Interior: what you should expect
- Full vacuum — seats, carpets, under the seats, seat rails and the boot
- Floor mats taken out and cleaned separately
- Air vents, seams and buttons brushed out, not just wiped over
- Dash, console and door cards cleaned, ideally with a non-greasy finish
- Cup holders and door pockets cleaned out
- Leather cleaned with a suitable product
- Door jambs and sills — commonly skipped, shouldn’t be
- Interior glass including the inside of the windscreen
Exterior: what you should expect
- Wheels, tyres and arches cleaned with separate tools from the paint
- Pre-wash (usually snow foam) to lift grit before contact
- Hand wash using a safe method such as two buckets
- Hand dry with microfibre to avoid water spots
- Exterior glass
- Tyre dressing
What’s usually not included
These are separate, specialist services at most businesses — and they’re the reason some “detail” quotes are ten times higher than others:
- Paint correction / machine polishing — removing swirls and light scratches
- Ceramic coating — a long-lasting protective layer
- Waxing or sealant — see paint protection explained
- Engine bay cleaning
- Headlight restoration
Full disclosure: VANTA doesn’t do polishing, waxing or ceramic coatings. Our $150 full detail covers the interior and exterior checklist above. See exactly what we do.
How to prepare your car
- Empty it — glovebox, console, door pockets, seat pockets and boot. A detailer can’t clean under things they’re not allowed to move.
- Take out child seats if you can, so the seat underneath gets cleaned.
- Mention problem areas when you book: heavy dog hair, a particular stain, a smell, mould.
- Sort out access — for a mobile detail, that usually means space around the car and an outside tap.
Red flags in a detailing quote
- Package names (“gold”, “platinum”) with no list of what’s actually done
- A low “from” price where the boot, mats or door jambs cost extra
- No mention of how wheels are cleaned
- Vague claims like “paint protection included” with no product named
- Promises that every stain or scratch will come out, before they’ve seen the car
Five questions to ask before booking any detailer
- Can you list every step, inside and out?
- Is the boot included? Door jambs?
- How do you clean wheels — separate tools?
- What wash method do you use on paint?
- What do you need from me on the day?
A good detailer answers all five without hesitation.