Why are detailers so expensive? Have you ever wondered this? Many people tend to ask that question. With the rise of $3-$5 car washes, it would only make sense to think this way, right? I mean, detailers can get expensive. What really does detailing involve? Why does it cost so much?
Auto detailing is defined as "an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing of an automobile, both inside and out, to produce a show-quality level of detail. Besides improving appearance, detailing helps to preserve resale value of a car." Really detailing does more than keep your car looking gorgeous, but it maintains it. Cars that lack that deep clean are more prone to having other issues with their paint and other cosmetic problems. But besides that, you will get more for your money when you try and resell it!
I have to admit, before we took detailing under our belt, I loved the $3 car washes! They were great, they washed the car and I was out in under 5 minutes. It left my car looking decent though, not amazing. My tires were still pretty dirty, my windows were not extremely clean, and there were still stains in the car and I had to vacuum it. For $3 though, that's what you get. We all would agree that if we want quality, it does not come cheap.
Why? Detailers mean business when they clean. They want you to feel like a million dollars when you get your car back. Think about what they have to work with. They get very different types of clients. Sometimes they get the business man who is getting his routine wash and wax, or even the soccer mom who has lots of activity in the car. So what brings gratification to these detailers?
They want you to look for stains in spots that you could not clean yourself, and see they're gone. They want you to inspect your tires and see your self in the reflection because they're so shiny. They want you to notice there is no dust anywhere. However, they go beyond that. They clean little things that don't matter to most. They clean your vents, they clean your handles, they make sure the windows are in tip top shape. However, besides these things, detailers pay attention to other details. What does this include? They take care of scratches and make sure their buffed. Some times they even repair tires, which may not seem like they need changing.
Sounds like hard work right? It is, but they are satisfied when you are. Too, its a matter of convenience you pay for. Anyone can go and try to wash their cars themselves, but sometimes it may just be easier and less laborious to have someone else do it and right. It can take a team to do a complete detail in about 2 hours, it may take someone who is not trained to just a wax job in 2 hours. And if they come to you, you won't have to wait in a shop until its finished. You are either in the comfort of your home or even at your place of employment.
So think about it. You can go to the carwash and get it cleaned and it may not be that expensive. However, the clean will not last as long. Yet, if you get a detailer, all the spots you hate looking at, the ones that nag you while you drive, will no longer be there. Also, the clean will last longer. It might just be worth it to pay a little extra some times.
