Exterior Detailing · Marino RM

A car wash removes surface dirt. An exterior detail removes what the car wash leaves behind.

Standard washes don't touch bonded contamination, iron fallout, or the fine surface oxidation that makes paint look dull in good light. We do — with a systematic decontamination process, machine enhancement, and a protective finish.

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What it is

It's not a car wash. It's not a valet either.

Exterior detailing is a systematic process that goes several steps deeper than a wash or a basic wax. It starts with decontamination — removing iron particles from brake dust, bonded road grime, and surface contamination that washing cannot dislodge. Then, depending on the paint's condition, machine polishing brings back clarity and depth. Finally, a protective product — sealant or wax — goes on over clean, correctly prepared paint. The result lasts far longer than a standard wash because the prep work underneath it is correct. This is also the correct first step before ceramic coating or paint correction. No coating belongs on contaminated paint.

Is this right for you?

Exterior detailing is right for you if…

Your paint looks clean after a wash but still doesn't look right — flat, dull, or slightly hazed in direct light.
Water hasn't beaded on your paint in a long time, which means the protective layer has gone.
You're preparing the car for paint correction or ceramic coating — and the paint needs proper decontamination before either service.
You've bought a used car and want the exterior properly decontaminated before any protection is applied.
You want a substantial improvement without the commitment of paint correction or long-term coating.
What you get

Paint that looks correct — not just washed.

Contamination removed from the paint surface, not just the top layer of dirt
Iron fallout neutralized — brake dust particles that bond to the clear coat are dissolved and removed
Surface defects reduced where machine enhancement is included in the scope
A clean, prepared surface ready to accept sealant, wax, or coating
Protective finish applied over properly prepared paint — lasts significantly longer than wash-and-wax
Wheels, arches, and shut lines cleaned as part of the service
The full scope

The exterior detailing process.

Pre-wash inspection — paint condition assessed, any existing damage noted before work starts
Pre-wash: snow foam and rinse to remove loose contamination
Contact wash with pH-neutral shampoo and appropriate wash media
Iron fallout remover applied and rinsed
Clay bar decontamination — bonded surface contamination removed
Panel wipe to prepare the surface
Machine polish — minor surface enhancement included; significant correction is a separate service
Final protection: sealant or quality wax applied over clean paint
Wheels, tyres, and wheel arches addressed
Exterior glass cleaned
Door shuts and jambs wiped down

Note on paint correction: if your paint has significant swirl marks or deeper defects, exterior detailing will improve the surface but not fully address the defects. Paint correction is the correct service for that.

How it works

Decontamination first. Enhancement second. Protection last.

Inspect the paint

We look at the paint condition across the car in proper lighting before starting — noting contamination levels, any scratches or marks, and areas that need particular attention.

Wash and pre-clean

Snow foam dwell, then a careful contact wash with pH-neutral shampoo using appropriate wash mitts. Wheels, arches, and door shuts done separately.

Decontaminate the surface

Iron fallout remover applied to dissolve bonded brake particles. Followed by clay bar over the full surface to remove embedded contamination that washing and iron remover don't address.

Machine enhancement

A machine polisher with the correct pad and compound for the paint type brings back clarity and reduces surface imperfections. This is not the same as a full paint correction — we're enhancing what's there, not removing deep defects.

Apply protection

Sealant or quality wax applied over a correctly prepared surface. The protection bonds to clean paint — which is why every step before this one matters.

Dress and detail

Tyres dressed, exterior trim addressed, all glass cleaned, final inspection in good light.

Timeline

A standard exterior detail takes most of a working day for an average-sized vehicle. Larger vehicles or those with significant contamination take longer. We'll give you a specific estimate with your quote.

Pricing

Exterior detailing pricing depends on vehicle size and the level of contamination. A well-maintained compact car takes less time than a heavily contaminated full-size SUV. Get a free quote and we'll give you a specific figure.

FAQ

Common questions about Exterior.

A car wash removes surface dirt. An exterior detail removes what the wash leaves behind — iron particles from brake dust bonded to the paint, road contamination embedded in the clear coat, and surface oxidation that makes paint look dull. The process takes hours, not minutes.
Machine enhancement during an exterior detail will reduce minor surface marks. Significant swirl marks that are clearly visible in direct sunlight are in the clear coat — they need paint correction to be properly removed. We'll look at the paint during the inspection and tell you honestly which service applies to your car.
Yes. Ceramic coating must go on clean, decontaminated, correctly prepared paint. If the paint has no significant defects, an exterior detail and decontamination prepares it correctly. If the paint has swirl marks or defects, those need to be corrected first.
For a daily driver without ceramic coating, once or twice a year is reasonable. If your car is ceramic coated, you need less frequent detailing — the coating makes the surface easier to clean and maintains the finish longer.
Yes. Wheel arches, wheels, and door shut areas are part of the exterior detailing process — these tend to accumulate the heaviest contamination and are done before the main paint wash.
Also consider
Paint Correction

Swirl marks and surface defects physically removed from the clear coat — not disguised.

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Ceramic Coating

A semi-permanent chemical bond that repels contamination and preserves paint depth.

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Interior Detailing

Every surface type cleaned and treated correctly — not just wiped down.

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Get a free quote

Tell us what you've noticed about the paint.

How it's been maintained, what it looks like in direct light, what you're hoping for — tell us and we'll come back with a specific quote.

Tell us what you've noticed about the paint.

Email or phone — at least one required.

We'll come back within one business day.