How much would you charge????

[Jacob Perry]

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).

It is very possible. Ive been doing this a long time now. When you do it so much and so often you learn how to speed things up and what to focus on and what not to focus on so much depending on the customer at hand. If i took 5 hours on a 75 dollar job i would be out of buissness right now.

 

[kingjohn21]

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)

Thanks a ton for the taking the time to write that. Comes in handy.

 

[conthedon]

It is very possible. Ive been doing this a long time now. When you do it so much and so often you learn how to speed things up and what to focus on and what not to focus on so much depending on the customer at hand. If i took 5 hours on a 75 dollar job i would be out of buissness right now.

what to focus on and what not to focus on? Meaning cutting corners? ...i do thorough work,and even when I wash my dads car theres things I could just leave with the notion its good enough but im just meticulous as I am with my car. Im not doing a business as a necessity etc, im doing it as a part time, hobby detailer if you will. Otherwise, I would be charging much higher rates. Im charging 20 an hour rate, with products/car wash costing next to nothing (for ex a car wash costs no more than .50). That being said an *up to 5 hour job which should fall somewhere around 3-4 will cost $90. I would like to see someone who can do an all hand work- hand wash, clay, polish, wax in under an hour.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

what to focus on and what not to focus on? Meaning cutting corners? ...i do thorough work,and even when I wash my dads car theres things I could just leave with the notion its good enough but im just meticulous as I am with my car.

If you try to work on continuously improving, there are things you learn that are not cutting corners...things like reducing lost motion, etc. If you don't open your mind to the idea that you can save time without cutting corners, then you will never save time.

 

[conthedon]

If you try to work on continuously improving, there are things you learn that are not cutting corners...things like reducing lost motion, etc. If you don't open your mind to the idea that you can save time without cutting corners, then you will never save time.

Thats fine im completely open to reducing time, but again I honestly would like to see an all hand work,of wash, clay, polish, wax in under an hour (and not on a car that is maintained)..post a vid or something.

 

[Stang Man]

I'm going to jump back to the original post.

Skip the auto wash, go with a thorough hand wash with good products.

Since you're using "hand power" only, don't worry about a swirl remover. I would give the paint a thorough clay, wash it again, then dry and top it off with your wax or sealant of choice.

Just doing the exterior, and all by hand (no machine DA), this will still take you right around 3 hours for a car that size. The clay process isn't fast by any means, but its the basis for a sealant that will bond and look and feel great.

Exterior only, $75 isn't a bad price, especially if you are thorough and do a good job. To make it a better deal for him, add in an interior vacuum/dusting/light wipe down. A quickie interior like that would only take about 30 minutes, especially if its relatively clean already.