How to Prepare Your Car for a Detail: A Simple Checklist

A little preparation makes a big difference to how smoothly a detail goes and how good the result is. Most of it takes ten minutes. Here's what to do before we arrive.

What should I do before getting my car detailed?

Take out personal items, valuables and anything you want to keep, empty the boot, and remove child seats if you can. Tell your detailer about stains, smells, mould or anything fragile. For a mobile detail, park where every door can open fully, with a tap and a power point within reach, and arrange access if the car is at work or in a secure car park.

Before the day

• Send photos with your quote request. They help us plan the right amount of time and give you an accurate price.
• Mention problem areas. Stains, smells, mould, spilt drinks or sticky residue all change how we approach the job.
• Check the forecast. Exterior work and coatings need dry weather, so jobs are planned around the forecast.
• Book the right service. A mini detail suits cars in good shape, a full detail suits stained seats and carpets, and a presale detail suits cars going up for sale.

Clear out the car

• Remove personal items and valuables from the cabin, glovebox, console and door pockets.
• Empty the boot, including the spare wheel well if you'd like it cleaned.
• Take out child seats if you can, so we can clean underneath them.
• Leave the floor mats in. We take them out, clean them and put them back.

Set up for a mobile detail

• A tap and a power point within reach of the car. We bring everything else.
• Room to work. Enough space to open every door and walk around the car.
• Shade if possible. A carport or garage is ideal, especially for polishing and coatings.
• Access. If the car is at your workplace or in an apartment building, check with building management that we can get in and work there.
• Keys. Leave them with us or somewhere we can reach, so we can open the doors and boot.

Do I need to wash my car before a detail?

No. Washing, decontaminating the paint and cleaning the interior are all part of the detail. Just take out what you want to keep and we'll handle the rest.

Do I need to be there?

No. Most customers hand over the keys and get on with their day. We'll let you know when the car is finished, and you pay when the job is done, by cash, card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. For timings, see how long a car detail takes.

After the detail

• If the seats and carpets were shampooed, leave the windows slightly open for a few hours. They're left damp, not wet, and dry faster with some airflow.
• If your car was ceramic coated, follow our aftercare guide.
• Keep a small bin bag in the car. It's the easiest way to keep it clean for longer.

Common questions

Should I remove the floor mats before a detail?

No need. We take them out, clean them and put them back.

What if it rains on the day?

Interior work can often go ahead under cover. Exterior work and coatings need dry conditions, so we may move the booking to another day.

Can you detail my car at work?

Yes, as long as there's a tap and a power point within reach and the building allows it. Check car park access first.

How long will the detail take?

From 3 to 4 hours for a mini detail up to 7 to 9 hours for a presale detail, on a hatch or sedan. Larger or very dirty vehicles take longer.