Car Detailing Prices San Diego: Complete Pricing Guide
TL;DR: Car detailing prices in San Diego from Dennis Auto Details start at $149 for exterior-only, $179 for interior-only, and $229 for full detail packages. Mobile service is included at no extra charge. Three-tier pricing (Standard, Complete/Premium, Luxury) covers every vehicle condition from regular maintenance to full restoration. Add-ons like engine bay detailing ($150), ozone treatment ($129), and ceramic coating packages are separately priced with full transparency.
Key Takeaways
- Wash & Wax Detail: from $149 (exterior maintenance)
- Standard Interior Detail: from $179 (interior deep clean)
- Standard Full Detail: from $229 (complete care)
- Luxury Full Detail: from $549 (showroom restoration)
- Mobile service included at no extra charge throughout San Diego County
- 10% non-refundable deposit required at booking; balance due after service
- 4% card transaction fee applies to all payments
San Diego car owners often ask about car detailing prices before booking their first professional service. Understanding auto detailing pricing helps you make informed decisions about protecting your vehicle investment. This guide breaks down current mobile detailing rates, explains what affects pricing, and shows you exactly what each service includes.
Dennis Auto Details Current Pricing Structure
Full Detail Packages (Interior + Exterior)
Best for complete refreshes, deep cleans, and pre-sale preparation.
Standard Detail — from $229 Includes foam bath, hand wash, wax sealant (2-month protection), interior vacuum, surface cleaning of all panels, light carpet shampoo, door jambs, and windows.
| Vehicle Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Coupe | $229 |
| Sedan | $239 |
| 2-Row SUV | $249 |
| Truck | $259 |
| 3-Row SUV/Minivan | $269+ |
Complete Detail — from $339 Everything in Standard plus clay bar treatment, ceramic wax sealant (6-month protection), steam cleaning, and leather conditioning.
| Vehicle Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Coupe | $339 |
| Sedan | $349 |
| 2-Row SUV | $359 |
| Truck | $369 |
| 3-Row SUV/Minivan | $379+ |
Luxury Detail — from $549 Everything in Complete plus iron decontamination, paint enhancement polish, ceramic wax (1-year protection), seat extraction, and headliner spot cleaning.
| Vehicle Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Coupe | $549 |
| Sedan | $569 |
| 2-Row SUV | $589 |
| Truck | $609 |
| 3-Row SUV/Minivan | $629+ |
“Dennis and Pablo did an excellent job. My 13-year-old Honda Pilot looks nearly showroom new. Highly recommend.” — Jack G., verified Google review
Exterior-Only Packages
Perfect for protecting paint from San Diego’s UV, coastal salt air, and inland dust.
Wash & Wax Detail — from $149 Foam bath, hand wash, wheel cleaning, tire dressing, wax sealant (2-month protection), door jambs, and windows.
| Vehicle Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Coupe | $149 |
| Sedan | $159 |
| 2-Row SUV | $169 |
| Truck | $179 |
| 3-Row SUV/Minivan | $189+ |
Premium Exterior Detail — from $225 Everything in Wash & Wax plus clay bar contamination removal and ceramic wax sealant (6-month protection).
| Vehicle Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Coupe | $225 |
| Sedan | $235 |
| 2-Row SUV | $245 |
| Truck | $255 |
| 3-Row SUV/Minivan | $265+ |
Luxury Exterior Detail — from $399 Everything in Premium plus iron decontamination and paint enhancement polish with 1-year ceramic wax protection.
| Vehicle Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Coupe | $399 |
| Sedan | $409 |
| 2-Row SUV | $419 |
| Truck | $429 |
| 3-Row SUV/Minivan | $439+ |
Interior-Only Packages
Deep cleaning, steam treatment, odor elimination, and conditioning — restore your interior to near-new condition.
Standard Interior Detail — from $179 Deep surface cleaning, full vacuum and trunk, carpet and mat shampoo, disinfection, and streak-free windows.
| Vehicle Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Coupe | $179 |
| Sedan | $189 |
| 2-Row SUV | $199 |
| Truck | $209 |
| 3-Row SUV/Minivan | $219+ |
Premium Interior Detail — from $229 Everything in Standard plus full steam cleaning and conditioning of all surfaces.
| Vehicle Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Coupe | $229 |
| Sedan | $239 |
| 2-Row SUV | $249 |
| Truck | $259 |
| 3-Row SUV/Minivan | $269+ |
Luxury Interior Detail — from $319 Everything in Premium plus seat shampoo and extraction, and headliner spot treatment.
| Vehicle Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Coupe | $319 |
| Sedan | $329 |
| 2-Row SUV | $339 |
| Truck | $349 |
| 3-Row SUV/Minivan | $359+ |
Specialty Vehicle Pricing
RV Detailing Prices
RV detailing is calculated per linear foot of vehicle length.
| Service | Price per Foot |
|---|---|
| Premium Exterior Wash | $6 |
| Exterior Wash & Wax | $9 |
| Wash & Ceramic Protection | $14–$20 |
| RV Restoration | $50 |
Example: A 30-foot Class A motorhome exterior wash = $180.
Motorcycle Detailing Costs
| Service | Street Bike | Cruiser | Harley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Exterior Detail | $119 | $139 | $169 |
| Motorcycle Ceramic Coating | $300–$400 | $300–$450 | $350–$500 |
Add-On Services (Current Pricing)
Condition-Based Add-Ons
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Pet Hair Removal | $40 / 30 min |
| Seat Shampooing | $20 / seat |
| Engine Bay Detailing | $150 (flat rate) |
| Ozone Treatment | $129 |
| Headlight Restoration | $100 (both) |
Paint Enhancement
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Gloss Enhancement Polish (1-step) | Starting from $250 |
| 2-Step Paint Correction | Starting from $300 |
Ceramic Coating Packages
| Package | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2-Year Ceramic Coating | $600–$900 |
| 5-Year Ceramic Coating | $900–$1,400 |
| 9-Year Graphene Ceramic Coating | $1,400–$2,000+ |
Pick the Right Service
Not sure where to start? Here’s how to match your vehicle’s needs to the right package.
Routine Upkeep Your car isn’t a mess — you just want it looking clean and protected. The Wash & Wax Detail (from $149) or Standard Interior Detail (from $179) handles regular maintenance perfectly.
Deep Clean After Heavy Use Road trip, camping, kids, or pets? Go with the Complete Detail (from $339) or Premium Interior packages. Steam cleaning and clay bar treatment get your vehicle truly clean — not just surface clean.
Pre-Sale Preparation Clean cars sell faster and for more money. The Luxury Detail (from $549) gives you near-showroom condition and 1-year paint protection — a strong return on investment before listing.
Long-Term Paint Protection If you plan to keep your vehicle for years, pair any exterior detail with professional ceramic coating. The Luxury Exterior Detail is the ideal prep before a 5-year or 9-year coating.
What Affects Car Detailing Prices?
Vehicle Size and Type
Larger vehicles require more time, products, and effort. A 3-row SUV takes significantly longer to detail than a coupe. Luxury vehicles may need specialized products and extra care.
Condition Assessment
Heavily soiled vehicles, pet hair, embedded stains, or neglected interiors require additional labor. San Diego’s dusty inland conditions and coastal salt spray often create extra cleaning challenges that affect time on the job.
San Diego Climate Considerations
Coastal Areas (La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas) Salt spray from ocean proximity requires more frequent cleaning and protective treatments. Ceramic coatings provide excellent protection against corrosive salt air.
Inland Areas (Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, Poway) Desert dust and higher temperatures accelerate paint oxidation. Regular clay bar treatments and UV protection become essential.
How Dennis Auto Details Pricing Works
Transparent Pricing
All prices include professional-grade products, equipment, technician time, and travel throughout San Diego County. A 4% card transaction fee applies to all card payments.
Payment Terms
A 10% non-refundable deposit is required at booking. The balance is due after service. See the full terms and conditions.
No Hidden Fees
Optional add-on services are clearly priced and explained before work begins. You won’t encounter condition-based price doubling or surprise charges at arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does car detailing cost in San Diego? Current packages start at $149 for a Wash & Wax exterior detail on a coupe, $179 for a Standard Interior Detail, and $229 for a Standard Full Detail. Prices increase by vehicle size and package tier.
What is the difference between full detail, exterior detail, and interior detail? Full Detail covers both interior and exterior in one visit. Exterior Detail focuses only on the outside — paint, wheels, glass, and protection. Interior Detail focuses on cleaning, shampooing, steaming, and conditioning everything inside the vehicle.
How long does car detailing take? Exterior-only packages take 1.5–4 hours. Interior-only packages take 2–5 hours. Full detail packages take 2–6 hours depending on the tier and vehicle size.
Do you serve my area in San Diego County? Yes. Dennis Auto Details covers 40+ neighborhoods including La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch, Carmel Valley, and more.
Can I add ceramic coating to my detailing service? Yes. After any exterior or full detail, your vehicle’s paint is perfectly prepped for professional ceramic coating. 2-year, 5-year, and 9-year graphene options are available.
Do you detail RVs, motorcycles, and trucks? Yes. Dennis Auto Details services passenger vehicles, trucks, RVs and motorhomes, and motorcycles.
Booking Your Service
Dennis Auto Details serves 40+ neighborhoods throughout San Diego County. Certified by 3M, Meguiars, and Rupes. 300+ five-star Google reviews.
Schedule Online | Contact Us | Call 858-295-7259
Find us: Dennis Auto Details — San Diego | Dennis Auto Details — Rancho Bernardo
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