Classic Car Detailing Service in St. Louis
A guy from Crestwood brought in his ‘72 Chevelle last fall. The paint still popped, but the chrome had turned dull, and the leather smelled like an old basement. He looked at me and said, “This car’s been in the family longer than I’ve been alive. I just want it to feel new again.” That’s the heart of it. Classic cars ain’t just metal—they’re memories on wheels.
That’s why we take our Classic Car Detailing Service seriously here at Arch City Detail. Whether it's a show car, garage queen, or a weekend cruiser, it deserves better than a gas station wash and a quick wipe-down.
What Is Classic Car Detailing?
It’s not just another wash. It’s slow, careful, hands-on cleaning and protection for older vehicles—stuff made back when cars had real metal bumpers and the paint came thick from the factory. We clean every part of your classic without hurting what makes it special. That means soft brushes, mild soap, and tools that don’t scratch or mess things up.
From polishing chrome trim to hand-conditioning old leather, classic car detailing is about bringing back that feeling your car gave you the first time you saw it. Doesn’t matter if it’s a ‘60s Camaro or an old F-150 your dad left you—we treat it like it’s ours.
Why St. Louis Classic Cars Need Special Attention
Around here, cars take a beating—hot summers, salt in the winter, crazy humidity that rusts stuff overnight. Most old cars weren’t built for that. Especially the ones that get tucked away in garages for half the year.
You ever see what sitting too long can do to a paint job? Or how chrome pitting shows up just from moisture in the air? Classic cars need more protection and gentler products than modern stuff. That’s why folks from places like Webster Groves, Kirkwood, and Mehlville bring their old rides to us.
What’s Included in Our Classic Car Detailing Service?
Every car gets treated based on what it needs. Some need full paint correction. Some just need a careful wipe and interior refresh. But here’s what we usually include:
✅ Foam Wash and Paint Safe Cleaning
We start with soft foam and gentle wash mitts—no brushes, no swirls. We rinse with filtered water to avoid spots. We also use low-pressure rinses, so nothing blasts off paint or gets in places it shouldn’t.
✅ Clay Bar Treatment
Most older cars have paint that’s been collecting grime for decades. We use a clay bar to pull out all that gunk. You’d be surprised what’s stuck in there, even after a wash.
✅ Chrome and Metal Polish
From bumpers to trim to old-style hubcaps, we hand-polish your metal parts till they shine again—without harsh abrasives. If the chrome’s faded, we’ll bring back as much pop as we can without messing with the original finish.
✅ Interior Cleaning (Real Leather, Cloth, Vinyl)
We clean and protect your interior based on the material. Real leather gets conditioner to keep it from cracking. Vinyl gets soft cleaners that won’t dry it out. We vacuum and detail every vent, crevice, and corner—no matter how old or delicate.
✅ Paint Polishing and Correction (If Requested)
Sometimes classics have swirls, haze, or oxidation. We can polish the paint to bring back the shine. But we always talk with you first—especially if it’s original paint. Some cars are better off with just a light polish to keep the character intact.
✅ Ceramic Coating (Optional)
Yes—classic cars can be ceramic coated. It helps protect old paint and makes future washes way easier. We use soft applicators and low-solvent coatings that won’t react weird with older finishes.
We Work on All Types of Classics
Old muscle cars, vintage pickups, pre-war antiques, or even quirky 80s imports—if it’s a classic to you, it matters to us. Here’s some examples of what’s rolled through our shop recently:
A 1969 Mustang from Sunset Hills
A 1987 Buick Grand National from Affton
A cherry red ‘57 Chevy from Florissant
A patina’d C10 from Jefferson County
Each one had a different story. One guy said his truck was his grandpa’s fishing truck, and he just wanted it to feel “alive” again. Another wanted to prep his car for a show at Forest Park.
That’s the kind of stuff we love.
Why Use a Professional for Classic Car Detailing?
Look—we get it. Some folks like to clean their cars themselves. Nothing wrong with that. But older cars have way more delicate parts. Paint can be single-stage. Trim can be real metal or painted plastic. Even the rubber seals around the windows can react to strong cleaners.
We’ve seen guys accidentally ruin a dashboard with the wrong interior spray. Or take the shine off chrome with a cheap polishing wheel.
Our team knows how to handle this stuff. We’ve spent years learning what works and what doesn’t. We don’t rush, and we don’t guess.
Yes, and it works really well if applied right. Some folks are nervous about it, especially with original paint. But modern ceramic coatings help repel water, resist staining, and cut down on the time it takes to clean.
One Corvette owner from St. Charles had us coat his 1978 Pace Car. The paint was still original, so we just did a light polish and applied a soft ceramic layer. Now, he only has to dust it off before a cruise night. He said it was the best thing he’s done for the car since fixing the radio.
We always prep the surface carefully and test small spots first. If we think it’s not a good fit, we’ll say so.
Does Ceramic Coating Work on Classic Cars?
Local Events & St. Louis Car Culture
St. Louis has a strong car scene. From Cars and Coffee in Westport Plaza to classic shows at Jefferson Barracks or the Historic Route 66 Festival, there’s always something going on. And guess what? A clean, detailed ride always turns heads more than a dirty one.
A lot of our clients enter their cars in these shows—or just enjoy rolling through South County on a Saturday with the windows down. Either way, our detailing service helps them show off their hard work the right way.
Why Choose Arch City Detail?
We don’t just treat your car like a number. We’re car people too. Most of us here have stories just like yours—about the car that got away, or the one we spent too many weekends under. We understand what it means to take care of something that means more than money.
And we’re based right here in High Ridge, so we know what St. Louis weather does to old metal. Whether you're from Arnold, Ballwin, or Maplewood—we’re here to help keep your classic clean and protected year-round.
How Often Should You Detail a Classic Car?
Depends how you store it and how often you drive it.
Garage-kept, low-use cars: Once or twice a year is usually enough.
Weekend drivers or show cars: Every few months to keep things sharp.
Daily drivers (rare but happens): Every 1–2 months, especially if it sees road salt or sun.
We can set up a custom schedule based on your goals. Some customers just want one full refresh before spring, while others come in after every big cruise or event.
If you’ve got a car that deserves better than an automatic wash, bring it to us. We’ll take the time. We’ll use the right stuff. And we’ll treat your car like it’s part of our family.
Give us a call or stop by the shop in High Ridge. Whether you're heading to a car show, or just want to enjoy your classic again—we’re here to help.
Book Your Classic Car Detailing Service
314-252-8950
info@archcitydetail.com