Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do before my appointment?
To help us clean your vehicle efficiently and safely, please prepare your vehicle before your appointment.
Remove all personal items from the vehicle, including papers, bags, clothes, toys, valuables, and anything stored in the doors, console, trunk, or seat pockets.
Remove car seats if possible, especially if you want the seat area underneath cleaned.
Remove anything fragile, important, or easy to misplace.
Make sure we have access to the vehicle at the scheduled appointment time.
Let us know ahead of time if there are any problem areas you want us to pay extra attention to, such as stains, pet hair, spills, odors, or delicate surfaces.
This helps us spend the appointment cleaning instead of sorting through belongings, and it helps prevent anything from being misplaced.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Weather can affect mobile detailing, especially exterior details, paint correction, and ceramic coatings. If rain, storms, extreme heat, or unsafe conditions make the appointment difficult to complete properly, we will communicate with you and reschedule as needed.
The goal is to do the job right, not rush through bad weather.
What if my vehicle is extremely dirty or not a standard car, truck, or SUV?
If your vehicle is extremely dirty, has excessive pet hair, heavy stains, strong odors, excessive trash, mold, or unusual cleaning needs, please contact us before booking. Some vehicles may need a custom quote instead of a standard detail appointment.
For anything other than a standard car, truck, or SUV, please send a message first so we can build the right service plan. This includes boats, airplanes, golf carts, 18-wheelers, trailers, RVs, specialty vehicles, and other larger or unusual vehicles.
When requesting a custom quote, please include:
• What type of vehicle it is
• Make and model
• Where it is located
• What problems you are having with it
• Photos of the areas that need attention
For airplanes, please also include the aircraft type, tail number, location, and the specific areas or issues you want looked at.
For boats, 18-wheelers, trailers, RVs, and other specialty vehicles, please include the make, model, location, size if known, and what you want cleaned or corrected.
Custom vehicles and specialty jobs are quoted based on the vehicle, condition, location, access, and the service needed.
Do you offer mobile detailing and drop-off appointments?
Yes. I Clean Cars offers both mobile detailing and drop-off appointments.
Mobile service means we come to your home or office and detail your vehicle there. Drop-off service means you bring the vehicle to us by appointment and pick it up when the service is complete.
Both options are by appointment only.
What do your detailing services not include?
I Clean Cars focuses on detailing, cleaning, paint correction, and ceramic coating.
We do not tint windows, install subwoofers, paint vehicles, reupholster seats, repair torn interiors, or perform body shop work.
For vehicles that need deeper restoration, we may discuss a custom restorative package or recommend working with another service provider.
Which detail should I book?
If the inside of your vehicle needs cleaning, book an Interior Detail.
If the outside needs cleaning, shine, and protection, book an Exterior Detail.
If the whole vehicle needs a reset, book a Full Interior & Exterior Detail.
If you want to improve paint defects, swirl marks, dullness, or add long-term paint protection, ask about Paint Correction and Ceramic Coating.
What is the difference between an exterior detail and paint correction?
An exterior detail cleans and protects the outside of the vehicle. It includes a safe wash, wheels, tires, trim, paint decontamination as needed, and wax or ceramic sealant protection.
Paint correction is different. It is a polishing service that improves the appearance of the paint by reducing swirl marks, haze, light scratches, oxidation, and dullness.
A standard exterior detail makes the vehicle clean and protected. Paint correction improves the actual paint finish.
What is the difference between ceramic sealant and ceramic coating?
Ceramic sealant is short-term protection included with an exterior detail or full detail. It adds shine, slickness, and water beading while helping protect the vehicle from sun, pollen, rain, and road grime.
Ceramic coating is a separate long-term protection service. It requires more preparation and is designed to last much longer than a wax or ceramic sealant.
Ceramic sealant is great for regular maintenance. Ceramic coating is better for customers who want stronger, longer-lasting protection.
Do you offer touch-up paint?
Touch-up paint may be available only if the vehicle qualifies. We need to inspect the vehicle first and see the damage before deciding if touch-up paint makes sense.
Not every chip, scratch, or damaged area is a good candidate for touch-up paint, so this is handled through a consultation.
Do you offer headlight restoration, trim restoration, or floor mat recommendations?
Yes, when it makes sense for the vehicle.
Headlight restoration may be recommended if the headlights are cloudy, yellowed, or hazy. Trim restoration may be recommended if exterior plastic trim is faded. We may also recommend floor mats or simple accessories if they would help protect your vehicle after it is cleaned.
These are usually discussed in person after we inspect the vehicle.