Auto detailing in Santee — by hand, in detail.
A wash gets your car clean. A detail gets it back. Interiors shampooed and conditioned, paint clayed and waxed, trim and glass brought back to where they started — done by the same people who have been detailing on Magnolia Ave for 25+ years.
Detail packages & express mini details.
Live pricing from the shop. Detailing prices vary more than washes do — condition and size both matter — so the number is confirmed when we see the vehicle.
What detailing actually covers
"Detailing" gets used loosely. Here it means the slow work that a wash lane doesn't have time for — the kind of job you book once or twice a year, before you sell a car, after a road trip, or when the interior has quietly gotten away from you.
Complete Detail Service
The full job, inside and out, in one appointment. Exterior decontaminated, polished and protected; interior vacuumed, cleaned, dressed and conditioned. This is the one to book when the car needs to look like it did on the lot.
Interior Detail
Carpets and upholstery deep-cleaned, leather cleaned and conditioned, vents, console, cupholders and door pockets worked over by hand, glass finished last so it stays clear. Pet hair, kid aftermath and years of dust are the usual reasons people book it.
Exterior Detail & wax
Paint cleaned and protected, wheels and tires dressed, trim and glass finished. We offer Dupont Teflon & Carnauba paste wax for a deep traditional shine, and silicon or ceramic hand wax when you want protection that shrugs off Santee sun for longer. Every one of them goes on by hand.
Express Mini Details
The middle ground between a wash and a full detail — targeted work on what's actually bothering you, and every express mini detail includes a Super Deluxe wash. If you're not sure whether you need a mini or the full service, call us and describe the car; we'll tell you honestly which one it is.
Getting a detailing quote
Wash prices are fixed by vehicle size. Detailing isn't, because condition drives the work — a garage-kept sedan and a work truck with a coat of job-site dust are two different afternoons. Book the service that's closest and we'll confirm at the shop, or call (619) 562-0816, describe the vehicle, and get a number before you drive over. Payment happens in person, when the work is finished.
While we work
Details take longer than washes, so the air-conditioned lounge exists for a reason — indoor seating, cold drinks in the cooler, snacks and Häagen-Dazs ice cream. Or drop the car and we'll call you. See directions and hours →
Detailed by hand, in Santee.
From daily drivers to show cars — same hands, same standard.
Detailing questions, answered.
What detailing services do you offer?
Full interior and exterior detailing — Complete Detail Service, Exterior Detail, Interior Detail, Dupont Teflon and Carnauba paste wax, and silicon or ceramic hand wax. There are also Express Mini Details, each of which includes a Super Deluxe wash.
How long does a hand wash take?
Most washes are done while you wait, and each service shows its estimated time when you pick it in the booking form. Full details take longer — call us at (619) 562-0816 and we’ll give you a realistic window for your vehicle.
Do you wash trucks, SUVs, vans and lifted vehicles?
Yes. Large vehicles have their own pricing tier on every package, and 25+ years of hand washing means we’ve handled everything from daily drivers to dually trucks.
Can you wash a Tesla or another EV?
Yes — hand washing is the gentlest option for the big flat panels and soft paint most EVs come with. EVs carry a small additional charge, which is shown when you book.
Do you take payment online?
No — booking online just reserves your time. You pay at the wash when the work is done and you’ve seen the car.
More from Magnolia Car Wash.
Hand Car Wash & Prices
Every wash package with live pricing — from a straight hand wash to the Total Look.
Take a look →Book an Appointment
Reserve a detailing slot online. Nothing is charged until the work is done.
Take a look →About the Shop
Hand washing on Magnolia Ave since 1998 — and why we never put in a tunnel.
Take a look →Car Wash Near Me
Coming from El Cajon, Lakeside or La Mesa? Here is how to find us.
Take a look →Book a detail on Magnolia Ave.
Reserve a time online, or call and describe the car — we'll tell you which service it actually needs.