Does a full detail remove scratches?

Not usually. A full detail cleans and protects the paint, which can soften the look of very light marks, but scratches and swirls sit in the clear coat and need machine polishing to remove. That's paint correction, which is a separate service quoted after measuring paint depth. Deeper scratches that go through the clear coat may need a panel repairer.

Will a full detail get rid of bad smells?

In most cases it makes a big difference, because smells usually come from spilled food, drinks, damp carpet or dirt trapped in fabric. Vacuuming, steam cleaning and stain treatment remove much of the source. Very strong odours, such as long-term smoke, can be harder to clear completely, so mention them when you book.

How is a full detail different from a valet?

A valet is generally a quicker clean focused on making the car presentable, often in under an hour. A full detail takes several hours and goes further, with snow foam pre-washing, decontamination, protection, steam cleaning and leather care. The result lasts longer and the car is better protected afterwards.

Is a full detail worth doing before selling a car?

It's one of the easiest ways to make a car more appealing to buyers. A clean, fresh cabin and glossy paint photograph well and suggest the car has been looked after. Our pre-sale packages go a step further by including 40+ professional photos for your listing, which saves you taking them yourself.

Does a brand new car need a full detail?

A new car rarely needs a deep interior clean, but the paint often benefits from decontamination and protection after transport and dealer preparation. Many owners book an exterior detail or a ceramic coating soon after delivery instead of a full detail. We're happy to suggest the most sensible option for your car.

What is included in a full car detail

So what is included in a full car detail? In short, a deep clean of the whole car, inside and out. Outside, that means wheels, tyres, paint, glass and trims are washed, decontaminated and protected. Inside, it means vacuuming, steam cleaning, stain treatment, leather care and a wipe-down of every hard surface.

A full detail is not the same as a quick valet, and it doesn't include specialist work like paint correction or ceramic coating. Below we walk through each step in the order it usually happens, explain how our interior and exterior detailing tiers differ, and cover how long the job takes.

What is included in a full car detail, inside and out

A full detail combines an exterior detail and an interior detail in one visit. The order matters, because each stage prepares the car for the next and stops dirt from one area ending up in another.

Most detailers start outside with the dirtiest parts, finish the paintwork, then move inside. Here's what each half involves.

The exterior steps

Wheels, tyres and arches first

Wheels carry the heaviest grime, mostly brake dust, road tar and mud. They're cleaned first with dedicated brushes and cleaners so that none of that muck is splashed onto freshly washed paint. Tyre walls and wheel arches are scrubbed at the same time.

Snow foam pre-wash

A thick layer of snow foam is applied to the whole car and left to dwell. It softens and lifts loose dirt so it can be rinsed away before a wash mitt ever touches the paint, which greatly reduces the chance of scratching.

Hand wash

The car is then washed by hand, panel by panel, with clean mitts and fresh rinse water. Door jambs, fuel caps and badges get attention here too, as they're places a quick wash always misses.

Decontamination

Even a freshly washed car can feel rough. That's bonded contamination, such as iron particles from brake dust and industrial fallout. An iron remover dissolves these, often turning purple as it works. Higher tier packages include this step.

Drying, glass and protection

The car is dried with soft microfibre towels to avoid water spots. Glass is cleaned inside and out for a streak-free finish, tyres are dressed, and a layer of protection goes on the paint to add gloss and help water run off.

The interior steps

Vacuuming

Seats, carpets, mats and the boot are vacuumed thoroughly, including under seats, along seat rails and down the sides of the console where crumbs and grit collect.

Steam cleaning

Steam loosens grime from vents, cup holders, door pockets and textured plastics, and helps freshen fabric. It reaches places that a cloth can't and doesn't rely on heavy chemicals.

Stain treatment

Spills, food marks and general grubbiness on seats and carpets are treated. Some older or set-in stains can be lightened rather than removed completely, and we'll tell you honestly what to expect.

Leather care

Leather is gently cleaned to lift body oils, sunscreen and dirt, then conditioned so it stays supple. Clean leather should look soft and natural rather than shiny.

Hard surfaces and glass

The dash, steering wheel, door cards and console are wiped down and finished, and interior glass and mirrors are cleaned. For a closer look at cabin work, see our post on interior car detailing in Melbourne.

How the Preema tiers differ

Our interior and exterior packages cover the same core areas, with each step up allowing more time on the car. Extra time is what lets the detailer go deeper into the fiddly areas and take more care over the finish.

Sapphire, from $245, approx. 2 to 3 hours. A solid all-round detail for a car that's kept in reasonable condition.
Emerald, from $325, approx. 3 to 4 hours. More time for wheels, jambs and the interior.
Diamond, from $395, approx. 4 to 5 hours. A deeper clean for cars that need more work inside and out.
Signature, from $495, approx. 5 to 6 hours. Our most thorough full detail.

All prices are starting points and depend on the size and condition of your car. We confirm the price before beginning. Our car detailing price guide lists every package if you'd like to compare options.

Full detail or a single half of the car?

A full detail isn't always necessary. If the cabin is in good shape but the paint has lost its shine, an exterior-only detail from $145 may be the better use of your money. If the outside is fine and it's the seats, carpets and boot that need work, an interior-only detail from $195 focuses all the time inside.

A full detail makes most sense when both halves are due, when you've just bought a second-hand car, before a sale, or as a once or twice a year reset. Doing both in one visit also means the whole car is at the same standard at the same time, which is satisfying in a way a half-clean car never quite is.

If you can't decide, describe the car to us and we'll suggest the option that fits. There's no point paying for interior hours on a cabin that doesn't need them.

What a full detail doesn't include

Some jobs are separate services because they take far longer or need specialist equipment.

Paint correction. Machine polishing to remove swirls and scratches is quoted on its own after measuring paint depth.
Ceramic coating. A Gtechniq coating gives five years of protection and includes paint preparation, so it's a separate package.
Window tinting. Available from $295 and also done at your home or work.
Paint protection film and wraps. These are separate products that Preema doesn't install.
Repairs. Stone chips, dents, kerbed rims and torn upholstery need a repairer rather than a detailer.

A full detail is often the perfect first step before any of these, because it leaves the car clean and ready for the next job.

How long a full detail takes

Expect anywhere from about 2 to 6 hours, depending on the tier and the car. A small, well-kept hatchback on a Sapphire detail sits at the shorter end. A large family SUV with pet hair and a busy cabin, booked in for Signature, sits at the longer end.

Condition affects timing as much as size. Heavy brake dust, set-in stains, sand in the carpet and a lot of dog hair all add time, which is why we ask about them when quoting. It's better to plan for an extra hour than to rush the parts that matter.

Because Preema is mobile, you don't need to wait around. We work at your home or workplace while you get on with your day.

How to prepare your car for a full detail

A little preparation helps us spend the time on cleaning rather than sorting.

Take out personal items, child seats if you can, and anything valuable.
Point out problem areas, such as a particular stain or smell, when you book.
Let us know about pet hair or sand so it's factored into the quote.
Make sure there's space for the van to park near the car.

If you're new to detailing and want the bigger picture first, our explainer on what vehicle detailing is is a good place to start.

Ready to book a full detail? Ask Preema for a free quote and we'll recommend the right tier for your car. We come to you across Melbourne with no call-out fees. Get in touch.

What is included in a full car detail? A step-by-step guide