Whenever your car gets a little dirty, you can usually just take it to the car wash to have it shining again. However, sometimes the state of your car calls for a more skilled, personal touch. This is where auto detailing comes in, which can often be performed by your local auto body shop.

If you're new to the world of car detailing, you may not be aware of all the services available. Auto body shops are able to help with a surprising variety of problems when it comes to keeping your vehicle looking clean and stylish. Here are a few ways to tell when it's time to bring your car into the shop for a detailing job.

1. Dirty Floors

There are a lot of ways your car can wind up with dirty floors. Maybe you've spent a few nights acting as the designated driver with your friends, and they got a little too wild. Some spilled soft drinks or food dropped and stomped into the carpeting can make for a frustrating cleaning job. If you have kids, this may sound familiar.

Whatever the reason, a quality auto body repair shop will have the tools to deal with the mess. They have high-powered vacuums and powerful scrubbers you likely don't keep at home. The skilled technicians at your auto body shop will have your car's floor looking good as new. Now may be time to enforce a "no food or drinks" policy!

2. Grimy Exterior

Although the occasional trip to the car wash can usually do the job, your car's exterior may require more heavy-duty cleaning by an auto body shop. It could be the case that you've forgotten to take your car through the wash for a while, and it's acquired a thick coat of grime and dirt. The storage location matters, as well. According to Fortune Magazine, the average car in the U.S. spends 95% of its time parked, and if it's outside parked under trees, it's going to accrue a lot of debris on its exterior.

When you leave your car out in the wrong place, it can accumulate bird droppings and debris from trees such as sticks and leaves. If this debris is allowed to accumulate, not even a run through the car wash will sufficiently clean it off. That's when it's time to go to a car body repair shop. They will give your car a personal touch and have it looking brand new.

After your auto body shop has thoroughly washed your car's exterior, they can then apply a clay bar. This tool is used to remove contaminants and residue after your car's been washed. After claying, you'll be amazed at how smooth the experts have made your car's exterior!

3. Scratches and Scrapes

Small scratches and scrapes are common and can have a variety of causes. Whether they're caused by a stray cat running over your hood or by a piece of luggage while loading your car, you'll want to get rid of these unsightly blemishes. However, you don't need to get a new paint job to eliminate these nuisances.

Your local auto body shop will be able to get rid of these small scratches with a rigorous polish. When a technician polishes your car, they are removing thin layers of clear coat, which gets rid of these small scratches and scrapes. Once polished, they can apply a coat of paint sealant to protect your car from future hazards.

Before you go into the auto body shop for detailing, make sure to weigh your options. If you just need a routine cleaning, you can go with less expensive options. However, if you have deep, tough-to-remove stains in your carpet or are considering the clay bar treatment, you'll want to spend a little more on your car's care. Pricing can also depend on the size of your vehicle, with a large truck being a bit more work than a smaller coup.

Even if your car has all the problems mentioned, a quality auto body shop will be able to tackle the job and have your car looking just how you bought it. Other issues like pet hair or muddy wheels can also be handled by professionals. If you're looking for a great team to care for your car, call City Side Auto Body today!