How Much Does Car Detailing Cost in Portland?
If you have ever searched for car detailing in Portland and been surprised by the range of prices — anywhere from $50 to $2,000 — you are not alone. The price difference is real, and it comes down to what is actually included, who is doing the work, and what kind of vehicle you drive.
Here is a clear, honest breakdown of what car detailing costs in the Portland metro area in 2026, and what you should actually be getting at each price point.
Basic Exterior Wash and Vacuum — $50 to $100
This is the entry-level service. You will typically get a hand wash or touchless wash, a quick vacuum of the interior, and a wipe of the dash. It is a maintenance clean — not a detail. If your car is in decent shape and you just want it freshened up, this gets the job done.
What is included:
- Exterior hand wash and dry
- Interior vacuum
- Window cleaning
- Tire dressing
What is not included:
- Clay bar or decontamination
- Paint sealant or wax
- Leather conditioning or stain treatment
- Any form of odor treatment
Full Interior and Exterior Detail — $150 to $300
This is what most people mean when they say they want their car detailed. A proper full detail takes two to four hours depending on vehicle size and condition. It covers everything a basic wash does, plus the deeper work that actually makes a difference.
What is included:
- Hand wash with pH-neutral soap and two-bucket method
- Clay bar decontamination
- Paint sealant or wax application
- Wheel and tire detail
- Full interior vacuum — all rows, mats, trunk
- Steam cleaning of seats and carpet
- Leather cleaning and conditioning
- Dashboard, console, and door panel wipe-down
- Interior and exterior glass cleaning
Price varies by vehicle size. A sedan sits at the lower end, a full-size SUV or truck at the higher end. Heavily soiled vehicles — dog hair, kids, years of buildup — may carry an additional fee, which any honest detailer will tell you upfront.
Paint Correction — $300 to $800+
Paint correction is for vehicles with visible swirl marks, light scratches, water spot etching, or oxidation. A machine polisher is used to remove a microscopic layer of clear coat, leveling out the imperfections and restoring gloss and depth to the paint.
This is not a service you need every time — it is a correction that sets the paint up for protection. On dark colors like black or navy, the difference before and after is dramatic. Price depends on how many stages of correction are needed and the size of the vehicle.
Ceramic Coating — $500 to $1,500+
Ceramic coating is a professional-grade paint protection that chemically bonds to your clear coat and lasts two to five years. It is the highest level of paint protection available short of a paint protection film, and it dramatically reduces how much maintenance your paint needs going forward.
For Portland drivers dealing with constant rain, tree sap, and road grime, ceramic coating is one of the best investments you can make in a vehicle you plan to keep. Price varies based on the number of coating layers, whether paint correction is done first, and the size of the vehicle.
Add-On Services and What They Cost
- Pet hair removal: $50 to $100 depending on severity
- Odor elimination / ozone treatment: $75 to $150
- Headlight restoration: $50 to $100 per pair
- Engine bay cleaning: $75 to $150
- Mold remediation: $100 to $300 depending on severity
Why Does Mobile Detailing Sometimes Cost More?
Mobile detailing — where the detailer comes to your home or office — often costs slightly more than a drive-through shop, and for good reason. You are paying for professional-grade equipment, dedicated one-on-one attention to your specific vehicle, and the time you save by not driving anywhere or waiting in a lobby.
For most Portland drivers, especially those in the suburbs like Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, Troutdale, and Gresham, mobile detailing is simply more convenient. The quality is typically higher too — a mobile detailer is focused on one car at a time, not rushing through a queue.
What Does Cruz Detailing Charge?
At Cruz Detailing, we offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees. We serve the entire Portland metro area as a fully mobile service — we come to your home or office with everything we need.
Every vehicle is assessed individually because condition and size matter more than a flat rate. We will always tell you the price before we start and flag any add-ons before they happen. No surprises.
Want to know exactly what your car will cost to detail?
Book a free quote with Cruz Detailing today. We serve Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, Troutdale, Hillsboro, Tigard, and the surrounding area — all mobile, no drop-off needed.