this is my first detail of a car other then mine or my fathers. While I dont have experience with a PC and full correction I can make this car look close to brand new by hand. Its a friends white lexus IS300. Im going to clay, then use autoglym SRP topped with HD wax. I also need to wetsand the headlights as well. The interior isnt to bad just needs a good vacuum and plastics needs to be dressed. Windows and exhaust tip needs cleaning as well. I figure it will take me close to 8hrs. so at $25 an hr. thats $200, is that reasonable? Or should I charge more?
1st detail, how much should I charge?
- Thread starter flektone
- Start date
Flash Gordon
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
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Sounds a little high to me as well. It shouldn't take you more then 4 hrs to do a wash and wax, headlites and lite interior
Flash Gordon
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
- 11,454
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Wash ~ 2 hours
Headlites ~ 30 minutes
Wax ~ 30 minutes
Interior ~ 45 minutes
Surf Autogeekonline ~ 15 minutes
Flash Gordon
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
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I say the same thing everytime :doh:
When I say wash, I mean body, jams, wheels, engine and clay. Two hours seems to be the average time limit no matter which way I cut it. Sometimes it takes even longer :bolt:
Porsche Pilot
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- Jun 25, 2010
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Only 15 minutes to surf AGO Flash? My fees have one hour AGO surf time built in. But yeah, 200 may be a bit much without even a one step machine polish.
What do your local shops charge? What are you applying to the headlights after sanding? Your price structure sounds fine to me, $50 for headlamp resto and $150 for wash n' wax. Friend or not, don't work for free.
- Thread starter
- #10
local shops $130-$200 and that doesnt include claying. for the headlights im going to wetsand with 600 grit, 2000 grit, then apply 3m rubbing compound, then plastic polish. I guess I could charge $200 being I gotta do the headlights. Maybe ill knock it down to $175 being im trying to line up some business down the road
Well you will want to apply a UV coating back to the headlights when finished. There is a thread on here talking about a cheap home remedy that lasts about 2 years. Barry Theal has a post that goes in depth about what you're doing as well. Please research before you get started because you don't want to be like the shops down the road, you really want to stand out. You're at a great start by being part of a great forum such as this.
Midnight1700
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- Aug 14, 2010
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This really depends on your market. For a complete wash/clay/sealant/wax (No buffer used). Interior including: carpet and upholstery cleaning, dash/console, door jambs, and dressings; we get $245 and an upcharge of $35.00 for headlights if we do it during the detail. Otherwise the headlight restoration goes for $55.00 with a 2 year warrantee. Again, this all depends on your market.
I'm a huge Duragloss fan but he will be ok with AG SRP/HD Wax since he already has them. It's actually a decent combo. However, since you brought up Duragloss
I would clean the paint with Duragloss #501 Marine Polish then top with Duragloss #105 Total Performance Polish. If he uses Duragloss #601 Polish Bonding Agent it will accelerate the bonding time.
Kristopher1129
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- Jan 3, 2011
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Your customer may pay that...but I wouldn't get used to getting that price. Without experience, customers, a shop, word of mouth, or reviews to back you up...you're gonna have to come down. That is if you even plan on working full time anyways.
Great post ^. Your price sounds fair considering the work you're providing. The OP didn't list as much work which is why I believe $200 is fair. He basically listed a light interior detail or quick detail. Your list is how the work should be performed.
Midnight1700
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- Aug 14, 2010
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We work really hard to ensure our clients are happy with our work and that they usually get more than expected. In this kind of business, customer satisfaction is KEY! And word of mouth will get you more clients. It's a fact that the news of a great detailer gets around, but the news of a poor detailer gets around much quicker!
dad07
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- Nov 9, 2010
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I'm a huge Duragloss fan but he will be ok with AG SRP/HD Wax since he already has them. It's actually a decent combo. However, since you brought up Duragloss
A combo I used today! 501/601 then 105/601 then topped with coli 845 and this vehical was not white,but a med blue metallic and it turned awsome!
I can see myself using this more often........have a pearl white chrysler 300 coming next weekend that will get this combo.
to the op if you can get that kind of $ then go for it. But be able to back it up. Top notch job and quality. Good luck with it and you have a great amount of people here that will get you through that 1st one.
- Thread starter
- #18
Ive done this years ago to my VW. So i do know what im doing. What do you mean by UV coating? After I finished up with the polish I was going to hit it with some wax.
And this is only something I want to do as a side job to earn a couple extra dollars on the weekends. I understand that once I get a PC and master that ill be able to charge a little more. I also know that other waxes look better on certain colors. But I know I can make this guys car 10xs better then what it is with what skills and products I have now. Its actually a challage im really excited about. I remember dreaming about it several times last night, lol
Midnight1700
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- Aug 14, 2010
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Applying wax after a headlight polishing is "OK", but there is a thread here on the forum that gives you a MUCH BETTER method of protection. You'll be glad you did!!!