Car exterior wash in Exeter
Professional car exterior wash services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
0.5-1 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Car hand washed at your home. Proper wash with good products, dried off properly, not a scratch or water spot in sight.
Skip the Queue, Get a Better Wash
Driving to the car wash, queuing, sitting in the booth while brushes attack your paintwork - there's a better way. Hand wash at your home while you get on with your day.
💡 Pro tip: Automatic car washes with rotating brushes scratch paint every single time. Hand washing with proper technique doesn't.
Hand Wash vs Automatic
| ✅ Hand Washed Properly | ❌ Automatic Car Wash |
|---|---|
| Gentle on paintwork | Brushes scratch paint |
| Actually cleans properly | Misses half the dirt |
| Dried to avoid spots | Drive off wet and streaky |
| Done while you're home | Drive there, queue, waste time |
What You Get
🔧 Full Exterior Wash
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Rinse | Pre-rinse to remove loose dirt |
| Wash | Two-bucket method, quality car shampoo |
| Windows | All glass cleaned inside and out |
| Dry | Microfiber dry to prevent water spots |
📦 What Gets Cleaned
- Full body panels
- All windows and mirrors
- Wheels and wheel arches
- Lights front and rear
- Door shuts and boot lip
- Number plates
Pricing
| Job | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard car wash | 45-60 mins | £60 |
| Large SUV/van | 60-75 mins | £60-£85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. I bring all supplies.
Why Hand Wash?
✅ Protects your paint - no scratches from brushes
✅ Actually gets clean - attention to details automatics miss
✅ Convenient - done at your home, your schedule
✅ Maintains value - clean car = better resale
Why Choose Us for Car exterior wash in Exeter?
Done at your home while you work
No queue at car wash
Hand washed properly - no brushes
Dried off to avoid water spots
What to Expect
Step 1: Pre-Rinse
Hose down the car to remove loose dirt, grit, and debris. Don't want to grind that into the paint during washing.
Step 2: Hand Wash
Two-bucket method (one wash, one rinse) working from top to bottom. Quality car shampoo, proper wash mitt, no scratches.
Step 3: Dry and Finish
Dried with microfiber cloths to avoid water spots. Windows polished. Job done.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to wash your own car properly? Here's how to avoid scratching it:
🔧 What you'll need
- Two buckets (one wash, one rinse)
- Car shampoo (not washing-up liquid!)
- Wash mitt or microfiber cloths
- Hose or pressure washer
- Microfiber drying towels
- Wheel brush
📐 The right technique
- Rinse first: Remove all loose dirt before touching paint
- Two-bucket method: Dip in wash water, rinse mitt in clean water between panels
- Top to bottom: Roof, windows, upper panels, then lower (dirtier) areas
- Wheels separate: Use different mitt/brush for wheels
- Rinse thoroughly: No soap left on paint
- Dry properly: Microfiber towels, don't let it air dry
🚗 Washing properly
- Use car shampoo: Washing-up liquid strips wax
- Gentle pressure: Let the soap do the work
- Straight lines: Not circles (hides any micro-scratches better)
- Don't forget door shuts: Opens and looks much cleaner
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Washing in direct sun - water dries too fast, leaves spots
- Using one bucket - just spreading dirt around
- Sponges - they trap grit and scratch paint
- Not rinsing properly - soap residue looks terrible
- Skipping the dry - water spots ruin the finish
💡 Pro trick: Wash your car in the morning or evening, not midday sun. Paint's cooler, water doesn't evaporate instantly, way easier to get a good finish.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 Regular washes? I can set up a monthly service - same day each month, car's always clean, you don't have to think about it.
Often combined with:
- Car interior clean
- Wax and polish
- Headlight restoration
Winter tip: Salt from roads wrecks paint and causes rust. More frequent washes in winter actually save you money long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why pay someone to wash my car when there's a car wash down the road?
Because automatic car washes scratch your paint with their brushes, and standing in a jet wash bay in the rain is miserable. I come to your home, hand wash it properly while you're doing other stuff, dry it off so there's no water spots. It's convenience and better results.
Do I need to provide water and equipment?
If you've got an outside tap I can use, that's perfect. I bring all the wash equipment, soap, buckets, and cloths. If you haven't got outside water access, let me know when booking - might need a different setup.
Will you clean the windows as well?
Yes - full exterior wash includes windows, mirrors, lights, the lot. Not just the paint. You'll be able to see out of them again.
Can you do it on my driveway or does it need to be on grass?
Driveway's fine - that's where most people want it done. Just needs somewhere for runoff water to go (drain or soakaway). Gravel, tarmac, concrete, block paving - all work.
How long does a proper wash take?
45 minutes to an hour for a standard car. Longer if it's properly minging or you've got a massive SUV. I'll give you a time estimate when you book.
Car exterior wash Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your car exterior wash job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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