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wakame

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Just bought a new to me Porsche Cayenne. The weather is finally warming up and I started looking at the condition of the paint. It needs some major works as it has a bit of swirls. I took it to a detailer and have him gave me a quote. It came out to be around $1300. He said that it would take 10 hours to polish, half a day to detail the interior. This is including a ceramic coating that will last 5 years. All together, it will takes him 4-5 days to finish. Is this reasonable? I do some detailing before, just that this new car is "new" and I don't want to mess it up. Is $1300 in the right ball park? Should I tackle this myself?
 
I've never charged that much before, but I'm not doing this full-time. You may find someone to do it for a $800-1000, but it depends. Is it a reputable professional coating or a consumer coating that we can all purchase? However, even some of the Modesto and 22PLE consumer coating are very expensive. Did he say how many polishing steps? Sounds like he is planning on 3 steps.
 
he said it will be polish to get all the swirls out and then a few days to get the ceramic coating done. I think he uses Feynlab.
 
What color is it?? I've heard about a lot of the black Porche paint being extremely soft and kind of a nightmare to work on. If it is really soft paint I would probably let them do it. I would be interested to know what kind of coating. If it's not really soft paint I would do it yourself. 1300.00 will buy some very nice equipment and everything you would need. These 5+ year ceramics are real nice, but real world how long is it going to be before there is enough marring and fine scratches to justify polishing again? would you want to go give him another 1300.00 in two years or use the same equipment you already bought and be able to do it for next to nothing?
 
DaveT435 said:
What color is it?? I've heard about a lot of the black Porche paint being extremely soft and kind of a nightmare to work on. If it is really soft paint I would probably let them do it. I would be interested to know what kind of coating. If it's not really soft paint I would do it yourself. 1300.00 will buy some very nice equipment and everything you would need. These 5+ year ceramics are real nice, but real world how long is it going to be before there is enough marring and fine scratches to justify polishing again? would you want to go give him another 1300.00 in two years or use the same equipment you already bought and be able to do it for next to nothing?
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. Two details or $2600 will probably buy a lifetime of polishers, pads, compounds and polishes for a hobbyist.
 
DaveT435 said:
What color is it?? I've heard about a lot of the black Porche paint being extremely soft and kind of a nightmare to work on. If it is really soft paint I would probably let them do it. I would be interested to know what kind of coating. If it's not really soft paint I would do it yourself. 1300.00 will buy some very nice equipment and everything you would need. These 5+ year ceramics are real nice, but real world how long is it going to be before there is enough marring and fine scratches to justify polishing again? would you want to go give him another 1300.00 in two years or use the same equipment you already bought and be able to do it for next to nothing?
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^^ this. Detailing isn't difficult but it is a skill that take practice to perfect. The good news is that it's difficult to screw anything up and the learning is the fun part. Long life expensive coatings like that are great for garage queens or weekend toys but if this is a regularly used vehicle, I would skip over the pricey ones as the standard really good coatings sold here are more than enough. Time wise, the exterior on that car is likely a 7-8hr job at most. If it takes longer then they are slow. Interior isn't difficult as it's small. Just a matter of what condition it's in.
 
I learned how to polish and did it myself after purchasing a car last year. I totally loved it but I also love learning anyways and I have a ton of free time! It took a ton of time and effort as polishing is definitely a skill you have to learn.
Looking at the car after, with a near perfect reflection, was amazingly satisfying knowing that I did it myself!

I bought the harbor freight polisher people like and then the compound, polish and pads from here and I spent under $200, I think well under actually.
Then you could add in the cost for a lifetime supply of stuff you'll likely want to purchase even if you have the detailer do it now, like a shop-vac; interior detailing chemicals, towels, brushes; car washing stuff and you'll be set for life and save money!

On the other hand, I have no experience with those super long lasting coatings so factor those in separately from my opinion.
 
It is a grey color Cayenne. I was told the clear coat is pretty soft. I've done a few cars, but i haven't touch one since a few years ago due to busy schedule. This is my daily driving car so I guess the real benefit probably won't be that great. I already got an orbital and most of the pads. Still has plenty of xmt and WGDG 3.0 left. So I guess a weekend while my kid watch my kid and save a few bucks.
 
It is a grey color Cayenne. I was told the clear coat is pretty soft. I've done a few cars, but i haven't touch one since a few years ago due to busy schedule. This is my daily driving car so I guess the real benefit probably won't be that great. I already got an orbital and most of the pads. Still has plenty of xmt and WGDG 3.0 left. So I guess a weekend while my wife watch my kid I'll put in a few hours of work.
 
I wouldn't take that offer even if it was a reputable shop. I own a business in San Antonio, and Houston and still wouldn't charge that much even on a bentley. It's a porsche, even with the soft paint if you're looking to have someone do it rather yourself... Keep looking around for someone else. Where are you located? Look up reviews in your area for another quote and ask probing questions regarding materials and procedure's they're planning to use. Keep us posted!
 
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If he is highly skilled, if the vehicle is in rough shape, if you are very particular, and if you want a ceramic coating, then that amount of money may be justified. Also he/you may be paying for an insurance policy as well. I love, have, and recommend ceramic coatings, but they don't clean my car. People clean cars. To use some round numbers, lets say you can get a good detail for $500 or less. Then you could get a quality wash, wax, vacuum, wipe down and glass for $150 or less, every other month. At that rate, you have invested about 1250 in 11 months and your vehicle has looked far above average for the year. I'm not trying to influence you one way or another. Also take into consideration if you like to detail, or would you rather have someone do it. Hope this helps and not hurts, good luck.
 
I'm just a hobbyist, but I don't think $1300.00 is out of line for a professional shop that is going to take a couple of days to do the job. It sounds to me like this detailer is meticulous and wants to take an adequate amount of time to do an excellent job for you. If you do not want to do the job yourself, this to me is not an unreasonable price.

Having said that, I agree with the other posts encouraging you to take a DIY approach. Are you dead set on having it immediately coated? Or are you just doing it because you've read all of the hype about coatings and they are the "hot" LSP at the moment. With spring almost here you could take the summer to teach yourself how to properly polish your new ride and test out applying a wax or paint sealant. When you're comfortable you can always try an entry-level coating which are really not that difficult to apply. Check out the coatings from Polish Angel... either Cosmic V2 or Viking Coat. These are very easy to master and either would make your new Porsche look terrific!

Whatever you decide, you'll find plenty of help (and no shortage of opinions :laughing:) here!
 
Where are you located? I use Feynlabs also, 1300 is probably in line,but 5 years is unrealistic here in the Midwest withe crazy amount of salt used. I see side panels that are greatly diminished after a full winter. Yes, I know the coating is probably there, but most customers paying in excess of $1000 for a coating, are expecting the crazy hydrophobic properties for a longer period of time.If you are close, I'm sure we can work something out. I'm in SE Wisconsin. Good luck
 
I spoke with another detailer, this one is specialized and well known in the area. He use cquartz as the coating and he can only say that it would last around 2-3 years. He quoted me from 1000-2500 depends on the package and options.
 
wakame said:
Just bought a new to me Porsche Cayenne. The weather is finally warming up and I started looking at the condition of the paint. It needs some major works as it has a bit of swirls. I took it to a detailer and have him gave me a quote. It came out to be around $1300. He said that it would take 10 hours to polish, half a day to detail the interior. This is including a ceramic coating that will last 5 years. All together, it will takes him 4-5 days to finish. Is this reasonable? I do some detailing before, just that this new car is "new" and I don't want to mess it up. Is $1300 in the right ball park? Should I tackle this myself?
Click to expand...

I did this Cayenne last Saturday, check out my show and shine post for the details. Washed, Polished, Sealant applied and removed, exterior trim done, door jams, tires etc. 6 hours total. I didn't do the interior.

Click the link:

2015 Black Porsche Cayenne Correction with FG400 and Polish Angel Master Sealant

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This is what it looks like after using 360 on it.
 
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