kyles2000z

iTrader: (8)

I had the chance to detail a friends car this week. this is a really nice car, good lookin interior, tasteful things done here and there. anyways i gave it the works (interior, wash/buff/wax, engine bay, etc). i wasnt able to get all the imperfections out, some were too harsh, but it came out pretty decent. most of the imperfections were just severe swirl marks probably due to imporoper washing. i used the System On polish with their double sided Edge pad, with a high speed buffer. the project consisted of....

-wash with dawn
-claybar contaminated areas
-buff with wool
-buff with foam
-rewash to remove dust and excess polish
-wax/sealer
-interior vaccum, dusting, and shining
-degrease and dress engine bay

i have only been detailing using a buffer for about a month now, this is my 3rd car, so any suggestions or tips are appreciated!!!

before pics...











during (left side buffed with wool only, right side untouched)



6 hours later (after pics)...





mirror finish!









what do you guys think somethin like this is worth? i had 6-7 hours of hard work into the car and chnarged the guy $100. too much? not enough? im just gettin started with this so im unsure of what to charge really. i recently did a dodge durango the same detail for $150, and a 2-door tahoe $125.

Greekey

iTrader: (3)

Can you tell me how you cleaned the engine bay? Around here, a detail with a wax is around 100-150, so I think you did it for a good price.

DevilDougWS6

iTrader: (8)

i like the cover pulled up on the camaro in the last pic haha.

camaroman16

i was thinkin that too. haha.

Spd-Kilz

iTrader: (35)

I'd say that charging $100 is very reasonable. You could probably get away with charging $150...

The results look great!

kyles2000z

iTrader: (8)

i just covered the alternator with a trash back, took the nozzle off the hose and just soaked it down with running water. spray on some gunk engine brite on the motor, and some orange stuff degreaser on the innser fneders and firewwall. let the engine brite soak for about 10 minutes, rubbed the orange stuff with a brush, and then rinsed it off with running water again. dried everything with an air compressor, and then soaked the plastics down with tire shine foam. when it "dries" and levels out, it looks good for shows!

this was a friend of mine so i guess i treated him right. so yall think i could get away charging $150 for cars and $200 fo larger trucks and SUVs???

sstg

iTrader: (5)

I charge $50hr for paint correction. If it's just a wash and wax (no paint corr) $125. Full detail $399.00 & up.

kyles2000z

iTrader: (8)

wow thats STEEP! you charge $125 for wash and hand wax??? how do you get away with that? you must be doing benz and beamers where the people are just rolling in money and dont care! theres no way anyone around here would ever pay that! power to you tho ,if people pay iy yo can charge it!

kyles2000z

iTrader: (8)

if you were in the upstate and could leave it with me a few days i would!!!

Vicious95Z28

iTrader: (1)

Good price, prolly cheaper than I would have done it too, lol. I'm sure it looks even better in the daylight. Good work, my wifee always thought detailing cars was gravy work until she had to help me on a Sat. afternoon. Needless to say she no longer felt that way. The personal satisfaction of a good detail job is hard to beat!!!

ramairjohn2000

iTrader: (3)

150 for cars for full detail and 225 for suvs, trucks, 250 for full sizemonsters. that is a good deal.

michaelg589

iTrader: (1)

Holy swirl marks batman!
Looks like you did a really nice job! Looks great... for a mustang.

JerseyLS1TA

iTrader: (2)

Def looks way better. Price seems to be really reasonable, wish someone around here did the same thing. My paint is good but I'm not familiar with using a high speed buffer

kyles2000z

iTrader: (8)

well since im just learning and these cars belong to friends im doing this cheap i guess. as i get better and have expereience, ill raise my prices as im sure my work will be better too.

Gordo78

iTrader: (3)

Nice work! I'd say your doing pretty good for just starting out. I'd say good price too, and +1 on i think you could get away with a bit more.

kyles2000z

iTrader: (8)

you have me lost dude ???

Avengeance

iTrader: (4)

That paint was effed up!

For a 2 stage polish detail, like you did, I charge over $200.

kyles2000z

iTrader: (8)

wow, and are yall professionals, or just do it on the side? id imagine a side worker couldnt charge what a pro would, people wouldnt pay it. for just one polish and two pads like SYSTEM ONE offers, ive been very impressed with it. i cut/buffed my roof with it and it took out 1500 grit marks and its flawless now, one polish, one two-side pad! theonly downside to this stuff tho, is it is VERY dusty. i used prob 7-8 microfiber cloths just doing the mustang!

sstg

iTrader: (5)

Don't go to a dry buff, and use less product. That will cut down on dust.

kyles2000z

iTrader: (8)

pads are always kept damp, and i keep the product so its barely visible on the car. have you used system one? thats acutally why i had my camaro covered in the pics, is bc the dust is so bad it would have my car covered completely!