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Closed · opens Monday 8am
ESM Motors technician hand-drying a light blue BMW with a microfiber towel

PREMIUM DETAILING · SAN FRANCISCO

Premium Car Detailing
in San Francisco

Premium Car Detailing
in San Francisco

Premium Car Detailing
in San Francisco

Deep clean, gloss restored, protected finish. Our premium detail removes built-up grime, road film and interior dust the right way, by hand in our indoor wash bay, with careful technique to avoid swirls and scratches.

Deep clean, gloss restored, protected finish. Our premium detail removes built-up grime, road film and interior dust the right way, by hand in our indoor wash bay, with careful technique to avoid swirls and scratches.

Ferrari 12Cilindri Detailing

Why it matters

Keep it
in the top 2%.

Kelley Blue Book rates only 2% of the used cars it values as Excellent, meaning the car “looks new”.
Half are rated Good, with repairable cosmetic defects. Regular, careful detailing is how a car stays in the top tier.


Kelley Blue Book rates only 2% of the used cars it values as Excellent, meaning the car “looks new”. Half are rated Good, with repairable cosmetic defects. Regular, careful detailing is how a car stays in the top tier.


How Kelley Blue Book rates used cars

2%

of cars KBB values qualify as Excellent: “looks new”

Excellent2%Looks new
Very Good28%Minor cosmetic defects
Good50%Repairable cosmetic defects
Fair20%Requires some mechanical repairs

Source: Kelley Blue Book condition ratings

Interior + exterior

Professional detailing,
on your schedule.

You choose the time that works, and our technicians take care of the rest. Every service is performed in-house with pro-grade products and careful technique.


ESM Motors technician wiping down a car interior with red leather seats

01 / Interior

Interior Detailing

Remove dirt, stains, and odors and bring back that new-car feel. Our interior service deep-cleans every surface and protects the materials you touch every day.

  • Deep vacuum and extraction cleaning

  • Leather conditioning and protection

  • Steam cleaning and sanitization

  • Dashboard and trim restoration

  • Odor elimination treatment

ESM Motors installer squeegeeing paint protection film onto the front fender of a white Porsche, San Francisco

02 / Exterior

Exterior Detailing

Bring back depth, clarity, and gloss. We safely remove contamination and surface defects, then protect the finish so it stays cleaner for longer.

  • Paint correction and polishing

  • Ceramic coating application

  • Clay bar and decontamination

  • Wheel and tire detailing

Interior

What’s living
in your car.

When researchers swabbed five used cars, the trunk averaged 1,425 bacteria per swab and the driver’s seat 649. A proper interior detail cleans the surfaces you touch every day.


Bacteria found inside used cars · average per swab

Swabs from five used cars

Trunk
1,425
Driver’s seat
649
Gearstick
407
Back seat
323
Dashboard
317
Steering wheel
146

Source: Swabs from five used cars, Dr. Jonathan Cox, via Microchem Laboratory (2022)

Indoor wash bay

Indoor wash bay

Washed indoors. With pH‑balanced water.

We’re one of the few shops in San Francisco with a proper indoor wash bay. Every car we protect, coat or detail is washed there, out of the sun and wind, with pH-balanced, filtered water.

Indoor

Filtered water

pH-balanced

01 / For paint

No new spots or swirls.

Filtered water doesn’t leave the mineral spots that etch clear coat, and washing out of the sun means nothing dries on the surface before it’s wiped off.

02 / For PPF

Film that stays clear and sealed.

Neutral water and a gentle hand wash keep the film’s top layer clear, and high-pressure water is kept away from the edges so they stay down.

03 / For ceramic coating

A coating that keeps working.

pH-balanced water doesn’t wear the coating down the way alkaline water and harsh chemicals do, so it keeps beading and shedding dirt for its full lifespan.

Why it matters: are car washes bad for your paint? →︎

Why it matters: are car washes bad for your paint? →︎

The water

Water is never
just water.

Water is rarely neutral. In a coatings field study, rain measured between pH 3.66 and 6.34, and San Francisco’s tap water averaged pH 9.3 in 2025. That’s why we wash with pH-balanced, filtered water instead of whatever comes out of the hose.

San Francisco’s water averaged 95 mg of dissolved solids per liter in 2025, and up to 197. When a droplet dries on paint, those solids are what’s left behind as a water spot.

Where water sits on the pH scale

Rain: pH 3.66–6.34Measured in a coatings field study
SF tap water: pH 9.32025 average
Neutral: pH 7Pure water
0 · Acidic14 · Alkaline

Sources: SFPUC 2025 Water Quality Report · Bayer MaterialScience & BASF, Etch Damage to Automotive Coatings (2005)

What’s dissolved in San Francisco tap water

95 mg/L

Average dissolved solids, up to 197 mg/L. This is what’s left on the paint when a droplet dries.

62 mg/L

Average hardness (calcium and magnesium), ranging from 8.1 to 112 mg/L. The average falls in the USGS “moderately hard” band.

Sources: SFPUC 2025 Water Quality Report · USGS hardness scale

Water spots

How a water
spot forms.

In a field study of automotive finishes, Bayer MaterialScience and BASF found that acidic dew drying on sunny days was the biggest cause of etching, with minerals building up on the panels as water evaporated. That’s why we wash indoors, out of the sun, and dry the car before water can sit.

How a water spot forms

  1. 01

    A droplet sits

    Rain, sprinklers or tap water, carrying dissolved minerals.

  2. 02

    The sun evaporates it

    The water leaves; minerals and acidity concentrate.

  3. 03

    A spot or etch is left

    A mineral ring sits on top, or the clear coat etches below it.

Source: Bayer MaterialScience & BASF, Etch Damage to Automotive Coatings (2005)

Detailing packages

Choose your level of care.

Three packages, from a thorough refresh to polish and ceramic protection. Every package is performed by hand, in-house.

Essential

Basic Detail

Starting at

$289*

Perfect for:

Quick refresh

Includes

  • Foam cannon pre-soak + two-bucket contact wash

  • Wheels, tires & barrels cleaned + tire dressing

  • Safe dry with filtered air + plush microfiber

  • Light bug & tar removal (as needed)

  • Windows cleaned inside and out

  • Full interior vacuum and wipe-down

  • Door jamb cleaning

Performance

Deep Detail

Starting at

$649*

Perfect for:

Monthly detail · Pre-sale

Everything in Essential, plus

  • Clay bar treatment

  • One-step machine polish

  • Deeper interior clean

  • Leather conditioning

  • Engine bay cleaning

Full Detail

Most complete

Polish + Ceramic

Starting at

$1,399*

Perfect for:

Long-term protection · Maximum gloss

Everything in Performance, plus

  • True ceramic coating (4-year)

  • Wheel face + windshield coating

  • Final wipe-down + coating cure procedure

Two-step paint correction available as an upgrade.

*Prices shown are for a sedan. Final pricing depends on your vehicle type and condition.

ESM detailing add-ons

Tailor your detail.

Add any of these to a package for extra protection, a deeper reset, or a finish that lasts for years.

Exterior enhancements

8 options

Headlight Restoration

+$150

Paint Sealant (6–12 months)

+$150

Trim Restoration

+$300

Wheel Ceramic Coating

+$400

Ceramic Coating (1 year)

+$600

Wheel Ceramic Coating (incl. barrels)

+$750

Ceramic Coating (4 year)

+$1,200

Ceramic Coating (8 year)

+$1,900

Interior enhancements

5 options

Ozone Treatment (odor neutralization)

+$150

Leather Protection

+$200

Engine Bay Detail

+$250

Interior Ceramic Coating (high-touch surfaces)

+$350

Interior Ceramic Coating (full interior)

+$750

Our detailing process

Six steps to a flawless finish.

Every detail follows the same careful sequence, so nothing is rushed and nothing is missed.

01

Initial Inspection

We examine your vehicle to assess paint condition, identify problem areas, and choose the right approach for your needs.

02

Pre-Wash & Decontamination

The vehicle is pre-rinsed, foamed, and clay-barred to remove surface contaminants, tar, and iron particles.

03

Deep Cleaning

A thorough hand wash with pH-balanced products, plus wheels, tires, exterior trim, and glass.

04

Paint Correction

Swirls, scratches, and oxidation are removed through multi-step polishing, restoring depth and clarity.

05

Protection Application

Wax, sealant, or ceramic coating is applied for long-lasting shine and hydrophobic protection.

06

Final Details & Inspection

The interior is detailed, glass polished, and tires dressed. Every surface is inspected before delivery.

Why it matters

Why regular detailing matters
for Bay Area drivers

Why regular detailing matters for Bay Area drivers

Bay Area driving exposes your paint and interior to brake dust, road film, sun, and airborne contaminants that slowly dull gloss and wear materials. Regular professional detailing keeps your vehicle looking sharp, protects long-term value, and makes upkeep effortless between visits.

Pink Porsche GT3 RS parked outside a modern building at sunset

01

Minimizes swirls and premature paint aging

Safe wash and correction techniques keep the finish clear instead of slowly dulling it over time.

02

Removes harmful buildup

Brake dust, road film, and airborne contaminants are lifted before they can etch into paint and trim.

03

Maintains gloss, clarity, and value

A consistently cared-for finish looks better every day and holds its value when it’s time to sell.

04

Restores that “new car” look and feel

Clean glass, conditioned leather, and a fresh cabin make every drive feel like the first.

Black leather car seats in a freshly detailed interior

Not sure which package is right for you?

Our team can help you choose the right level of care based on your vehicle, driving habits, and budget.

Detailing FAQ.

Got questions? We’ve got answers. Here’s everything you need to know about working with us.

A full interior and exterior detail: a hand foam wash in our indoor wash bay, wheels and tires, a thorough interior clean, and glass inside and out. We’ll confirm exactly what your car needs when you book.

Yes. Every detail is a careful hand wash with pH-balanced, filtered water, done by the same team that installs film and coatings, so your protection is cleaned the way it’s meant to be.

Washing out of the sun stops water from drying on the paint before it’s wiped off, and filtered, pH-balanced water carries fewer of the dissolved minerals that leave water spots.

It depends on how you use the car, but regular washes every one to two weeks keep contamination from building up, with a full detail every few months. Our detailing memberships make that automatic.

A premium detail is a one-off deep clean. A membership is ongoing monthly care for cars already in well-maintained condition, so a premium detail is often the best place to start.

No. Every ceramic coating we do already includes a full decontamination in our indoor wash bay and a one-step polish, so the paint is prepped as part of the service.

Yes. You can drop your car off or wait in our lounge.