Getting your vehicle detailed is an excellent part of routine maintenance. It may not seem as crucial as other car maintenance parts, like changing your oil. But getting it done regularly, whether by a professional or DIY, is another easy way to maintain a great vehicle.

1. Preserve Your Car's Value

One of the primary reasons to invest in regular auto detailing is to preserve your car's value. When you keep your vehicle in pristine condition, it maintains a higher resale value. From AutoTrader.com - "Used-car sellers can expect upwards of a 200% return on investment by cleaning their car before trading or selling their ride." This can take a car from "Fair" condition to "Excellent" on Kelly Blue Books. Also, finding a professional detailer whose services report to Carfax is a great way to prove that the car was cared for.

2. Enhance the Aesthetic Appeal

Regular detailing enhances the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle. It goes beyond a simple car wash by addressing minor scratches, swirl marks, and paint imperfections. This can make a new car look even better, and a used car will look newer longer. One standard complement detailers get is how their car "Looks better than when they bought it."

3. Protect the Paint Finish

Detailing also involves the application of protective coatings such as PPF, ceramic coatings, or paint sealants. Modern car paint is getting thinner compared to just ten years ago. This means the clear coat finish is failing sooner and more often than before. We, as professionals, have seen cars just five years old already having issues. These coatings provide an extra layer of defense against environmental contaminants, harmful UV rays, winter road salt, tree sap, and bird droppings, which are common concerns for car owners. Compared to most waxes, these coatings can last Years vs. only a few months. Replacing your car's OEM paint job can be more expensive than getting a whole new engine in most cases.

4. Improve Interior Comfort

The interior of your car deserves just as much attention as the exterior. Regular interior detailing helps maintain a fresh and clean cabin environment. An interior can often get dirtier than even the exterior of a car., from food, kids & pets that you cant simply just rinse off. Plus, we spend time in our cars, so it's almost like another room in our homes. Having a clean feeling environment makes it more enjoyable to be in, and you won't have to feel embarrassed having someone ride with you. This is very important for any ride-sharing service. (Uber, Lyft)

5. Remove Allergens and Odors

Interior detailing can help remove allergens like dust and pet dander, providing a healthier environment for those with allergies or sensitivities. Additionally, it can eliminate unpleasant odors from the interior, making the driving experience more enjoyable. This includes odors such as smoke (both nicotine & weed), spilled food & drinks, pet urine, or vomit. Also, during cold & flu season, special cleaners can help sanitize surfaces without discoloring.

6. Prevent Wear and Tear

Detailing makes your car look better and helps prevent premature wear and tear. Protective treatments for leather and fabric seats and vinyl and plastic surfaces can extend their lifespan. There is a limit to what these can do, but quality protection can help reduce some friction damage, along with stains from different spills. Owners Pride Interior Coating is a good choice for interior protection and even comes with a Nationally-backed Warranty. Also, get floor mats like Weather-Tech or Husky, which can be made to fit your vehicle for maximum coverage.

7. Save Money in the Long Run

While investing in regular detailing may seem like an expense, it can save you money in the long run. You can avoid more significant and costly repairs by addressing minor issues early on. Some of these issues are faded & swirled paint, foggy headlights, faded trim, ripped leather, permanent stains on carpets & upholstery, and discolored interior plastics. Also, it is cheaper and quicker to keep a vehicle clean rather than waiting for it to get filthy, and it would cost more and take longer.

8. Increase Your Pride of Ownership

A unique satisfaction comes with driving a vehicle that looks and feels brand new. Regular detailing instills a sense of pride in ownership. Whether you do it yourself or have a pro, we all feel better in a freshly detailed vehicle. No matter the age of the vehicle, if it's taken care of, it will feel better to drive around.

Why Have a Professional Detail Your Vehicle?

Anyone can detail your vehicle, but a professional business is different. Often, the products we use are of higher quality. They are specially designed for different areas of your car to clean without the risk of damage. Those often cost more but get better & longer-lasting results. Also, Looking at the reviews of a shop can show you the quality of their work & customer service. One thing to look for is the ones who have received hands-on training and are certified. Two of the top ones in the detailing industry are the IDA (International Detailing Association) & CPD (Organization of Certified Professional Detailers). A business will also be insured. It doesn't matter how much training a person has, detailers are still people and mistakes could still happen. Being insured means they can fix any damage without hesitation. But choosing a detailer who is properly trained, means they know how to properly care for all of the different surfaces on your vehicle.

Finding one can be easy from a Google search, asking a friend, or using a service such as Find A Detailer from CPD or Find A Detailer from Owners Pride.