Truck Detailing Cost: Pickups, SUVs and Work Trucks

How much does it cost to detail a truck?

Here are our starting prices. We list prices for sedans and SUVs. Trucks do not have their own column.

Instead, we price each truck by its size and condition, and these prices are the starting points. Every price is a starting price, and the final quote depends on how dirty the truck is.

Interior truck detailing often takes the most time. Crew cabs have lots of carpet, and work boots grind dirt deep into it.

That is why our Deep Interior Only uses steam and an enzyme cleaner. An enzyme cleaner breaks down food, sweat and stains so they lift out.

What makes truck detailing cost more?

Truck detailing prices follow time. Anything that adds time adds cost. These are the big ones our technicians see on trucks and SUVs.

• The bed and liner. A bed full of leaves, mud or rust stains takes real work. Our truck bed guide shows how to clean it yourself.
• Mud. Caked mud in wheel wells and on rocker panels must come off gently, or it scratches paint. Rocker panels are the strips under the doors.
• Sawdust and tool grit. Fine dust from wood, drywall and concrete sinks into seats, vents and carpet. It needs slow, careful vacuuming.
• Rubber floor liners. Deep grooves trap mud and need a brush. They protect your carpet, though, so the carpet takes less work.
• Third rows. A three-row SUV has more seats, more carpet and more hidden crumbs.
• Lifted trucks and tall roofs. A roof we cannot reach from the ground needs a ladder and more time.
• Big wheels and tires. Large off-road tires and deep wheels hold brake dust and mud. Each one takes longer to clean.
• Pet hair and smells. Dog hair weaves into truck carpet. Smoke or pet odor needs extra odor work.

How do you get an exact truck detailing price?

The fastest way is to show us the truck. Text a few clear photos to (415) 483-5686, or fill out our free quote form. Tell us the year, make and model too.

Midsize, full-size and crew-cab pickups are all quoted by size. A bigger cab means more seats and carpet. A longer bed means more to wash.

Is the bed part of the detail? Tell us if you want it cleaned. We add it to your quote based on how dirty it is.

Same-day detailing is sometimes open. Text us to ask.

• The cab floor and carpet, front and back.
• The seats, with a close photo of any stains or pet hair.
• The bed, if you want it cleaned.
• The wheel wells and lower doors, where mud builds up.
• One photo of the whole truck from the side.

Weekend truck vs work truck: which detail do you need?

Two pickups can be the same size and need very different work. Here is how we match the detail to the way you use the truck.

Run a few work trucks for a business? Ask about our fleet detailing. A regular schedule helps trucks avoid a heavy clean.

How much does ceramic coating cost on a truck?

At Golden Bay Detailing, trucks and SUVs add $200 to any ceramic coating. A ceramic coating is a hard, clear layer that bonds to the paint. It guards against sun and dirt and makes washing easier.

Our coatings start at $799 for a car, so a truck starts at $999. That tier lasts 2 to 3 years. It includes a 1-step paint correction, a machine polish that takes out light swirls.

The 6-year tier starts at $1,699 for a truck. Our top tier starts at $2,699 for a truck.

Want deeper swirl removal first? 2-stage paint correction starts at $799, and multi-stage starts at $1,199. A big truck has more paint to polish, so size and condition shape that quote.

A coating can still get scratched. It helps the shine last and makes dirt slide off.

After install, keep the truck dry the first night. Do not wash it for 10 to 14 days while the coating cures.

Then hand wash or use a touchless wash only. A brush tunnel wash voids our coating warranty. A yearly Ceramic Maintenance Detail keeps the warranty. It starts at $250 for a car and $300 for an SUV.

How do Bay Area roads and weather affect truck detailing?

Trucks here get dirty in their own ways. Here is what our technicians see most around the city and the coast.

We bring our own water and power. We can work at your home, office or apartment garage. We can also use a legal street spot, or a jobsite where we have permission.

We show up in a 1-hour arrival window, and we text you when we are on the way. You can keep working while we clean.

• Beach sand. Surf trips to Ocean Beach, Pacifica and Half Moon Bay leave sand in carpet seams and in the bed.
• Salt air. Trucks parked near the water pick up a salty film. It dulls paint and chrome if it sits for weeks.
• Rain season mud. Winter storms and Marin fire roads pack mud under the truck and in the wheel wells.
• Fog film. The marine layer wets the paint at night, then the sun dries it. That cycle leaves spots and a dull film.
• Jobsite dust. Building work across the city coats trucks in fine dust every day.
• Low garage ceilings. If we will work in your garage, tell us the ceiling height when you book.

What can you do yourself to keep the cost down?

You can do a lot of easy prep. Just skip anything that rubs dirt into the paint.

• Empty the cab, the bed and the door pockets. Take out tools, gear and trash.
• Pull out rubber floor liners and knock the dried mud off outside.
• Rinse heavy mud off the wheel wells with plain water. Never wipe dry mud with a towel. That drags grit across the paint.
• Vacuum loose sawdust and sand with a shop vac and a brush tip.
• For drywall or concrete dust, wear a dust mask. Use a vac with a fine-dust filter, or it can blow the dust back out. Keep the doors open while you work.
• Blot fresh spills with a clean towel. Do not rub them in.
• Tell us about smells, pet hair or stains when you ask for a quote. A clear picture gets you a clear price.

When should you call a pro?

Call a pro when the job is bigger than a hose and a shop vac. These are the signs.

Our master technicians use steam, enzyme cleaners and soft tools that lift grit gently to keep the paint safe. We come to you, so the truck never leaves your driveway or jobsite.

• Mud or grime is baked onto the paint or trim.
• Seats or carpet have deep stains, smells or pet hair.
• The paint feels rough or looks dull and swirled.
• You plan to sell or trade in the truck soon.
• You want a ceramic coating to protect a new truck.
• You run several work trucks and need a steady schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions