How Often Should You Detail Your Car?
Most people wash their car when it looks dirty, but detailing is different. Detailing protects the surfaces and keeps small problems from becoming big ones. How often you should do it depends on how you use the car and where you park it.
For a daily driver kept outside, a full detail every six months is a good baseline. That means a proper interior clean and an exterior wash, clay bar, and wax. If you park under trees or near the coast, do it every three to four months. Tree sap, bird droppings, and salt air all damage the paint if they sit too long.
Between full details, keep up with the basics. Wash the exterior every two weeks to remove dirt and contaminants before they bond to the paint. Vacuum the interior and wipe down surfaces every month or so. A quick wipe of the dashboard and a vacuum takes fifteen minutes and stops grime from building up.