Exterior Only Detailing in St. Louis
Paint looking dull? We can fix that.
A guy came in from South County last week. Black F-150. Looked like it hadn’t been washed since last summer. Pollen stuck to everything, bugs baked on the bumper like burnt toast, wheels looked like they’d been through a gravel storm. He goes, “Man, I don’t need the inside touched. Just want the outside cleaned up.”
That’s what exterior only detailing is all about.
We’re not talking about some quick drive-thru wash. This is a full hands-on cleanup. Real clean. Real shine. Done by hand. Done the right way.
What Is Exterior Only Detailing?
Exterior only detailing means we clean just the outside of your vehicle. No vacuuming. No wiping down cup holders. Just focusing on your paint, glass, wheels, and trim.
You roll in looking rough. You drive out looking sharp.
We wash it. Remove stuck-on junk. Clay it smooth. Polish if needed. Then add protection—like spray sealant, wax, or even ceramic coating if you want to level up.
If you drive around St. Louis, you know how fast your car gets dirty. Between the bugs in South County, the tree sap in Kirkwood, and the road salt in the winter, your paint goes through a lot. Missouri weather changes every five minutes. That takes a toll.
That’s why so many people around here come to us for exterior only detailing. It’s not just about making it shine. It’s about protecting your paint so it doesn’t fall apart over time.
What’s Included in an Exterior Only Detail?
We keep things simple, but we don’t skip steps.
Here’s what we usually do:
1. Pre-Rinse and Foam Bath
First we rinse off the big stuff—bugs, dirt, dust, all the grime from the road. Then we cover the whole car in foam. It breaks things down without being too strong for your paint or trim.
2. Hand Wash
We wash it by hand with soft mitts, two buckets, and grit guards. No brushes. No machines. Just gentle, safe cleaning that won’t scratch your paint.
3. Clay Bar Treatment
If your paint feels rough, that’s because of stuck-on junk—like rail dust, tar, or fallout. Clay removes all that and makes your paint smooth like glass.
4. Light Polish (Upgrade)
If your paint has swirls or looks dull, we can polish it. Not a full correction, but just enough to bring back shine.
5. Sealant or Ceramic Upgrade
We add protection to your paint. Spray sealants give it a nice shine and slick feel. You can also upgrade to ceramic coating for long-term protection.
6. Tire and Trim Dressing
We clean and shine the tires and protect any plastic trim. No greasy mess—just that dark, new look.
7. Glass Cleaned
Crystal-clear glass. No streaks. Great visibility whether you’re driving through Forest Park or hitting the interstate.
Why Choose Exterior Only Detailing?
Some people just care about how their car looks from the outside. Maybe the inside is always full of kid stuff. Maybe you have dogs. Maybe you don’t have time to clean everything but still want to drive something that looks nice.
Here’s why exterior only detailing makes sense:
Faster and cheaper – You don’t pay for interior work you don’t need
Protects your paint – From sun, salt, bugs, tree sap, and more
Increases resale value – A shiny car always sells faster
Feels good to drive – Clean paint just feels better
Looks great anywhere – Whether you’re parked in Soulard or rolling through the Loop
One woman from Webster Groves brought in her Outback. She had just come back from a float trip and her whole back end was covered in mud and tree junk. We cleaned it, polished out a few scratches, and added a sealant. She said, “It looks better than when I bought it.”
Who Should Get This?
Pretty much anyone with a car that sits outside or gets driven regularly.
Some real examples:
Contractors with work trucks who want them to look sharp
People selling a car who want it to shine for photos or test drives
Busy families who don’t want to clean the whole thing but still want it to look nice
Car show guys keeping their paint fresh
Uber drivers who want good curb appeal
How Long Does It Take?
Usually between 2 to 4 hours. Depends how dirty it is. If your car has tar, bugs, or needs polishing, it might take a little longer.
If we’re adding ceramic coating, it may need to stay longer so the coating can set up right. We’ll always let you know what to expect before we start.
Basic exterior only detailing starts around $199 for most cars. Bigger vehicles like vans and SUVs are a little more. Polishing or ceramic coating adds more, but we keep prices honest and explain everything.
What’s It Cost?
Should You Ceramic Coat After a Detail?
If you’re tired of waxing every month, yes.
Ceramic coating lasts way longer and protects better than any wax or spray. Our ceramic coating packages all start with an exterior detail.
We use real ceramic coatings—not that cheap stuff from the internet. Real SiC that bonds permanently with your paint and helps repel water, dirt, and road grime.
One guy from St. Charles brought us his black Dodge Charger. Used to wash it every week because of water spots. We coated it. Now he barely touches it. Still looks great. He said he wished he’d done it sooner.
Wash vs. Exterior Detail—What’s the Difference?
People ask this all the time. Here’s the difference:
Car Wash
Quick and automatic
Scratches possible
No real protection
Doesn’t get everything
Cheap, but basic
Exterior Only Detail
All done by hand
Safe on your paint
Adds lasting protection
Gets bugs, tar, and more
Thorough and careful
A wash just makes the car look okay. A detail makes it look and feel amazing, and helps it stay that way.
St. Louis Roads Are Tough on Paint
If you drive through the city, you know the deal. Construction on Manchester, salt on 270, bird droppings near Tower Grove, sap from trees near U City—your car is under attack.
Paint protects the body underneath. Once the paint goes bad, rust starts, clear coat peels, and things get expensive fast. A detail every few months keeps the damage away.
Where to Get Exterior Only Detailing in St. Louis
We’re local. We know how these roads and seasons treat your paint.
We help drivers from Affton to Clayton, Arnold to Central West End, and all across the Metro East. Whether you drop it off or need us to pick it up, we’ll make it happen.
We also work with American suppliers to get high-quality detailing and ceramic coating products that are made to work in St. Louis weather.
Final Thoughts
If your car’s outside is looking bad but the inside is not a big deal, exterior only detailing is the way to go. It makes your ride look fresh, protects your paint, and doesn’t waste your time or money.
Let us help your car look better. Even if the backseat is full of snacks and soccer cleats, the outside can still shine.
We do everything in-shop only at our High Ridge location. Easy to get to from St Louis, Ballwin, or Eureka.
Come by. Drop off. Pick up later that day. Simple.
Book online, call or text and we’ll get you on the schedule.
Ready To Book One?
314-252-8950
info@archcitydetail.com