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Exterior Car Detailing in Charleston, WV, Done Right at Your Driveway

Bird droppings can etch paint within hours on a warm day. We protect it at your door: exterior washes $50.

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  • Fully insured
  • Hand wash only
  • We come to you
Built for West Virginia paint

Your car's paint is under attack all year in West Virginia. Winter brings salt brine and grit, spring brings pollen and tree sap, summer brings bugs, bird droppings and UV, and fall brings wet leaves and muddy back roads. Landis Mobile Detailing brings professional exterior car detailing in Charleston to your home or workplace, so your paint gets cleaned, decontaminated and protected without a trip to the car wash.

Based in Kenna, WV, we serve Jackson County, Putnam County and the Kanawha Valley. Every exterior detail is done by hand with paint-safe tools and products, from the wheel barrels to the roof. Most exterior details take one to three hours depending on vehicle size, condition and the package you choose.

  • 1–3 hrsMost exterior details, depending on size and package
  • ~50 µmTypical clear coat, about half a sheet of paper
  • 4×The space rust takes up compared with the original iron
  • $50Exterior wash, with add-ons as you need them
Every inclusion, up front

What Our Exterior Detailing Includes

A quick wash removes loose dirt. An exterior detail removes the bonded contamination a wash leaves behind, then protects the paint so it stays cleaner longer. Here's what we cover:

Safe Washing and Cleaning

Every detail starts by removing dirt and grime in the right order, without scratching the paint.

  • Wheels, Tires and Wheel Wells

    We clean wheels first so brake dust and grime never splash onto freshly washed paint. Wheel faces and barrels are cleaned with dedicated brushes and a pH-safe wheel cleaner. Wheel wells are scrubbed to remove packed mud and salt, and tires are cleaned and dressed with a non-sling, satin finish.

  • Foam Pre-Wash and Hand Wash

    A thick foam pre-wash loosens dirt and road film before anything touches the paint. Then we hand wash the vehicle with the two-bucket method and soft microfiber mitts, working top to bottom. This is how we avoid the swirl marks that spinning brushes leave behind.

  • Bug, Tar and Sap Removal

    Bug splatter, road tar and tree sap are treated with dedicated removers before they etch into the clear coat. Bird droppings are softened and lifted gently, never scrubbed.

Decontamination and Drying

This stage removes what washing can't and prepares the paint for protection.

  • Paint Decontamination

    After washing, we remove what soap can't. An iron fallout remover dissolves embedded brake dust and metal particles, and a clay bar treatment lifts bonded contaminants like tree sap mist, tar and overspray. The result is paint that feels glass-smooth to the touch.

  • Drying

    We dry with plush microfiber towels and filtered air to blow water out of mirrors, grilles, emblems and trim, so you don't get drip lines after we leave.

Protection and Finishing

The final stage seals in the shine and handles the details that make the whole vehicle look finished.

  • Paint Protection

    Every exterior detail finishes with a layer of protection. Our standard sealant adds gloss, repels water and makes future washes easier. You can upgrade to a longer-lasting ceramic sealant or a full ceramic coating.

  • Vinyl Wraps and Paint Protection Film

    Wrapped vehicles and cars with paint protection film can be detailed too, but they need a different approach. We use wrap-safe, pH-neutral soaps, skip abrasive polishing on matte and satin finishes, and keep pressure washing away from film edges and seams so they don't lift.

  • Exterior Glass, Trim and Door Jambs

    Exterior windows and mirrors are cleaned streak-free. Plastic trim is cleaned and dressed to restore its color, and door jambs are wiped down so the first thing you see when you open the door is clean.

Simple from start to finish

How Our Exterior Detailing Works

Six steps from first rinse to a protected, glossy finish.

1–3 hoursfor most exterior details
Start with step one

  1. 1. Book Your Appointment

    Tell us your vehicle type, its condition and where it will be parked. Photos of problem areas, like sap, swirls or cloudy headlights, help us recommend the right package.

  2. 2. Get Your Quote

    We confirm the price and arrival window before the appointment, so there are no surprises.

  3. 3. Paint Inspection

    We walk around the vehicle with you, note existing chips, scratches or damage, and check the paint under light so we know what to expect.

  4. 4. Wheels and Pre-Wash

    Wheels and tires are cleaned first. Then the whole vehicle gets a foam pre-wash to loosen dirt before any contact washing.

  5. 5. Hand Wash and Decontamination

    We hand wash with the two-bucket method, then remove iron particles and bonded contaminants with a fallout remover and clay bar.

  6. 6. Dry, Protect and Final Walkthrough

    After a careful dry, we apply your paint protection, dress the tires and trim, and clean the glass. Then we walk you around the finished vehicle and share tips to keep it looking good longer.

Backed by research

Why Exterior Detailing Matters More Than You Think

Your Clear Coat Is Thinner Than a Sheet of Paper

Sheet of copy paper
Clear coat (~50 µm)
Safe to remove, ever25–30%

Nearly every car built since the mid-1980s uses a clear coat over the color layer. That clear coat is typically around 50 micrometers thick, roughly half the thickness of a sheet of copy paper, and it carries the UV protection for your paint. Paint makers advise removing no more than 25% to 30% of it over a vehicle's entire life. That's why we hand wash, use the gentlest method that works and only machine polish when it's needed.

Brake Dust Doesn't Just Sit on the Surface

Hot metal fragments from brake pads and rotors embed themselves in paint and wheel finishes, where washing can't remove them. Left alone, they rust, and rust takes up about four times the space of the original iron, slowly breaking the paint around each particle. Iron decontamination dissolves these particles before that happens. You can actually see it work: the remover turns purple as it reacts with the iron.

231,000tons of salt each winter

Road Salt Eats Cars From the Bottom Up

The West Virginia Division of Highways stockpiles more than 231,000 tons of salt each winter, and that brine ends up in your wheel wells, rocker panels and lower doors. AAA estimates salt-related rust costs U.S. drivers more than $3 billion a year, and it recommends frequent winter washes with attention to the undercarriage, plus a thorough spring cleaning to remove leftover deposits.

pH 3.5–4.5
droppings7
neutral

Bird Droppings and Sap Etch Paint Fast

Bird droppings have a pH of roughly 3.5 to 4.5, acidic enough to attack the clear coat. On a warm day they can start etching within hours, and after about 24 hours the damage usually needs machine polishing to correct. A sealant or coating gives you a sacrificial layer and extra time to remove them safely.

New100%
Yellowed22%
Restored~70%

Cloudy Headlights Cut Your Night Vision

AAA lab testing found that yellowed, deteriorated headlights on low beams put out only 22% of the light of new ones, and lenses can start deteriorating in as little as three to five years. Professional restoration brought output back to about 70%. With about half of all crashes happening at night, it's one of the most practical add-ons we offer.

Choose your shield

Wax vs. Sealant vs. Ceramic: Which Protection Is Right for You?

ProtectionTypical DurabilityLookBest For
Carnauba wax1 to 3 monthsWarm, deep glossShow cars and owners who enjoy frequent waxing
Paint sealant4 to 6 monthsSharp, glassy shineDaily drivers who want solid protection between details
Ceramic coating2 to 5 years (professional grade)Deep, ultra-glossy, very slickOwners keeping a vehicle long term who want the lowest upkeep

West Virginia's salt, rain and pollen wear down faster than mild climates, so we recommend at least a sealant before every winter. If you want protection that lasts several winters, aceramic coating is the better investment.

Honest, upfront pricing

Exterior Car Detailing Cost in Charleston, WV

An exterior wash is $50. Add decontamination, wax, a ceramic topper or a ceramic coating to build the detail your paint needs, and you always get a clear quote before we begin.

Exterior wash
$50

Add-ons

DecontaminationIron remover and clay towel. Removes embedded contaminants and prepares paint for wax$40
WaxAdds gloss and shine, and helps repel dirt, water and UV$50
Ceramic topperExtended durability, enhanced gloss and slickness for 6 to 12 months$100
Ceramic coatingLong-term protection for 2 to 5 years, depending on package$500+

Heavy mud, salt buildup or sap may cost extra, priced by the job. Paint correction starts at $250; see our paint correction page for every stage.

Book Your Detail 304-786-3853

What affects your price:

  • Vehicle size. Trucks, SUVs and vans have more paint, glass and wheel surface to clean.

  • Condition. Heavy mud, salt buildup, sap or neglected paint takes extra time.

  • Paint correction. Machine polishing to remove swirls adds time and skill.

  • Protection level. Ceramic sealants and coatings cost more than a standard sealant but last much longer.

  • Travel distance. Locations farther from our Kenna base, such as Spencer or Elkview, may include a small travel charge, which we tell you before booking.

Real feedback

What Our Customers Say

“They did such an AMAZING JOB! I had a VERY dirty car, and they made it look and smell new! Prompt showing, professional, and kind. The stains in the carpets are gone and the leather seats look cream again! I definitely will be using their services again next time. With the crazy things I've had the past month, it was worth every penny to have a clean car in less than 4 hrs!”

Sarah H., Landis customerSarah H.Landis customer

“I would highly recommend Landis Mobile Detailing. They were very prompt, actually early, and they finished in a timely manner also. My truck looked great when they were done. Well worth the price.”

Donella G., Landis customerDonella G.Landis customer

“Just got my Prius detailed. Looks brand new. Beautiful. Thank you. Will be calling shortly for the truck. Very polite and professional.”

Candice Ramsey, Landis customerCandice RamseyLandis customer
Your schedule

How Often Should You Get Exterior Detailing?

Your Driving LifeRecommended Exterior Care
Garage-kept, light useFull exterior detail every 4 to 6 months
Daily driver parked outsideWash every 2 to 4 weeks, full exterior detail every 3 months
Rural roads, gravel or mudWash every 2 weeks, full exterior detail every 2 to 3 months
Winter salt seasonWash every 2 weeks while roads are being treated
Before selling or trading inExterior Restoration 1 to 2 weeks before listing
Where we work

Mobile Exterior Detailing Across Jackson County and the Kanawha Valley

From our base in Kenna, we provide exterior car detailing throughout Charleston, WV and nearby communities, including Kenna, South Charleston, St. Albans, Elkview, Sissonville, Poca, Winfield, Ripley, Sandyville and Spencer. Your car gets detailed wherever it's parked, at home, at work or at your apartment complex.

Want the inside to match? See our interior car detailing.

Call us at:304-786-3853
Landis Mobile Detailing
WV-34 Parking, Kenna, WV 25248
Got questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most about exterior detailing.

Still have a question?Call 304-786-3853

How long does an exterior car detail take?

A basic exterior wash and protection usually takes one to two hours. A full exterior detail with clay bar and iron decontamination takes two to three hours, and an Exterior Restoration with machine polishing can take four hours or more on larger vehicles.

What's the difference between an exterior detail and a car wash?

A car wash removes loose dirt. An exterior detail adds hand washing, iron decontamination, clay bar treatment, tar and sap removal, trim care and paint protection. It removes contamination that washing leaves behind and protects the paint so it stays cleaner longer.

What is a clay bar treatment, and do I need it?

A clay bar glides over lubricated paint and pulls out bonded contaminants like sap mist, tar and overspray. If your paint feels rough after washing, it needs claying. Most cars parked outdoors in West Virginia benefit from it at least once or twice a year.

Will an exterior detail remove scratches and swirl marks?

A wash and decontamination won't remove scratches. Our Exterior Restoration package includes a one-step machine polish that reduces light swirls and boosts gloss. Deeper scratches need multi-step paint correction, and scratches through the clear coat need body shop repair.

How long does paint sealant last?

A paint sealant typically lasts four to six months, compared with one to three months for carnauba wax. In West Virginia, salt and harsh winters can shorten that, so we recommend fresh protection before every winter.

Can you remove tree sap and bird droppings?

Yes. We use dedicated removers that soften sap and droppings so they lift off without scrubbing. If they've already etched the clear coat, machine polishing can often improve or remove the marks, depending on how deep they go.

Do you need water or electricity at my location?

No. We arrive with our own water and power, so all we need is enough room to walk around the vehicle with its doors open. A driveway, parking lot or street spot works well.

Can you detail my car in cold weather?

Yes, within limits. Water can freeze on paint and protection products need certain temperatures to cure, so in freezing weather we may adjust the service or reschedule. We'll contact you ahead of time if conditions aren't safe for your paint.

Is exterior detailing safe for ceramic-coated cars?

Yes. We use pH-neutral soaps and coating-safe decontamination products that clean without stripping your coating. A proper maintenance wash actually helps a ceramic coating perform better and last longer.

Where are you based, and how far do you travel?

We're based in Kenna, WV, in Jackson County. We serve Kenna, Ripley, Sandyville, Charleston, South Charleston, St. Albans, Sissonville, Poca, Winfield, Elkview and Spencer. Farther locations may include a small travel charge, which we tell you before booking.