How much would you charge?

Grifffx4

Grifffx4

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My boss wants me to remove swirls from his lady friends 2010 black Lexus.

He is going to have it washed at a local scratch-n-wash and bring it to me.

He simply wants me to clay and remove the swirls, wax the wheels, and put on some tire dressing.

So, how much for:
-Clay whole car
-Tape off & Meg's DA MF correct
-Hand wax wheels
-Dress tires



Since he's my boss, I want to give him a bit of a deal as well as its my first paint correction so I'm learning from this "job".
 
I did a 2011 black toyota camry with a mf aproach and traded swirls for tick marks.
 
What are the expectations? 90% correction for a full two step, or just a one step with something like FG400 and 60-80% is more than good enough? Also why not have you wash it? Do you trust the regular car wash to do it well enough that you can go straight to claying?

Also why no wax on the car?

What will your product cost be? Probably in the $5-15 an hour range depending on choices.

Wash/Clay/Polish/Wax you're looking at around what 6-8 hours since it's your first paint correction?
 
well just my opinion, i think you should put a coat of wax on it after you polish. And i think when all said and done it will take you at least 7 to 8 hours. I would charge someone like 200 to 250. im sure others here would charge more depending on location. I think minimum 20 to 25 an hour is a good deal.
 
I've know him for about 15yrs.

I'm expecting to get better than 75% corrected but I don't know how Lexus paint works. I haven't seen the car yet... Actually, I have but it was months ago and I just recall it was not in great shape but at the time I was looking at it, I was looking at a specific scratch and not looking at it overall for correcting.

I was going to rely on the 301 as a wax. Is that not good enough? I know some don't like that as wax but is it really that bad?

I'm giving myself about 8-12hrs, I tend to be a slow worker just because I'm not a seasoned detailer yet.

I'm not sure why he's not going to let me wash it. I think he may think it will be cheaper. Also, I'm doing this at my day job warehouse so he may not want me using the company water. It will help me somewhat though because I will just WW or QD each section as I go before claying.

Another thing I'm now thinking is I will have to bug & tar the front. I doubt the wash he gets will get much of that off and I don't want to clay big bug chunks.
 
Do it with hourly rate. whatever makes you happy. If you think it will take 10 hours then give him questimate, hourly rateXhours...but say it may take more or less.
 
expdetailing said:
I did a 2011 black toyota camry with a mf aproach and traded swirls for tick marks.
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Ugh, I hope that's not what I get. I assume the paint will be close to the same being a Toyota product.

I'll see with my test spot. Lucky enough for me, I can stop and postpone if I run into a problem.

I think I will see if I can do a test spot on the car at lunch Friday and let him know from there.
 
Grifffx4 said:
I was going to rely on the 301 as a wax. Is that not good enough? I know some don't like that as wax but is it really that bad?
Click to expand...

I like 301, but there is definitely better out there. When I do a full detail (wash/clay/polish/wax) but no extensive correction, I will use D300, M105, a 50/50 combo of those two or a 50/50 combo of 105/205 (depending on paint) followed by D301 and it works great. Then I offer upgrades to better waxes/sealants if someone wants it, but 301 looks really good and is crazy easy to work with, just doesn't have the longevity of other waxes.
 
You've been on here for a year and never done a correction?!!?! Lol just kidding well usually Lexus paint is fairly soft I wouldn't be surprised if just a good finishing polish and a medium agressive pad wouldn't do a good number on it.
 
Something like that would take me 5-7 hrs. I'd charge probably $240-$250 depending on wax choice etc.
 
Ugh... 2010, black Lexus paint. What a nightmare. You have guts to try your first paint correction on your boss's GF's car.

Plan on it taking double whatever you are estimating.

Being lots of different compounds, polishes, and pads and let the test spot guide you. Best of luck!

Sent from my N9810 using AG Online
 
Once the car is completely washed, prepped, and ready for correction here's what I'd use.


  • Flex 3401 polisher
  • Hybrid White Polishing Pads
  • Optimum Finishing Polish
  • Speed 4-5
  • Collinite 845 wax

Everything counts so be sure you address the door frames, doors, windows and trim.

For the tires and wheels I'd use Mothers Foaming Wheels and Tire Cleaner then treat them with Mothers Back to Black. Collinite 845 is a superb product to use on wheels so use it here.

Exterior Only

Time: 6-8 hours
Price: $250
 
Grifffx4 said:
I've know him for about 15yrs.

I'm expecting to get better than 75% corrected but I don't know how Lexus paint works. I haven't seen the car yet... Actually, I have but it was months ago and I just recall it was not in great shape but at the time I was looking at it, I was looking at a specific scratch and not looking at it overall for correcting.

I was going to rely on the 301 as a wax. Is that not good enough? I know some don't like that as wax but is it really that bad?

I'm giving myself about 8-12hrs, I tend to be a slow worker just because I'm not a seasoned detailer yet.

I'm not sure why he's not going to let me wash it. I think he may think it will be cheaper. Also, I'm doing this at my day job warehouse so he may not want me using the company water. It will help me somewhat though because I will just WW or QD each section as I go before claying.

Another thing I'm now thinking is I will have to bug & tar the front. I doubt the wash he gets will get much of that off and I don't want to clay big bug chunks.
Click to expand...

Your list looks fine.

You mention you want to use the Meguiar's mf sytem approach which is fine. D301 is pretty decent and after the truck is finished and ready to deliver, I would give it one last touch up with Meguiar's D156 to really add some pop.

As for pricing, I think a ballpark of $250 is fine.
 
Black Lexus...Would have to be at least a two step for me, because it is black and it has to be right, and it is a Lexus and I am partial.
I would insist on washing it.
A job like that for me would be in the 15-20 hour range, and I would charge $750 to start, more if it was hammered.
That's just me though...That being said, that is a full two step correction on my end.
You could do well with an AIO, and in that case, it would be less.

HUMP
 
I will be using a GG DA

I was planning to use C845 on the wheels

Is D156 the same as Meg's Quik Wax?
 
Marc08EX said:
D156 is the bulk version (Detailer line) of Meg's Ultimate Quik Wax. It just has a different scent. But otherwise, pretty much the same product.
Click to expand...

Cool thanks. I was planning to use Meg's Quik Wax. I'm going to order some D156 ASAP
 
Grrifx,
I think you could really ease the tension in the situation by managing his and your expectations. You should find out, I feel, if he wants a two step or a one step.
A one step w/ some powerlock, 4star sealant, or bfwd would go a loooong way, and look very glossy. Especially on black. By the way, a wet dryer sheet is somewhat messy, but decimates bugs and guts. It's the best method I've found. Also, look into a 4" fine polyshave, or nanoscrub disk instead of clay for speed purposes.
 
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