Ottawa's seasons are relentless on vehicles. Winter coats every surface in road salt and grime. Spring brings pollen and tree sap. Summer adds bug splatter and UV damage. And fall drops leaves and moisture into every crevice. Professional detailing isn't just about making your car look good — it's about systematically removing the contaminants that degrade your paint, interior surfaces, and overall vehicle condition over time.
Benefits of Professional Detailing
- Removes embedded contaminants that regular washing cannot — iron fallout, industrial fallout, tar, and tree sap
- Restores paint clarity and gloss through clay bar treatment and machine polishing
- Deep cleans and conditions interior surfaces — leather, fabric, plastics, and carpets
- Eliminates odours at the source rather than masking them
- Prepares your vehicle for ceramic coating or PPF application with a properly decontaminated surface
- Preserves resale value by maintaining both exterior and interior condition
Exterior Detailing Process
- Pre-wash and foam bath to loosen surface contaminants safely
- Two-bucket hand wash using pH-neutral shampoo and microfibre mitts
- Wheel and tire deep clean — brake dust removal, tire dressing, and barrel cleaning
- Chemical decontamination — iron fallout remover and tar removal
- Clay bar treatment to remove bonded surface contaminants
- Machine polish to restore gloss and remove light swirls (level depends on package)
- Sealant or wax application for protection and shine
Interior Detailing Process
- Full interior vacuum — seats, carpets, floor mats, and all crevices
- Leather cleaning and conditioning (or fabric shampooing for cloth seats)
- Dashboard, console, and trim cleaning with UV-protective dressing
- Glass cleaning inside and out for streak-free visibility
- Air vent and detail brush work on all small surfaces and gaps
- Odour treatment if needed — ozone or enzyme-based solutions
Detailing is the essential foundation for any protection service. We recommend a full detail before ceramic coating or PPF installation to ensure the surface is perfectly clean and decontaminated — the protection you apply is only as good as the surface underneath it.
Things to Consider
- A full detail takes a full day or more depending on vehicle size and condition
- Seasonal detailing is especially important in Ottawa — a thorough post-winter detail removes salt buildup that causes corrosion
- Regular maintenance washes between details keep your vehicle in top condition
- Interior detailing frequency depends on use — daily commuters and families with kids benefit from more frequent service
- Detailing is the ideal preparation step before selling or trading in your vehicle
Why Choose Garage Knights for Detailing
We treat detailing as a craft, not a car wash. Every vehicle gets a systematic, multi-step process using professional-grade products and equipment. We use measured dilution ratios, proper chemical dwell times, and controlled techniques — because precision in the prep work is what separates a clean car from a properly detailed one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I get my car detailed?
We recommend a full detail at least twice a year — once after winter to remove salt and road chemical buildup, and once in fall to prepare for the coming season. Regular maintenance washes in between keep your vehicle in great condition.
What's the difference between a car wash and a detail?
A car wash cleans the surface. A detail decontaminates, corrects, and protects. Detailing involves clay bar treatment, machine polishing, chemical decontamination, and thorough interior cleaning — steps that a regular wash simply doesn't include.
Can detailing remove scratches?
Light scratches and swirl marks can be removed through machine polishing, which is part of our detailing process. Deeper scratches that have gone through the clear coat may require paint correction or touch-up work.
Should I detail my car before getting ceramic coating?
Absolutely. Paint decontamination and correction are essential preparation steps for ceramic coating. Any contaminants or imperfections left on the surface will be sealed under the coating permanently.
How long does a full detail take?
A comprehensive interior and exterior detail typically takes a full day. Larger vehicles, heavily soiled interiors, or vehicles requiring extensive paint correction may take longer. We never rush the process.
