What Is our Full Interior and Exterior Detailing service?
So we had this lady from Fenton come in last month. Her SUV had been through it — kids, dogs, soccer gear, fast food, salt stains, the works. She looked at us and said, “Can y’all just make it not gross?”
Yeah. We got you.
We gave her the full interior and exterior detail. Took a day. She came back, looked inside, and said it felt like she got a brand-new car.
That’s what we do here at Arch City Detail in High Ridge — we don’t just wash cars. We bring ‘em back to life.
But if you’re asking “what is full interior and exterior detailing?” — here’s the full breakdown, no fancy words, no fake shine.
It’s More Than Just a Car Wash
Washing your car at home is fine. Maybe hit it with a bucket, spray it off, vacuum a little.
A full interior and exterior detail is different. It’s not a quick clean — it’s a full reset. We clean everything top to bottom, inside and out. And we mean everything.
We go way deeper than a wash:
We get under seats, in cup holders, vents, switches
We scrub door jambs, engine bay, wheel wells
We buff paint, restore trim, condition leather
We pull junk from carpet that’s been there for years
It’s what your car needs before you sell it, after a road trip, or when winter’s finally over and you want it to look and feel good again.
What’s Included in a Full Detail?
Every shop does it a little different. At Arch City Detail, here’s what our full interior and exterior detail includes:
🧼 Exterior Detailing:
Foam Pre-Soak – loosens up dirt without scratching
Hand Wash – with two buckets so we don’t swirl your paint
Clay Bar Treatment – removes stuff stuck in the clear coat
Bug and Tar Removal – great if you drive I-44 a lot
Wheel and Tire Cleaning – including barrels, not just faces
Tire Dressing – makes tires look black, not gray
Door Jamb Cleaning – people forget these, we don’t
Trim Restoration – brings back faded plastic
Paint Sealant – adds protection and shine (lasts longer than spray stuff)
Want better protection? We’ll upgrade to ceramic coating right after this. Most people do when they see how clean their paint looks.
🧽 Interior Detailing:
Full Vacuum – under seats, trunk, between cracks
Steam Cleaning – lifts grime without harsh stuff
Carpet Shampoo – pulls out salt, soda, pet mess
Mat Extraction – makes rubber and fabric mats like new
Leather Cleaning and Conditioning – softens and protects
Plastic and Vinyl Trim Wipe Down – dash, doors, console
Headliner Spot Cleaning – careful but effective
Odor Removal – gets the stank out
Pet Hair Removal – for real, we dig that stuff out
Glass Cleaning – streak-free all around
We even hit the seat tracks and vents with little brushes to get the dust bunnies out.
How Long Does It Take?
Usually takes 4-6 hours, sometimes longer if your ride’s been through a rough stretch. Bigger jobs like work trucks or old smokers’ vehicles may need a full day.
We keep you in the loop. If it needs extra time, we let you know up front.
Who’s It For?
Short answer? Just about everyone.
Parents – especially the minivan crowd from South County. You know who you are.
Used car sellers – clean cars sell way faster.
Car lovers – folks who just want their ride perfect.
Lease returns – save yourself some dealership charges.
Classic car owners – we take our time with your baby.
Fleet owners – businesses that want to look sharp.
Dog owners – especially folks in Cedar Hill who hit trails on weekends.
If your car smells weird, looks dull, or just feels off, it’s probably time.
Why Not Just Do Interior or Exterior Only?
We offer both, sure. But together? That’s where the magic happens.
It’s like mowing half your lawn — looks better, but not done. Same with detailing. Inside gets clean but outside still dusty? Meh. Outside looks shiny but smells like french fries inside? Also meh.
When we do both, it feels complete. Your car just feels new again. People literally tell us, “I forgot how nice this car actually is.”
Guy from Ballwin brings in his work van. Says he just needs the outside cleaned up. We ask what’s going on inside — he says “Don’t worry about it.”
We talk a bit more. Turns out he had a big pitch that week — going to meet a new client. We ended up doing the full interior too.
Next day, he texted: “Client complimented the van. Said it looked cleaner than their personal car.”
That’s what we’re talking about.
Real Story From St. Louis
What Are the Benefits?
Let’s run through it simple:
Paint lasts longer – bugs, salt, and sun don’t eat it up
Car holds value – cleaner cars sell faster and for more
Feels better to drive – clean cars just hit different
Interior doesn’t wear out – dirt breaks stuff down
No smells – smoke, dogs, spills, all gone
More pride – even if nobody sees it but you, it matters
And here’s the big one: less stress. You get in and it’s calm, clean, quiet. No junk, no mess. Just your car the way it’s supposed to be.
Does It Work on Chrome?
Yeah, it works great. Chrome tends to spot easy and stain from water. Coating helps block that out and keeps the shine locked in.
Had a Road Glide from Des Peres in the shop last month. Full chrome front end. We coated it all, and the owner said it was the first time he’d gone a week without polishing it.
When’s the Best Time To Get One?
Honestly? Spring and fall are perfect.
Spring – Wash off all the winter grime, salt, and sludge
Fall – Get it cleaned before the snow starts and protect the paint
We also get a lot of people in August getting ready for back-to-school carpools, or December before family holiday road trips.
And of course, before you sell or return a lease.
What It’s Not
Just so you know, full detailing is not:
A fast “express wash”
Something you do in 30 minutes
A fix for deep scratches (that’s paint correction)
A way to make a trashed car perfect with no work
We do real work. It takes time. But the results are worth it.
Can You Add Ceramic Coating?
Yep — and most people do after seeing how clean their paint is post-detail.
Ceramic coating is a separate service, but it sticks better when your car’s been fully decontaminated and buffed. That’s why a full detail is the first step before coating.
We offer 2-year, 5-year, 7-year, and 10-year coatings, and can explain which one fits your car and budget.
If you’re in St. Louis County or Jefferson County and want ceramic coating after a full detail, let us know up front and we’ll prep for it.
Final Thoughts (Without the Fancy Words)
Look, you don’t have to be a car freak to want your ride clean. Maybe you just want to sit in your car and not feel gross. Maybe you’re selling. Maybe you just want to enjoy driving again.
A full interior and exterior detail isn’t a luxury. Around here — with the pollen in spring, the mud in summer, the salt in winter, and the sticky soda spills from QT — it just makes sense.
We do everything in-shop only at our High Ridge location. Easy drop-off, easy pick-up.
Book online, call or text and we’ll get you on the schedule.
Ready To Book One?
314-252-8950
info@archcitydetail.com