Is getting your car detailed worth $200+?

Its certainly worth 200+, but those places look sketchy.



I think just about anyone on here would tell you those

prices are WAY too cheap. Chances are your car would

come out worse than it went in.
 
Take a look at DJ Mayo - google him and there is someone else from the area that posts on here. A good detail costs more than $200 (if polishing is involved) and I would say it is well worth it.
 
For a basic retail job $2-300 isn't way out of line, which is what these places appear to be offering. That will get you somewhere between questionable and decent results depending on the skills of the detailer doing the work. If on the other hand you're looking for higher end work expect to pay much more and do your homework to find a reputable craftsman.
 
AznDragon5333 said:
Is getting your car detailed worth $200+?
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....this is just my two cents but I believe that's a question only you can answer. If you're asking is there is a difference in the result of a "cheap" detail vs. one that is more expensive, it depends on the quality of work/products, experience and skill of the detailer. However, if I were to use one, the guys I would choose would easily be in that range. ....and I would be happy to pay that price knowing they would do the job right and meet/exceed my expectations.



I recently had a co-worker ask me if $150 was too much for a detail (including correction). I told him I thought it was relatively cheap and he may want to look around (or I could do the research for him) knowing how anal he is himself with his vehicles (he just doesn't feel he has the tools or knowledge to do as good job of polishing himself). I mentioned that you usually "get what you pay for" with services like these.



He initially raved about how good of a job his "guy" did and I told him I'm glad it worked out. ....however, a week later he approached me and said, "you were right". Apparently he found areas he had missed a few spots and said it appeared he didn't even do the roof (it's a white Toyota 4dr Tacoma). What worries me is that he said the detailer wet sanded part of the hood to remove some damage from a bird bomb. It's not the process I doubt but more the skill/judgement of the individual doing the work. Anyhow, he said "lesson learned".
 
A good basic (wash, clay, 1 polishing step, wax, full interior cleaning and protection), $200 is about right for a sedan in my area, add $50 for either coast. Is it worth it? Yes if you find a competent detailer who is doing the 1 step with a DA polisher, and a quality pad and polish and not running a rotary with a filthy wool pad over the car for 5-10 minutes. A lousy detailer can inflict far more than $200 in damage to your car if they incompetent enough. I just did an estimate for a black Lexus SC430 that the "best detailer all the dealers use" trashed and the cost to bring the paint alone back is more than double what they paid for a full detail.



Read through some of the forums here so you have a good basic understanding of what quality detailing is and use that knowledge to ask the type of questions that will reveal what a prospective detailer really knows. Also insist on looking at their work in the full sun.
 
IMO yes... for the amount of time and attention to detail (no pun intended) it takes it's worth at least that... and as others have said from a top notch detailer 500.00 or more isn't out of the question... is it worth it to YOU though? Depends on how much you love your car and want it to look the best it can. Also keep in mind if you do it, try to buy nice wash mitts, soap and drying towel to keep it looking great for a long time.
 
This car was done by the herndon shop I believe, it was a few years ago.



Stay away from $200 detail shops. If you are looking for results that are posted on Autopia, you can't get it from generic shops. DJ is your guy or Brad from Reflections.



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I aways ask customers "If you spilled wine on your carpet at home would you clean it up?" Then way wouldn't you treat your car the same way? It is the second most expensive thing you own.
 
Here's some tips on finding a competent detailer:

1) Look on this forum for "Find-a-Detailer". Competent detailers know and us this forum.

2) Ask if they have insurance and show you the bonding or policy. If not, don't even THINK of using them.

3) Look at their shop. Look at the equipment or tools. If they don't want to show you, find someone else.

4) Look at the cars that are completely detailed by examining them in the sun, if possible. How do they look TO YOU?

5) Get referrals from them. Ask around. Again look at the cars done by them and see how they look.

6) Ask them about the process and products they will use and the appropriate price for such. If it seems like one-process-and-product-fits-all, be a little leary. DON'T dictate that you want ONLY this product because you've heard it's the best. Let them tell you on what they use and why. If it seems like they are using ONLY over-the-counter Megs products from Wal-mart, I'd be a little concerned. Good pro-detailers have a wide variety of products that can fit your car's paint (clearcoat) condition and type (yes, there are different types of clearcoats and their hardnesses). If they don't seem willing to educate you on this, find another detailer.
 
In NoVA, $200 will get you a fine hack job. OP, good luck with your search, we'll be here after you get your $200 "detail".
 
I think you need to define what the detail includes. A $200 detail including paint correction will most likely be low quality. However, $200 for a more basic detail is definitely fair.
 
I can understand if you don't have the time or don't feel like you could do as good a job as someone that's been doing it for a living. However, you can do it yourself, save a bunch of money and have the satisfaction that the job was done right. It takes a little reading here and a few tools. But, for the price of that detail, you could have a PC or Griots, UNO & POXY, some Megs MF pads and a few towels. It's your choice.
 
Why is there all this hate for a $200 job? $200 does not equal hackjob. $200 could get you a nice wash, claying, some basic swirl removal and a wax. Surely it's not going to get rid of all your marring, but it does not automatically mean that these people do not know what they are doing and will make your car worse.



People here are suggesting to take a look at Brad Will's Reflections Auto Salon. Some of his packages that include polishing are exactly in that price range! (Mobile Auto Detailing*|* Gold Detail Package). Would you call him a hack detailer? I sure wouldn't! Would be worth every penny!



BTW, I am pretty sure the original poster is a spammer trying to get some publicity for these shops, seeing as how this is his first post and he hasn't responded to any of these posts yet...
 
amcdonal86 said:
Why is there all this hate for a $200 job? $200 does not equal hackjob. $200 could get you a nice wash, claying, some basic swirl removal and a wax. Surely it's not going to get rid of all your marring, but it does not automatically mean that these people do not know what they are doing and will make your car worse.
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So yeah, I live in the area and have seen plenty of $200 detail jobs, not what you'd call Autopian by a long shot. I'm sure there are exceptions.
 
yakky said:
So yeah, I live in the area and have seen plenty of $200 detail jobs, not what you'd call Autopian by a long shot. I'm sure there are exceptions.
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I also live in the area (have my whole life), and have gotten details for $100 that did not "hack" my car up. Sure they didn't get all the swirls out (would you expect them to?), but they were not hack jobs.



So pretty much you're saying you can't pay a detailer $200 to do anything that will improve the look of your car!
 
yakky said:
So yeah, I live in the area and have seen plenty of $200 detail jobs, not what you'd call Autopian by a long shot. I'm sure there are exceptions.
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It isn't a hack job if you are doing a basic, 1 DA polishing step. $200 is about right for that type of detail and done right, will exceed the expectations of about 90% of my customers. The other 10% will opt for a higher level of polishing. Most people don't look at cars the way we do and just want a good shine and protection. Of course, you should take the opportunity to teach them what a proper mutli-step detail will do for their paint and hopefully turn them from a basic detail customer to a correction customer.



As long as the person doing a $200 detail isn't making outlandish promises of correction and either leaving horrible buffer trails or simply filling in swirls with a glaze and using a cheap wax, for many people, a good 1 DA polishing step detail will make them very happy. The car will have significantly more gloss and depth and be well protected when done properly.
 
Scottwax said:
It isn't a hack job if you are doing a basic, 1 DA polishing step. $200 is about right for that type of detail and done right, will exceed the expectations of about 90% of my customers. The other 10% will opt for a higher level of polishing. Most people don't look at cars the way we do and just want a good shine and protection. Of course, you should take the opportunity to teach them what a proper mutli-step detail will do for their paint and hopefully turn them from a basic detail customer to a correction customer.



As long as the person doing a $200 detail isn't making outlandish promises of correction and either leaving horrible buffer trails or simply filling in swirls with a glaze and using a cheap wax, for many people, a good 1 DA polishing step detail will make them very happy. The car will have significantly more gloss and depth and be well protected when done properly.
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Typically in this area Scott, these guys will speed glaze and throw a coat of wax on and calll it a day. Yeah, it looks good for a little while and then it's washed away after 2 weeks
 
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