What Is Auto Detailing?

Word of Mouth Detailing offers a comprehensive auto detailing service, ensuring your vehicle looks its best. Serving the Greater Memphis, TN area, our team brings over 30 years of experience to every job.

In the opinion of Word of Mouth Detailing, “auto detailing” is the most abused term in our industry. What one shop calls a detail another considers a wash. It is not uncommon for us to speak with a customer who is asking about a detail only to find out that he or she is actually describing is what our business considers a car wash. 

According to our definition, a detail service means that every surface of the vehicle is cleaned, conditioned, and restored to its maximum potential. We see hundreds of vehicles that are clean but need to be detailed.

At the minimum, a full detail should include the following:

• Thorough wash, including all the door jams, trunk jam, etc.
• Wheels cleaned behind the spokes as well as around the lug nuts
• Wheels wells cleaned/repainted as needed
• Engine detailed (including the underside of the hood)
• Entire exterior surface clay barred
• All exterior surfaces polished (should be done via machine by a skilled/trained technician); could be extensive, depending upon the level of correction needed
• All exterior surfaces waxed or sealed for maximum durability/protection
• Tires should be dressed
• All interior surfaces should be cleaned, including seats, headliner, ventilation system, door panels, cup holders, instrument cluster, carpets, etc.
• All glass inside should be clean and streak-free

Based on our knowledge and experience, wiping the interior with a towel and a bit of cleaner is not thorough enough to be considered detailing. The cracks and crevices should be cleaned using air or a vapor steamer. The same applies to the carpet. Wiping it with a towel after brushing is not detailing. A true detail should begin with steaming the carpets with a vapor steamer to remove/kill allergens, then extracting the solution with a hot water carpet extractor. All of the inaccessible cracks between the seats, around switches, vents, etc., should be cleaned with a vapor steamer.

A full detail typically takes two to three technicians at least six hours to complete, with an additional hour for dry time. If you are looking to have your car detailed, be sure that you know the appropriate steps to be taken as well as the correct questions to ask the detailer. 

Here are a few questions that come to mind:

• Do you have insurance?
• Where will the work be completed?
• Are you familiar with the surfaces in my car (coated leather, uncoated leather, Alcantara, fire retardant upholstery)?
• Do you have/use a vapor steamer? If not, how do you plan to kill allergens, mold spores, etc., in the ventilation system as well as on hard surfaces of the car?
• I have kids in the vehicle regularly. Do you use strong chemicals to clean the car or do you use steam?
• Do you have a hot water extractor?
• How long will it take? If they say that you can wait, or that it will only take a few hours, they are not describing a detail.
• Are you familiar with the paint system on my car (basecoat clear, nano-ceramic clear, lacquer, enamel, tinted clear, etc.)?
• When you buff my car, can you guarantee that you will not leave unsightly swirls all over it?

Be sure to describe any special needs that you have about your vehicle as well as your expectations for the detail. If you ask these questions and are satisfied with the response from the prospective detailer, you will be one step ahead in making sure that your expectations, needs, and goals are met when the detail is complete.

Our services are designed to meet your needs, providing thorough care for your vehicle at the best price. Call us today to learn more about our services.

Benefits of Choosing Word of Mouth Detailing

Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction sets us apart. Here are some reasons to choose Word of Mouth Detailing's services:

• Locally owned since 2006
• Over 30 years of experience
• High-quality service at the best price
• Authorized and certified XPEL installer
• Free same-day estimates
• Services provided within three to five days
• Waiting room with free WiFi

Reach out to us to experience the benefits of our detailing services.

Contact Us

Get in touch with Word of Mouth Detailing to have your vehicle expertly detailed. Our team is ready to meet your needs and provide exceptional service.