Car detailing is way more than just a cosmetic indulgence. Unlike a regular car wash, it’s a vital part of vehicle maintenance that can even prolong the life of your beloved car. More so, it will enhance your overall driving experience and help to preserve its resale value.
With that being said, car detailing isn’t always the cheapest process, which can make having it done often a bit unrealistic for many. So, just how often should you take your car in to be detailed?
What is Car Detailing?
Car detailing is a thorough process that aims to clean, restore, and protect both the interior and exterior of your car. While many people confuse it with a simple cash wash, there are major differences between the two.
For starters, a car wash is merely a cosmetic process that only provides a surface-level cleaning. A car detailing, on the other hand, leaves no surface or component untouched, ensuring that your vehicle is in top shape.
Detailing goes deeper by removing embedded grime, conditioning surfaces, and even applying protective treatments that help extend the life expectancy of various components. After all, your car is a machine with moving parts. Ensuring that these parts are clean and running smoothly is key.
Many car detailing services also include paint correction, engine bay cleaning, leather conditioning, and odor elimination. At the end of the service, your car will feel almost brand new. You can even ask for that new car smell we all love so much!
How Often to Detail Your Car
Now that we know what car detailing is, let’s talk about how often it should be done. Obviously, you want to keep your car in the best working order without having to break the bank by paying for unnecessary detailing services.
Simply put, it’s not like sending your car in for a wash, which should be done every 2 weeks or so. As a general rule, be sure to have your vehicle detailed two to three times a year. This schedule will help to maintain your car’s appearance and protect it from any environmental damage.
With that being said, this schedule should change according to how often you drive and the conditions you drive in:
Daily Commuters
If you drive every day, especially on highways or urban roads, 3 times per month is ideal. Frequent use will lead to the build-up of brake dust, road grime, and interior clutter, creating the need for more frequent detailing.
Garage-Kept Vehicles
On the other hand, if your car spends most of its life in the garage, frequent detailing isn’t so necessary. In this case, you can get away with a single detailing per year. If you live in extreme conditions, however, twice a year is ideal.
Off-Road and Rural Drivers
If you drive on off-road and rural roads, frequent car detailing becomes even more important. These roads are dusty and muddy, and can cause serious damage to your vehicle if not properly cared for. Such conditions result in rapid grime accumulation, leading to paint damage and even wear and tear on undercarriage components. As a result, detailing every 1 to 2 months is sufficient.
Things to Consider Before Detailing Your Car
Purpose of Detailing
Car detailing is designed to extend the life of your vehicle and keep it running smoothly. While it may sometimes seem unnecessary, it’s important to remember that you can’t always see damage – especially if you don’t know what you are looking for. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your car.
Cost and Value
There are various car detailing packages available for you to choose from. Some are more in-depth, while others are slightly cheaper, but not as thorough. Be sure to know what your vehicle needs beforehand in order to choose the most appropriate package.
Climate and Environmental Factors
The conditions you live in play an integral role in determining how often your vehicle needs to be detailed. Maintaining a clean environment, as Mad Miller suggests, helps keep dust at bay, which helps keep the outside of your vehicle clean. Cold and snowy conditions are harsh on your car and its components, meaning that more frequent detailing will be necessary. Similarly, hot and humid conditions lead to paint damage and rusted components.
Roilty FX for Car Detailing in Perth
If you live in the Perth area and are looking for car detailing near you, Roilty FX has you covered!
With Roilty FX, no job is too big or too small. Our services include polishing, waxing, shampooing, and paint correction. By utilising the latest techniques and highest-quality products, we will restore your car’s shine and help to keep it running as smoothly as possible for as long as possible. We even offer upholstery treatment, ensuring that your car feels brand new when it leaves the lot.
If you want to give your vehicle a second life, please get in touch with us today!