A mobile car detailing service refers to a full car interior detailing done right at your doorstep while in-shop auto detailing speaks of a physical location where customers can take their vehicle for paint service.
These two are completely different in terms of the services they provide and where these services are provided.
Mobile car detailing focuses more on deep cleaning and detailing the interior of the vehicle to make it look more brand new.
In-shop auto detailing focuses on the high-end paint services that require the vehicle to be left at the shop for a couple of days.
If you’ve read our guide on the difference between mobile car detailing and a car wash, you’d know that mobile car detailing is like an upgrade to your good ‘ol car wash.
This service deals with the exterior and interior parts of the car in a more in-depth and time-consuming deep cleaning process.
A full auto detailing can help preserve your car’s paint and get rid of any swirl marks or light scratches on it. It’s also a great way to preserve your upholstery, enhance your driving experience, and extend your car’s lifespan.
Is car detailing worth the money?
Yes, definitely. Car detailing has a lot of benefits for your vehicle including car swirl removal.
However, this depends on the quality of service your car detailer provides. If you want to experience the best mobile car detailing service for your vehicle, River Islands Car Salon is at your service.
How much should a full auto detail cost?
On average, a deep car interior cleaning service costs around $230-$390. This can vary depending on the services included in the package, the size and condition of the car, and the quality of the detailing service.
Check out our other guide: How Much Does Car Interior Detailing Cost
How often should you get your car detailed?
Most car detailing experts suggest that you should have your vehicle detailed at least once every 4 to 6 months.
However, if it’s really not in good shape like if it has a lot of stains and odor, have it more detailed than just a regular car wash.
Should I get my car detailed or do it myself?
If you have the time to do it, the right tools to work with and you know the right processes and methods to detail your car, you should go ahead and do it yourself.
However, if you don’t have any of these, it’s much better to get your car detailed by a professional than possibly cause added damage to it.
What does a full detail include?
As previously stated, a full car detail covers all exterior and interior components of your vehicle. This includes paint care and polish, cleaning and polishing accents, detailing wheels and tires, interior cleaning, carpet deep cleaning, and more.
This varies according to each car detailing service. Generally, a full mobile car detail service includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Car buffing service
- Headlight restoration service
- Deep car interior cleaning service
- Cleaning the upholstery
- Wiping and polishing the windows, air vents, door handles, dashboard, steering wheel, gear stick, and all other high-touch point areas
- Cleaning the wheels and tires
- Adding finishing touches
The Difference Between Mobile Car Detailing and In-Shop Detailing
The main difference between mobile car detailing and in-shop detailing is the services they provide.
Mobile car detailing usually takes only a couple of hours and focuses mainly on cleaning, restoring, and finishing a vehicle’s exterior and/or interior to produce high-quality cleanliness and polish.
The clients are usually car owners with dirty cars, especially those dealing with stubborn stains, sand, and pet hair.
On the other hand, in-shop detailing doesn’t usually provide interior detailing services but focuses more on the high-end paint service.
They can install paint correction film, professional-grade ceramic coating, and car wraps. When customers go to their shop, it’s expected that their vehicle will have to stay for about 1 to 2 days for ceramic coating and paint correction film or at least 4 to 5 days for the car wrap.
Mobile Car Detailing VS In-Shop Detailing Pros and Cons
Despite being totally different from one another, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. After going through the pros and cons of mobile car detailing vs traditional auto detailing, you can decide whether the service you need is former or the latter.
In its simplest sense, a mobile car detailing service is needed by those whose vehicle has stains, sands, pet hairs, or is just entirely dirty and messy.
They can call and schedule an appointment for the expert detailers to come to their home and do the car cleaning there.
In-shop detailing, on the other hand, is for those owners of brand new cars, sports cars, or those who want a paint job on their vehicle. They usually have to take their car to the shop and leave it there for a couple of days.
Let’s look at some of its pros and cons:
MOBILE CAR DETAILING PROS:
Convenient
Mobile detailing takes their business right at your house, work, garage, or wherever you may be. You won’t have to take time off work or miss any event just to have your car detailed. You can see how the expert detailers work right in the comfort of your own home.
You can go about your regular schedule and routine without being disturbed. River Islands Car Salon’s professional detailers even respect your home and will ask if you have a sleeping baby or kids who are taking online classes so they’re careful about making any noise.
Plus, you can do more important things while waiting for your car to be detailed.
Time-saver
You won’t have to take the time off work just to have your car detailed. You can save time going to a car cleaning shop or doing the washing yourself. You can spend this time accomplishing many other things that require your attention and energy
When the expert mobile car detailers come to where you are, it will only take a few minutes to talk to them, show them your car, and let them do the job. Then, you can continue doing what you were doing before they showed up. No time is wasted!
More affordable
You might think that a mobile car detailing service is more expensive because of the convenience it brings but in reality, it’s actually cheaper.
Most owner-operated detailing services, like River Islands Car Salon, offer services at a fraction of the cost of a large detailing shop.
Flexible appointment time
One of the main things that make mobile detailing a popular service among car owners is the fact that you can customize your appointment time.
If you have a busy schedule but you need to get your car detailed, professional mobile car detailers can work even at odd hours.
Whether you need to have your car detailed before you leave for work or after your shift, you can expect that the trained mobile auto detailers can complete the job according to your appointed schedule.
Establish trust with your detailer
One great benefit of mobile car detailing is being able to get to know your detailers on a first-name basis.
You can establish a personal relationship with them which is super helpful if you have questions or when you want advice on how to maintain your car between details.
You can get expert tips on how to wash your car or maybe even do the detailing yourself if you can find the time.
MOBILE CAR DETAILING CONS:
Privacy
If you’re particular about your privacy, mobile car detailing is not for you. The detailers will have to know where you live, where you work, or where you are when you need to have your car detailed.
That’s why it’s important to hire expert mobile car detailers that you can trust like River Islands Car Salon.
Limited resources
Although a lot of mobile car detailers provide a wide range of services, they can’t do complex repairs or paint services like in-shop detailers. These intensive services can be found at in-shop locations.
For example, cars that have been involved in an accident and need repair can’t be fixed by mobile detailers.
Lack of space
Mobile detailers need enough space to deep clean your vehicle. Not a lot of car owners have adequate space for the detailing service, so it’s quite a drawback for some.
However, with River Islands Car Salon, as long as there’s access to water and enough space to move around, the expert auto detailers can totally work on your car.
IN-SHOP CAR DETAILING PROS:
High-end paint services
In-shop auto detailers are experts when it comes to installing high-end paint correction film, professional-grade ceramic coating, and car wraps.
High-quality paint correction requires a certain level of training, experience, and skills that car owners can find in a large auto detailing shop.
Best for luxury cars
Those who own a luxury, classic, or exotic car knows the importance of quality. These car owners usually take their vehicles to an in-shop auto detailing center for high-end paint services.
No issue with the weather
Perhaps the best thing about an in-shop detailing center is that they can do their pain correction services no matter the weather.
You won’t have to worry about the rain or the hot weather since the service will be done in a controlled environment where the climate is not a factor.
IN-SHOP CAR DETAILING CONS:
Higher costs
Usually the cost for a paint correction may vary depending on the number of scratches on the surface but for luxury cars, it would be very expensive. The same goes with installing professional ceramic coating and car wraps.
Time-consuming
You’ll have to take time out of your day to go to the shop and wait for a couple of days for your car to be done.
Traveling to and fro the shop would take a lot of your precious time. Plus, you won’t be able to use your car for a while until the service is finished.
Doesn’t usually do interior detailing
Large in-shop auto detailing centers don’t usually take in regular sedans and SUVs only for car washing or interior detailing.
They take in luxury cars that need high-end paint correction services because it’s more up on their alley.
And there you have it! Now that you’re aware of mobile car detailing and traditional auto detailing’s pros and cons, you should be able to know the difference between the two.
If your car needs paint correction or a paint job, go to your nearest in-shop auto detailing center. If your car has stains and is in need of a deep clean, call the expert mobile car detailers and set up an appointment.
If you’re wondering, “where’s the best mobile car detailing near me?” River Islands Car Salon is the name to remember. Call us today to get a free quote!
