Price differences with Sealants

[kdubski]

Hi AG,

I have been applying wax by machine for the past few years as part of my long term protection package. It's quick, easy, and economical.

However, as of recently, I began to offer Sonax PNS to my exotic car clients because of the sheer quality of the product and ability to notice the sealant on the car (especially in rain). It is significantly more expensive, and time consuming to apply by hand.

Do the rest of you offer sonax or any other sealants for extended protection? If so, what is your markup/pricing for the added quality and protection?

 

[Calendyr]

I mainly use 2 products as LSP: Collinite 845 (wax) and Menzerna Power Lock (sealant). I don't charge for products, I only charge for time. Both take about the same time to apply by machine and remove by hand. So I charge roughtly the same for both.

Never used Sonax PNS but if it's taking way longer to apply than a wax, you might want to change product or find a way to apply it faster.

The way I do PowerLock is to use a red or black 5.5" pad on my Meguiars G110V2. Apply a thin layer.

While it's hazing up, I do the LSP on the tires, Wheel wells, outside window (rainX and Aquapel depeding what package I am doing). When I am done with those the sealant is pretty much ready to buff off. I could use a machine but PowerLock is really easy to remove with just a mircrofiber towel so that's what I do, it's faster.

My fee is 40$/hour. PowerLock cost me about 60$ per quart but you need so little of it I don't see a need to charge anything for it. Only products I charge extra for are coatings (Wheel and paint) and Aquapel. I am not absorbing product cost when those products cost 10$ per application (Aquapel) or over a 100$ an ounce (coatings).

Been working well for me so far.

 

[kdubski]

I mainly use 2 products as LSP: Collinite 845 (wax) and Menzerna Power Lock (sealant). I don't charge for products, I only charge for time. Both take about the same time to apply by machine and remove by hand. So I charge roughtly the same for both.

Thanks for the reply my man. In what situations do you use the collonite as opposed to the powerlock? Also, how long does the powerlock last for you?

I made the mistake of advertising boutique products to score some super nice exotic car clients, but now it's costing me time as well as money. Looking to either price accordingly or switch products.

 

[trekkeruss]

I made the mistake of advertising boutique products to score some super nice exotic car clients, but now it's costing me time as well as money. Looking to either price accordingly or switch products.

I'm not a professional, but the average person doesn't know or care about premium products; they are clueless about Sonax, CarPro, etc. While advertising such products might net you a few clients, by and large the majority of people only care about the quality of work and the results, not the brands you use.

I don't have a recommendation for an LSP, but IMHO water beading is a bit of a parlor trick. It looks impressive. But I don't think it really indicates quality. Besides, even cheap stuff beads well when it is new, at least in my experience. Anyway, if your costs go up, you should price your service accordingly.

 

[Busy mind]

If it meant absorbing a few extra dollars in exchange for working on exotics then I don't see the problem. In my situation, I would detail an exotic at cost right now just to put it on my resume.

I also don't charge differently between the waxes and sealant that I use. Takes me roughly the same time to apply.

 

[Calendyr]

In what situations do you use the collonite as opposed to the powerlock? Also, how long does the powerlock last for you?

If clients ask for a Wax I use 845 and if they ask for a sealant I use PowerLock

In my experience people are clueless about car products. They rely on me to use the correct products. In 3 years only 1 Customer asked what product I was using.

The questions I do get asked is the difference between a wax and a sealant. In most cases I recommend a sealant because most of the cars I do are daily drivers sitting outside 24/7.