How Long Does Car Detailing Take?
At TRZ an exterior detail takes about 45 minutes, an interior detail 1.5 to 2.5 hours and a full detail 2.5 to 3 hours, done at your house. Vehicle size and condition decide where in that range a car lands; heavy pet hair, stains and add-ons push it toward the top.
Times by service
These are the times for the work at your house, from when we start to when the car is finished.
| Service | Time | What the time goes on |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior detail | About 45 minutes | Hand wash, wheels and tires, glass, spray wax |
| Interior detail | 1.5 to 2.5 hours | Vacuum, shampoo and extraction, steam, leather |
| Full detail | 2.5 to 3 hours | Both of the above, in one visit |
What makes a detail take longer
Size. A three-row SUV or crew-cab truck has far more seat, carpet and glass than a coupe, which is why it sits at the top of each range.
Time since the last clean. A car detailed every month is a maintenance job. One that has gone a year is closer to a restoration, and it takes longer to get the same result.
Pet hair. It has to be worked out of the fabric by hand before it can be vacuumed, and there is no shortcut. Add-ons generally add time on top of the main service.
Why a 20-minute "detail" isn't one
Shampooing upholstery means agitating it, extracting the water and dirt, and leaving it to dry. Conditioning leather means cleaning it first. Doing paint safely means rinsing, washing in sections and drying before anything spots. None of those steps compresses into a car-wash visit, and when they are skipped it shows within a week.
Planning around it
You don't need to stay home for it. As long as we can reach the car, an outdoor spigot and an outlet, you can be at work. More in car detailing at your house.
Ceramic coating is a longer job than any of these, because the paint is decontaminated and prepped panel by panel before the coating goes on. We give you the time when you book.
Questions
How long does a full car detail take?
2.5 to 3 hours at TRZ, depending on the vehicle size and condition.
How long does an interior detail take?
1.5 to 2.5 hours. Heavy pet hair or stains push it toward the longer end.
How long does an exterior detail take?
About 45 minutes for a hand wash, wheels, glass and a spray wax.
Do I need to be there the whole time?
No. As long as we can get to the car, a spigot and an outlet, you can leave us to it.
Our services
Where we detail
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Serving Greater Austin
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