how long do you take? (clay, polish, wax)

magna_power

magna_power

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Hi Guys,

I'm just starting here and was wondering how long it takes you guys to do certain tasks, so I have some idea of how I'm going. I clayed the bonnet of my car (yes, just one pannel) and it seemed to be a slow process, but I was much faster by the end of the pannel ;)

So, how long does it normally take to clay a family sedan? Also, how long for a swirl remover? And also for a wax.

can't wait until my DA polisher arrives :D
 
I always IronX the paint while washing, so the claying process takes me 20 minutes for the entire car (a full size sedan).

To apply wax with a PC-xp and a blue lake country pad, it takes me about 30 minutes going slow (I also wax/seal under the hood, door jambs, suspension components that are exposed and stuff). Then I let it cure according to instructions and do a second layer.

As for swirl removal, it really depends on the tool (DA, forced DA, rotary) and technique... No two guys works the same way.
 
It all depends on the vehicle size of course. For a mid-size sedan,
Wash- 1 hour
Clay- 30 min
Polish- 2-3 hours
Wax- 20 min
 
Using a machine to polish & wax.

Wash - 1 hour
Clay - 30 minutes
Polish - 3 hours
Seal - 1 hour
Wax - 1 hour
 
Wash - 30 min- using dawn dish washing soap
Clay - 30 minutes
Polish - 45 min, using blackfire total polish- using gg6 and green pad
Seal - 20 min, Blackfire CS, two times an hour apart
Wax - zero-I don't wax, seal good enuf for me


Wolfgang spray after weekly wash of chem guys glossworkz -20min
 
Using a machine to polish & my old model PC (no xp) to wax and seal

Wash & Dry - 1 hour
Clay - 30 minutesinformal, up to 1 hour for cars less cared for
Polish - 2-3 hours depending on what is needed.
Seal - 30 minutes
Wax - 30 minutes
Treat Trim 30 minutes
Seal wheels and polish exhaust tips 30 minutes
 
Wash - 1 hour
Clay - 1 to 2 hours
Polish - all day
Wax - 1 hour
 
Do the times all of you specified include taping the trim?
For someone inexperienced (like me) it sure can add a decent amount of time to the process...
 
Some of you guys are fast!!


Wash: 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Clay: 1 to 2 hours.
Polish: 3 hours to a long time.
Wax: 15 minutes.
 
Wash: 1 hr (wheel condition and pre-cleaning affects time)
Clay: 45 min
Polish: 3 to 4 hrs (slow)
wax/seal: 45 min
 
Why is it taking hrs and hrs to polish??
Wash dry Onr 45mins
clay 20-30 mins
polish/wax AIO 45mins
Find a quality AIO with diminishing abrasives that won't turn trim white and save yourself a bunch of time.
 
wash - 45 min to 1 hour
clay - usually an hour
polish with PC - usually 3-5 hours
seal - 30 is using PC, up to 1 hour if by hand
 
Thanks everyone for the replies! I'm starting to feel a little better about how long things are taking me as a noob.

As for polishing in less than an hour, if you do a 2x2foot square at a time, make 6 passes nice and slow, wont you have to spend more time than 45min? I've never used a DA before and i foresee this taking some time ><

So long as I don't totally stuff it up it will all be worth while :)
 
Wow, this thread makes me feel really slow. I spent 2 hours claying my car but that's likely due to the fact that I've been negligent on doing that (around 5 years).


How many pads are you guys typically going through in a polishing step?
 
My first time I started with the Dawn/APC wash on Friday night after work. Pulled in the garage just before dark, took a good hour to tape the trip. Started at 9am Saturday, Claying first, BF GEP, BF TPNS, then Midnight Sun. Then untaped, did the windows, and got done about dark that night. I had a total of about 10 hours into it.
 
Mc'lovin said:
Do the times all of you specified include taping the trim?
For someone inexperienced (like me) it sure can add a decent amount of time to the process...
Click to expand...

Sometimes you do not need to tape the trim depend on the job, the car and product used.

Car wash - 30 minutes to an hour
Speedy prep towel - 10 minutes, no longer using clay
Polish - 3 to 5+ hours
Wax/Seal - 30 minutes
 
Also, I try and use products that don't stain trim at all, like all the new WOWA products.....no reason to tape!
 
Wash including wheels 1.5 hours
Clay 30 min
Polish 2-3 hours
Seal 45 min to hour
Wax 30-45 min
Trashed interior. All day
 
To do my car Jeep Grand Cherokee takes full detail about 6-7 hours interior and exterior.

Foam
2 bucket wash
Clay
Polish
Black light/V7
Trim
Interior
 
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