Most of us work our cars pretty hard, so it's no surprise that after a while they show the effects, both inside and out. If you want to make it right with your ride, one option to consider is a professional detailing job. We've rated 21 shops.

Read our article and findings (available exclusively to CHECKBOOK subscribers)

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Sample Subscriber Comments/Reviews About Auto Detailers

CHECKBOOK provides subscriber comments on their experiences with the firms they use. Please remember that individual subscriber comments are informal. Subscriber comments may give you insight into the types of features and problems that exist in a service field, but are not the best basis for selecting or rejecting a specific firm. To assess the quality of a firm's performance, we recommend that you give more weight to the percentages of favorable ratings. Those percentages are generally based on much larger numbers of consumers' ratings (the number of consumer ratings is noted above).

As You Can See Below, Some Auto Detailers Get High Praise from Their Customers. Some Others Don't. So Choose Carefully.
Here Are a Few Samples of the Thousands of Comments CHECKBOOK Has Collected on Hundreds of Different Auto Detailers.

• Subscriber from FALLS CHURCH, VA wrote Another Detailer: Incredibly professional and effective for just keeping your car looking great or bailing you out..........
• Subscriber from SILVER SPRING, MD wrote Another Detailer: They are ver reasonable.......
• Subscriber from FAIRFAX, VA wrote Another Detailer: Had just bought a used SUV that had been owned by a guy with three..........
• Subscriber from GERMANTOWN, MD wrote Another Detailer: Had difficulties with work, but they re-did it after some complaining........
• Subscriber from CHEVY CHASE, MD wrote Another Detailer: spectacular!.......
• Subscriber from WASHINGTON, DC wrote Another Detailer: Very satisfied with the job they did. Yes, detailing can be a little pricey, but..........
• Subscriber from SILVER SPING, MD wrote Another Detailer: Detailz did a very good job on my cars, both inside and out........
• Subscriber from ARLINGTON, VA wrote Another Detailer: I am stunned this is not the areas number 1 shop by light years. Please..........
• Subscriber from VIENNA, VA wrote Another Detailer: If you're unlucky enough to have to deal with the young land, go somewhere else........
• Subscriber from WASHINGTON, DC wrote Another Detailer: Excellent value for the money........
• Subscriber from NORTH POTOMAC, MD wrote Another Detailer: I have a high-end exotic sports car and will only bring it to Detail Authority!.......
• Subscriber from GERMANTOWN, MD wrote Another Detailer: Poorly run shop, multiple bad experiences.......
• Subscriber from FAIRFAX, VA wrote Another Detailer: I would not recommend them. They used a power polisher on my headlights turning them..........
• Subscriber from ROCKVILLE, MD wrote Another Detailer: Owner is extremely rude, maybe crazy. After I politely mentioned that my last sevice (a..........
• Subscriber from ANNANDALE, VA wrote Another Detailer: This is a quality detailer that I have used many times........
• Subscriber from GAITHERSBURG, MD wrote Another Detailer: Has online discount coupons........
• Subscriber from FAIRFAX, VA wrote Another Detailer: I brought them a used car I had just purchased and I wanted it to..........
• Subscriber from HERNDON, VA wrote Another Detailer: I have had varying experiences with this company. Once they did a fantastic job and..........
• Subscriber from ALEXANDRIA, VA wrote Another Detailer: The best Detailing I've had on a car, show car quality, I could have enter..........
• Subscriber from FALLS CHURCH, VA wrote Another Detailer: The service was excellent, the staff very pleasant, helpful, and the communicated options and costs..........
• Subscriber from RESTON, VA wrote Another Detailer: Very good while you wait detailing.......
• Subscriber from GAINESVILLE, VA wrote Another Detailer: These guys really know how to detail a car. I had some minor scratces and..........
• Subscriber from BETHESDA, MD wrote Another Detailer: location is not great for Bethesda-ites.......
• Subscriber from WASHINGTON, DC wrote Another Detailer: I love these guys! They work hard and will do whatever it takes to make..........
• Subscriber from BELTSVILLE, MD wrote Another Detailer: Cliff Dewey described the services available and their costs in a very clear and professional..........
• Subscriber from WASHINGTON, DC wrote Another Detailer: This was my first time having a car detailed so the outside of the car..........
• Subscriber from RESTON, VA wrote Another Detailer: Extremely overpriced and inferior service. The business clearly cuts as many corners as possible while..........
• Subscriber from ROCKVILLE, MD wrote Another Detailer: Owners are great about not requiring an appointment and working folks in, but the quality..........
• Subscriber from SILVER SPRING, MD wrote Another Detailer: Was much more expensive then previous CheckBook article indicated........
• Subscriber from BRISTOW, VA wrote Another Detailer: I had my SUV being worked on at Olde Towne Auto in Manassas. As part..........
• Subscriber from WOODBRIDGE, VA wrote Another Detailer: Obviously, very busy shop. Either need to open another or expand facilities and staff........
• Subscriber from CHEVY CHASE, MD wrote Another Detailer: I have been using them for more than 10 years. Very reliable and careful with..........
• Subscriber from GAITHERSBURG, MD wrote Another Detailer: They did a great job on a 10-year-old car, and even got out stains that..........
• Subscriber from ANNANDALE, VA wrote Another Detailer: WOW!! Detail Authority did a wonderful job on my car. I never thought it would..........
• Subscriber from ANNANDALE, VA wrote Another Detailer: They explained what they were going to do and they did it all of it..........
• Subscriber from LEESBURG, VA wrote Another Detailer: I was very impressed with Pro-Clean's detailing work on my 1997 Lexus; it looks like..........
• Subscriber from GAITHERSBURG, MD wrote Another Detailer: They lost a clip that attaches to the vent. They said they would look for..........
• Subscriber from HERNDON, VA wrote Another Detailer: They told me how long it would be and the cost. They worked was excellent..........
• Subscriber from BELTSVILLE, MD wrote Another Detailer: Excellent service, good price........
• Subscriber from ARLINGTON, VA wrote Another Detailer: Charged approx. $500 for routine detailing of small car in good condition, yet staff expected..........
• Subscriber from SILVER SPRING, MD wrote Another Detailer: Cost much higher than average for detailing services, but service was outstanding........
• Subscriber from ARLINGTON, VA wrote Another Detailer: Very impressed with the courtesy of the staff. The quality of the work was more..........
• Subscriber from SILVER SPRING, MD wrote Another Detailer: Par-excellence!.......
• Subscriber from WASHINGTON, DC wrote Another Detailer: I've used them for years and they keep the cars looking new........
• Subscriber from STERLING, VA wrote Another Detailer: Had a car detailed and other had a clear-bra installed. Both services were done professionally..........
• Subscriber from ALEXANDRIA, VA wrote Another Detailer: They are expensive - $240 for my car, but they do pickup and return the..........
• Subscriber from LANSDOWNE, VA wrote Another Detailer: Items stolen out of my car by these thieves! Overpriced, overrated, unprofessional JERKS!.......
• Subscriber from ARLINGTON, VA wrote Another Detailer: The wax they use washes off after one car wash. Buffing left halos and buff..........
• Subscriber from ROCKVILLE, MD wrote Another Detailer: Pre-paid gift certificate is valid for only one year. Manager/owner will honor only one-half of..........
• Subscriber from WYTHEVILLE, VA wrote Another Detailer: In my opinion this is the best auto "detailer" in the metro area.......