Auto Detailing Prices List: A Complete Service Menu With Current Rates
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If you've ever called an auto detailing shop and been surprised by the price, you probably didn't have a good frame of reference. Detailing prices aren't standardized like oil change costs or tire rotations. Every shop creates its own menu, and the same service can vary by hundreds of dollars between providers.
This guide gives you a realistic auto detailing prices list organized by service category. Use it as a benchmark when comparing quotes, and you'll know instantly whether a shop is charging fairly or padding the bill.
Wash and Maintenance Services
These are the entry-level services that keep your car clean between full details. They don't restore anything, but they prevent dirt and contaminants from causing long-term damage.
| Service | Sedan Price | SUV/Truck Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Hand Wash | $20-$40 | $30-$55 | Wash, dry, windows |
| Hand Wash + Dry + Tire Dress | $30-$55 | $40-$70 | Most popular quick service |
| Exterior Wash + Spray Wax | $40-$65 | $55-$85 | 1-3 month protection |
| Rinseless Wash | $25-$50 | $35-$65 | No water hookup needed |
| Waterless Wash (light dust) | $20-$40 | $30-$55 | Very light cleaning only |
| Maintenance Wash (coated cars) | $35-$60 | $50-$80 | pH-neutral, safe for coatings |
A maintenance wash for ceramic-coated vehicles is a specific service. Regular car wash soap can degrade coatings over time. If your car has been coated, make sure the detailer uses a coating-safe wash method.
Exterior Detail Services
Exterior detailing goes beyond washing. These services address paint condition, protection, and appearance.
| Service | Sedan Price | SUV/Truck Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Detail (clay + sealant) | $100-$175 | $140-$240 | 2-3 hours |
| Paint Decontamination | $75-$125 | $100-$175 | 1.5-2 hours |
| Iron Fallout Removal | $40-$75 | $55-$100 | 30-60 min |
| Tar & Sap Removal | $30-$75 | $40-$100 | 30-60 min |
| Overspray Removal | $200-$800 | $300-$1,200 | 4-10 hours |
| Tree Sap Damage Repair | $100-$400 | $150-$600 | Varies |
| Bird Dropping Etch Removal | $50-$150 | $75-$200 | 1-3 hours |
| Water Spot Removal (mineral) | $100-$300 | $150-$400 | 2-5 hours |
Overspray removal is one of the most expensive one-off services. If your car got hit with construction overspray, act fast. The longer it sits, the harder and more expensive it becomes to remove.
Paint Correction Services
Paint correction is skilled work that requires training, quality equipment, and patience. Prices reflect the expertise involved.
| Service | Sedan Price | SUV/Truck Price | Defect Removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glaze/Filler (temporary) | $75-$150 | $100-$200 | Masks defects |
| One-Step Enhancement | $200-$400 | $300-$550 | 50-70% removal |
| Two-Step Correction | $400-$800 | $600-$1,100 | 80-95% removal |
| Three-Step Correction | $700-$1,500 | $1,000-$2,000+ | 95%+ removal |
| Wet Sand + Polish | $500-$1,200 | $750-$1,800 | Heavy defect removal |
| Single Panel Correction | $75-$200 | $75-$200 | Per panel pricing |
Important: A glaze or filler product is NOT paint correction. It temporarily fills in scratches and swirls to make them less visible, but the defects return after a few washes. If someone offers "paint correction" for $100 on a sedan, they're using filler. Real correction starts at $200+ and takes hours.
Interior Detail Services
Interior work is priced based on the amount of labor, the type of surfaces, and the condition of the vehicle.
| Service | Sedan Price | SUV/Truck Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Interior Clean | $50-$90 | $70-$120 | 1-1.5 hours |
| Standard Interior Detail | $100-$200 | $140-$275 | 2-3 hours |
| Deep Interior Detail | $200-$350 | $275-$475 | 3-5 hours |
| Hot Water Extraction (carpets) | $75-$125 | $100-$175 | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Leather Clean + Condition | $60-$100 | $80-$140 | 1-2 hours |
| Fabric Seat Shampoo | $50-$100 | $70-$125 | 1-2 hours |
| Headliner Cleaning | $40-$75 | $40-$75 | 30-60 min |
| Pet Hair Removal | $30-$75 | $40-$100 | 30-90 min |
| Child Seat Area Deep Clean | $25-$50 | $25-$50 | 30-45 min |
| Console/Cup Holder Detail | $20-$40 | $20-$40 | 20-30 min |
For maintaining leather between professional details, a good leather cleaner and conditioner combo goes a long way. Chemical Guys Leather Complete is a solid all-in-one option that cleans and conditions in one step.
Odor Elimination Services
Odor work is specialized and often requires multiple treatments.
| Service | Price Range | Duration | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freshener Treatment | $15-$30 | 15 min | Temporary masking |
| Ozone Generator Treatment | $75-$150 | 2-4 hours | Good for mild odors |
| Smoke/Cigarette Removal | $150-$400 | 4-8 hours | Multiple treatments needed |
| Mold/Mildew Treatment | $150-$350 | 4-8 hours | Includes source cleanup |
| Vomit/Biohazard | $100-$250 | 2-4 hours | Extraction + sanitize |
| Skunk Spray Removal | $150-$300 | 4-6 hours | Specialized chemistry |
Smoke odor removal is the toughest job on this list. Nicotine and tar penetrate every porous surface in the vehicle. Expect multiple ozone treatments and complete interior shampooing. One session rarely does it.
Protection Services
Protection products and coatings range from budget-friendly sealants to premium multi-year solutions.
| Service | Price Range | Durability |
|---|---|---|
| Spray Sealant | $30-$60 | 1-3 months |
| Paste/Liquid Wax | $50-$100 | 2-4 months |
| Paint Sealant (machine applied) | $75-$150 | 4-8 months |
| Consumer Ceramic Coating | $100-$300 | 1-2 years |
| Professional Ceramic Coating | $500-$2,500 | 3-7+ years |
| Graphene Coating | $600-$2,000 | 3-5 years |
| Paint Protection Film (partial) | $800-$2,500 | 5-10 years |
| Paint Protection Film (full body) | $4,000-$8,000 | 5-10 years |
| Wheel Ceramic Coating | $75-$200 | 1-3 years |
| Glass Ceramic Coating | $50-$150 | 1-2 years |
If you're investing in professional ceramic coating, factor in the cost of paint correction beforehand. Most reputable coating installers require the paint to be corrected before they'll apply a coating, and that preparation can cost as much as the coating itself.
Using This Price List Effectively
When you get a quote from a detailer, compare it against these ranges. If a price falls well below the range, ask what's being skipped. If it's above the range, ask what extras are included.
Get quotes from at least three providers. Send them a few photos of your vehicle's current condition so they can give accurate estimates without the "I'll have to see it first" runaround.
Check reviews and ask for before-and-after photos of their work, specifically on vehicles similar to yours. A detailing inspection light is also worth having so you can check the quality of their paint correction work when you pick up the car.
Looking for the best detailing products to maintain your car at home? See our top picks for auto detailing kits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are auto detailing prices so different from shop to shop? Product quality, labor rates, overhead costs, skill level, and geographic location all create variation. A solo mobile detailer in a small town has very different costs than a premium studio in a major city. Both can do quality work, but their pricing structures reflect their situations.
What's the best value on this list? A standard full detail package (interior + exterior) in the $200-$350 range for a sedan offers the best bang for your buck. You get real cleaning and protection without the premium cost of correction or coating work.
How do I know if a detailer is overcharging? Compare their itemized quote against this list. If individual services are 30-50% above the ranges shown here (adjusted for your area's cost of living), ask them to justify the pricing. Sometimes it's warranted, sometimes it's not.
Should I get everything done at once or spread it out? If budget allows, booking a full detail package saves money compared to individual services. But if you can only afford one thing, prioritize what needs the most attention. A trashed interior benefits more from an interior detail than an exterior wax.
The Takeaway
This auto detailing prices list covers the full spectrum of services from a $20 hand wash to an $8,000 full-body paint protection film installation. Most car owners will spend $200-$400 on a quality detail that covers both interior and exterior. Know what you need, compare quotes against these benchmarks, and invest your money where it makes the biggest difference for your specific vehicle.