The Short Answer
Mobile car detailing in Los Angeles means a detailer comes to your home or office and cleans your car on-site, usually inside and out. A basic mobile detail typically includes an exterior hand wash, interior vacuum and wipe-down, and tire shine. Higher packages add wax, leather conditioning, and trim protection, and the top tier adds clay bar decontamination, sealant, carpet and seat shampoo, and steam cleaning. The detailer brings the equipment, products, and usually water and power.
Here's exactly what's included at DG Detailing, so you know what you're paying for.
What's Included in Each Package
Basic Detail: regular upkeep
- •Exterior hand wash with pH-balanced shampoo and microfiber
- •Interior vacuuming and surface wipe-down
- •High-gloss detail spray
- •Tire shine
Best for cars that are already in good shape and need a regular clean. More on what happens in each step in what's included in a basic car detail.
Silver Detail: clean plus protection
- •Everything in the Basic Detail
- •Leather conditioning
- •Wax for about 3 months of protection
- •Plastic protectant on interior and exterior trim
Best for daily drivers that sit in LA sun and need UV protection on the paint, leather, and plastic.
Gold Detail: full restoration
- •Everything in the Silver Detail
- •Clay bar treatment to remove bonded contamination
- •Sealant for about 6 months of protection
- •Carpet shampoo and extraction
- •Seat shampoo and extraction
- •Steam cleaning of hard surfaces
Best for cars that haven't been detailed in a while, have stains or odors, or are being sold or returned from a lease. Here's the full Gold Detail deep dive.
Prices and Time
| Package | Coupe | Sedan | SUV / Truck | Time on-site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | from $105 | from $125 | from $155 | 1.5–2 hrs |
| Silver | from $185 | from $215 | from $265 | 2.5–3.5 hrs |
| Gold | from $425 | from $455 | from $505 | 5–6 hrs |
Pricing goes up with vehicle size because larger vehicles have more surface to clean. Here's why detailing pricing differs by vehicle class.
What Costs Extra
Ceramic coating is a separate service. It includes a decontamination wash, clay bar, and machine polish before the coating goes on, and it starts at $750 for a 5-year coating on a coupe. See our ceramic coating page for the full breakdown.
What You Need to Provide
Very little. For a mobile detail you need:
- •Access to the vehicle, in a driveway, garage, carport, or an office or condo lot where detailing is allowed
- •Enough room to open all the doors and work around the car
- •Keys, or a way to unlock it
You don't need to be home, and you don't need to supply water or power. We bring our own if needed. It helps to clear out personal items before we arrive. Our checklist on how to prepare for a mobile detailing appointment covers the details.
How Mobile Detailing Differs from a Car Wash
A drive-through car wash runs your car through brushes or harsh chemicals in a few minutes and usually skips the interior. A mobile detail is done entirely by hand, uses paint-safe products, cleans the interior properly, and leaves protection on the paint. The full comparison is in mobile detailing vs. a drive-through car wash.
Where We Come to You
DG Detailing serves Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice Beach, Playa Vista, and Brentwood.
Which Package Should You Choose?
- •Car is fairly clean and you detail regularly: Basic
- •Car sits outside, or the leather and trim look dry: Silver
- •Stains, odors, rough-feeling paint, or it's been 6+ months: Gold
Not sure? Tell us about your car and we'll recommend the right package honestly. Book online or call (310) 692-4495.
About DG Detailing
DG Detailing is Los Angeles's premier mobile auto detailing service — 6+ years, 1,500+ vehicles, hand-wash only. We serve LA, Marina Del Rey, Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice Beach, Playa Vista, and Brentwood.
