More Than Just a Car Wash

Exterior Detailing in Louisville, KY

A quick run through an automatic wash might remove the surface level dirt, but it often misses the tough stuff and can even add fine scratches to your finish. A professional exterior detail is a thorough, hands on process designed to safely and thoroughly clean every inch of your car's exterior.

Dark gray Corvette in a car detailing bay.
Black Dodge Charger in a garage with SQ Performance logo.

Every Detail, Perfected 

Our Comprehensive Exterior Detailing Process

We believe a proper detail is all about the process. We don't cut corners because we know thoroughness leads to the best results. Our exterior detailing service follows a proven system to give your car a proper reset.

Here's how we get it done:

  1. Pre-rinse: We start by loosening heavy dirt with a good rinse.
  2. Foam cannon wash: Next, we apply a thick layer of pH-neutral foam. This helps lift grime away from the paint.
  3. Wheel and tire cleaning: We deep clean the wheels, tires, and wheel wells. We use specific brushes and cleaners to get rid of brake dust and road film.
  4. Two-bucket hand wash: We gently wash every part of your car by hand. This minimizes any risk of scratching.
  5. Chemical decontamination: After rinsing, we remove embedded iron particles and tar using a chemical treatment.
  6. Clay bar treatment: We then use a clay bar to pull off any remaining dirt stuck to the clear coat. This leaves the surface super smooth.
  7. Drying and finishing: Finally, we dry the car with soft microfiber towels. We apply a high-quality wax or sealant for shine, dress the tires, and clean the exterior glass.

It's a complete process that delivers amazing results.

Pricing

Our Exterior Detailing Packages

Exterior Detail

STARTING AT $100
  • This Package Includes:

    • Two bucket hand wash
    • Foam cannon wash
    • Hand wash wheels and tires
    • Decontaminate paint to remove minor bugs/tar/grime
    • Apply no-sling tire dressing
GET A QUOTE

CALL 502-712 - 2378

Exterior Detail & Wax

STARTING AT $180
  • This Package Includes:

    • Two bucket hand wash
    • Foam cannon wash
    • Hand wash wheels and tires
    • Decontaminate paint to remove minor bugs/tar/grime
    • Decontaminate remaining impurities with clay-bar
    • Apply no-sling tire dressing
    • Apply paint sealant
    • Apply hydrophobic windshield treatment
GET A QUOTE

CALL 502-712 - 2378

Pricing

Add-On Services

Headlight Restoration

STARTING AT $150

Restore your headlights to like-new clarity with our professional headlight restoration service. We carefully sand away haze, discoloration, and impurities, then seal the surface with a durable clear coat for long-term protection. Experience improved visibility and a refined appearance for your vehicle.

GET A QUOTE

CALL 502-712 - 2378

Answering All Your Questions 

Frequently Asked Questions About Exterior Detailing

  • What’s the difference between a car wash and an exterior detail?

    A car wash is a quick, surface level clean. An exterior detail is a much more intensive process that involves deep cleaning, decontamination, and restoring shine. We use specialized tools and techniques, like a clay bar and two bucket wash method, to safely achieve a much higher level of clean and finish.

  • How often should I have my car detailed?

    For a daily driver, we recommend a full exterior detail 2 to 4 times per year to keep it in excellent condition. This helps manage the buildup of seasonal grime and keeps your paint well cared for. Of course, this can vary based on how you use your vehicle and where it's stored.

  • What is a clay bar and why is it necessary?

    A clay bar is an engineered resin compound used to remove contaminants from the surface of your car’s paint, glass, and metal. After washing, things like tree sap, road tar, and industrial fallout can remain bonded to the paint. The clay bar treatment safely glides over the surface and pulls these contaminants out, leaving the paint perfectly smooth and ready for wax or sealant.

  • Will detailing remove scratches from my paint?

    A standard exterior detail will not remove scratches. The washing and decontamination process reveals the true condition of your paint, which may make existing scratches more visible. To remove swirls and scratches, you will need our paint correction service, which polishes the clear coat to level out these imperfections.

  • How often should I get an interior detail?

    The two bucket method is a safe hand washing technique used by professionals to prevent scratches. One bucket contains our clean, soapy water, and the second bucket contains plain water for rinsing the wash mitt. After washing a single panel, we rinse the mitt in the plain water bucket to remove any picked up dirt before putting it back into the soap bucket. This ensures we are always using a clean mitt on your car’s paint.

A Difference You Can See and Feel

The Visual and Practical Benefits

Visibly Stunning Results

Visibly Stunning Results

Your car will actually look good. We get rid of the grime to reveal your paint's true color and give it that glossy, reflective finish.

A Touch of Smoothness

A Touch of Smoothness

After our decontamination and clay bar treatment, your paint won't just look clean; it'll feel smooth as glass. Don't believe us? Just run your hand over it.

Simplified Upkeep

Simplified Upkeep

A clean, smooth surface means less work for you later. Dirt and water won't stick as easily, making your next washes faster and more effective. It's almost like cheating.

Longer Paint Life

Longer Paint Life

Nasty stuff like industrial fallout, tar, and bird droppings can etch into your clear coat. We get rid of these contaminants, protecting your paint for the long haul and prepping it for a sacrificial wax or sealant. It's essential maintenance that saves you headaches down the road.

Take Your Finish to the Next Level 

The Perfect Prelude to Paint Correction and Coatings

An exterior detail is fantastic on its own, but it is also the foundational first step for our more advanced services. If your vehicle is covered in swirl marks or light scratches, the next logical step after a detail is our paint correction service. This process will level the clear coat, creating a flawless, mirror like surface.


Once the paint is perfected, we highly recommend preserving that finish with a ceramic coating or paint protection film. A ceramic coating will add incredible gloss, a super hydrophobic effect, and long term durability, making your car look amazing and stay cleaner for longer. Combining these services provides a total transformation for your vehicle's exterior, giving you a finish that is better than brand new.

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