Is getting your car detailed worth $200+?
#21
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I'd check Autopia.org. If it wasn't that far I'd come see ya! I'm in Winston Salem, NC. Just be sure to find someone reputable. Word of mouth goes a long way.....if you go in their shop and you see dirty wool pads lying around run away.
#24
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http://www.presidentialdetailing.com..._platinum.html
I don't know from experience but from the pics he has posted he does really good work!
I don't know from experience but from the pics he has posted he does really good work!
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I have done my own cars and Ill tell you this.. If some dude will do what he did to Zees car for $250, They can have it.... its worth it to me to let them spend the better part of an afternoon waxing my baby, and I have all the tools to do it myself...
#31
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i charge anywhere from 250-450 usually on a one step correction depending on the size of the vehicle. takes me approximately 6-14 hrs. it will make your paint last and car stay in great shape! I recommend twice a year getting a detail. then simply upkeep it with some final finish and washing/waxing.
#32
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In general, if your not willing to do the work yourself, then you can never complain about the price. Also that businesses charge more due to taxes, expenses, over head, profit and whatever else.
You could trust your cars to a local guru and most times do well but there is that chance you can get screwed.
You could trust your cars to a local guru and most times do well but there is that chance you can get screwed.
#34
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when i do my details i charge a minimum of 250. thats for claybarring, 2 buffing stages, sealant and wax. not to mention cleaning and conditioning the interior and underhood. also using products on all the trim, cleaning the wheels, exhaust etc. if any wetsanding is needed that adds a little to the price as well as filling in rock chips/scratches and wetsanding. those are added services.
just an example of my most recent details. this was my process on both of them
Wash
Bug & Tar Removal
Claybar
Wet sanding (where paint is repairable/necessary)
Stage 1 Exterior Buff using meguiars 105
Stage 2 Exterior Polish using meguiars 205
1 coat of wax
1 coat of sealant
Clean/dress Tires, Rims & Wheel Wells
Detail Logos & Trim to Remove Excess Wax Residue
clean door jams
exhaust tips cleaned and polished (inside/out)
dress trim
underhood hand cleaned where applicable
Interior/trunk vacuumed and stains removed (if not a permanent stain)
Clean and dress all interior vinyl/leather
Clean Windows, Mirrors & Ashtray
the completed results of a the car usually will justify the price if you ever have it done. the idea is to get rid of the swirls and as many scratches as possible. also de-contaminating paint and renewing the color.
see my first pic below. on a blach C5 where half the hood was buffed with only the first stage. and the other half of the hood was left alone.
![](http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j233/raven02ta/98%20FRC%20C5%20Detail/Detail98Corvette017.jpg)
![](http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j233/raven02ta/2010%20IOM%20SS/DSC04116.jpg)
![](http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j233/raven02ta/2010%20IOM%20SS/DSC03985.jpg)
![](https://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j233/raven02ta/IOM%20G8%20GT/DSC03965.jpg)
![](http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j233/raven02ta/2010%20LMB%20ZO6%20Detail/DSC03658.jpg)
#35
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^ Agreed. Some cars take TIME! Most people are looking for 20-30$ per hour which by ANY shop rate is not expensive. Sometimes the buffing times takes the most to get right. This is where a rotary makes you time and some may disagree but most major shops use this tool still. It is the user's ability and eye for detail that dictates the results.
Some guys out there really get into it and add plastic swirl correction which IMO is crazy but some car need it.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/eastern-m...413s-ride.html
This is a car I did for a fellow member, I think I charged 120$. No buffer correction, just a good cleaning, glaze/polish, 2 stage wax and the thing looked SOOOO much better.
No
Some guys out there really get into it and add plastic swirl correction which IMO is crazy but some car need it.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/eastern-m...413s-ride.html
This is a car I did for a fellow member, I think I charged 120$. No buffer correction, just a good cleaning, glaze/polish, 2 stage wax and the thing looked SOOOO much better.
No
#37
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Imo, the actual owner of the car would do the best job detailing their car since it's theirs and they appreciate their car for what it is better than anyone else could. Not to mention, a thorough wash, detail clean, and clay bar is a nice relaxing day with my car :yes:
There's a reason detailers charge what they do, and it's justified if their work is good. I normally do a 2x2 section for the customer showing them what it could look like when I'm all done vs what it looked like before. It usually sells it self.
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#39
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Is getting your car detailed worth $200+?
anyone tried these places yet?
http://www.presidentialdetailing.com..._platinum.html
http://www.waxmycar.com/detail-pricing.shtml
http://ecogreendetailing.com/interio...ices-packages/
anyone tried these places yet?
http://www.presidentialdetailing.com..._platinum.html
http://www.waxmycar.com/detail-pricing.shtml
http://ecogreendetailing.com/interio...ices-packages/
#40
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for 200 bucks all youre gonna get is a wash, clay, and wax. it all depends on how you want youre car to look after it is cleaned in the direct sunlight. a full paint correction from reputable people that actually use polishers on youre car will cost 600 + soo if u want just a wax after the first wash in direct sunlight u will see spider webs everywhere in the paint and if u do a paint correction u will see depth in the paint in direct sunlight and thats it. i know these guys arent in youre area but for an idea of what paint correction will do for u google (unique car care wakefield ma) they have tons of pictures of cars that look like they have been washed with sandpaper and after done they look like they r off the showroom floor.