Chances are, youāve had your car washed more than a few timesāand, chances are, youāve noticed call outs for auto detailing. So whatās the difference and when should you opt for one over the other?
At their core, car washing and auto detailing accomplish a similar end goalāboth get your car looking clean and road-ready. But, beyond that, the process, pricing and results vary significantly. While a basic wash is meant to clean day-to-day dirt and debris from your vehicle, detailing goes several steps further, helping maintain the quality, finish and overall resale value of your car. Consider your immediate needs and see which is in-step⦠칓ģ§ė øģ¬ģ“ķø
Get a car wash whenā¦your car needs a quick clean
It happensāyouāre driving a lot and, suddenly, your carās otherwise clean exterior starts looking drab and dirty. If the grime level is pretty standardāthink dirt, salt and other common debrisāthen opt for a car wash. Depending on the option you choose, your car wash will include a full exterior cleaning, including the undercarriage. A protective sealant can be added for an additional charge.
Usually, a quick clean is the best way to get your car looking fresh and ready to go. One pro tip: to avoid water spotting, make sure they fully dry your car post-wash. Most drive-through car washes offer this standard but, if not, consider adding it on or bringing a chamois with you for a quick dry.
Get a car wash whenā¦winter grime is building up
If you live in a colder region, snow and ice can wreak havoc on your car. Between the icy conditions and the sand, salt and mud that comes with, your day-to-day driving can leave your car looking a little beat up. But, if itās only been a few days, a quick car wash will usually do the trick. Especially in the winter, be sure youāre getting car washes regularlyāevery two weeks or so, or as needed. ģģ ķ칓ģ§ė
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Get a car wash whenā¦pollen is EVERYWHERE
Same goes for spring and early summer, when pollen starts circulating. Whether you have allergies or not, make sure youāre taking care of any build upsāif you park your car outside, it could be in a prime position to get a nice, yellow coating. Leave it on too long and it will be harder to remove.
Get car detailing whenā¦youāre between seasons
Again, cars can take a beating in the winter. Once the weather starts to improve, many people opt to get their cars detailed versus just another wash. Why? Because car detailing is more of a deep clean, that involves full exterior detailing, including washing, waxing and options like headlight restoration, paint polishing and shampooing the interior.
Even if youāve been diligent about bi-weekly car washes, detailing can help get all of the winter grime offāand out ofāyour car for good, helping your car look newer, longer. Also, ongoing detailing can help you dodge more significant long-term problems which cause permanent damage, resulting in costly repairs.
Get car detailing whenā¦youāre planning to sell 칓ģ§ė
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Whether youāre trading your car in or selling privately, thereās nothing like a good detail to get it looking showroom-ready. Consider it an investment in your saleādone right, it will add to your carās value, drastically improving your bottom line at trade in.