who gets their car detailed once a week? - Page 2

[annekevdbroek]

I don't have the time or money either, though I do like the car to be nice and clean (and so impossible to keep it that way with two little boys). There is a service at the mall where they clean your car inside and out(handwash)  for about $35 in an hour while you shop. I really like it and do it every so often. They do a great job. I think of it as a mini-detail. I think a full detail runs around $150 or so - and I've never had that done. For 35 they clean the outside, put shiney stuff on the tires, clean the inside, wipe all the surfaces, vaccum, etc. The drive through car wash does a pretty lousy job and costs $12, so I feel I get a lot more for the $35.

[craftykel]

There are a few "quick detail" places around here.  Auto car wash, vacuum, windows and armour-all for $13 with a coupon.  I think the regular price is $17.  Even at that price, I would maybe go once a month, not every week.  It takes about 15 minutes depending on how many people are waiting.  They have a crew of 5 or so people that do everything really quickly - it reminds me of a pit stop at a race track.

[Om Girl]

we get our car washed (exterior wash/hand-dry, interior vacuumed/dusted) once per month and detailed once a year in the late spring.

living in MN we deal with excess amounts of snow/salt/snirt (snowy dirt) that build up on interior carpets so getting a full detail once yearly is essential

a full detail runs about $150 and includes:

car wash/hand-dry/waxed/buffed

interior seats removed and all carpets/mats shampooed and dried

interior surfaces cleaned/polished and treated with UV protectant

wheels polished and tires shined

we also get our cars detailed before selling them, as a PP said it makes a HUGE difference in the price you're able to get and also what a dealer will give you in trade in value.

cars are an expensive investment and I think it makes sense to take care of them...that being said, weekly full detailing seems a little extravagent. How dirty can a car get in a week?

(unless you have multiple children, live on a dirt farm road and let them eat whatever they want inside!)

[tree_hugger]

I think once a week is probably excessive, but regular detailing is an important part of car maintenance. A good buff and wax can get out scratches than might lead to rust. Protecting the interior surfaces with a product can prevent them from fading and cracking. I don't consider detailing a luxury, to me it is like getting the oil changed and tires rotated.

[Purple*Lotus]

I agree with the previous posters.  I think once a week is a lot.  However, I do pay the teenager next door to wash and wax it a few times a year, and he does a full detail once a year, and yes, he uses the Qtips and blackens the tires and everything.  It is worth every penny.  I think it is important to keep my car waxed, especially during the winter months.

[kittywitty]

Wow. We've never had our car detailed. Ever. I vacuum it out sometimes-especially before trips out of state (except in winter-we don't have a garage). I think it's been washed maybe 3 times ever in 5 years. How does everyone keep their car clean? Mine is totally trashed atm after two out of state trips. I have 5 kids in my minivan and it gets a little tight.

[OkiMom]

Before I had kids I use to go to one of those drive thru car washes once a week. Where I worked we had to go down a dirt road and parked in a dirt lot, the cars got dirty FAST, especially when it rained. BUT the car was was 5-7 dollars and I was single. Now, umm.... I think we might have washed the car right after we got it. Pretty sure we did because it was included in the sale so its been almost 4 years since it got washed. ooops. Detailed.. My father did it once right before I returned from Iraq, he wanted my car to look good when I got home..

Oh does car washing include driving in the rain?? If it does we wash ours several times a month

[catfood]

I'll admit that I have issues and I get my car detailed much more than what I'm comfortable admitting.  My kiddies just make such a mess with their cheerios, sippy cups, and occasionally flaming hot cheetos.  I cannot for the life of me figure out why they like those.  Anyway, when I drive by the detail place I stop. 

[tree_hugger]

Originally Posted by catfood 

I'll admit that I have issues and I get my car detailed much more than what I'm comfortable admitting.  My kiddies just make such a mess with their cheerios, sippy cups, and occasionally flaming hot cheetos.  I cannot for the life of me figure out why they like those.  Anyway, when I drive by the detail place I stop. 

I think I'm like you!

The way I figure, my children and I spend a lot of time in the car, between school runs, groceries, their activities, etc. The car I have now is the newest and most expensive car I've ever had, I want to look after it. I wouldn't leave mud and dirt all ground into the living room carpet, I wouldn't sit on a couch covered in food to watch TV and I wouldn't leave fast food wrappers all over the living room floor - so I don't want our in-car time to be spent that way either.

Having said that, I do agree you can have a clean car without the expense of a pro-detailing, but its still something I like to do.

[seaheroine]

Originally Posted by BetsyS 

Back when I was really young, fresh out of college, and had a new car, I got mine cleaned every 2 weeks.  But it was the $20 (back then) version, where they wash the outside, vacuum the inside, and wash the windows.  I was dating someone who thought this was necessary, and I succombed to the pressure.  LOL.  When I broke up with him, I stopped doing that.

LOL I know exactly what you mean, seriously.  Why did I always date guys who were so preoccupied with the state of my car?

I used to get it washed a couple of times a month.  Unfortunately, those days are LOOOOOONG gone, LOL. :D

[Sharlla]

I detail my own car (inside) twice a month.  to have someone else do it would be an extravagance but if if someone is wealthy and they want to support small business this would be a great way to do it. 

[ElliesMomma]

i'm the OP and i must say, that you guys have inspired me!! in particular the parts about the $30 mini detail. i went online and found an AWESOME mini detail (it's called full wash or something like that) -- the wash the exterior, polish the tires, dry it with air in the crevaces (sp), squeege, and a hand towel, inside, they wipe the dash, center console, the interior, windows and mirrors, vacuum, took out the floor mats, washed those, etc.) -- we have a mini van, so the price was $40.

i went ahead and did it and told my husband afterwards. he was very pleasantly surprised, and told me to go ahead and do it every month or so!! yeah!!

he agreed that it's a great way to keep up on our (significant) investment in buying the new mini van.

he also told me to get the leather conditioning treatment every once in awhile and to add in the waxing a couple times a year.

so looks like i'm on my way to having a nice clean(er) van to ride around in, after all.

who would have thunk it, from my original post??

you all were probably right, this is what my rich friend does every week -- not the $150 detail, but a $40 type.

it's really just about as good, especially when you can get it done so much more frequently.

and those who say that if you're rich you can support local businesses, you're right!

when i was there on saturday a couple people walked in to drop off checks. it's a family owned business. i was asking the owners about how often people come in, and they said the one guy dropping a check was there every saturday.

honestly, they were a team of two, working for about 45 minutes on my van. the cost was $40 even. i threw in a $5 tip. not a bad deal for me, to get 1.5 man hours of real labor for $40.

and the van looks like it is brand new again!

thanks, everybody!