Who gets their cars detailed professionally on a regular basis?

What do you get done (be specific if you can) and what are you charged? Do you see the value in someone coming to YOU instead of you going to the detailer?

Minimum detailing require at least clay once a year, wax every 3 months or sealant every 6 months, wash every week. Polish when marring start bothering you. Working indoor is the best.

I do my own, can't trust anybody to do it right.

Ditto....Family project!!!!

Yes, I am too lazy to detail my car properly. I typically have my car detailed after a DE because the car is usually filthy after each event (tar, rubber and general dirt on the exterior, gravel, sand and dust on the interior since you must run without floormats and with windows down). Unfortunately, since they have to use solvent to remove tar/rubber, they also have to rewax, so I end up getting a full detail each time. DC is wickedly expensive, but my guys do a good job. I just paid $220 for full exterior detail (remove tar/rubber, buff out any small scratches, wax), full interior detail (clean and treat with Lexol products), and install Gummiplege on all seals (to eliminate minor rattles that will develop if you do not keep the rubber seals well lubricated). Expensive, but my car looks new again. TD in DC

Quality family time- my boys and I do all our cars. Don't trust anyone else! One of my boys found some great stuff at Detailers Paradise, who advertise on the Audiworld site. Our black S4 and black Cayenne have never looked so good...

I find it therapeutic on the wknds, my kids love to help. There is always time.

I like to do it myself - if you put the effort in you can see any new nicks or scratches that have happened since last cleaning

A.D.D. - I pay twice a year to have it done right. I then wash it every week and quick wax. Polish and wax every three months.

Sorry, I'm the DIY guy when it comes to a clean car.... I get very picky when it's not done right..... I can't understand why some people don't give out that special treatment with these nice cars.... Guess they're playing the "it's no big deal tune"...... Hence I do it myself.... -Eli

I am with Chris on this one to me washing my car is like washing my wife..................Its MY job!

I'm about to get mine done at technik1. Any ny guys/gals have experience with them? But to answer your question, I don't get detailing done at a regular basis. My baby barely gets driven, but that won't last for long...

There's a hand car wash / detailer in my building complex (inside a huge parking complex). That's the only place I have my car washed, and every so often I have them wax it (using my wax). The idea is to keep the wax up on a regular basis. I always tip them well and they are careful with the car. However, I just got a Porter Cable, some clay and some Malms Polish and Glaze, and I plan to DIY a really good clay, polish and wax job. But then I'll probably let my detailers put a coat of wax on now and then to keep it up. (Car wash and wax is $50 - not a complete detail.)

I hope you don't use your tongue on your car!

do it myself. clayed/waxed/polished every 2 months, washed just about every weekend. int. dusted, wiped and vacuumd every weekend. if i am not driving it or working on it, it's being detailed ;-)

You could have done a lot with that line but I like your reply.

Nick, I guess it depends on individuals how busy they are. I have a couple of friends who are so busy with their businesses and have very little time in their hands so they pay between $60~$100 for a guy to come to their garages to detail their cars. Me on the other hand does have time in the weekends to do it myself. I enjoy doing it. Besides I don't have that kind of money to play around with I'm paranoid too on those services running their rugs with dust/soil still on the surface and creating more swirl marks. I pressure wash it first to get all the gritty dirt off first, sideways of course and min pressure. Interior: clean and leather conditioner for the seats, vacuum and q-tips for those vents. Exterior maintenance: wax/quarterly. Exterior: Once a year/ Dawn diswashing soap, Clay spots if necesary, 3M Imp Glaze, Seal and Wax.

DIY here about every 3 months or so. Not because I think I do a better job but because I enjoy it. Also, now that I have converted from Black to Silver, I look like a pro every time!

No time to do it myself. For those of you in the New York area, take a drive up to the Clinton's neighborhood (Chappaqua, NY)and check out http://www.happyhourspro.com/web/chappwash . Mike and his gang do an excellent job. GBG

NickS, Check out Autopia.org and post a request in the forums for a detailer in Houston. There are many professionals on the board that will not steer you in the wrong direction.

I am a professional detailer. I posted this because I was hoping to get some insight on who did what and what they pay. It's just some research I'm trying to do.

p21 cleanser, p21 wax, blitz one grand, depending on which car. 3m glaze, 3m adheaive remover speedshine from griots, i buy 20 gallon at a time. have to wash wife, sister, parents car ;-( p21 soap 100% cotton towel (white clothe with red piping from griots, i burned a few to see if it's real cotton) never liked microfiber.