Frequently Asked Questions
How much does mobile car detailing cost in Northern Virginia?
Mobile detailing in Northern Virginia starts at $149 for an exterior detail, $179 for an interior, and $249 for a full detail. Final price depends on your vehicle size — coupes and sedans are the base rate, and SUVs or trucks run a bit more. Check our pricing page for the full breakdown.
What's the difference between a ceramic coating and a ceramic sealant?
A ceramic sealant is a spray-on protectant that lasts about 3–6 months — it's included as an add-on to most details. A ceramic coating is a professionally applied layer that bonds directly to your clear coat and lasts 1–5 years depending on the product. Both repel water and contaminants, but a coating is significantly more durable and longer-lasting.
How long does a full detail take?
A full detail typically runs 3–5 hours depending on vehicle size and condition. Interior-only services take about 1.5–3 hours, and exterior-only is usually 1–2 hours. We don't cut corners on time.
Do you come to apartments and condos?
Yes — we do it regularly. We just need a parking spot with reasonable access to the vehicle, plus an outdoor water spigot and a standard outdoor outlet for exterior work. If your building doesn't have those, ask us about a rinseless / waterless exterior wash — we can often still make it work.
Do I need to provide water or electricity?
For exterior work, yes — we connect to your outdoor water spigot and a standard outdoor outlet at the service location. For interior-only details we just need parking access. If you don't have water or power access (condo garage, street parking), we can often do a rinseless / waterless exterior wash instead — just ask when booking.
How often should I get my car detailed?
Every 3–4 months is a solid schedule for most vehicles. If you're driving daily or parking outside, a quick maintenance wash in between helps protect the paint and keep the interior from building up.
What's included in interior vs exterior detailing?
Interior detailing includes a full vacuum, steam clean of carpets and upholstery, leather conditioning, dashboard and trim wipe-down, glass cleaning, and odor treatment. Exterior detailing covers a foam hand wash, decontamination, hand dry, tire and trim dressing, and a ceramic spray sealant. A full detail covers both.
Is paint correction safe for my car?
Yes, when performed correctly. We use a paint depth gauge and machine polishing to safely remove swirls, light scratches, and oxidation without compromising your clear coat. It's safe for daily drivers, luxury vehicles, and modern factory finishes.
What areas do you serve?
We serve the entire DMV — Washington DC, Northern Virginia including Vienna, McLean, Tysons, Arlington, Fairfax, Reston, Great Falls, and Herndon, and Maryland including Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, and Potomac. If you're in the area and your city isn't listed, reach out — we cover a wide range.
How do I book an appointment?
You can book online at themetroshine.com/book in about two minutes, request an estimate, or call and text us at (844) 642-6247. Most customers get same-week availability. A deposit is only required when your total reaches $500 or more — anything under that, you pay on-site.
What is the on-time guarantee?
You get a 2-hour arrival window and a text when we're 30 minutes out. If we arrive past your window, $50 comes off the bill before we start — you don't have to ask. Excludes emergency callouts; one credit per visit.
Do you offer same-day or emergency detailing?
Yes — any hour, any day. Spills, pet accidents, smoke, a buyer coming tomorrow: call or text (844) 642-6247 and we'll get to you today. Emergency callouts run 2x our standard rate, quoted up front.
What is overnight detailing?
Book, leave access instructions, and wake up to it done by 7 AM. Every overnight job is photo-documented start to finish. Great for busy schedules — your car gets detailed while you sleep.
What is the Never-Panic Plan?
Our membership: $79/mo per car for a monthly maintenance detail, priority booking, and one free emergency callout every year. Cancel anytime.
What if an odor comes back after treatment?
Smell gone or you don't pay. If an odor returns within 7 days we re-treat free, and if we can't remove it, the treatment costs you nothing.