Exterior Car Detailing That Comes to You
An exterior detail goes past a car wash: the paint is safely hand washed, chemically and mechanically decontaminated, then protected with a wax or sealant so it stays cleaner and easier to wash for the next few months.
Detailers offering exterior car detailing
Arnold
Riverside, CA • New
From $85
Chris
Aurora, IL • New
From $120
David Aguilar
Lake Forest, CA • New
From $40
Drip Detailing Demo ✓
Riverside, CA • New
From $45
Jayden
Mobile • New
From $40
MAC Detailing
Anaheim, CA • New
From $100
SalazarDetailing
Moreno Valley, CA • New
From $135
TurnOne MobileDetailing
Los angeles, CA • New
From $65
WhiteBoyWashes
Hemet, CA • New
From $65
What's included
- Pre-rinse and foam, then a two-bucket hand wash with a clean mitt to avoid adding swirl marks
- Wheels, tires, and wheel wells cleaned with dedicated brushes and iron-removing wheel cleaner
- Iron/fallout removal and a clay bar or clay mitt to lift bonded contaminants from the clear coat
- Bug and tar removal from the front bumper, mirrors, and rockers
- A spray sealant, paste wax, or synthetic sealant for a few months of protection
- Exterior glass cleaned, trim dressed, and tires dressed to a satin (not greasy) finish
What's usually not included
- Swirl and scratch removal — that requires machine polishing, which is paint correction
- Long-term coatings; a wax or sealant lasts weeks to months, a ceramic coating lasts years
- Interior cleaning beyond a quick door-jamb wipe
- Engine bay cleaning, headlight restoration, and paint touch-up, which are usually separate add-ons
Time and price
Typical duration: 1.5 to 3 hoursTypical price: $50–$150 for most vehicles
A standard exterior detail runs about 1.5 to 3 hours and costs roughly $50 to $150 on Drip. Price moves with vehicle size, how dirty the paint is, and whether decontamination and sealant are included or added on. A lifted truck with heavy road film and tar takes real time; a garage-kept coupe does not.
Exterior detailing is what keeps paint healthy between bigger jobs. Decontamination removes the embedded brake dust and industrial fallout that a normal wash leaves behind, and sealant gives the surface something to sacrifice to UV, bird droppings, and sprinkler spots. If your paint already has visible swirls or scratches under sunlight, look at paint correction first, then protect the result.
Every detailer on Drip is an independent business that brings their own equipment, water, and power in most cases — check the service description or message them in the app if your parking spot has no hose or outlet. You book in-app, your card is authorized at booking, and the charge only lands after your detailer marks the job complete.
How booking on Drip works
- Find detailers nearby — Browse independent mobile detailers serving your city on Drip.
- Compare exterior services — Review each detailer's exterior packages, prices, photos, and client reviews.
- Choose a time slot — Select the exterior detail you want and book a time at your home or workplace.
- Pay when it's done — Your card is authorized at booking and charged after your detailer completes the job.
Start from the Drip homepage or browse every detailer near you.
Exterior Car Detailing FAQ
What's the difference between an exterior detail and a car wash?
A car wash removes surface dirt. An exterior detail adds a safe hand-wash process, chemical and clay decontamination of the paint, careful wheel and tire cleaning, and a wax or sealant that protects the finish for weeks or months.
How much does exterior detailing cost?
Most exterior details on Drip are $50 to $150, set by each detailer based on vehicle size and paint condition. The exact price is shown on the detailer's profile before you book.
Will an exterior detail remove scratches?
No. Washing and waxing can hide very light marring temporarily, but removing swirls and scratches requires machine polishing. Book paint correction for that, then a sealant or ceramic coating to protect the corrected paint.
Do detailers need my water and power?
Most arrive self-contained with their own water tank and power, but setups vary. If you park in a garage, apartment lot, or street spot with no hookups, message the detailer through Drip before booking to confirm.
Related services
Mobile Car WashFull Car Detail
Exterior Car Detailing by city
Los Angeles, CARiverside, CAAnaheim, CASan Bernardino, CAMoreno Valley, CAHemet, CABellflower, CACudahy, CALake Forest, CALa Cañada Flintridge, CAAurora, ILColorado City, TX