Car Wash or Detail: Which is Better?

A traditional wash will clean off the dirt, but details take it one step further by distressing (i.e., sanding down) paintwork to make it look like new again; for this reason, they are more expensive and time-consuming than washes.

Car Wash or Detail: Which is better?


In Newport Beach and costa mesa near me, there are two different services to consider for your car: a car wash or a detail. Which should you choose? A car wash is quick and inexpensive, while a detail takes time and costs more money. You can find many products in detail V.S a car wash that would benefit your vehicles, such as waxing and polishing. This article will take a deep dive into the differences, and you can decide which suits your costa mesa car wash needs!


Auto Detailing & Car Washing in Newport Beach


A car wash can be done in many ways, depending on the type of car wash you pay for. The main purpose of car washing is to loosen and remove dirt on the surface of the vehicle. Car washing includes chemical cleaners, special brushes, and high-pressure water to remove dirt, salt, and mud. The basic car wash of the vehicle uses high-powered brushes and cleaning solutions to make your car shine. Most Costa Mesa and Newport Beach car washes also include tire cleaning, wheel polishing, and glass cleaning.  Although, our dedication to providing a quality service is unmatched at Beach Cities Car Wash.

Vehicle experts recommend cleaning the vehicle every two weeks to prevent rust and corrosion. If you live in an area with high salt content, such as Orange Country, or drive on off-road dirt roads, you should frequently wash your vehicle.


Auto Detailing Services


A quality detail service means your vehicle is getting a thorough top-to-bottom cleaning from professionals. Car detailers use special tools and premium products to make your vehicle look and smell brand new. The experts eliminate scratches, chipped paint, and swirl marks that a standard cash wash cannot.

Detailing the exterior of your car entails washing, polishing, waxing, and degreasing to remove all blemishes, followed by applying the sealant to leave your car shining.

It's not just the exterior of the car that needs attention. Interior car detailing is as important as exterior detailing for vehicle owners to maintain a healthy vehicle.

An interior car detailing procedure begins with a thorough vacuuming or steam cleaning. To maintain leather interiors, leather trimming is applied to areas where the leather has become dried out. After the glass is cleaned, the vehicle is deodorized.


Car Wash vs Detail: Explained

Washing your car is an important aspect of owning a vehicle and can be done in two different ways. A traditional wash will clean off the dirt, but details take it one step further by distressing (i.e., sanding down) paintwork to make it look like new again; for this reason, they are more expensive and time-consuming than washes.

A detail will take more time than just washing one's vehicle because they involve additional steps that are designed for making the exterior look as good as when you first bought it. It also costs much more money compared to having someone do only an initial cleaning with soap or water followed up quickly by wiping down and drying off the vehicle.


Detail Newport Beach & Costa Mesa

Detailing is a more thorough process, with the majority of car experts recommending repeat visits every 4-6 months.  Most local and mobile detail services typically at a bare minimum include the following steps:

  • Cleaning exterior dirt off with water or soap; dry cleaning (using towels) to remove any leftover residue from soap or dirt left on the paintwork
  • Buffing out scratches using special polish for this purpose only, shininess is non-negotiable.
  • Thorough interior cleaning, all leather treatment.
  • Protectant applied to rubber and plastic surfaces that can be damaged by sunlight
  • Wax application on paintwork.

Car Wash Newport Beach

A car wash, on the other hand, is suggested to be a much more frequent event, often including:

  • A quick wash (usually only the exterior).  If you're lucky you'll get a touch of wax included in every wash (shhh).
  • Exterior tire cleaning and, where possible, wheel wells.
  • Interior vacuuming of carpets or mats for any debris left behind from walking shoes inside the car.
  • Hand drying with a cloth or soft towel.


Now that you know the difference between a car wash vs detail, it's time to start focusing on what your vehicle deserves from its caretaker. Give yourself and your ride peace of mind with our range of services - we can clean both inside and out so there’s nothing left for dirt or grime to cling onto.

Get in touch today if you're ready!

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