Exterior detailing that protects what your car is worth
Here's the thing most people don't realise about their car's exterior: a wash makes it look clean, but it does nothing to protect the paint underneath. The gloss you see when a car is new isn't just the colour — it's a smooth, sealed clear coat. Once road salt, brake dust and UV start eating at it, that finish goes flat, and no amount of washing brings it back. Real exterior detailing rebuilds and protects that surface. That's the difference we care about.
We treat every car like it's our own. It starts with a proper hand and foam wash, then a clay bar to pull out the bonded grime, brake dust, tar and fallout that washing leaves behind. From there we machine-polish the paint to remove swirl marks and light scratches, bringing back the depth and gloss. Then we seal it — a carnauba wax or a ceramic coating — so the shine actually lasts and the elements have to fight through a layer of protection to reach your paint.
This is North York. Salt off the 401 all winter, UV and sap through the summer, construction dust year-round. Your paint takes a beating you don't even notice until it's dull. Done regularly, exterior detailing is how a car stays looking three years newer than it is — and holds a resale value that pays for the work many times over.
How much does exterior car detailing cost?
Exterior detailing at Romeo's starts around $190 and is priced by your vehicle's size and condition. We'll always tell you straight what a car needs and what it doesn't — no upselling you into work that won't help.
What you're really paying for
A drive-through wash is minutes and gone by the next rain. An exterior detail is hours of hand work — decontamination, machine polishing, sealing — that protects the clear coat and keeps the finish for months. You're paying for the paint underneath, not just a clean surface.
Is it worth it?
If you plan to keep the car — or sell it well — yes. Protected paint holds its gloss and its resale value; neglected paint dulls, oxidises and costs far more to correct later. Regular detailing is the cheapest way to keep a car looking years newer than it is.
What changes the price
Vehicle size, how much correction the paint needs, and whether you add ceramic protection. A well-kept sedan sits at the lower end; a large SUV that hasn't been detailed in a while takes more work. We quote it honestly before we start.
Our exterior detailing process
Hand & power wash
A gentle foam and hand wash, wheels and tires cleaned, and exterior glass — lifting road grime without marring the paint.
Clay bar decontamination
A clay bar pulls out embedded brake dust, road tar, bug splatter and industrial fallout for a glass-smooth surface.
Polish & paint correction
Machine polishing removes scratches and swirl marks, restoring your paint’s vibrant, deep gloss.
Wax or ceramic protection
A carnauba wax or ceramic coating seals the finish for lasting shine and protection against the elements.
Our detailing packages
Priced by vehicle size, with no travel fees. Want the inside done too? Gold and Platinum cover it all.
Platinum
Our most comprehensive interior and exterior detail with carnauba wax and engine shampoo.
- ✓Complete interior + exterior detail
- ✓Carnauba wax application
- ✓Engine shampoo & dressing
Showroom
Everything in Platinum plus clay bar, machine polish and a ceramic spray sealant — a true showroom-level finish.
- ✓Everything in the Platinum package
- ✓Clay bar decontamination
- ✓Single-stage machine polish — enhances gloss, removes light swirls
- ✓Light ceramic spray sealant (3–6 months protection)
- ✓Wheels deep-cleaned & sealed
- ✓Glass cleaned + rain-repellent coat
Exterior detailing — your questions answered
How much does exterior car detailing cost? +
Exterior detailing at Romeo’s starts around $190 for a Gold package and is priced by vehicle size and condition. A proper exterior detail is hours of hand work — wash, clay bar decontamination, machine polishing and protection — not a drive-through wash. What you’re paying for is protected paint that holds its value and a finish that lasts.
What does a clay bar treatment do? +
A clay bar removes embedded contaminants that washing can’t — brake dust, road tar, bug splatter and industrial fallout — leaving the paint glass-smooth and ready for wax or coating.
What’s the difference between a car wash and exterior detailing? +
A car wash cleans the surface. Exterior detailing decontaminates and corrects the paint itself — clay bar to pull out bonded grime, machine polishing to remove swirls and scratches, then wax or ceramic to seal and protect. The result lasts months, not until the next rain.
Can you remove scratches and swirl marks? +
Yes. Our paint polishing and correction removes light scratches and swirl marks, rejuvenating your car’s vibrant gloss. Deeper defects are assessed before we start so you know exactly what’s realistic.
How long does waxing protect my car? +
A wax application typically lasts 2–3 months. For long-lasting protection of several years, consider our ceramic coating.
How often should I get exterior detailing in North York? +
Every 3–4 months for most cars, with extra care after winter to strip corrosive road salt off the 401 and DVP, and before summer to guard against UV. Regular exterior detailing is what keeps paint from dulling and oxidising over the years.
Will exterior detailing protect against road salt? +
Yes. Decontaminating and sealing the paint with wax or ceramic creates a barrier against the salt, brine and slush that GTA winters throw at your finish and undercarriage. It’s one of the best things you can do to protect a vehicle you plan to keep.
Do you offer mobile exterior detailing? +
Yes — our fully equipped, self-contained van comes to your home or office across North York, Toronto and the GTA at no extra cost.
Exterior detailing across the GTA
Based right here in North York and fully mobile, we bring exterior detailing to your home or office across every North York neighbourhood — Willowdale, Don Mills, Bayview Village, North York Centre, York Mills, Lawrence Manor, Downsview and Lansing — plus Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga and the wider GTA, all at no extra travel cost. Wedged between the 401, the DVP/404, Allen Road and Yonge Street, North York paint faces constant highway grime, corrosive road salt and summer UV that regular exterior detailing keeps at bay.
What customers say
"Terrible water spots on both my cars I couldn’t get out. Romeo removed them with a machine polish and ceramic coating. Both look like new."
Adam Myers"Did a great job on my car, will definitely use his services again and highly recommend."
Niki Luimes"Great communication, punctual, and left the car spotless. Super happy — will definitely use him again."
Lynn KhazzamPremium mobile detailing & ceramic coating across the Greater Toronto Area.