How to get my car clean?

February 8, 2006 12:16 PM

My car is really dirty. How do I find somebody to clean it?

Reallly really dirty. Somebody basically lived out of it for a year, and it's got years of other accumulated dirt and grime. I tried to take it to a full-service car wash to get it cleaned, but they basically just wiped the inside with a towel and let it go. It needs some much more serious treatment, and I don't want to do it.

So I tried googling and the yellow-pages and so on, but I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. Things like "car-cleaning" turned up only car washes rather than anybody who did heavy work. Is there a term for this that I'm missing? Is it time to just lower my standards and live with a certain amount of dinginess? I live in New Haven, CT, if that helps.

posted by willbaude to grab bag (7 comments total)

Look for 'car detailing', and phone them to ask what services they actually provide. Describe the state of the car to see if they'll handle it.
posted by Dipsomaniac at 12:17 PM on February 8, 2006

You are looking for the word "detailing" like this place, for example.
posted by jessamyn at 12:18 PM on February 8, 2006

Search for "auto detailing". I just looked on Craigslist under "automotive services" and there was someone in Waterbury CT offering detailing services for $35.
posted by zonkout at 12:22 PM on February 8, 2006

Dipsomaniac makes a good point about describing the state of the car. Many detailing places specialize in giving the white-glove-and-toothbrush treatment to cars that are already clean (to less-discerning eyes like mine, anyway), and they may be unwilling to work on a car that's as dirty as you describe. Depending on the level of filth we're talking about here, you might consider hiring the folks who clean up crime scenes.
posted by box at 12:54 PM on February 8, 2006

Call Roberts Car Wash on Kane Street in Hartford. [phone], I think. They're fantastic.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 1:23 PM on February 8, 2006

Someone once broke into my car and bled all over it. After a slightly odd morning of asking detailing places if they removed blood from upholstery, I found a place that did a great job for about 65$. I'd just call around and give them the ABCs, someone has to be willing to do it, even if it'll cost you a little more than you'd like.
posted by GilloD at 2:38 PM on February 8, 2006

Depending on the level of filth we're talking about here, you might consider hiring the folks who clean up crime scenes.

If you have any contacts at an auto-body shop, they should have someone they use for this. (Not crime scenes, but accidents with blood.)
posted by smackfu at 3:11 PM on February 8, 2006