches from leftover dirt and debris.

Full decontamination

After the initial clean, you’ll notice that the car feels rough when you run your hand across it. That’s because none of the contaminants have been removed, as they can’t be addressed through a simple wash. 

These contaminants include:

• Tree sap
• Road tar
• Water spots
• Embedded metal

To do this, we use fallout remover to target affected areas once the inspection has taken place, also known as chemical decontamination. The chemical bond dissolves tiny ferrous particles that cling to paint and wheels from brake dust and road spray so they can be rinsed away.

Then, detailing involves using a fine-grade clay to remove any remaining contaminants, a process known as physical decontamination. The clay softens the residue, allowing it to be safely lifted during the rinse that follows. You’re left with a classy, smooth finish ready for the enhancement stage.

Enhancement and correction

Once the car has been cleaned and decontaminated, the paintwork can be addressed to remove any scuffs, marks, and swirls. 

While we can’t guarantee that every defect will be fixed, such as deep scratches or dents, the appearance of your car will be significantly improved. For any major issues, please take it to the body shop to be repaired. 

It’s true that enhancement and correction focus on restoring the paintwork on a car, but this can also include polishing the exhaust tip, restoring headlights, and refurbishing exterior plastics and trim. 

To remove swirl marks and scratches from the clear layer on top of the coloured coat, the car needs to be machine-polished. By doing this, the top clear coat is removed, resulting in a glossy and smooth finish. 

There are different stages of machine polishing, which include:

1. Single-stage enhancement: this lifts the gloss and reduces swirls when the light hits the car in one single polishing pass. It freshens tired paint without removing every defect.
2. Two-stage correction: a more thorough process that cuts and then refines the clear coat to remove swirls, light scratches, haze, and oxidation, followed by a finishing polish. 

Protection

The last, but definitely not least important, step is protecting all the work we’ve done to restore your car. 

After cleaning, decontamination, and enhancement, we need to seal in all the progress so your car stays fresh and beautiful for longer. When it comes to protection, various options are available, including wax, coatings, and sealants. 

Waxes tend to last 2 to 3 months, providing a beautiful glow, while sealants last for 4 to 6 months. Ceramic coatings are the most durable, lasting up to 3 years, which can help you save money in the long run.

Here’s a closer look at each option:

• Wax: Perfect for a temporary solution, it provides a thin, slick layer that boosts water beading and gives the paint a boost. Just avoid washing-up liquid, as detergents will strip it off.
• Synthetic sealants: These polymer or SiO₂-based liquids bond to paint more tenaciously than most traditional waxes, so you get longer protection with simple application after a wash
• Ceramic coatings: These liquid SiO₂/SiC products cure into a firm, thin film that resists staining and provides a water-repellent cover. Ceramic coatings are the best choice for a longer-lasting finish. 

What paint correction actually does (and what it doesn’t)

By shaving away a tiny amount of clear coat, the surface becomes smoother, reflections look cleaner, and colours appear deeper. The gloss you see after a quality correction primarily comes from the polishing work, rather than any additional protection that is applied on top. Ceramic coatings, for example, don’t magically make dull paint shiny; they just lock in what was achieved during the enhancement stage and make the car easier to maintain. 

However, since you’re only removing a thin layer from the top, it only fixes surface-level scratches and scuffs; anything deeper will still be there. A professional two-stage correction method is typically the best choice for removing inconsistencies.

Machine polishing won’t “fill” or remove a gouge that has reached the basecoat or primer; it can only round the edges of a scratch that has penetrated the clear coat to make it less noticeable.

Dents, deep birdlime etching, stone chips, lacquer peel, and sanding marks that require more advanced removal fall outside the scope of routine correction and will require paintwork or smart repair.

When to choose a valet vs a detail

If you’re looking for a quicker refresh of your car and you’re more concerned about how it feels than how it looks, then a car valet is the better choice. 

We suggest getting a valet every few months to keep on top of the condition of your car, especially after using it a lot or driving down gravel paths or countryside roads where it’s more exposed to harsher surfaces. 

A car detail is a more popular choice for those who are trying to sell their car or return it at the end of their lease, making it more attractive to potential buyers. It’s also an easy way to avoid any fines for damage. 

However, a detail is ideal if you just want to improve your confidence and restore your car to its former glory, especially if you have any important events coming up and want to make a good impression. 

Book now with Car Cleaning Experts

Is your car in need of a pick-me-up?

At Car Cleaning Experts, we have a team of professional cleaners at your disposal to give your car the makeover it deserves. The best part? Our services are completely mobile, so we’ll come directly to you, wherever you’re located in the UK.

We provide all of our own specialised equipment and cleaning products, so all you need to do is leave your car in an easily accessible place for us, whether outside your work or office. Fill out our contact form here to get started!

FAQs

Can you detail a new car?

Yes! Oftentimes, a new car needs detailing to remove any defects from poor washing and maintenance while at the showroom. 

In fact, many new cars often arrive with transport film residue, bonded fallout, and light marring from dealer preparation, so a thorough detailing will address these issues. 

How long does car detailing take?

Car detailing can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the needs of your car and how large it is. Multi-stage correction can take even longer since it’s a more intricate process. 

How much does car detailing cost?

Car detailing typically costs a couple of hundred pounds, but this can vary depending on the condition of your car and whether you add any extras to your package. 

At Car Cleaning Experts, our car detailing starts from £150 for specialised and mobile services.