How Long Does It Take To Detail A Car?

Key Takeaways

Regular maintenance and cleaning reduce overall detailing time and help preserve your vehicle’s value.
The duration of car detailing can range from 2 to 8 hours, depending on vehicle size, condition, and the type of service.
The exterior detailing usually lasts 1.5 - 3 hours, while the interior detailing is generally 2 - 4 hours for a deep cleaning and conditioning.
Full car detailing includes both types of detailing and can take 4 - 8 hours of service to clean, restore, and protect your vehicle.
Premium services, such as paint correction, ceramic coating, or PPF, can take longer to complete, but they do provide longer-lasting results.
Things like experience, methods, and quality of equipment also have a lot to do with how long car detailing takes and how the finish looks.
Routine maintenance, cleaning, and upkeep will reduce the time and help retain the value of your vehicle as well.

The total time required for auto detailing depends on several key services, each with its own level of complexity and precision. We've provided a detailed breakdown of each service type to help you estimate “How long does it take to detail a car?” and plan accordingly.

Exterior Detailing

Exterior detailing typically takes 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the paint and surface condition. This process involves washing, drying, polishing, and waxing, resulting in a glossy and protected paint finish. Poor paint condition or excessive dirt can increase service time.

Interior Detailing

Interior detailing usually lasts from 2 to 4 hours, including deep vacuuming, carpet cleaning, and sanitizing all interior surfaces. Steps such as upholstery cleaning and leather conditioning help remove stains and revive the appearance. Time may vary depending on the type of fabric and the extent of dirt or odor removal needed.

Full Car Detailing

A full detailing service combines both interior and exterior services, averaging 4 to 8 hours. This process includes engine cleaning, dashboard cleaning, paint decontamination, polishing, and waxing, providing comprehensive restoration and protection.

Additional Detailing Services

In addition to auto detailing services, premium add-on services offer specialized care that goes beyond the scope of a standard car wash and vary in duration depending on the scope and techniques.

Paint Correction: Paint correction process takes 3 to 8 hours and involves multiple stages of polishing, compounding, and buffing to remove imperfections, restoring the paint's original depth and gloss.
Ceramic Coating: Ceramic coating requires 12 to 24 hours for preparation, multiple layers to be put on, and curing. This paint protection option is highly durable, provides UV resistance, and has a high-gloss finish.
Paint Protection Film (PPF): The PPF process takes anywhere from 6 hours to 10 hours, depending on coverage. The process includes precise alignment, stretching, and smoothing of the film.
Window Tinting: Window tinting typically takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on the number of windows and the type of film. The process includes cleaning, film application, and drying to improve privacy, UV protection, and heat reduction.

If you want to learn more about pricing, check out our article on auto detailing service costs for detailed information.

Understanding the factors that determine the time required to detail a car will help you get a more specific answer to the question: "How long does it take to detail a car?" and manage expectations.

Vehicle Size: Larger vehicles require more time for interior and exterior cleaning due to the larger surface area. Sedans may take 4-6 hours, while SUVs and trucks typically take more than 8 hours.
Vehicle Condition: Heavily soiled vehicles require more time for washing, polishing, and waxing to remove contaminants.
Type Of Service: The type of vehicle detailing service chosen determines the time required. Basic services take less time than comprehensive detailing or ceramic coating services.
Technician's Experience: Professional detailers work efficiently and pay attention to detail, achieving better results in less time.
Equipment Quality: Advanced tools and products help speed up the cleaning and protection process, while outdated equipment will slow down the process.

Car care service is a multi-step process designed to clean, restore, and protect all surfaces. Here are the steps that every car detailing business follows:

Car Wash: The car is thoroughly washed to remove surface dirt and grime, preparing it for the next detailing step.
Clay Bar Treatment: Clay bar treatment removes deep-seated contaminants from the paintwork, improving smoothness and shine.
Polishing: Professionals use specialized machinery to polish and correct the surface, removing imperfections and restoring gloss.
Waxing And Protection: A protective coating is applied to protect the paintwork from UV rays, road grime, and oxidation.
Vacuuming And Interior Cleaning: The interior detailing stage includes vacuuming, cleaning upholstery, and conditioning leather to create a clean and comfortable interior.

Regular and thorough cleaning of your car saves time and maintains its appearance between professional detailing sessions. You can maintain your car’s shine between professional sessions by following these steps:

Regular Preliminary Cleaning: A quick wipe-down of your car once a week removes surface dirt before it becomes ingrained, reducing detailing time by nearly 40%.
Use An All-Purpose Cleaner (APC): A good-quality all-purpose cleaner speeds up vacuuming, clay bar treatment, and polishing while remaining safe for all materials.
DIY Car Care At Home: Simple car care habits at home, such as quick washes and tire care, extend the effectiveness of professional services.
Schedule Appointments Early: Scheduling appointments for full-service detailing in the morning ensures faster completion times and minimizes delays.

If you're also wondering how often you should use these services, check out our guide on how often to get your car detailed for expert advice.

How long does a full car detailing service take?
A detailing session typically takes 4 to 6 hours, depending on the size and condition of the vehicle and the services included.
Does detailing my car at home reduce the time spent on professional detailing?
Yes, detailing your car at home helps you maintain a clean car in between professional detailing services and reduces the amount of service time with a professional detailer, particularly if you use proper polishing, waxing, or vacuuming tools.
Is ceramic coating or paint protection film (PPF) more durable?
Paint protection film (PPF) is typically more durable than ceramic coating because of the stronger impact resistance and overall better scratch protection.
What helps reduce the time spent on car detailing?
Regular interior cleaning, quick exterior washes, and frequent vacuuming will prevent dirt buildup, making professional detailing sessions quicker and easier.
What does a full car detailing service include?
A full-service detailing includes multi-step paint correction, cleaning, protection, and restoration for both interior and exterior surfaces.