A full detail covers all of the above categories, plus exterior metal polishing. The job includes a complete interior cleaning to remove stains, odors, and dirt from all surfaces. The exterior is polished to remove light swirls and restore gloss before waxing. Some full-detail packages include engine cleaning, too.

Basic car detailing typically includes washing and waxing the exterior, vacuuming and wiping down the interior, and cleaning the windows. Full car detailing, on the other hand, goes beyond these basics and includes more comprehensive services such as engine cleaning, clay bar treatment, and leather conditioning.

While an interior detail lasts up to six months, in our experience, the exterior protection you get from a detailing service generally lasts about 2-3 months. While that may not seem like a lot of time, it's due to several factors that can impact your car after a detail, including: Driving frequency.

The frequency that you should get your car details varies by how much wear and tear you put on your vehicle and how often you wash and wax it, but most experts recommend you have it done 2 to 3 times a year, or once every 4 to 6 months.