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What Is a Wash, Clay & Seal Detail? What's Included and Why It's Worth It
By Lucent Car Care
A Wash, Clay & Seal is our exterior detail, starting at $115. We hand wash the car, use a clay bar to pull off the contamination a wash leaves behind, and finish with a ceramic sealant that protects the clean paint. Here's what each step does, what your price covers, and who it's best for.
What's Included
- Hand wash and foam bath: foam helps loosen dirt before we touch the paint, and washing by hand lets us reach the spots a quick rinse misses
- Clay bar and paint decontamination: removes the contaminants that stay stuck to paint after a wash
- Ceramic sealant: a protective layer on the freshly cleaned paint that helps water and dirt rinse off
- Wheel and tire deep clean: brake dust and road grime cleaned from the wheels and tires
- Door jambs wash: the edges and seams you only see with the doors open, where dirt and salt collect
- Bug removal: insect residue cleaned off the paint, since it can etch the finish if left in place
- Tire shine: a clean finish on the tires
- Streak-free glass: windows cleaned without streaks
Why the Order Matters: Wash, Then Clay, Then Seal
- 1Wash: the foam bath and hand wash remove loose dirt and grit first, so the clay isn't dragged across it.
- 2Clay: with lubricant, the clay glides over the paint and lifts off what's bonded to it.
- 3Seal: freshly clayed paint has no protection on it, so the sealant goes on right away, onto a clean, smooth surface.
What a Clay Bar Removes
Washing removes dirt that sits on the paint. It doesn't remove contaminants that bond to it. A clay bar picks up things like:
- Tree sap
- Brake dust and tire rubber
- Iron fallout, tiny metal particles from brakes and rail dust
- Paint overspray and industrial fallout
- Hard water mineral spots
- Embedded road grit
You can test your own paint: slide your hand over clean paint. If it feels rough or gritty, something is bonded to the surface. After claying, it feels smooth. Smooth paint reflects light better, and protection bonds better to a clean surface. Some of these contaminants, like iron fallout, can etch or corrode paint if they stay on it. Bonded contamination builds up slowly, so most cars only need to be clayed a few times a year.
What Ceramic Sealant Does, and Doesn't
- Does: adds a slick protective layer, so water and dirt slide off more easily and the next wash is quicker
- Does: helps protect paint from sunlight and pollutants, and helps road salt rinse off instead of bonding to the paint
- Doesn't: make paint scratch-proof, or remove scratches and swirl marks
- Doesn't: last forever. The sealant we use, lasts 4-8 months, depending on weather and how the car is washed. A full ceramic coating is a separate, longer-lasting service. Regular washing still matters.
What Your Price Covers
Wash, Clay & Seal starts at $115. Here's what that includes:
- Hands-on time: most exterior details take about an hour
- Three services in one visit: a hand wash, paint decontamination, and protection, so you don't book them separately
- Professional products: pH-balanced, biodegradable, and non-toxic, and safe on paint, glass, and trim
- Everything brought to you: our own water and power, so we need no hookups
- No trip: no drop-off, no waiting room, and no second trip to pick the car up
- Insurance: we carry liability and equipment coverage while we work on your car
- Protection after we leave: the sealant helps keep the paint cleaner between washes
Pricing may adjust for SUVs and trucks, and heavy soil is priced after inspection. We confirm your final price when you book.
Who It's For
- A good fit if: you want the paint clean, smooth, and protected without an interior detail
- A good fit if: you want protection on before winter road salt, or after a season of sap and pollen
- Step up to Inside & Out if: the interior needs attention too. It adds a full interior clean to the same exterior steps.
- Not included: interior cleaning, and paint correction for scratches or swirl marks. Contact us if you're not sure what your car needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Wash, Clay & Seal take?
Most take about an hour, and we confirm a precise estimate after inspecting the car.
Will it remove scratches or swirl marks?
No. Clay removes bonded contaminants and the sealant protects the paint, but neither removes scratches or swirl marks. Those need paint correction, which isn't part of this package.
How long does the ceramic sealant last?
The sealant we use can last 6-12 months. How long yours lasts depends on the weather, how often the car is washed, and how it's washed.
How often should a car be clayed?
Most cars only need it a few times a year, since bonded contamination builds up slowly. It depends on how much you drive and where the car is parked. The plastic bag test is an easy check: if clean paint still feels rough, it's time.
Do I need to be home?
No. As long as we can access your vehicle and you've shared any special instructions, we'll complete the service while you're away. Questions about how it works? See our FAQs.
Our Service Area
We bring Wash, Clay & Seal to homes and workplaces in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Golf, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lake Forest, Mettawa, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Riverwoods, Skokie, Wheeling, Wilmette, and Winnetka. See our full service area.
Ready for a Cleaner, Protected Car?
Book your detail online or call us at (847) 250-1766. Contact us with your vehicle and what you'd like done.