What Is Included in a Full Detail?

6 min read · Updated 2026-08-11

A full detail is a complete interior and exterior reset: a decontamination wash, wheels and tires, glass, door jambs, a protective finish on paint, plus a full interior vacuum, extraction where needed, surface cleaning and leather or upholstery care.

Street Standard's Full Detail starts at $209 for a sedan and scales with vehicle size. Here is exactly what happens, in order.

Exterior steps

Every exterior begins with the dirtiest areas first so contamination never gets dragged across paint.

—Wheels, wheel wells, tires and calipers cleaned first
—Pre-rinse and foam soak to lift loose dirt
—Hand wash using a two-bucket method and clean media
—Bug and tar removal on front-facing surfaces
—Door jambs, fuel door and trim detailed
—Glass cleaned inside and out
—Tire dressing and trim treatment
—Protective finish applied to paint

Interior steps

Interiors are worked top-down so nothing falls onto areas already finished.

—Full removal of trash and personal debris (kept and returned)
—Complete vacuum including under seats, rails and cargo area
—Compressed air and detail brushes through vents and seams
—Carpet and upholstery spot treatment or extraction
—Leather cleaned and conditioned
—Dash, console, panels and cupholders cleaned and finished with a non-greasy protectant
—Interior glass and screens cleaned streak-free

What is an add-on instead

A few services take significant extra labor and are priced separately so the base detail stays affordable.

—Heavy pet hair removal
—Engine bay cleaning
—Headlight restoration
—Odor treatment for smoke or spoiled spills
—Ceramic coating (a separate service starting at $999)

Common questions

Does a full detail include the engine bay?

Engine bay cleaning is an add-on rather than part of the base full detail, because it requires separate masking, chemistry and dry time.

What is the difference between a full detail and a premium full detail?

The Premium Full Detail (from $289) adds deeper interior extraction, more thorough decontamination and a longer-lasting protective finish than the standard Full Detail (from $209).

Is a full detail worth it?

Yes for most drivers — it resets both interior and exterior at once, protects resale value, and makes ongoing maintenance far faster and cheaper.