Car Detailing vs. Car Grooming vs. Car Wash

If you’re reading this, you might be feeling as confused as I did when I first dove into the world of Car Detailing. With a million different opinions, products & services out there and thousands of car cleaning businesses that cater to every level of customer & vehicle you’re bound to have a lot of questions! 

What is Car Detailing? What’s Mobile Car Detailing? How is it different from a Car Groomer? Why wouldn’t I just go to the Car Wash? All completely valid questions, which you’ll soon know the answer to!

What Do I Know?

So who’s writing this and what do I know? I’m Oakley Inkersell, the owner of this Car Detailing Business, Cleaner Cars. I’ve spent the last 14 months growing my mobile car detailing business in Christchurch, New Zealand. Before starting my business I was a groomer at Espresso Car Wash, grooming 100’s of cars for them. Cleaner Cars has Detailed over 500 vehicles so far. From $100 to $1000 Services. Farmers Hilux’s, Mum SUV’s, Six Figure Super Cars. We do it all.

My goal is to grow Cleaner Cars into the largest Car Care business in NZ and I can’t do that without knowing absolutely everything about the detailing industry. Over the past year I’ve spent hundreds of hours in the field Detailing 500+ Vehicles, and at the end of the day you can bet I do more detailing research online. So you and our customers can trust Cleaner Cars with their vehicles.

Let’s Define the Terms

Right, let’s get into it! We’ve got to start with the basics. Car Detailing, Car Grooming, and Car Washes all aim to make your car look its best, but they go about it in different ways, with different levels of services. 

Car Wash: A Surface-Level Clean

We’ve all seen those drive-through car washes that promise a quick and easy clean. They’re like fast food for your car, offering convenience but often leaving you with that feeling that something’s missing or being half arsed. 

If budget, speed and a job done 80% right is what you’re after then a car wash is your best option. They do a great job at cleaning vehicles super fast but here’s something you might not know – those automatic brushes and rough machines can sometimes leave your paint with tiny scratches and swirls. Now who would’ve thought a whirling machine wouldn’t have the same delicate touch as a human hand…?

This is fine if your paint is already damaged, or maybe you just don’t care about the paint on your new/expensive vehicle and that’s okay! But gosh, if you do care about your vehicle’s paint please try to avoid an automatic carwash. You’ll thank us later!

Personal Ratings:

Convenience – 9/10

Quality – 5/10

Price – 9/10

Car Grooming: More Than a Wash

Now, let’s talk about car grooming. It’s definitely an upgrade from an automatic car wash however you’re still not all the way there. Car groomers are a more comprehensive service offering interior grooming, full grooms and sometimes polishing & coatings. It’s a step up from the basic wash for sure. 

Bang For Your Buck

You get your car washed by hand, your wheels and wheel wells cleaned, usually a quick vacuum and wipe on the inside and they’ll clean your windows too. If your car isn’t too dirty getting it groomed is a good option. Here’s the main thing – a lot of groomers emphasise speed and output. Which means spots get missed, things can get half arsed and the customer can be left with a bad taste in their mouth. But most of the time a groomer will satisfy most people and it is value for money at the end of the day!

Our Reccomendation 

Once again if you have a nice new vehicle, maybe it’s expensive and you care about your paintwork then I wouldn’t recommend taking it to a groomer. (If you’ve ever had your car paint corrected or ceramic coated they’ll tell you this also as it can be easy to micro scratch or swirl paint when proper precautions aren’t taken. When I worked as a groomer, we didn’t use safe wash techniques like we do in a professional detailing business. Mitts were reused, vehicles weren’t pre washed, I can remember quality issues due to the speed and output.

Personal Ratings:

Convenience – 7/10

Quality – 7/10

Budget – 7/10

Car Detailing: The Ultimate Care

Now, let me introduce you to the highest level of car care – Car Detailing. If your vehicle is more than just a daily driver or maybe you’ve just bought that dream vehicle… A Car Detailer is the Professional who will maintain the value of your investment. 

Restore Your Value – Get More For Your Money

Maybe your vehicle has just seen better days… It’s time to treat yourself and feel like you’re driving a new car again! Or maybe it’s time to sell and you want to get the most out of your sale. A professional Car Detailer like Cleaner Cars can restore the value of your investment, earning you more money back!

Love & Attention

Detailing involves an all-encompassing approach, addressing both the exterior and interior with precision. The work is carried out by an experienced, dedicated professionals. We have an eye for detail and work on the whole car for hours, getting to know every nook and cranny, making sure it’s detailed perfectly. It’s all about time and attention…you hear that fellas! 😉 Detailers don’t offer the cheapest prices because they’re not a cheap service

What Services Do Detailers Offer?

Most Car Detailers will offer Interior & Exterior Detailing services which should be a thorough & detailed clean resetting your car to a factory condition. Detailers should also offer Paint Correction/Paint Enhancement Services which aim to restore your vehicle’s paint back to a showroom condition. 

Unmatched Protection – Ceramic Coatings

A super important but not very well known service Car Detailers offer are Ceramic Coatings. These protect your vehicle’s new and delicate paint job from scratches, swirls, chemical damage, water spots etc. Ceramic coatings being the ultimate level of protection, lasting years and years depending on the brand and maintenance. We highly recommend ceramic coatings to any brand new vehicle or vehicles that have had their paint corrected to lock in its condition and protect it for years to come. Oh, and it also makes cleaning & maintenance so much easier due to the hydrophobic nature of ceramic coatings. 

Mobile Detailing – The Only Option That Comes To You

Time – at the end of the day it’s the most precious resource of all. If you’re juggling family, work, or a business, you know the value of every minute. Mobile detailers offer a solution that slots in perfectly to your busy schedule. In our case, all we need it an outdoor tap & power. And if you can’t be there, just leave the keys! 

Personal Rating:

Convenience – 10/10

Quality – 10/10

Budget – 5/10

Protecting Your Investment: It’s More Than Just Looks

Now, I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “a car depreciates the moment it leaves the lot.” It’s true, but proper care can slow down that depreciation. Think about it: your car isn’t just a daily driver; it’s an investment. Regular detailing can keep your expensive vehicle looking perfect, which in turn maintains its resale value. It’s like putting your car on a skincare routine – regular care keeps it glowing.

At the end of the day if you don’t want to pay the premium for a Car Detailer to maintain your vehicle, at least you now know you can still bring it to a Car Detailer to restore the vehicle back to a brand new condition, whether it’s a Interior/Exterior Detail, a Paint Correction or a Ceramic Coating. We are vehicle appearance specialists, transforming your vehicle back to brand new! 

Conclusion: Your Car, Your Choice

So, there you have it – there’s my two cents on the car care industry and your options. You can choose a Car Wash, Car Groomer or Car Detailer, whatever suits your needs and budget best. Whether you’re preserving value, embracing convenience, or giving your vehicle a birthday, the choice is yours. Happy driving, Canterbury car enthusiasts!