Paint correction/Opti-Coat pricing?

[ShaunD]

I have a potential client with a 2005 Mustang GT that he drives often and also shows on a regular. The paint has typical swirls, and some medium water spotting that is main concern for correction. I recently have been overworking myself/quoting too low on pricing(IMO). I need to make about $25 an hour "to keep the lights on" and now I will end up working longer than the quoted time, therefore, I am not willing to move on the price much. I am however, trying to think of an alternative for the clients budget and not waste his money/my time when in the future, when his budget allows, he wants to a full correction and Opti-Coat.
This is part of the email I sent him explaining the quote:
The price I am estimating for everything is $560.00. This price is based on an estimated 18.5 hours of labor and the cost of the touchup paint kit needed and the Opti Coat 2.0 to coat the paint/wheels. The hourly rate I am quoting you is $25/hour(most detailers charge $50/hr for paint correction alone). And $40 for the paint kit(Dr.ColorChip kit), and $60 for the Opti Coat 2.0(paint coating). The time to clean the car/prep for the paint correction(removing the swirls/scratches/water spots) may take less than I am estimating or longer. If it takes significantly less for anything I will adjust the price for you if needed.
Also, to keep in mind, is that with the paint touchup being needed it will have to cure(at least 3 days) before I can even wax those areas, let alone apply the permanent coating(Opti Coat). I still need to do a test spot on the paint so that we both know what it will take to remove the defects from the paint, which will help me determine how long correcting all the paint on the car will take.
He responded and didn't say it was too much for what I was offering, but he didn't ask about an alternative either. I just want to do something for him to get the car ready for winter and stop any contamination issues from worsening the finish over winter. Another reason for my concern and wanting to do something now is that he stated he hasn't clayed/waxed the car in a year or more. So, I don't want him driving around like that too much long.
This would be my first time applying the Opti-Coat so in my estimate/quote I allotted two hours for the application. That said if I do the Dr.Colorchip kit first I have to wait three days before even waxing, let alone coating the new paint.
So, I guess I am looking for help with an alternative for the customer until he can afford everything I quoted. And, also any advice with a full correction, paint touchup, and then Opti-Coat. I am assuming my pricing is good for the job, if not low, considering paint correction around here is $40-$50 an hour from any detailers I have found that offer it.
Thanks in advance for any help/guidance.

 

[crxman2010]

Granted I have not done any detail work for profit, I would think for getting a car ready for winter, a AIO like Poli-Seal or Klasse AIO followed up by something like Collinite 845. I used Poli-Seal/Collinite 845 on a family member's vehicle for a quick effective way of cleaning the paint and sealing the vehicle of up for the winter and next spring when more time is available (or in your customers case more money maybe) I am going to do a full correction on the vehicle.
It was a similar case of me wanting to do something to protect a vehicle for winter, because it wasn't normally used in the winter but was going to be a daily driver this winter.

Also, I would be careful with the paint touch-up followed by opti-coat. With it being a permenant clear coat of sorts, you may want more like 60-90 days for the touch-up paint to cure. Just my thoughts.

I will be touching up another vehicle this winter in hopes that the paint is cured and ready for opti-coat come May.

 

[tuscarora dave]

I too have been working way too hard and too long to just "keep the lights on". I can appreciate your feelings there. If your customer doesn't have the money to get your proposed correction detail then maybe sell him on a quick polish and seal it for the winter and keep your offer open for a spring cleanup. The car will be polished and protected for winter and will likely be easier for you and cheaper for the customer to have it dolled up for the spring show season when the time arrives.

 

[ShaunD]

Thanks M.
I was originally going to offer the correction and a sealant, but, for this client it makes more sense(and he wants the Opti-Coat benefits) to Opti-Coat since it is driven often plus shown often. I am okay with keeping it cleaned/sealed/waxed for him throughout the winter as he drives it but come Spring I know it will be more work than if I do it now and will save him money now instead of waiting 'til Spring. I think I just need to let the client know his options and the possibilities of it being more work/money after Winter driving.
I think when I do the test spot/panel for him I will discuss correcting the horizontal panels and Dr.ColorChip them now and do the rest after winter/when the money is available. This way the touchups can cure then I can just keep it sealed through Winter and correct the rest of the car later for Opti-Coat. I could see just Opti-coating the horizontal panels now and the rest when the money is available. I like that idea, and hope the client does as well. Now I have to prepare a different quote for this idea. The client has a '68 'Stang that he wants detailed also, as well as his wife's (recently purchased) '06 Honda Accord. So maybe breaking up his GT's full correction will allow him to have me work on the other two cars sooner. Whatever keeps the working rolling through winter.

 

[ShaunD]

Thanks Dave. I was slow typing my post and didn't see yours 'til after mine posted. Great AGO minds think alike; maybe this a detailing colt.LOL
I'm about to reply to the clients email and see if he wants to shoot for the winter detail and get the show car detail closer to Spring. Thanks guys for the fast replies and getting me in the right mindset for my client's needs.
I will be checking posts/threads for timeline to OC over Dr.Colorchip paint. Dr.CC states to wait 3 days before waxing and 7 days or so before polishing. So, extending the latter time I think will be a best practice for coating.

 

[Flash Gordon]

I too have been working way too hard and too long to just "keep the lights on". I can appreciate your feelings there. If your customer doesn't have the money to get your proposed correction detail then maybe sell him on a quick polish and seal it for the winter and keep your offer open for a spring cleanup. The car will be polished and protected for winter and will likely be easier for you and cheaper for the customer to have it dolled up for the spring show season when the time arrives.

:iagree: Perfect Answer!!!


$560 sounds like a deal with paint correction included. Its not like your losing money @ $25 an hour though. Alot of ppl would love to make that much in other fields way more important then this