Tips & Advice
Full Detail vs Express Detail: What's the Difference?
Blackout Window Tinting
5 min read
Express detail takes 30 minutes. Full detail takes 4+ hours. Here's exactly what each includes and when to choose which.
Someone recommends you "get your car detailed." But which detail?
Express detail: 30-60 minutes, surface-level cleaning Full detail: 4-8 hours, complete restoration
The difference isn't just time—it's what actually gets cleaned and how.
Express Detail: What's Included
Also called "quick detail" or "express wash plus":
Exterior
- Hand wash (or touchless automatic)
- Tire dressing
- Window cleaning
- Quick dry
- Maybe spray wax
Interior
- Vacuum (quick pass)
- Dashboard wipe
- Window cleaning
- Air freshener
- Floor mat cleaning
What's NOT Included
- Clay bar treatment
- Paint correction
- Leather conditioning
- Deep stain removal
- Engine cleaning
- Detailed crevice cleaning
Time: 30-60 minutes Cost: $40-$100
Full Detail: What's Included
Exterior (Complete)
Wash and decontamination:
- Two-bucket hand wash
- Clay bar treatment (removes bonded contamination)
- Iron fallout removal
- Tar removal if needed
Paint care:
- Light polish or sealant
- Wax or spray coating
Details:
- Wheels cleaned inside and out
- Tire dressing
- Wheel wells cleaned
- Door jambs detailed
- Exhaust tips polished
- Trim restored/dressed
- Glass cleaned inside and out
- Exterior trim treated
Interior (Complete)
Cleaning:
- Full vacuum (seats, carpets, mats, crevices)
- Steam cleaning or extraction
- Dashboard and console detailed
- Vents cleaned with brushes
- Cup holders and storage cleaned
- Headliner cleaned
Surfaces:
- Leather cleaned and conditioned
- Fabric protected
- Plastics dressed
- Wood/trim treated
Glass:
- All interior glass cleaned
- Mirror cleaned
What Makes It "Full"
- Every surface addressed
- Interior crevices detailed
- Contamination removed, not just washed
- Protection applied
Time: 4-8 hours Cost: $200-$500+
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Service | Express | Full Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wash | Basic | Two-bucket pro |
| Clay bar | No | Yes |
| Wax/sealant | Spray (maybe) | Full application |
| Vacuum | Quick pass | Deep + crevices |
| Leather | Wipe | Clean + condition |
| Stain removal | No | Included |
| Engine bay | No | Often included |
| Wheel detail | Tire dressing | Full clean + dress |
| Time | 30-60 min | 4-8 hours |
| Lasts | 1-2 weeks | 1-3 months |
When Express Detail Makes Sense
Regular Maintenance
If your car is already clean and you full detail regularly, express keeps it fresh between services.
Quick Prep
Date tonight, family arriving, selling tomorrow—express makes your car presentable fast.
Weekly/Bi-Weekly
Some people express detail frequently rather than full detail occasionally. This works if you're consistent.
Budget Constraints
$40-60 express detail is better than skipping care entirely.
When Full Detail Is Worth It
Quarterly Deep Clean
Every 3-4 months, a full detail:
- Removes accumulated contamination
- Addresses issues before they're permanent
- Resets your baseline
Before Protection
Getting ceramic coating, PPF, or sealant? Full detail first:
- Contamination must be removed
- Surface must be corrected
- Protection adheres to clean surface
After Winter
Salt, grime, and neglect need full attention. Express won't cut it.
Before Selling
Full detail can add $500+ to perceived value. The ROI is clear.
New-to-You Vehicle
Just bought a used car? Full detail reveals the real condition and starts fresh.
What "Detail" Means Varies
Warning: "Detail" isn't standardized.
One shop's "full detail": Wash, vacuum, wipe—done. Another shop's "full detail": 6-hour comprehensive service.
Always ask what's included before booking.
Questions to Ask
- How long does the detail take?
- What's included in exterior? Interior?
- Is clay bar treatment included?
- What paint protection is applied?
- Is leather conditioned or just wiped?
Detail Packages We Offer
Express Refresh ($40-$80)
- Hand wash
- Interior vacuum
- Windows cleaned
- Tire dressing
Standard Detail ($150-$250)
- Two-bucket wash
- Vacuum and interior wipe
- Dashboard/console cleaned
- Leather wiped and dressed
- Basic wax protection
- Tires and wheels
Full Detail ($300-$500)
- Everything above plus:
- Clay bar treatment
- Light polish
- Deep leather conditioning
- Steam/extraction cleaning
- Crevice detailing
- Premium protection
Correction Detail ($500+)
- Full detail plus:
- Paint correction (swirls/scratches)
- Ceramic coating option
- Maximum restoration
How to Maximize Each
Getting More From Express
- Remove trash before arrival
- Shake out floor mats
- Know what you need most (vacuum vs shine)
Getting More From Full
- Point out specific stains
- Mention any odor concerns
- Remove personal items beforehand
- Book adequate time (no rushing)
The "Detail More Often" Fallacy
Common thinking: I'll just express detail weekly.
The problem: Express doesn't remove contamination. It moves it. Over time:
- Paint accumulates bonded contamination
- Interior stains set deeper
- Leather dries out
- Damage becomes permanent
Better approach: Full detail quarterly, express monthly between.
Ready for a Real Detail?
Whether express refresh or complete restoration:
📞 Call 408-848-8468 — discuss your car's needs
📍 Visit our Gilroy shop — see the difference
📷 Send photos — we'll recommend the right service
Related Content
- How Often: How Often Should You Detail Your Car?
- DIY Consideration: DIY vs Professional Detailing
- Services: Detailing Services
