How Long Does It Generally Take to Learn Car Detailing?
2 Answers
3 months to half a year. First, it depends on the learning method—whether you're learning as an apprentice or at a professional auto repair school. As an apprentice, if you're quick-witted, observant, and willing to work with your hands, it will take at least three years. This is because masters usually don’t pass on their unique skills to apprentices. At crucial moments, they might send the apprentice to fetch tools or do other tasks, often keeping them sidelined, which can be a waste of time. You might not learn the most refined techniques this way, so attending a professional school is a better option. The typical learning duration for car detailing is as follows: at a school, it usually takes only 2 to 3 months.
When I first started learning auto detailing, it took me about half a year to truly get the hang of it. At first, I thought it was simple—things like washing cars and waxing—but in practice, I realized there were so many details, like how to use a polisher evenly without damaging the paint or choosing the right wax for different car models. I learned at a training school where the course was divided into stages: the first month covered basics like tool usage and safety rules; then three months focused on hands-on practice, with several sessions each week where instructors guided us through working on various car conditions; the final two months were an internship, dealing with real cars and earning a basic certification. Looking back, I felt the time was sufficient, but it depends on individual learning speed—some people with strong hands-on skills could start working in three to four months. Now, I realize that early hands-on practice is really important—don’t just stick to theory in the classroom. In short, mastering this skill isn’t something that happens overnight; it takes a lot of practice to become proficient.
