Favorite Wax

[shad2009]

make sure you upcharge if you use higher end products. mainly only your higher end clientel will know the difference. If not stick to things like meguiars detailer brand and always buy in gallons to maximize your profits.

Zymols are never cost affective unless you add a charge

i've got my prices layed out...i'm aimed at high end luxury/exotic cars, but will do mustangs, camaros, etc...i'd like to have a clientele so i can do this full time, but until then, i squeeze work in between my job

 

[BlackSunshine]

I think a fair price for a wash, clay, 2 stage polish and wax/seal is in the $500 range and you will have no problem selling that to your clients.

 

[HitandRunDriver]

How many hours would you usually see yourself doing on a $500 range detail?

 

[shad2009]

I think a fair price for a wash, clay, 2 stage polish and wax/seal is in the $500 range and you will have no problem selling that to your clients.

that isn't bad for your average clients, but like seer said, the ones that have the higher performance/exotic cars that require better products get charged more

How many hours would you usually see yourself doing on a $500 range detail?

hours? it sounds like a 5-6 hr job depending on the size of the car and how fast im moving

 

[NastyStang113]

To do a full detail I spend a minimum of 10-12 hours depending on the size of the vehicle...

 

[shad2009]

^no lies there...some can take even longer

 

[Cammed 05]

^no lies there...some can take even longer

^^^ ditto. Problem is until my name gets bigger around this part over on the beach all you have is soccer moms and trashed cars with owners wanting show car work for 50$. They don't want to pay, not will I work for that either. I support myself with a different field and detailing is just a passion of mine. So I can kind of pick and choose what I want to do and what I pass on

 

[John@Lethal]

If mobile detailing isn't your full time job, then you can be picky. There are a lot of guys out there doing quantity over quality to make a buck. They won't be using Blackfire, Wolfgang or Pinnacle on your vehicle at any point, but it pays the bills and there are the clients out there willing to accept that quality of work.

 

[Seer]

Mobile detailing is usually the quantity $100 wash, polish, wax guys.

They usually use the bulk concentrates that dealerships use.

One time I'll agree with John. Quality jobs are done by stationary detailers. Who use better products, take.more time to show attention to detail.

 

[cwhit23]

^^^ ditto. Problem is until my name gets bigger around this part over on the beach all you have is soccer moms and trashed cars with owners wanting show car work for 50$. They don't want to pay, not will I work for that either. I support myself with a different field and detailing is just a passion of mine. So I can kind of pick and choose what I want to do and what I pass on

Exactly my situation. I can get 50-75 dollar jobs all day. but like the others here I have other means to support myself. Howerver, I will probably do a couple of those jobs to start getting my name around some but it won't be with my more costly products and I will still pick and chose, no mini vans with 6 month old fries in them.

 

[Seer]

Exactly my situation. I can get 50-75 dollar jobs all day. but like the others here I have other means to support myself. Howerver, I will probably do a couple of those jobs to start getting my name around some but it won't be with my more costly products and I will still pick and chose, no mini vans with 6 month old fries in them.

Meguiars detailer line is amazing for cleaners etc, that dillute really far.

Chemical guys has a line of products like this too.

 

[HitandRunDriver]

Yeah its just a shame seeing that 99% of people don't understand the amount of work that goes into a good, thorough detail. Forget about the level of product and the expense of all the tools being used as well. Their minds are in the "If a wash takes over an hour he's probably doing it wrong" area.

 

[cwhit23]

Meguiars detailer line is amazing for cleaners etc, that dillute really far.

Chemical guys has a line of products like this too.

Yeah, for my first few "cheaper" jobs I have quite a few megs stuff aside. I usually use it for in between quick clean ups . However I'm doing an Acura this weekend for trade on a 500 dollar job on my mustang,(rear gear and some other things.) so I'm going to use the good stuff, plus it's my mechanic and he has some influence in the hot rod community so I want to do a spec job for him as he can recommend alot of people to me.

Yeah its just a shame seeing that 99% of people don't understand the amount of work that goes into a good, thorough detail. Forget about the level of product and the expense of all the tools being used as well. Their minds are in the "If a wash takes over an hour he's probably doing it wrong" area.

Yeah, alot of people think running it through the car wash is sufficient. I never understood how people can pay 25k ++ for a car and then never wash it or take car of it, yet they act like their $1200 ipad is sacred.

 

[HitandRunDriver]

Or their $150 iphone in its bedazzled case

 

[NastyStang113]

yet they act like their $1200 ipad is sacred.

Who paid $1200 for a iPad?

 

[cwhit23]

Who paid $1200 for a iPad?

I don't know, I just pulled that number out of my head as an example. I honestly have no idea how much they cost I don't own one and probably never will.

Either way, I just thought of that because my wife works with a lady whose husband stands in line everytime the newest one comes out, and if it has any imperfection at all. he will take it back. Yet their 4runner is nasty and beat up and it's a 2010.

 

[NastyStang113]

Gotcha. They are about $400-700. I keep all of my stuff in nice condition so I 'm pretty predictable that I don't my shit fucked up. LOL

 

[antonio1988]

I also detail as a side business, and man is it hard to get your name out down here. It always seems like the same trash wants their shitbox to look like art for $50... But, seeing as people are willing to pay $30 for a half assed car wash down here, I know that there is some money to be made, it's all about how you sell yourself though.

In regards to the topic, Meguiars makes a very good cut-compound (#105) and their fine-cut cleaner works very well on lightly affected areas. I use Wolfgang for the higher end cars for glaze and sealants and finish off with Meguiars Tech 2.0, just because of the great results I've gotten (it is very durable in outdoor environments).

 

[cwhit23]

Gotcha. They are about $400-700. I keep all of my stuff in nice condition so I 'm pretty predictable that I don't my shit fucked up. LOL

Yep, I'm the same way, I'm OCD with my stuff. I like it clean and like new condition.

 

[Seer]

My clients for the next month:

2010 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
2011 Corvette ZR-1
2012 Lamborghini Aventador
2011 Challenger SRT8