How much would you charge????

kingjohn21 said:
I told a buddy of mine I would detail his car for him. Said I'd charge him $100 bucks. But he thinks its too much. Heres what I would do

Automatic Car Wash
Hand Dry
Clay Bar
Wolfgang Polish Enhancer by hand (dont own machine)
Wolfgang Fuzion Wax by hand
Tire Dressing
Rain X windows

What do you think? Should I charge more or less? Thanks
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I'm planning on starting my own little hobby business just in my neighborhood starting in the spring, and it is somewhat hard to come up with pricing, but based on my pricing for...$90 which I use mostly all Optimum products (by hand), ONR, spray wax, poli-seal, instant detailer, tire bond, meguiars tar removal, mothers clay bar...I list:

Hand wash & Dry Exterior (2 bucket method)
Windows cleaned
Wheels/Rims cleaned
Tires dressed/shined
Bug and Tar Removal
Detail Clay Exterior
Hand Polish (using white ccs euro foam hand polish applicators)
Spray wax with option of Pete 53 paste wax $5 upgrade

if you are doing an auto wash you should be charging less. as another post stated $70-$75 sounds about right. but having an auto wash listed, if I were a customer, I would avoid you, as auto washes put some type of swirls on the car (and doesn't always get all the dirt out of wheels etc), which is counter intuitive if you are polishing/detailing the car..plus there are no professional detailers, hobby detailers, or weekend enthusiasts that use an auto wash, it's all hand washes. I would recommend a hand wash, which I do by using a Nomad 18v (portable hose).
 
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I would strongly suggest you skip the auto wash and do a hand wash.

I cannot comment on the touch ones as I havn't been through one in several years. But the touch free ones do okay if you car has light dust. But if there is anything cakes on like water spots, dirt/grime, bird poo, it will likely not remove it forcing you to hand wash it anyways. You need to have the surface very clean before claying as you will grind in the dirt otherwise.
 
Thanks for that example. That will very much come in handy. I too use OCW but just when I'm in a hurry after washing my car. Have you ever used opti-seal as a base? I read on their website that it can be used as abase for OCW. Just wondering what the benefit would be. Extra gloss? Protection?

Thanks again
 
Ok, I think I'm going to change up what I do

Hand Wash
Hand Dry
Tire Dressing
Bug and Tar
RainX
Clay Bar
Polish Enhancer(may change to a more abrasive polish)
Fusion Wax(may look into a longer lasting sealant)
Spritz Detailer

For $75.00
 
kingjohn21 said:
Thanks for that example. That will very much come in handy. I too use OCW but just when I'm in a hurry after washing my car. Have you ever used opti-seal as a base? I read on their website that it can be used as abase for OCW. Just wondering what the benefit would be. Extra gloss? Protection?

Thanks again
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at my next higher price point I include Pete 53 standard and optiseal as base. But I also offer a la carte options for each task I do that can be added to the standard package of (hand/wash, windows cleaned, wheels/tires cleaned). so the customer can choose things to cater to their exact needs, so for ex. they can opt out of the wax in the $90 by creating a package that includes sealant instead of wax as base. But to answer your question, I have used opti-seal as a base for extra protection on top of the poli seal, and top off with wax after cured..oh and i forgot I use power clean for wheel/tire cleaning depending how dirty they are.
 
For your $90 dollar package. How long would that normally take?
 
Gotcha. Reason I was asking is because the other poster said he could do it in an hour. the wash, tires, clay bar, polish, and wax. I haven't been able to get it under two hours so I was making sure I was doing it right. Thanks
 
kingjohn21 said:
Gotcha. Reason I was asking is because the other poster said he could do it in an hour. the wash, tires, clay bar, polish, and wax. I haven't been able to get it under two hours so I was making sure I was doing it right. Thanks
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yea I saw that which if he can do it in an hour and actually get it in pristine condition, more power to him, but I don't think it is possible. For me , a hand wash takes an hour alone. I haven't done it yet where I have tested actual time, but I give an hour each min. to , polish, clay car, and wash. So right there that is 3 hours but that is also with a car that has been somewhat maintained, that time easily can be pushed up with a process like clay bar for the entire car (not just horizontal panels).
 
Just a suggestion but mike Phillips has some good vids on YouTube on what your looking for. Watched a great one the other day. Punch( Mike Phillips Wolfgang) into YouTube and watch the 57min one. Hope this helps.
CHEERS
 
kingjohn21 said:
I told a buddy of mine I would detail his car for him. Said I'd charge him $100 bucks. But he thinks its too much. Heres what I would do

Automatic Car Wash
Hand Dry
Clay Bar
Wolfgang Polish Enhancer by hand (dont own machine)
Wolfgang Fuzion Wax by hand
Tire Dressing
Rain X windows

What do you think? Should I charge more or less? Thanks
Click to expand...

Auto Car Wash?:bolt:
Since you decided to do a hand wash now, do a bit more research on how to properly do it. There are soaps if properly diluted to help with stripping off old wax or sealants. I noticed if you are going to clay bar, Wolfgang Polish Enhancer would be a product to waste and waste of time IMO. What Lexus model is it?
 
TRILLIS said:
Just a suggestion but mike Phillips has some good vids on YouTube on what your looking for. Watched a great one the other day. Punch( Mike Phillips Wolfgang) into YouTube and watch the 57min one. Hope this helps.
CHEERS
Click to expand...

thanks I'll have to watch that.
 
ExoticAutoDetai said:
Auto Car Wash?:bolt:
Since you decided to do a hand wash now, do a bit more research on how to properly do it. There are soaps if properly diluted to help with stripping off old wax or sealants. I noticed if you are going to clay bar, Wolfgang Polish Enhancer would be a product to waste and waste of time IMO. What Lexus model is it?
Click to expand...

Its an older ES300 I think. Once I found out a little more about what the Polish Enhancer does, it did seem like a liquid version of a clay bar. That would save a lot of time
 
ExoticAutoDetai said:
Auto Car Wash?:bolt:
Since you decided to do a hand wash now, do a bit more research on how to properly do it. There are soaps if properly diluted to help with stripping off old wax or sealants. I noticed if you are going to clay bar, Wolfgang Polish Enhancer would be a product to waste and waste of time IMO. What Lexus model is it?
Click to expand...

Question for ya...Between the two.Clay bar and polish enhancer. Which one wouldn't you skip doing. Thanks
 
kingjohn21 said:
Question for ya...Between the two.Clay bar and polish enhancer. Which one wouldn't you skip doing. Thanks
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i would say clay bar, there are just contaminants that clay bar picks up that nothing else will.
 
Have you learned how to inspect the paint? I am assuming you did since you are suggesting the clay bar. Learn the "baggie" method to inspect if clay bar is needed.
 
kingjohn21 said:
Its an older ES300 I think. Once I found out a little more about what the Polish Enhancer does, it did seem like a liquid version of a clay bar. That would save a lot of time
Click to expand...

There is no substitute for clay barring IMO. Only problem is that you will spend a ridiculous amount of time admiring the job the clay bar has achieved while you should be getting on with the job.
CHEERS
 
I'm going to give you my honest opinion here. This is not to make you feel bad at all. I am trying to help you learn.

You honestly sound like you have a lot to learn. And that is fine. We all did at one point. I suggest you pick up Mike Phillips book and read it cover to cover.

After you have done that it is time to start learning. Detail your friends car using what you have learned from your reading. Explain to your friend that you are trying to better yourself and would like to do so on his car. Maybe charge him $40 just for products and such.

Things you will need:
2 buckets w/ 2 grit guards
Wash mitt
Shampoo
Bug/tar remover (if applicable)
A couple drying towels
Wheel brush
Wheel cleaner
Tire and wheel well dressing
Clay bar and lube
Meguiars Ultimate Compound
Foam applicator pads
A few premium microfiber towels
A more durable wax/sealant than Fuzion
Glass cleaner and glass towels

That is just a basic list of the stuff you are going to need.

First things first clean those wheels and wheel wells really good.

Now obviously start with your wash after that is done don't bother drying the car (in shade). Go right to claying . After you have clayed, go ahead and dry the car.

Now it's time to use the ultimate compound. Since you are working by hand using a mild compound like UC will be perfect. Apply the UC in a circular motion with medium-heavy pressure one panel at a time. After each panel wipe the UC off.

After you have done the entire car with UC go ahead and re-wash and dry the car.

You are now ready to apply your wax/sealant. For someone who is new I would suggest something like Opti-Seal or Ultima Paint Guard Plus. These are wipe on walk away products. Super easy to use.

Now we tie up the lose ends. Dress the tires, trim and wheel wells. And then clean the windows. Now would also we a good time to open up the doors and give the door jambs a wipe down with some waterless wash or a quick detailer.

And that's all she wrote. You may have only made enough to cover what you used. But you will gain something much more valuable.... Experience!

I just don't think one should charge regular price for something they are still learning. Sorry..

I truly hope this helps you!

(btw this was typed in bed on my phone. So if I missed something I am very sorry)
 
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