Wash. Polish. Wax. Nice! But think, why does a polish job at some car washes takes about 4 - 6 hours while detailing a small car might take up to 3 days? Auto-detailing transcends the regular wash, polish, wax routine.
What sets a detailing apart from a polish job? Detailing is a science as much as it is an art. It involves inspection, thinking, planning, thoroughly and meticulously cleaning, correction, and finally waxing/glazing a vehicle. Intense attention is to be given and care must be taken to ensure that nothing is neglected. Depending on the current condition a vehicle; as well as the time and money budget, the finished product can vary anywhere between a near showroom condition to a show car finish.
A small chip might not irritate the eyes of a passerby. A small patch of paint oxidation is not much. Dirt hidden in the door jams are hardly seen unless one deliberately look for it. But when the whole thing is added up together, you do notice one big picture. A neglected car.
Detailing preserves the resale value of a car and may include various chemical treatments to the paint and/or interior to boost the appearance and durability of the car's finish.