Too Much Time Spent

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Slick773

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Not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I know I'm spending way too much time detailing a car. I do it by myself but I hear about Detailers doing multiple jobs in one day. What's average time for you guys to do a car full in and out detail? I'm spent around 5-6 hrs on a Honda Element yesterday average wear and tear . Too long?
 
When you say "full in and out detail" what does that include? Are you just washing the exterior and cleaning the interior? Or does that include polishing, extracting, waxing, conditioning leather, etc.
 
Detailer's might perform multiple details in 1 day but their simply a wash and vacuum or they have a crew and a fixed location.

Average Full Detail = 5 to 6 hours +
 
I steam clean inside & 2 step polish and wax on exterior....
 
I've seen details on this site that has taken up to 3 days. Depending...
 
I did a paint correction that took 4 days. I don't think I'll ever do that again!!! Ok maybe I would pay was great!!! LOL
 
I'm still amazed I hear that you guys can get a full polish job done in one day. I want to know what I'm doing wrong! I understand these are usually customers cars, but do you take longer on your personal cars?

I tend to be a perfectionist for the most part, not a pro by any means whatsoever,but not a newbie either, just a weekend warrior that enjoys the hobby of keeping the families rides in great shape. How do you go about an average mid size car and doing a full polish job in under 8 hours? I mean when you on average do 3-4 section passes per section, then throw in decon and putting on an lsp, how?!

I'm amazed at most of the work I see on here, and just want to know any tips/tricks that could speed up the process. I feel I'm taking too long on every car I do. While they turn out great, I'm limited to time and weather as I don't have an enclosed area most of the time to work.
 
If I were to, clay, buff, polish, wax, do the wheels and tires, then full detail for interior . Then I imagine it would take hours...

Clay, buff, polish, wax alone takes me hours. About 2-3 (never timed myself)
😄
 
Yeah, at the shop i worked at, detailers would come and detail the car. About an hour later the car was "detailed" now that i look back it was probably just a quick detail wash.
 
There are numerous factors that affect how long a vehicle will take.

The two big ones are the size of vehicle and quality of your clientele.

Don't underestimate how long a jeep or a suburban will take compared to a Kia Rio. Charge more for big vehicles and a little extra time is no big deal. For example, on interiors: I charge $90+ for small cars but $150+ for tank size suburbans.

Your clientele is also a HUGE factor. If your prices are fairly low (and they will be naturally as you are getting started) and you're marketing heavily on craigslist and to dealers. You'll be getting some extremely difficult, candy corn and melted gummy worm cars.

Everybody starts here, with these super hard junkyard cars. There is no way around it. It's grueling, hard work but you will learn a ton.


Also, don't underestimate how long even a good one step polish will take. Beware, a full, true paint correction can take 2 days +. Don't listen to guys that say otherwise. Charge accordingly.

The answer to your question: I spend about 3-6 hours on the average, full detail, without polishing. So no, 5-6 hours is not too long.

I can hear your desperation even in your short post. I could be wrong, but I'd bet that you are getting burned out from not charging enough. If you aren't charging enough, 5 to 6 hours is a long hard day. If you are charging $30+ per hour, it doesn't seem so hard any more haha.
 
And dude, it wasn't long ago, that I was asking the exact same question you are. I've been there. We all have. I've walked away from minivans after 12 demoralizing hours, asking myself why in the world I chose this profession. Hahaha I still love my job though.
 
I ain't no pro but took me 8hrs to do a exterior only on a friend's Honda Element.

Wash, clay, compound, polish and wax

Altho, I should mention that this car have not been clayed in 3 years so there were a lot of crap to clean off.
 
hernandez.art13 said:
Clay, buff, polish, wax alone takes me hours. About 2-3 (never timed myself)
😄
Click to expand...

I must be doing something wrong then, because it takes me at least an hour just to clay... and then several hours just for a 1 step polish. I typically spend between 6-12 hours on the exterior alone depending on the size of the car and the work required.
 
zmcgovern45 said:
I must be doing something wrong then, because it takes me at least an hour just to clay... and then several hours just for a 1 step polish. I typically spend between 6-12 hours on the exterior alone depending on the size of the car and the work required.
Click to expand...

I think all that is wrong is my calculations. Haha
 
zmcgovern45 said:
I must be doing something wrong then, because it takes me at least an hour just to clay... and then several hours just for a 1 step polish. I typically spend between 6-12 hours on the exterior alone depending on the size of the car and the work required.
Click to expand...

Same for me.
 
zmcgovern45 said:
I must be doing something wrong then, because it takes me at least an hour just to clay... and then several hours just for a 1 step polish. I typically spend between 6-12 hours on the exterior alone depending on the size of the car and the work required.
Click to expand...

Awesome! This is the direction I'm moving my business. True auto detailing takes time and money. People need to understand that their car is usually their second largest investment in life.
 
Yeah, I posted a thread a few months ago asking the same question on my detail.

I don't know how these pros do it. I usually take my time but try to make it effective. Hate rushing.
 
It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If you are seeking perfection on your own vehicle that's one thing. If you are making a customer's car simply "look better" for trade in that's a whole different animal. When you first start out it's easy to do too much for what you are getting paid because you want to impress. You learn where to draw the line because every car doesn't need to be a show winner. That's where interviewing the customer and understanding their expectations dictates how the work will be done and to what extent.
 
Hernandez you gotta step away with the old habits.. That sounds reasonable for a not so well detail job at a body

On a 1 step, sedan, semi trashed.. Achieving 80% correction.. 6-7.5 hours
 
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