Maintenance · 5 min
How often should you detail your car?
It comes down to how much you drive, where you park, and how clean you want it. Here's what I tell people.
Washes
A careful hand wash is the best thing you can do for your paint. For a daily driver around Salisbury:
- In a garage, coated: every 3–4 weeks.
- In a garage, no coating: every 2–3 weeks in spring and summer, monthly in winter.
- Parked outside: every 2 weeks. Pollen and road grime stick fast if you wait longer.
If you'd rather not think about it, ask me about coming by on a regular schedule.
Inside the car
A full interior clean is a reset, not upkeep. Rough guide:
- Kids or pets: every 6 months.
- Just adults: once a year.
- Weekend car: every 12–18 months.
In between, wipe the wheel, shifter, and buttons once a month with a barely damp towel. That one habit does more than any shine spray.
Polishing
Polishing takes a little paint off, so it's not something you do on a schedule. Do it when you can see the swirls in the sun, then protect it. Most cars need it once every 3–5 years. Coated cars go longer.
Keeping a coating happy
A coated car still needs washing — maybe more regularly, since built-up grime wears the coating down. Plan on:
- A careful wash every month.
- A yearly refresh on top of the coating.
- A check-in with me 6 months after I put it on. That's included.
Want a plan for your car? Tell me about it on the quote form — I'll give you one straight answer.
Ready for a real quote?
Send a few photos of your car. I'll respond the same business day with a written scope and honest pricing.