A car wash gets the dust and road grime off the outside. It is quick, it is cheap, and it is fine for in-between weeks. A detail goes much deeper and takes a lot longer.
When we detail your car, we hand wash it instead of running it through brushes that can leave swirl marks. We clean the wheels, the tires, and the spots where dirt hides, like door jambs and around the gas cap. We add a sealant that protects the paint and helps it shine for weeks, not hours.
On the inside, a wash does nothing. A detail vacuums, wipes down every surface, cleans the glass so it does not streak, and on our higher tiers, shampoos the carpets and seats and clears out odors. In short, a wash cleans the surface. A detail resets the whole car.