If you own or operate an auto detailing business and need your NAICS code, here is your answer right away.
The primary NAICS code for an auto detailing business is 811192, classified under Car Washes and Auto Detailing in the Other Services sector. While many detailers assume they belong in a personal care category, the federal government actually places auto detailing under the broader Automotive Repair and Maintenance subsector. This page covers how this code applies to your business so you can ensure it is the right fit.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| NAICS Code | 811192 |
| Industry Title | Car Washes and Auto Detailing |
| Sector | 81 (Other Services except Public Administration) |
| Industry Group | 8111 |
| Last Updated | 2022 NAICS Edition (Next NAICS Edition will come in 2027) |
What Does NAICS Code 811192 Cover?
According to the official 2022 NAICS data, code 811192 covers establishments primarily engaged in washing, waxing, and polishing motor vehicles, as well as providing specialized auto detailing services.
In simple terms, the government groups all vehicle cleaning and cosmetic appearance services into this single code. For auto detailing businesses, this includes:
- Full-service interior and exterior auto detailing
- Mobile detailing services (operating a van or truck that travels to the client)
- Hand car washes and automated car washing and polishing
- Coin-operated car washes
- Interior deep cleaning (steam cleaning, leather conditioning, odor removal)
- Paint correction, ceramic coating applications, and paint protection film (PPF)
- Engine bay cleaning and dressing
The important distinction here is cosmetic appearance. Even though this code sits within the Automotive Repair and Maintenance subsector, it specifically covers services that clean, protect, and enhance the look of a vehicle. It does not cover fixing mechanical issues or repairing physical body damage.
Does My Auto Detailing Business Qualify for Code 811192?
Your business qualifies for NAICS code 811192 if:
- You operate a fixed-location detailing shop, a car wash, or a mobile detailing rig
- Your main source of revenue comes from washing, cleaning, polishing, or applying protective coatings to vehicles
- You provide paint correction or ceramic coatings that are strictly cosmetic
Your business may not qualify if:
- You perform mechanical repairs (like fixing engines or brakes), which falls under 811111 (General Automotive Repair) instead
- You perform structural bodywork, dent repair, or collision painting, which falls under 811121 (Automotive Body, Paint, and Interior Repair) instead
- You replace or repair auto glass (like fixing cracked windshields), which falls under 811114 (Auto Glass Replacement Shops) instead
When your business sits between two codes, always classify based on whichever activity generates the most revenue.
Where Will You Need This Code?
Your NAICS code appears in more places than most detailers expect. Here is where code 811192 will be required:
- Business Insurance. This is highly critical. Insurance providers use this code to calculate your General Liability premiums. Detailers carry specific risks, such as accidentally damaging a vehicle’s paint with the wrong chemical, or driving a client’s car into a shop wall. Being classified under the correct detailing code ensures you get the right cosmetic damage liability coverage, rather than expensive auto repair garage-keepers insurance.
- Environmental and Water Permits. Many cities and counties regulate water runoff and chemical disposal. Your NAICS code helps local environmental agencies classify your business and determine if you need a special permit for water reclamation or commercial drainage.
- SBA Loan Applications. If you need financing to build out a detailing bay, purchase a high-end polishing machine, or buy a dedicated mobile detailing van, the Small Business Administration requires your NAICS code to assess your loan eligibility.
- Commercial Leases. If you are renting a bay in an auto mall or a commercial warehouse, the property manager will likely ask for your NAICS code to verify your business type.
- Business Registration. Most state and local business registration portals ask for your NAICS code when you set up a new LLC, corporation, or DBA.
811192 in the NAICS Hierarchy
Every NAICS code sits inside a structured hierarchy. Here is exactly where 811192 fits:
| Level | Code | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) |
| Subsector | 811 | Automotive Repair and Maintenance |
| Industry Group | 8111 | Automotive Repair and Maintenance |
| NAICS Industry | 81119 | Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance |
| National Industry | 811192 | Car Washes and Auto Detailing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is auto detailing classified under “Automotive Repair and Maintenance”?
While detailing is a cosmetic service, the federal government groups it under the broader umbrella of automotive maintenance (Sector 811) because it involves the care, upkeep, and preservation of vehicles. However, it is strictly separated from mechanical repair (811111) and body repair (811121) into its own distinct national industry code (811192).
What if I run a mobile auto detailing business?
Your physical location does not change your NAICS code. Whether you operate out of a fixed brick-and-mortar shop with wash bays or you run a mobile rig that drives to the customer’s home or office, your primary business activity is still cosmetic vehicle care. You still use 811192.
Does this code cover applying window tint?
Yes, in most cases. If you apply window tint as part of your overall detailing or appearance enhancement services, it falls under 811192. However, if your business is strictly an auto glass repair shop that replaces cracked windshields and happens to tint them, you would fall under auto glass repair codes (811114).
What if a client asks me to fix a minor scratch that requires wet sanding and touch-up paint?
If the scratch removal is purely cosmetic and part of your standard paint correction or detailing package, it falls under 811192. However, if the damage requires body filler (Bondo), sanding down to bare metal, and repainting an entire panel, you are crossing into auto body repair territory (811121). For tax and insurance purposes, standard cosmetic paint correction is safely covered under the car wash and detailing code.