Exterior Detailing Services in Spokane, Washington
Rediscover Your Car's Radiance with Us
You can create a solid impression on anyone with a brilliant vehicle exterior, showing your care for your vehicle and style. Car and other vehicle’s exteriors are the worst affected by exposure to the elements. The everyday dirt can accumulate and keep building up if you do nothing about it. When your car becomes dull, it is important to get it detailed by our team at Schmidt's Auto Detailing. Our experts in Spokane, Washington, have experience in restoring your car's exterior to its original luster.
We use advanced techniques that we have learned through training and experience. The products we employ will rejuvenate your car's appearance. We can help remove stubborn contaminants, resulting in a mirror-like shine. We live up to your expectations every time. Get detailing services from our team so that your vehicle can be the talk of the town.
Our Exterior Detailing Service in Spokane, Washington, Includes
Buffing and Polishing
If you let marks remain, your car's finish and appearance can become dull, and its overall appearance will suffer. Our buffing and polishing process is designed to rectify these issues and restore your car's paint to its original luster.
Our team will remove imperfections, layer by layer, using high-quality compounds and polishes. We employ a multi-step process that targets different levels of damage so that your car's paint is restored to its smoothest and most reflective state. The result is a stunning, showroom-quality finish that will turn heads.
Clay Bar Treatment
You might think that regular washing removes surface dust, but contaminants embedded in the surface and paint will not be removed. These contaminants, such as industrial fallout, tree sap, and brake dust, can create a rough texture that dulls your car's finish. Our clay bar treatment removes these contaminants, leaving your paint feeling incredibly smooth.
Our technicians use a clay bar, a synthetic clay-like substance, to glide across your car's surface, lifting away embedded contaminants. The result is a paint surface that is not only clean but also free from the microscopic imperfections that can trap dirt and water.
Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating offers a strong shield which helps you fight against the elements. This cutting-edge technology involves applying a liquid polymer to your car's paint, forming a durable, transparent barrier.
We offer ceramic coating in Spokane, Washington, that creates a hydrophobic surface. This means water beads up and rolls off effortlessly, carrying dirt and grime with it. This significantly reduces the frequency of washing and helps maintain a cleaner appearance for longer periods. The coating offers superior protection against harmful UV rays, preventing color fading and oxidation caused by prolonged sun exposure.
Wheel and Tire Cleaning
Your car's wheels and tires tolerate the onslaught of road grime, brake dust, and harsh weather conditions, leading to a build-up of stubborn contaminants that can dull their appearance. Our wheel and tire cleaning service is designed to restore their original luster and protect them from premature wear.
We employ specialized cleaning agents and techniques to remove brake dust, rubber deposits, and other contaminants. To protect your wheels from future contamination, we can apply a protective coating that repels brake dust and other debris.
Paint Correction
Even the finest paintwork can fall prey to imperfections over time, such as scratches, swirl marks, and holograms. These blemishes can significantly diminish your car's appearance. Our paint correction service is a process designed to eliminate these imperfections and restore your car's paint to its original, flawless condition.
Using advanced techniques and specialized tools, our technicians carefully remove layers of damaged paint to reveal the pristine finish beneath. This process requires expertise and precision to avoid creating new imperfections. The result is a mirror-like finish that showcases your car's true beauty.
Headlight Restoration
Cloudy or yellowed headlights not only detract from your car's appearance but also compromise your safety, especially during low-light conditions. Our headlight restoration process effectively removes oxidation and restores clarity to your headlights.
We use a combination of wet sanding and polishing techniques to remove the damaged outer layer of the headlight lens. It restores the headlight's optical clarity, allowing it to effectively illuminate the road ahead. Improved visibility enhances your safety and driving experience, while restored headlights also contribute to your car's overall aesthetic appeal.
Scratch Removal
Minor scratches can mar the appearance of your car's paintwork. Our scratch removal service utilizes advanced techniques to repair these imperfections and restore your car's original finish.
We remove shallow scratches through polishing. Deeper scratches may require paint correction or even a touch-up to restore the affected area. Our technicians have the expertise to assess the damage and select the most effective repair method, ensuring a seamless result.
We Give Your Vehicle a Brilliant Finish
At Schmidt's Auto Detailing in Spokane, Washington, we are passionate about achieving exceptional results. Our exterior detailing process is designed to not only enhance your car's appearance but also protect its finish from future damage. Experience the difference a truly detailed car can make. Talk to our team today and get a service curated for your vehicle. When you hire us, you will see a finish which is beyond your expectation.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is included in your exterior detailing service?
At Schmidt’s Auto Detailing, our exterior detailing is more than just a wash—it’s a restorative, protective treatment. Services typically include a hand wash, iron and tar decontamination, clay bar treatment, paint polishing (as needed), and application of a high-quality sealant or wax. We clean wheels, tires, and fender wells thoroughly and restore tire shine. The goal is to deep clean, correct minor defects, and protect your vehicle’s finish from Spokane’s road grime, pollen, sun exposure, and seasonal contaminants.
How is detailing different from a standard car wash?
A car wash focuses on surface-level cleanliness and speed, often using harsh brushes and chemicals that can scratch paint or leave residues. Detailing, on the other hand, is a painstaking process performed by hand using specialized tools, pH-neutral products, and techniques that safely remove contaminants without damaging your finish. At Schmidt’s, we focus on preserving paint quality, enhancing gloss, and extending the lifespan of your exterior—not just making it “look clean.”
How often should I have my vehicle’s exterior detailed?
It depends on how you use and store your vehicle. For daily drivers exposed to Spokane’s seasonal changes and road debris, we recommend a professional exterior detail every 3 to 4 months. For garaged or weekend cars, twice a year may suffice. Regular detailing helps maintain protective coatings, prevent oxidation, and keep your vehicle looking like new. We offer maintenance plans tailored to usage and lifestyle for lasting protection and aesthetic appeal.
What’s the difference between waxing and sealants used in exterior detailing?
Traditional carnauba wax offers a deep, warm shine but typically lasts only a few weeks. Sealants, on the other hand, are synthetic and engineered for longer-lasting protection—often up to 6 months or more. At Schmidt’s Auto Detailing, we often recommend sealants for Spokane’s varying weather conditions, as they provide better UV resistance, durability, and water beading. However, clients seeking an old-school aesthetic finish can still opt for a premium wax upgrade.
Can exterior detailing remove scratches and swirl marks?
To a degree, yes. Light scratches and swirl marks—typically caused by improper washing—can be removed or reduced through machine polishing or paint correction, which is included or available as an upgrade in many of our packages. However, deep scratches that go beyond the clear coat may require paint repair or touch-up. We’ll assess your vehicle honestly and only recommend correction when it’s both safe and effective for your paint type.
Do you offer ceramic coatings as part of your exterior detailing?
Yes, ceramic coatings are available as a premium add-on and are one of the most durable forms of exterior protection. A ceramic coating chemically bonds to your vehicle’s clear coat, creating a hard, hydrophobic layer that resists dirt, UV rays, acid rain, and bird droppings. It significantly reduces maintenance needs and enhances gloss. At Schmidt’s, we ensure proper paint prep—including decontamination and polishing—before application to ensure maximum bonding and performance.
Can you detail vehicles with wraps or matte finishes?
Absolutely. Wrapped, matte, or satin finishes require special products and techniques that avoid adding gloss or streaking. Traditional waxes or polishes can damage these surfaces, so we use non-gloss sealants and cleaners specifically formulated for non-clearcoat surfaces. Whether you have a full vinyl wrap, matte paint, or custom finish, our Spokane-based detailing team will safely clean and protect your investment without altering its intended look.
How do Spokane’s weather conditions affect my car’s exterior?
Spokane’s climate brings rain, snow, road salt, pollen, UV rays, and drastic temperature shifts—all of which can erode clear coat, cause oxidation, and degrade protective coatings. Detailing combats these effects by regularly removing contaminants, restoring shine, and sealing the paint. Seasonal maintenance is key. We often recommend a sealant before winter and again before spring to shield your vehicle from the harshest conditions and keep your finish pristine year-round.
Will detailing improve my vehicle’s resale value?
Yes, especially if done regularly. A well-maintained exterior makes a strong impression and signals that the owner has taken good care of the vehicle. Potential buyers or dealerships are more willing to offer top dollar for a car with glossy, scratch-free paint and properly maintained trim. Schmidt’s Auto Detailing helps preserve showroom-level appearance, ensuring your car looks its best when it’s time to sell or trade in.
Is it safe to detail a new car? Doesn’t it already have protection?
New cars often have surface contaminants from the factory or transport—rail dust, overspray, or dealer-applied waxes that don’t last long. Professional exterior detailing removes those contaminants, smooths the finish, and applies higher-grade protection than what dealerships typically offer. Many new car owners in Spokane come to Schmidt’s for paint correction and ceramic coatings to truly lock in that “new car” look and feel for years to come.
client testimonials