Before the detail.
Prepare the vehicle so the agreed areas are accessible and personal belongings stay protected.
Remove personal and sensitive items
Take out money, wallets, documents, keys that are not needed for the vehicle, medication, electronics, work materials, and anything fragile or valuable. Detailing should not require access to unrelated personal property.
Clear the areas included in the service
If the interior is being detailed, remove loose belongings from seats, floor areas, door pockets, cargo areas, and cup holders where practical. Child seats and specialty equipment should only be removed when the customer can do so safely or when removal is explicitly part of the agreed scope.
Identify known damage
Point out loose trim, tears, cracked controls, damaged screens, repaired paint, chipped glass, leaking seals, electrical concerns, or other fragile areas. This helps avoid treating an existing defect as ordinary soil.
Explain stains and odors
Share what you know about spills, smoke, pets, food, moisture, chemicals, or previous cleaning attempts. Different contamination can require different methods, and complete removal is not guaranteed.
Keep expectations specific
Describe the areas you care about most. A clear priority list makes it easier to confirm what is included and what would require additional work.