What Is Exterior Detailing?
Exterior detailing is a systematic, multi-stage process that goes far beyond a regular car wash. It starts with a thorough hand wash using pH-neutral soap and proper two-bucket technique to avoid dragging grit across the paint. Then it moves through decontamination, correction, and protection in sequence. Each stage prepares the paint for the next so the final result is dramatically better than skipping straight to a wax.
Florida paint takes a serious beating. The UV index in Central Florida is among the highest in the country. Combined with hard water deposits from afternoon storms, pine and oak pollen, road tar, insect acids, and constant sun exposure, most vehicles accumulate years of bonded contamination that no amount of regular washing removes. A proper exterior detail strips all of it and puts a genuine protective barrier back on the paint.
Every service is performed mobile. Andrew arrives at your location fully equipped with everything needed to complete the job. No drop-off required.
What's Included
pH-neutral soap applied with proper two-bucket method. Removes loose dirt without introducing new scratches from dragging grit across the paint surface.
Wheels cleaned with iron remover and dedicated brushes. Tires scrubbed and dressed. Wheel wells blown out and wiped down.
Chemical iron remover applied to all painted surfaces. Dissolves embedded metallic brake dust and industrial fallout that washing alone cannot remove.
Paint clayed to remove bonded surface contamination. After claying, paint feels glass-smooth to the touch. Essential prep before polishing or protection application.
Dual-action polisher removes light swirl marks, water etching, and oxidation. Restores clarity and depth to the paint. Actual correction work, not just a hand wax.
Protection layer applied after polishing. Paint sealant lasts 3 to 6 months. Carnauba wax adds a warm, deep gloss. Both provide genuine UV and contamination resistance.
Plastic exterior trim cleaned and dressed. Faded grey trim brought back to black. Protects against further UV degradation.
All exterior glass cleaned streak-free. Water spot treatment applied where needed. Wipers wiped down.
Door jambs wiped down and dressed. One of the most commonly skipped areas in a basic wash. We include it as standard.
Our Process
Pre-Wash Assessment
Andrew inspects the paint before starting. Notes existing scratches, heavy contamination, water etching, and oxidation. Sets expectations for what the detail will achieve based on actual paint condition.
Pre-Rinse and Wheel Work
Vehicle rinsed to remove loose debris. Wheels, tires, and wheel wells cleaned first while iron remover dwells on painted surfaces. Prevents cross-contamination from brake dust onto clean paint.
Hand Wash
Full two-bucket hand wash using pH-neutral soap and microfiber wash media. Panels washed top to bottom. Final rinse and dry with clean microfiber towels to avoid water spots.
Decontamination
Iron remover applied to all painted panels. Clay bar worked across the entire paint surface to pull out embedded contamination. Paint tested by touch before moving on. Glass-smooth is the target.
Machine Polish
Dual-action polisher with appropriate pad and compound removes swirl marks, light scratches, and oxidation. Work done panel by panel. Level of correction matched to paint condition and customer goals.
Protection and Finishing
Paint sealant or carnauba wax applied by hand or machine. Trim dressed. Glass cleaned. Final walk-around inspection. Vehicle handed back looking better than it has in years.
Why Florida Paint Needs More Than a Wash
"Andrew did an amazing job on my Ford Focus SVT. The paint looks immaculate and the interior is like it came off the factory floor. I would recommend Andrew for any and all of your car detailing needs." - Mark
UV oxidation. Florida's UV index is relentless year-round. Clear coats fade, dull, and eventually oxidize without proper protection. Once oxidation sets in it requires machine polishing to correct. Regular waxing or sealant application slows this dramatically.
Water spots. Hard mineral deposits left behind every time water evaporates on paint. They etch into the clear coat over time and cannot be removed by washing. Clay bar and targeted chemical treatment handle most cases before they require polishing.
Swirl marks. Introduced by automatic car washes, improper hand washing, and dry wiping. They scatter light and make paint look dull and grey in sunlight. Machine polishing is the only effective fix.
Bonded contamination. Brake dust, industrial fallout, tree sap, and road tar bond to paint and cannot be washed off. They accelerate paint degradation and prevent protection products from bonding properly. Decontamination removes them completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Exterior Detailing by City
We perform exterior detailing across all of our service areas. Click your city for location-specific information.