I’m back at one of my favorite hangouts, the Campsite Brewing Company. If you’ve followed the channel for a while, you know we spend a lot of time here with the San Gabriel Valley Rivian Club. But today was extra special. We weren’t just grabbing breakfast and talking shop; we actually got an exclusive first look at something I didn’t even know existed: Rivian’s official in-house detailing service.
That’s right—no third parties, no random shops. This is a factory-backed detailing program run by Rivian employees using professional-grade equipment and techniques. As someone who loves pushing my R1T to the limit off-road, I know how much abuse these EVs take. Whether it’s mud from the trail or just the daily grime of Southern California driving, keeping these beasts clean is a chore.
The Inside Scoop on Rivian’s New Program
I had the chance to catch up with George from the Rivian detailing crew. They actually rolled up in a massive Rivian EDV (Electric Delivery Van) packed with all their gear. While they are still prototyping some of the mobile aspects, the service is officially rolling out across several service centers.
The big takeaway? This isn’t just a quick spray-down. The team is trained by Dr. Beasley’s, a name well-known in the high-end detailing world for their matte-safe and EV-specific chemicals. Everything they use is pH neutral, which is critical for maintaining the unique finishes on our R1Ts and R1Ss.
What Does It Cost?
Price is always the big question in the EV community. Rivian has structured this to be competitive with high-end independent detailers, but with the peace of mind that the people working on your truck actually know how the door handles, gear tunnels, and air suspensions work.
| Service Type | Estimated Pricing | Details |
| Wash and Wax | ~$100 | Exterior refresh and protection. |
| Interior Detail | $200 | Deep clean of the cabin and glass. |
| Exterior Detail | $200 | Paint decontamination and protection. |
| Full Package (Interior/Exterior) | $350 | The complete works for your R1. |
| Ceramic Coating | $1,800 | Includes a 7-year warranty. |
The ceramic coating option is particularly interesting. At $1,800 with a 7-year warranty backed by Rivian, that is a serious value proposition for new owners looking to protect that factory paint from the jump.
Handling Third-Party Accessories
One of my biggest concerns—and I know many of you feel the same—is all the gear we bolt onto these trucks. Between bed racks, Maxtrax mounts, and rooftop tents, a standard car wash is usually out of the question.
I asked George specifically about this. If you’ve got a bed full of recovery gear or third-party rails, do you have to strip the truck bare before your appointment? The answer was a relief: No. They work around your accessories. Because they use pH-neutral chemicals, you don’t have to worry about your expensive aftermarket gear getting corroded or stained. They treat it on a case-by-case basis, cleaning what they can reach and ensuring the vehicle stays protected.
Availability and Expansion
Currently, the program is heavily focused on Southern California service centers, but they are expanding fast. George mentioned that locations in Denver, Richmond, Gaithersburg, and Oregon are already coming online or are currently available.
To book, you don’t need a special app or a secret handshake. You just go through the standard Rivian Service menu in your app, just like you would for a tire rotation or a hardware fix. If your local service center offers it, you’ll see the detailing menu right there.
Why This Matters for the Rivian Community
We all know the “adventure” part of “Electric Adventure Vehicle” usually involves a lot of dirt. While I’m the first person to say I like my truck looking a little dusty from a weekend in Joshua Tree, the interior of these vehicles is a high-tech space that deserves a professional touch.
Seeing Rivian take ownership of the post-purchase experience like this is huge. It shows they understand that an R1T isn’t just a tool; for many of us, it’s a prized piece of tech hardware. I’m personally hoping we’ll eventually be able to use referral points to cover these services—the team said they’re looking into it!
Final Thoughts from the Meet
The San Gabriel Valley Rivian Club event was a blast as always. Even though I didn’t walk away with any of the raffle prizes this time (those blankets and shirts looked awesome!), the information on the detailing service was a win in itself.
We’ve got more trips coming up soon, including a run to Idyllwild and some summer adventures that are still under wraps. Stay tuned, because the off-road season is just getting started!
Want to see the Rivian EDV detailing rig in action? Check out the video.
