Basic detailing, spray wax or machine application

MaxWax

MaxWax

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So far for my 1 step $50 details I've been machine applying pinnacle souveran. Is a machine applied wax something you guys leave to 2-3 step jobs and if so what spray waxes are you using? I have griots garage spray on wax, is this suitable or are you using higher end stuff?

Regards,

Max
 
Huh? So your one-step is to "polish" the car with PS? Well, that's a new one. IMO that's a completely inappropriate use of that product...and I think you're probably the only detailer to use an $80 wax on a $50 detail...I'm presuming the $50 includes a wash and a clay (Hi Fred!)?

How about wash, clay, then one-step, with, I dunno, an AIO like D151, Poli-Seal, something, anything with some cleaners/light abrasives in it.
 
I would leave machine applied Souveran for a bigger step job. Maybe wash, clay, and machine applied Souveran package. If the car needs polishing, then of course that's another step that must be charged.

For $50 bucks stick with a spray wax. You could use spray Souveran or even Aquawax. Aquawax isn't exspensive and the finished paint looks sick.
 
I've been planning on switching to a wax with some cleaners but I was wondering what other detailers are doing in their least expensive detail services ? Spray wax?
 
MaxWax said:
I've been planning on switching to a wax with some cleaners but I was wondering what other detailers are doing in their least expensive detail services ? Spray wax?
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It depends what they are doing--if they are doing a wash/wax, yeah, frequently some sort of spray wax, but that isn't a "one-step" polishing...if they are doing a one-step, it's usually with some sort of AIO, and a "wax" on top of that would be an upsell.
 
If you are asking what type of wax to use for your $50 package, I would absolutely go with a spray wax. Just be careful not to mislead your clients into thinking they are getting anything other than a spray wax.
 
The least expensive will almost always include a spray wax. For a little more money hit it will a AIO like D151.

Providing a $50 detail with Souveran will put you out of business from the product cost and time involved.
 
$50 for a wash/wax job is really cheap for my area. I charge $100-150 for a wash/wax/interior. I would probably charge about $70 for just a car wash/wax but from my experience most people want the interior done also, at least in the area I live. I don't know if I could sell my customer a wax job and only use spray wax knowing that it's not really a stand alone wax. I would just include it for free on a wash job because it takes about 5min to apply and its maybe $1 worth of product? Thats all my opinion though. Just do what works for you :)
 
LuxuryMobile said:
If you are asking what type of wax to use for your $50 package, I would absolutely go with a spray wax. Just be careful not to mislead your clients into thinking they are getting anything other than a spray wax.
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That raises an interesting issue. How much detail (no pun intended) do you go into about the service? If you told me you were going to do a wash and wax for $50, I might envision the old days of a hand applied paste wax. But, if you use a spray wax, have you mislead anyone? Would love to hear how much you tell customers. Are they free to stay and watch?
 
For that kind of money, if you're not going to do the spray and wipe, and you want to actually apply and remove a product, use something like Meguiar's Cleaner Wax (A12). You'll get several cars out of a $6 bottle, and it will do some cleaning and polishing along with leaving some protection.
 
There is nothing easier than Meg's MF finishing disc/ D301 for a nice AIO if you are going to machine apply. It's designed for high volume high speed production shops and it does a nice job. My second choice would be CG Blacklight which is a cleaner-polish-glaze-sealant and you can do a car very quickly with a black finishing foam pad and a DA polisher. It's more expensive than D301 but produces incredible results fast. My concern is the $50 price- you can't seriously consider machine application for that price because your talking a minimum 30 minutes applying by machine.
 
When you say the price is your concern are you thinking it's too low or too high?
 
MaxWax said:
When you say the price is your concern are you thinking it's too low or too high?
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If you have to ask, methinks you're not really getting it.

Perhaps you could tell us a little bit about your business (fixed/mobile, etc.), your area, your clientele, your target clientele, the type of equipment you have, etc. and we'll be able to give you some better advice.
 
MaxWax, basically everyone is saying that is too low for a detail that includes a application of Souveran wax.

If $50 is what your market is willing to pay, then you should look at cutting product and time cost to the bone. That will surely mean a spray wax or a AIO like D151.

Your current offering of a $50 detail with a coat of Souveran will not pay your bills.
 
Sorry, just realized that this:
MaxWax said:
When you say the price is your concern are you thinking it's too low or too high?
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wasn't very clear. I understand that Souveran is way to expensive for regular wash/wax's. I like to wait on my orders from AG until I need to get a lot of stuff and then make one big order rather than several small ones, to save on shipping. So, last time I placed a big order I thought I had an AIO wax in my cart, but I didn't and thus, I am in this predicamet :laughing:

So, when I asked if you thought the price was too high or low I meant to ask, do you think the price is too high or too low for just a spray wax. What are you guys charging for just a wash + spray wax application. And while I'm at it, (sorry if someone already posted this but I'm browsing from my phone) what AIO waxes and what spray waxes are you all using?

And as far as what kind of business I'm doing, it's mostly regular washes and wash/wax's plus the occasional bigger job.

Regards,

Max
 
50 dollars is what I charge as well for mini details, wash, clay, wax, interior wipe down, door jam, tire dressing, interior vacuum. Its cheap, but its like 2 hours so it works for me.

I prefer to use machine to apply wax. Save the elbow grease. why tire yourself out? it doesn't take long to get an extension cord out and apply wax with a machine.

use collnite 845 a liquid wax to save time. i also like 3m performance finish its a sealant. both of those products last 4-6months, look great, easy to apply and remove and cost less than 15 bucks.


personally i don't like AIO. they only protect for a month, maybe 2 and m205 has more cut and will have better correction. aio isn't really worth it imo, atleast for the type of detailing i do. there is a market for aio. if someone wants a quick and dirty correction use ulimate compound with 2-4 passes and then apply a wax. UC tends not to need polish, thats how it was designed.

edit, spray waxes can be faster to apply. i don't like them, they just don't last very long. i rather spend an extra 10mins and do the job right and have it last for months longer.
 
I just re-did my pricing structure / packages. this is my base exterior only package which includes spray wax

I buy the gallon of megs spray wax from the detailer line. very easy to apply, great results, and actually seems to mask some light swirling for a short time. cheap also in the gallon


Pricing is based on size of vehicle:
2 dr / 4 dr / Mid Size / Full Size

​
Express Exterior​
​
​
​
​
​
approx 1 hour​

$25 / $35 / $45 / $55

Hand Wash & Dry with Premium Microfiber Towels
Clean Wheels
Dress Tires to Restore Shine
Apply Spray Wax


Upgrade to Premium Carnauba Wax (add $20)
Add clay bar treatment to remove embedded contaminants from paint & glass $20​



EDIT: above the 'express' packages I now offer a mini detail (includes clay & full interior) as well as a 'full' detail which is a 1 step polish - usually an AIO (depending on the paint and clients expectations). for an AIO typically I use poorboys polish w/ sealant, Klasse AIO, or XMT 360. I tend to follow up with a dedicated wax or sealant though for extra protection
 
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