The duration of a car detailing depends on several factors, including the type of detailing being done, the condition of the car, and whether it's a basic or full-service detail.

Here’s a general breakdown of the time required for different types of car detailing:

1. Basic Exterior and Interior Detailing

• Time: 2 to 4 hours
• Scope: This typically includes a basic wash, tire cleaning, waxing or sealing, and vacuuming of the interior. It may also involve wiping down interior surfaces like the dashboard, doors, and console.
• When It’s Done: For a well-maintained car with minimal dirt and debris, a basic detail will generally take about 2 to 4 hours.

2. Full Exterior Detail

• Time: 3 to 5 hours
• Scope: A full exterior detail often includes a thorough wash, clay bar treatment, polishing (if necessary), waxing, or sealing. It may also involve cleaning the wheels, tires, and trim. If the car’s paint is in poor condition or requires heavy correction, the time could increase.
• When It’s Done: For a car in good condition, this type of detail typically takes 3 to 5 hours. If polishing or paint correction is required, it could take longer.

3. Full Interior Detail

• Time: 3 to 5 hours
• Scope: This includes deep cleaning of the interior, such as vacuuming the carpets, seats, and upholstery, shampooing or steam cleaning the seats and carpets, cleaning and conditioning leather surfaces, and wiping down all plastic and vinyl surfaces. The goal is to remove all dirt, stains, and odors.
• When It’s Done: This type of detail can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, depending on how dirty the interior is and whether additional treatments (like steam cleaning or leather conditioning) are required.

4. Full Car Detailing (Exterior + Interior)

• Time: 4 to 8 hours
• Scope: A complete detailing job involves both a thorough exterior and interior cleaning. This is often the most comprehensive option and includes washing, claying, polishing, waxing, as well as vacuuming, shampooing, and conditioning the interior.
• When It’s Done: A full interior and exterior detail typically takes between 4 to 8 hours, depending on the car’s condition. If extensive paint correction or cleaning is required, it could take even longer.

5. Paint Correction and Ceramic Coating

• Time: 1 to 3 days
• Scope: Paint correction involves using compounds and polishes to remove imperfections, such as swirl marks, oxidation, and scratches. This can be a time-consuming process, especially for cars with a lot of paint defects. After correction, some people apply a ceramic coating, which adds a protective layer to the paint.
• When It’s Done: This service can take 1 to 3 days, depending on the level of correction required and whether a curing process is involved for the ceramic coating. The application of the ceramic coating itself usually takes a few hours, but the curing time might extend the duration.

6. Odor Removal or Specialty Detailing

• Time: 1 to 2 hours for odor removal
• Scope: Specialty services like odor removal, engine bay cleaning, or headlight restoration can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the task.
• When It’s Done: Odor removal, which often uses an ozone machine or deep-cleaning techniques, generally takes 1 to 2 hours. If you're having other specialty services performed (such as headlight restoration or engine bay cleaning), they typically take 1 to 2 hours as well.

7. Mobile Detailing

• Time: 2 to 6 hours
• Scope: Mobile detailing services typically offer both exterior and interior cleaning. The time it takes for a mobile detail depends on whether it's a basic or full service, as well as the condition of the vehicle.
• When It’s Done: For a full mobile detailing service (both inside and outside), expect it to take 2 to 6 hours, depending on the details of the service and the size of the vehicle.

Factors That Can Affect Duration:

1. Vehicle Size: Larger vehicles, such as SUVs, trucks, or vans, generally take longer to clean and detail than smaller cars due to the larger surface area and additional cleaning needed.
2. Condition of the Car: If the car has been neglected (e.g., heavily soiled interior, excessive tar on the exterior, or a dull paint job), it will take longer to clean and detail. Cars that haven’t been detailed in a while might require more time for proper cleaning and restoration.
3. Type of Service: Services like paint correction, engine bay cleaning, or headlight restoration can add significant time to the overall process.
4. Type of Products Used: Some detailing services, like ceramic coatings or high-end waxes, require additional curing time, which can lengthen the duration of the service.

Conclusion:

In general, a full car detailing (both interior and exterior) will take between 4 to 8 hours, depending on the condition of the car and the extent of the services. For paint correction or the application of ceramic coatings, the process can take 1 to 3 days. Regular maintenance detailing is usually quicker, while deep cleaning and restoration take more time. It’s important to communicate your specific needs with the detailer to get an accurate estimate of how long the job will take.