Everything Orlando car owners ask about exterior — honest answers, no upsell.
What's the difference between detailing and washing?
A wash gets the obvious dirt off. A detail decontaminates the paint (iron remover, clay bar), reaches every seam and crevice, and finishes the surface with protection. After a detail your paint is measurably smoother — you can feel it with a clean hand.
How long does an exterior detail take?
1.5 to 3 hours depending on size and condition. A coupe in good shape is closer to 90 minutes. A truck with three months of buildup is closer to three hours.
Do you bring water and power?
Yes. We come fully self-contained — water tank, generator, and all products. We need a parking spot and we're set.
Will an exterior detail remove swirl marks?
No. Swirls and scratches live in the clear coat itself — they require paint correction (machine polishing) to level. An exterior detail makes the paint clean and protected; paint correction makes it flawless.
How often should I book this?
Every 4–8 weeks in Florida if you want the paint to stay protected. Pair with a yearly Signature Detail for the interior reset.
Do you wash wheels with the same mitt?
Never. Wheels have their own mitt and bucket. The wheel-grit mitt never touches your paint.
How much does mobile exterior detailing cost in Orlando?
Standard exterior detailing starts at $129 for sedans and coupes. SUVs and trucks $149–$199. Adds (clay bar treatment, wax sealant upgrade, headlight restoration) are quoted individually. No surprise pricing — we quote before we start.
What's included in a mobile exterior detail?
Foam pre-soak, two-bucket hand wash, wheel and barrel cleaning, iron decontamination, clay bar pass, tire dressing, trim dressing, glass cleaning inside and out, door jamb wipe, and a spray sealant or wax finish. Takes 1.5–3 hours depending on size and condition.
Can mobile exterior detailing remove water spots?
Surface water spots come off with the wash and clay bar. Etched water spots (where minerals burned into the clear coat) require paint correction — a separate service. We'll tell you which type you have during the walk-around before we start.
How long does mobile exterior detailing take?
Most cars in good condition are finished in 1.5–2.5 hours. Heavily neglected cars or larger SUVs/trucks can run 3 hours. Ceramic-coated cars are usually faster because the surface is already protected.
Do you wash the engine bay during an exterior detail?
Engine bay cleaning is a separate add-on, not standard with the basic exterior detail. We use safe-for-electronics technique — covers sensitive components, hand wipes instead of pressure washing. Quote on request.
Is Drip Mobile Detailing insured?
Yes. Drip Mobile Detailing carries full general liability insurance and is bonded. We provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) on request — required by some gated communities, HOAs, marinas, and commercial fleet contracts in Orlando.
Do you bring your own water and power?
Yes. We are fully self-contained. We arrive with our own water tank, water-recovery system, generator, and all detailing products. You don't need to provide a hose, an outlet, or anything else — just a parking spot. We can detail in driveways, condos, parking garages, and gated communities.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), Apple Pay, Google Pay, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, and cash. Invoices are sent on completion. For commercial fleet contracts and ceramic coating jobs, we also accept ACH and bank wire.
How far in advance should I book?
Most Orlando appointments are booked 2–5 days out. We often have same-day or next-day availability for standard washes and exterior details. Ceramic coatings and multi-day paint correction jobs typically require 7–10 days lead time so we can schedule the right weather window.
Do you guarantee your work?
Yes. If you're not satisfied with any part of the detail, we'll come back and re-do it free of charge — typically within 24–48 hours. Ceramic coatings carry manufacturer warranties (5–10 years depending on product) tied to your VIN and registered to your name.
Do you detail in the rain or heat?
We work year-round in Orlando. Light rain doesn't stop us — we set up portable canopies. Heavy rain or thunderstorms get rescheduled at no charge. We schedule ceramic coatings and paint correction during low-humidity windows, often early morning, to maximize cure quality.
Can you detail my car at an apartment, condo, or office?
Yes. We routinely detail at apartment complexes, condos (with HOA permission), office parking lots, and parking garages across Orlando — Lake Nona, Dr. Phillips, Winter Park, Maitland, Baldwin Park, downtown, and beyond. We bring our own water and operate quietly without runoff.
Do I need to be home during the detail?
No. Most clients leave us a key or garage code and head to work. We send before/after photos and a text when finished. For exotic vehicles or ceramic coating projects we recommend being available at the end for the walk-through.
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