A mobile exterior detail takes about 1 hour, an interior about 2, and a full detail about 3. See times and prices by service, plus what adds time.

Car detailing takes about 1 hour for an exterior detail, about 2 hours for an interior detail, and about 3 hours for a full detail covering both. Headlight restoration takes about 45 minutes. Ceramic coating is the long one: a full day at an indoor facility, followed by a 48-hour cure before the car sees water.

Those are the actual service times at Sandhills Shine Mobile Detailing in Pinehurst, NC. The rest of this post covers what each service costs, what stretches the clock, and how to get your car ready so the crew starts on time.

Car Detailing Times and Prices by Service

Service	Time	Sedan	SUV / Truck	Large SUV / Van
The Front Nine (exterior detail)	About 1 hour	$125	$155	$185
The Back Nine (interior detail)	About 2 hours	$150	$185	$220
The Full Round (exterior + interior)	About 3 hours	$175	$225	$275
Fore! headlight restoration	About 45 minutes	$95 flat	$95 flat	$95 flat
The 19th Hole Essential ceramic coating	Confirmed at booking	$499	$649	$799
The 19th Hole Pro ceramic coating	Full day, plus 48-hour cure	$799	$1,099	$1,299

The Full Round price shown is the current rate, which is 10% off its regular price of $195, $250, or $310. Exotic vehicles start at $1,599 for Pro ceramic coating.

How Long Does an Exterior Detail Take?

The Front Nine exterior detail takes about 1 hour. That hour covers a hand wash, iron decontamination, wheels and tires, window polish, and trim dressing.

Iron decontamination is the step a drive-through wash skips. A spray dissolves the brake dust embedded in the paint and wheels, which matters in the Sandhills because iron-rich red clay bonds to clearcoat the same way.

How Long Does an Interior Detail Take?

The Back Nine interior detail takes about 2 hours, twice as long as the exterior. Interiors have more surfaces, more materials, and more places for sand to hide.

The service covers a full vacuum, steam cleaning, dash and console, door panels, leather or fabric seat treatment, interior glass, and vents. Sandhills soil is fine and sandy, and it works deep into carpet fibers after a few months of golf shoes and beach trips.

How Long Does a Full Detail Take?

The Full Round takes about 3 hours and combines the exterior and interior detail in one visit. A single appointment handles the whole car, which saves scheduling two separate visits.

Typical ranges published by other detailers run from 3 to 6 hours for a full detail, and some quote a full day. The longer quotes include machine polishing or paint correction, which is a different job from a detail.

Sandhills Shine offers paint correction only as an add-on before a ceramic coating, so a Full Round stays at about 3 hours.

How Long Does Ceramic Coating Take?

The 19th Hole ceramic coating takes a full day, and it happens at an indoor facility instead of your driveway. A coating needs a controlled space with no dust, pollen, or dew landing on the paint while it bonds.

The day includes a full decontamination wash, clay bar, and IPA wipe-down before the coating goes on. Adding single-stage paint correction (+$250) or two-stage correction (+$450) extends the prep, because polishing out swirls is slow, careful work.

After the car comes back, it needs a 48-hour cure period before any exposure to water. That means no rain, no washing, and no overnight dew for two days, so a garage or carport is the right place to park it.

Pickup and delivery are included within 30 miles, so the full day costs you no driving. The ceramic coating FAQ covers what the coating protects against and how to maintain it.

How Long Does Headlight Restoration Take?

Fore! headlight restoration takes about 45 minutes for both lenses. The crew wet sands the oxidized layer, machine polishes the lens clear, and applies a UV sealant so the haze stays away.

It books as a standalone visit or alongside any detail, and the price is $95 flat for any vehicle.

What Adds Time to a Detail?

Three things move the clock: the size of the vehicle, the add-ons you choose, and the condition of the car when the crew opens the door.

Vehicle size. A three-row SUV or a crew-cab truck has more paint, more glass, and more carpet than a sedan. The times above are approximate for that reason, and the larger price tiers reflect the extra work.

Add-ons. Each one is an extra step on top of the base service:

Add-on	Price	What it involves
Pet Hair Removal	$35	Pulling woven-in hair out of carpet and fabric
Seat Shampoo	$40	Hot water extraction on fabric seats
Carpet Shampoo	$35	Deep cleaning carpet beyond steam
Odor Elimination	$45	Enzyme-based treatment
Leather Conditioning	$30	Conditioning after the leather is cleaned
Engine Bay Clean	$60	Degreasing and dressing under the hood
Clay Bar Decontamination	$90	Lifting bonded sap, tar, and overspray from paint

A Paint Sealant can also be added to the Front Nine or Full Round for $100, $125, or $150 by vehicle size. It lays down a synthetic polymer layer that lasts 3 to 6 months.

Condition. Heavy pet hair, set-in stains, and spring pine pollen packed into every seam all take longer than a car that gets detailed on a schedule. A vehicle detailed every few months stays close to the listed times.

Mention problem areas when you book. A note such as “two dogs, back seat” or “coffee spill on the passenger carpet” lets the crew plan the right add-ons and the right amount of time before they arrive.

Why the Time Costs You Nothing With Mobile Detailing

At a fixed shop, a 3-hour detail is 3 hours in a lobby, or two extra trips and a ride from someone else. A mobile detail removes all of that.

The crew brings the equipment and the water to your home, your office, or your golf club. You do not need to be home, and you do not need to hand over keys in person as long as the car is accessible.

You get a text when the crew is on the way and another when the car is finished. A Full Round fits inside a morning at work or a round at the club, and the car is clean when you walk back to it.

Payment happens at completion by card, cash, Venmo, or Zelle. For a wider look at how the two options compare, see mobile detailing vs. a car wash.

How to Prepare Your Car Before the Crew Arrives

Ten minutes of prep keeps the appointment on schedule.

Clear out personal items. Empty the seats, floor, door pockets, cupholders, and trunk. Remove child seats if you want the upholstery under them cleaned.
Leave the car accessible. Park it where the crew can open every door fully and walk all the way around it. Arrange key access if you will be away.
Note problem areas at booking. Stains, odors, pet hair, and sap spots are all easier to handle when the crew knows about them ahead of time.
Plan for damp fabric. Steam-cleaned surfaces dry quickly. Shampooed seats and carpet stay damp for a few hours, so crack the windows in a garage or give it an afternoon before a long drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a full car detail take?

A full detail takes about 3 hours with Sandhills Shine. The Full Round covers the complete exterior and interior in one visit for $175, $225, or $275 depending on vehicle size. Add-ons such as Seat Shampoo or Pet Hair Removal extend that time.

How long does mobile detailing take compared to a shop?

The work itself takes the same time: about 1 hour for an exterior, 2 for an interior, and 3 for both. The difference is your time. With mobile service there is no drive, no drop-off, and no waiting room, and you do not need to be home.

How long does ceramic coating take to apply and cure?

The 19th Hole ceramic coating takes a full day at an indoor facility, including decontamination, clay, and IPA prep. After the car is returned, it needs 48 hours with no exposure to water. Pickup and delivery are included within 30 miles of Pinehurst.

Can I drive my car right after a detail?

Yes. After an exterior or steam-cleaned interior detail, the car is ready to drive when the crew sends the finished text. Shampooed seats and carpet stay damp for a few hours, so airflow helps.

Does a bigger vehicle take longer to detail?

Yes. Large SUVs, vans, and trucks have more surface area inside and out, which is why they sit in a higher price tier. Tell the crew the make and model at booking so the appointment is scheduled with enough time.

Book a Detail That Fits Your Day

Sandhills Shine works Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM, anywhere within 30 miles of Pinehurst, including Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Whispering Pines, Sanford, and Fayetteville.

Book online or call (910) 527-7567 to pick a time, and spend those hours doing something else.

How Long Does Car Detailing Take? Real Times and Prices