Exterior Detail
Deep-cleaned, decontaminated, and protected against coastal abuse.
This is for people who care what their vehicle looks like in direct sunlight.
Exterior Detail goes way beyond a tunnel wash – we’re talking proper wash, decon, and protection
so the paint actually looks glossy and stays that way longer.
Built for Oregon coast weather
Perfect prep before coatings
Who Exterior Detail Is For
If you’ve been letting the car wash brushes beat on your paint, this is the course correction.
Coastal vehicles
Pre-sale refresh
Pre-coating prep
- You see a film on the paint that doesn’t come off with basic washing.
- There’s roughness when you run your hand along the paint.
- Your vehicle looks flat or chalky in the sun.
- You want it to look legitimately clean without touching the interior.
If your interior is also rough, you want a Full Detail.
Exterior Detail is focused time on the outside only – washing, decontaminating, and protecting the paint properly.
I don’t blast through a line of cars with the same brush and bucket. It’s one vehicle at a time,
with process built around the fact that you live on the coast and your paint has to survive salt, sand, and constant rain.
Exterior Detail Pricing
These prices assume reasonably maintained vehicles. Heavy neglect, tree sap, overspray, or extreme contamination
will be quoted after inspection.
Small Vehicles
Sedans & Compact
- Foam pre-wash & hand wash
- Iron remover on paint & wheels (as needed)
- Clay bar or mechanical decon (as needed)
- Sealant or entry-level ceramic topper
Medium Vehicles
Crossovers & Small SUVs
- Full foam wash & hand wash
- Decon of paint & wheels where needed
- Tight areas, badges and trim addressed
- Sealant or topper for shine & beading
Large Vehicles
Trucks, Vans & 3-Row
- Full wash including bed sides / tailgate
- Decon on paint and high-impact areas
- Wheel & tire cleaning and dressing
- Sealant or topper for protection
What’s Included in an Exterior Detail
This is the “do it right” exterior service, not a quick spray-and-pray wash.
- Pre-Rinse & Foam Bath: Loosens grit before hand washing.
- Hand Wash: Two-bucket or safe-contact method, no harsh brushes.
- Wheel & Tire Cleaning: Faces, barrels (where reachable), and jambs cleaned.
- Chemical Decon: Iron remover / fallout remover as needed.
- Mechanical Decon: Clay bar or mitt to remove bonded contaminants (where appropriate).
- Door Jambs & Tight Areas: Handles, badges and common grime traps addressed.
- Protection: Sealant or entry-level ceramic topper for gloss and water behavior.
- Glass: Exterior glass cleaned, basic water behavior improvement.
What’s Not Included
I’d rather spell this out clearly so you book the right service.
- No multi-stage paint correction – that’s a separate service.
- No rock chip repair or deep scratch removal.
- No full polishing of every panel (light machine polish can be added as an upgrade).
- No engine bay cleaning (available as an add-on or on Full Detail packages).
- No interior work – this is exterior only.
If your paint is hammered, swirled to death, or looks chalky even when clean,
you’re looking at Paint Correction,
not just an Exterior Detail. We can absolutely stack them – Exterior + Correction + Coating is where things get wild.
Where Exterior Detail Fits in the Bigger Picture
Think of this as either your entry point or your maintenance service, depending on how far you want to go.
Stepping Stone to Coatings
The best time for a ceramic coating is after the exterior has been properly cleaned and decontaminated.
- Pair with Paint Correction for next-level gloss
- Upgrade into a 5-Year Coating
- Or go all-in with a 10-Year Coating
Maintain It Without Thinking About It
Start with a Full Detail or correction, then use Exterior Detail and memberships to keep it dialed.
- Full Detail for the full reset
- Exterior Detail as your scheduled “keep it nice” service
- Memberships & gift cards available for recurring clients
Exterior Detail FAQ
How long does an Exterior Detail take?
Plan on 2–3 hours depending on size, contamination, and weather conditions.
Larger vehicles or heavily contaminated surfaces can take longer.
Will this remove all my swirls and scratches?
No. Exterior Detail focuses on cleaning and decontamination, plus protection.
Swirl and scratch removal is the job of Paint Correction, which is a separate service.
Does this include the interior?
No – this is exterior only. If you need both done, look at the Full Detail.
Can you remove tree sap, tar, or overspray?
Often yes, but those are treated as heavier contamination and may require extra time and cost.
I’ll point it out and quote it before doing anything aggressive.
What kind of protection do you use?
Typically a high-quality sealant or entry-level ceramic topper that boosts gloss and water behavior for months,
not days. If you want multi-year protection, that’s where full ceramic coatings come in.
How often should I get an Exterior Detail?
For coastal daily drivers, every 3–6 months is a solid rhythm, especially if the vehicle lives outside.
Book Your Exterior Detail
Use the form below to lock in your Exterior Detail appointment. If it looks like you need
correction or a different package, I’ll tell you straight before we start.
[ameliaservice id=”EXTERIOR_DETAIL_SERVICE_ID”]
If you’re sick of your vehicle looking dull, gritty, and “clean-ish” after every wash,
an Exterior Detail is the move. Clean it right once, then decide how far you want to take protection.