How Much Does Car Detailing Cost in 2026?

Quick Price Summary

Note: Prices reflect national averages for 2026. Actual costs vary by market, vehicle size, and condition. Luxury and exotic vehicles typically cost 25–50% more.

Basic Detailing Services ($30–$150)

Basic detailing services are your maintenance tier — the equivalent of a gym membership for your car's appearance. These services keep your vehicle clean between more comprehensive treatments.

Exterior Hand Wash & Wax: $75–$150

A proper hand wash uses a two-bucket method to prevent scratching, followed by a clay bar treatment to remove embedded contaminants, and finished with a carnauba or synthetic wax for protection and gloss. This is the baseline service most shops offer and should be done every 1–2 months.

Interior Vacuum & Wipe-Down: $30–$75

Quick interior services cover vacuuming carpets and seats, wiping down hard surfaces, cleaning windows from inside, and deodorizing. Great for regular maintenance between full detail appointments.

Full Detail Packages ($150–$400)

A full detail combines comprehensive interior and exterior services into one appointment. This is the most popular offering at most detailing shops and covers everything your car needs for a thorough refresh.

What's Included in a Full Detail

• Hand wash, clay bar, and wax or sealant on exterior
• Tire dressing and wheel cleaning
• Complete interior vacuum (seats, carpets, trunk)
• Leather or fabric seat conditioning
• Dashboard, console, and door panel wipe-down
• Interior window cleaning
• Air freshening

Pricing varies significantly by vehicle size. Expect to pay around $150–$200 for a sedan, $200–$300 for an SUV or pickup truck, and $300–$400+ for a large truck, van, or vehicle in heavily soiled condition.

Pro tip: Schedule a full detail twice a year — spring (to remove winter salt damage) and fall (to prep for winter). This maintenance cadence dramatically extends the life of your paint and interior materials.

Paint Correction ($250–$1,500+)

Paint correction is the process of removing surface imperfections — swirl marks, light scratches, water spots, and oxidation — using machine polishers and abrasive compounds. The result is dramatically improved paint clarity and depth.

Single-Stage Correction: $250–$500

A single-stage polish removes 30–50% of surface defects and is ideal for daily drivers in moderate condition. It's a cost-effective way to significantly improve the appearance of a dull or scratched paint job.

Multi-Stage Correction: $500–$1,500+

Multi-stage paint correction involves multiple rounds of compounding and polishing to achieve 90%+ defect removal. This service is for enthusiasts and vehicle owners preparing for shows or applying ceramic coatings. The process can take 8–20+ hours on a single vehicle.

Paint correction is almost always recommended before ceramic coating application. Coating over existing defects will lock them in permanently, so spending the extra money upfront makes sense for long-term protection.

Ceramic Coating ($500–$2,500)

Professional ceramic coatings are liquid polymer treatments that chemically bond to your vehicle's paint, creating a hydrophobic, scratch-resistant layer that lasts 2–7 years depending on the product tier.

Entry-Level Coatings: $500–$900

Entry-level professional ceramic coatings offer 2–3 year protection and represent excellent value for daily drivers. Many shops offer these as an upgrade to a full detail package.

Premium Ceramic Systems: $1,000–$2,500

Premium coatings from brands like Gtechniq Crystal Serum, XPEL Fusion Plus, or IGL Coatings last 5–10 years and include enhanced hydrophobic properties, better scratch resistance, and typically come with manufacturer warranties through certified installers.

The coating cost doesn't include paint correction, which is needed first. Budget for both when planning a complete ceramic package.

Paint Protection Film / PPF ($900–$8,000+)

Paint Protection Film (PPF) is a thick, self-healing thermoplastic urethane film applied to painted surfaces to protect against rock chips, road debris, and scratches. It's the most comprehensive physical protection available.

Partial PPF Coverage: $900–$2,500

Most customers opt for partial coverage covering the front bumper, hood (full or partial), mirrors, and A-pillars — the areas most vulnerable to rock chips. This high-impact protection covers the critical areas at a fraction of full-vehicle cost.

Full Vehicle PPF: $3,500–$8,000+

Full-vehicle PPF provides total paint protection and is popular for new luxury and exotic vehicles. The film is essentially invisible on modern high-gloss finishes and self-heals minor scratches with heat exposure.

Factors That Affect Detailing Prices

Tips for Getting the Best Value

• Always get 2–3 quotes before booking a coating or PPF package — pricing varies significantly.
• Bundle services when possible. Paint correction + ceramic coating together often comes at a discount vs. booking separately.
• Ask about maintenance packages. Many shops offer annual or biannual maintenance details at reduced rates for coating customers.
• Read reviews carefully — the cheapest quote rarely delivers the best outcome for premium services like paint correction and coatings.
• Consider seasonal timing. Winter months are typically slower for detailers, making it easier to negotiate deals.