"Do I need interior detailing, exterior detailing, or both?" is the question we hear most often. The honest answer depends on how you use your car, where you park it, and what is bothering you when you sit inside. Let us break down what each service actually does.
What is included in interior detailing?
Interior detailing is a deep clean of everything you touch, breathe and sit on. It includes vacuuming carpets and seats, shampoo and steam extraction, leather cleaning and conditioning, disinfecting high-touch surfaces, and cleaning glass from the inside. The goal is a cabin that looks, smells and feels genuinely fresh.
What is included in exterior detailing?
Exterior detailing protects and restores your paint. It typically includes a pH-balanced hand wash, wheel and tire cleaning, decontamination to remove bonded grime, and a protective wax or sealant. Done properly, it removes the fine grit that causes swirl marks and leaves a slick, glossy finish that beads water.
How do I know which one I need?
If your paint looks fine but the cabin is cluttered with pet hair, crumbs or salt stains, interior detailing is your priority. If the cabin is tidy but your paint feels rough, looks dull or is covered in winter film, focus on the exterior. When both are true — which is common after an Ottawa winter — a full detail is the most cost-effective choice.
Is a full detail better value than booking separately?
Almost always, yes. A full detail bundles both services at a lower combined price than booking them individually, and the crew is already on-site. You can compare the interior, full and express options side by side on our Reverence Autos pricing page.
How often should each service be done?
Interior detailing every three to four months keeps allergens, odours and stains under control, especially for families and pet owners. Exterior detailing every two to three months maintains paint protection, with an extra session after winter salt season. If that sounds like a lot to track, a subscription handles the scheduling for you.
Does interior or exterior detailing take longer?
Interior work is usually the more time-consuming of the two because it is detailed hand labour in a confined space. A thorough interior detail can take two to three hours, while an exterior detail is often a bit faster. A full detail combines both into a single 3–4 hour appointment.
Which one adds more resale value?
Both matter, but exterior protection preserves the single most expensive-to-repair surface on your car: the paint. That said, buyers make snap judgments the moment they open a door, so a spotless interior closes deals. For resale, the full detail wins every time.
Making the call
Match the service to the problem you are trying to solve. When in doubt, the full detail covers all bases and delivers that unmistakable new-car feeling. Ready to decide? You can book your detail online and pick your service in a couple of taps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add interior detailing to an exterior wash later?
Yes, but booking a full detail upfront is cheaper than two separate visits. It also means the crew only needs to come to you once.
Does interior detailing remove pet hair?
Absolutely. Pet hair removal is a standard part of our interior process, though very heavy shedding may fall under a heavy-condition surcharge.
Will exterior detailing fix scratches?
Light swirl marks can be reduced with polishing. Deep scratches that catch a fingernail usually require paint correction or touch-up.
Ready for that fresh-car feeling?
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