Odd Job: Could use your wisdom!

[El Flaco Taco]

So I received a strange request today. The guy wants me to detail these...

So I told him I'd get back to him with a price. How would you guys price something like this. I snapped a few more pics.

So this is the main thing. These displays can't get really wet. So no pressure washer. I'm guessing apc followed by soapy water and rinse water. I also am trying to think of a way to seal these off so that I can pressure wash the rest of the pump. Any ideas? I was thinking of a tarp or maybe visqueen taped off with gorilla glue tape. What you think?

View attachment 26795View attachment 26796
These are pretty straight forward I think as long as I keep the water away from displays while I'm cleaning them. I figure apc and pressure wash. Scrub whatever needs it. Am I missing something?

View attachment 26797
Finally this... I think this is what's going to make or break the job. If I can make these pop he'll be all over it! I got some Flitz with the Flitz ball. Only thing is I want impressed with the results the last time I used it. Is there another way to apply other than the ball? What would you guys do to make that stainless steel shine?

And last but not least, how the heck do you charge for something like this? By the hour, by the pump or one price for the whole job? There are six pumps and three marquees. Do you think $100 a pump is a fair price? That's the number I have in mind but I don't know if it's too high. Maybe it's too low who knows. I don't want to go any lower than $75 each. Any and all feedback is welcomed and needed.

Thanks!

 

[El Flaco Taco]

So I received a strange request today. The guy wants me to detail these...

So I told him I'd get back to him with a price. How would you guys price something like this. I snapped a few more pics.

So this is the main thing. These displays can't get really wet. So no pressure washer. I'm guessing apc followed by soapy water and rinse water. I also am trying to think of a way to seal these off so that I can pressure wash the rest of the pump. Any ideas? I was thinking of a tarp or maybe visqueen taped off with gorilla glue tape. What you think?

View attachment 26795View attachment 26796
These are pretty straight forward I think as long as I keep the water away from displays while I'm cleaning them. I figure apc and pressure wash. Scrub whatever needs it. Am I missing something?

View attachment 26797
Finally this... I think this is what's going to make or break the job. If I can make these pop he'll be all over it! I got some Flitz with the Flitz ball. Only thing is I wasn't impressed with the results the last time I used it. Is there another way to apply other than the ball? What would you guys do to make that stainless steel shine?

And last but not least, how the heck do you charge for something like this? By the hour, by the pump or one price for the whole job? There are six pumps and three marquees. Do you think $100 a pump is a fair price? That's the number I have in mind but I don't know if it's too high. Maybe it's too low who knows. I don't want to go any lower than $75 each. Any and all feedback is welcomed and needed.

Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[brondondolon]

That is an odd job to say the least. I dont know if i would go balls out on them i dont think the owner would even notice with something like this. To price it out id factor in how much product id use then come up with a cost for that amount used (for instance you used half a gallon of a product costing $20 your cost would be $10 for product used.) Take that number and multiply it by 2. Come up with an hourly rate so something like $80 an hour.

$80x6hours= $480
product used: $50x2=100
$480x100=$580

I could be wrong but i believe those electronics are sealed making them water proof. Id imagine they would have to be since they are exposed to weather. Still though id tape off the credit card area so it doesnt get wet. Better safe then sorry. How id do the job is Id spray them down with an APC non diluted or something like megs degreaser let it sit for a few min then pressure wash them. Re-spray with an APC and scrub with a soft brush. Dry off and spray the painted pieces with a QD. Then i would spray something like megs hyper dressing onto a rag and wipe down all the hoses. For the metal i dont even know if i would polish it. Maybe a light polish with something like wenols red or something.

Ask the guy what he ultimately wants. Does he want them looking better then brand new or does he just want them cleaned.

I mean you could prob spend 4 hours on each pump if you wanted to and they would look amazing but is it cost effective to do that you know. Find out what he wants and that should help you determine how to price the job.

 

[brondondolon]

That is an odd job to say the least. I dont know if i would go balls out on them i dont think the owner would even notice with something like this. To price it out id factor in how much product id use then come up with a cost for that amount used (for instance you used half a gallon of a product costing $20 your cost would be $10 for product used.) Take that number and multiply it by 2. Come up with an hourly rate so something like $80 an hour.

$80x6hours= $480
product used: $50x2=100
$480x100=$580

I could be wrong but i believe those electronics are sealed making them water proof. Id imagine they would have to be since they are exposed to weather. Still though id tape off the credit card area so it doesnt get wet. Better safe then sorry. How id do the job is Id spray them down with an APC non diluted or something like megs degreaser let it sit for a few min then pressure wash them. Re-spray with an APC and scrub with a soft brush. Dry off and spray the painted pieces with a QD. Then i would spray something like megs hyper dressing onto a rag and wipe down all the hoses. For the metal i dont even know if i would polish it. Maybe a light polish with something like wenols red or something.

Ask the guy what he ultimately wants. Does he want them looking better then brand new or does he just want them cleaned.

I mean you could prob spend 4 hours on each pump if you wanted to and they would look amazing but is it cost effective to do that you know. Find out what he wants and that should help you determine how to price the job.

 

[FUNX650]

To me:
The Customers are going to be in the way of completing an island of pumps in a manner needed to bid the job correctly.

Despite what the codes may be:
What's your feeling of using electrical appliances/tools
around gasoline pumps/fumes? Friction/static electricity?

The Station's down-time, would seem to be the best-time
for this project's undertaking, IMO.

Bob

 

[El Flaco Taco]

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

For the metal i dont even know if i would polish it. Maybe a light polish with something like wenols red or something.

Ask the guy what he ultimately wants. Does he want them looking better then brand new or does he just want them cleaned.

He just wants it clean. But the one thing he said was I want these to look nice, referring to the metal. I'm going to Google Wenols to see if it will be a good compromise of effort and result. Thanks for the thoughts.



Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[El Flaco Taco]

To me:
The Customers are going to be in the way of completing an island of pumps in a manner needed to bid the job correctly.

Despite what the codes may be:
What's your feeling of using electrical appliances/tools
around gasoline pumps/fumes? Friction/static electricity?

The Station's down-time, would seem to be the best-time
for this project's undertaking, IMO.

Bob

We've discussed Sunday as the day to do it as it's their slowest time. As far as the danger element, as for now they will shut the pump that I'll be working on off.
I'm not sure if that is sufficient but he's the gas station owner and I'm kinda leaning on him to know about safe work practices around the pumps. That's something that was on my mind initially but once I talked to him it kinda moved to the back of my mind. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention. I'll be sure to make sure he is knowledgeable about safety.

Edit:
With a shut down pump and no customer interference how would you bid it?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[allenk4]

No matter what you bid...he is going to offer you $15 per pump

 

[Photecs]

I think anything less then $50/pump is too low myself. That's going to take a little elbow grease without a pressure washer.
Also, my thoughts are APC low dilution, and maybe a coat of something like collinite 845? I'm thinking it'll add some shine making them look good... and it'll last a while - so he'll he happy with the job even after 3-4 months go by...

 

[dcjredline]

My initial thought was $100-$150 per pump also. You have to drive there for one thing, second there is alot of gunk on those that is going to take some "scrubbing"

 

[CarolinasFinestDetailing]

OP, be very careful if you decide to use a pressure washer. I work for a company that supports and repairs these dispensers. A short can mean a $1000 repair easily. There are O-rings & such for sealing them from the elements, but they do not fully seal. Most of what you are looking at are decal overlays as well, other than the stainless/aluminum side columns. When my techs clean these, they use a degreaser and wipe everything down. The top canopy of the pump is normally plastic as well. Youc an most likely wax it and the bottom door of the dispenser.

 

[Photecs]

OP, be very careful if you decide to use a pressure washer. I work for a company that supports and repairs these dispensers. A short can mean a $1000 repair easily. .

Whoa, hope you're insured... of maybe it's not worth taking the job!

 

[El Flaco Taco]

OP, be very careful if you decide to use a pressure washer. I work for a company that supports and repairs these dispensers. A short can mean a $1000 repair easily. There are O-rings & such for sealing them from the elements, but they do not fully seal. Most of what you are looking at are decal overlays as well, other than the stainless/aluminum side columns. When my techs clean these, they use a degreaser and wipe everything down. The top canopy of the pump is normally plastic as well. Youc an most likely wax it and the bottom door of the dispenser.

My idea of sealing display area with visqueen. You think that's sufficient to keep that area dry while pressureu washing?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[El Flaco Taco]

Thank you all for your insight it really is helpful!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[HUMP DIESEL]

P21S polishing soap on the shiny sides.

 

[HD.Detailing]

I would price so high that he will say forget it, Liability too high if you aren't familiar.

If I were to attempt it.. definitely bag off the electronics, OPC and ONR and top with a wowa sealant or spray wax and call it done.

 

[Znig22]

I have client that owns 9 gas station all within a 20 mile radius of the area we both live in. I maintain 3 of his stations on a bi weekly basis. with a total of 18 pumps.

I pressure wash the island (the concrete pad that the pump sits on)
I use a diluted citrus cleaner on the entire pump (do not spray directly into the credit card reader)
I then dry the pumps down and apply a aerospace 303 protectant over the entire pump including the screens.
I charge $30.00 a pump and it takes me and 1 help about 10 minutes per pump.

BTW: the diesel handles are always more difficult.

Its extremely easy to clean them after you do your initial cleaning. Set this customer up with a bi weekly or monthly contract or agreement and then charge accordingly. Good Luck

 

[CarolinasFinestDetailing]

My idea of sealing display area with visqueen. You think that's sufficient to keep that area dry while pressureu washing?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Those Gilbarco pumps look like older generation Encores. The problem is that tbere are electronics connected to everything you see. There are gaskets, but they degrade over time. The areas youll want to watch are around the octane buttons, product display, credit card reader, and accompanying keypad. I agree that ONR or similar wpuld be good, mayne with a little apc mixed in will do the trick. Pretty much the whole front of that pump is actually overlays. So it shouldnt take much to clean them. Most of them have some texture so a wowo spray wax will possibly be easy. As for stainless sides...maybe aluminum...polish and seal with metal polish. The gasoline hose can be wiped with an apc, same with canopy and nozzle. If you have anymore specific questions...feel free to ask me. I can find out anything about those pumps.

 

[El Flaco Taco]

I have client that owns 9 gas station all within a 20 mile radius of the area we both live in. I maintain 3 of his stations on a bi weekly basis. with a total of 18 pumps.

I pressure wash the island (the concrete pad that the pump sits on)
I use a diluted citrus cleaner on the entire pump (do not spray directly into the credit card reader)
I then dry the pumps down and apply a aerospace 303 protectant over the entire pump including the screens.
I charge $30.00 a pump and it takes me and 1 help about 10 minutes per pump.

BTW: the diesel handles are always more difficult.

Its extremely easy to clean them after you do your initial cleaning. Set this customer up with a bi weekly or monthly contract or agreement and then charge accordingly. Good Luck

So no pressure washer huh. I'm thinking that's the safest method although I really would like to get those canopies with it. I like your method, thanks for sharing it. Do you deal with any stainless steel on the pumps you deal with?

Also as far as safety is concerned, any pointers? Would like to keep coming home at night.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[El Flaco Taco]

Those Gilbarco pumps look like older generation Encores. The problem is that tbere are electronics connected to everything you see. There are gaskets, but they degrade over time. The areas youll want to watch are around the octane buttons, product display, credit card reader, and accompanying keypad. I agree that ONR or similar wpuld be good, mayne with a little apc mixed in will do the trick. Pretty much the whole front of that pump is actually overlays. So it shouldnt take much to clean them. Most of them have some texture so a wowo spray wax will possibly be easy. As for stainless sides...maybe aluminum...polish and seal with metal polish. The gasoline hose canbe wiped with an apc, same with canopy and nozzle. If you have anymore specific questions...feel free to ask me. I can find out anything about those pumps.

Thanks. Seems like znig and you are both telling me the same thing. Thinking I'll copy his method and see how that works out. As for the metal sides I think Hump Diesel suggestion "P21S polishing soap on the shiny sides." might be the most feasible. Never used it before, anybody got any pointers, can it be applied with a machine?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk