Cost of detailing

[speedr1023]

What do any of you pay for a good detailing job? I'm talking about top to bottom, in and out cleaning. Wash, clay bar, polish, wax, etc. Or if you do it all yourself, how much time do you put aside to do it?

 

[Getwired]

Prolly should do it yerself...

What do any of you pay for a good detailing job? I'm talking about top to bottom, in and out cleaning. Wash, clay bar, polish, wax, etc. Or if you do it all yourself, how much time do you put aside to do it?

$300.00+, no clay-bar or polish tho. I suspect that a true professional job would be $400.00. My guy did a great job, but I think I will be investing in the gear and supplies to do this myself. I figure that's the only way it'll get done right. Ask Trend Setta -- he'll tell you all about it, I'm sure!!!

 

[tast101]

After lookin at Trends ride, I just bought some detailing stuff. "I already have a Mothers Clay Bar.
Got:
http://autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424-accessories.html
http://autogeek.net/pisisepawax.html
http://autogeek.net/xmt-fine-swirl.html
http://autogeek.net/xmt-ultra-fine-swirl.html
http://autogeek.net/xmt-carnauba-finishing.html

 

[paintcarendetailing]

What do any of you pay for a good detailing job? I'm talking about top to bottom, in and out cleaning. Wash, clay bar, polish, wax, etc. Or if you do it all yourself, how much time do you put aside to do it?

If you are talking about a full detail like this -

EXTERIOR- wash (including all exterior, wheel, wheel wells), clay, 2-3 step polish (removal/minimize swirls/scratches & imperfections), clean/polish/protect wheels, wax/sealant paint, dress all trim, tires, wheel wells & plastic

INTERIOR - Clean/vacuum/spot check/shampoo carpet & mats, clean/protect all vinyl, plastic/rubber, clean/protect seat (conditioner for leather and Fabric Guard for cloth), clean all door jambs, clean all interior and exterior windows.


Depending on the area you live and the condition of the truck it can run you anywhere from $250.00 - $400.00. I personally would charge for a full size SUV in "normal" wear and tear condition ~$350.00


Now to do something like this yourself, focusing on every little detail - easy 10-16hrs (again depending on the condition of the vehicle).


Be careful with detailers, there are a lot of hacks out there that charge an arm and a leg but still do crappy work. I'd recommend going to autopia.org and asking about reputable detailers in your area. detailuniversity.com has a map with detailers in different areas too:

http://www.detailuniversity.com/find-a-detailer/

 

[tast101]

Thanx to paint's detailing vids and Trend's advice, when I get my truck back from getting a dent pulled and painted and the paint cures, I'm getting to work.

 

[Getwired]

...Be careful with detailers, there are a lot of hacks out there that charge an arm and a leg but still do crappy work. I'd recommend going to autopia.org and asking about reputable detailers in your area. detailuniversity.com has a map with detailers in different areas too:

http://www.detailuniversity.com/find-a-detailer/

Yup -- exactly why I'm considering doing it myself unless I can find a shop that'll do work like this (daaayyyynnnnggggg!) for a semi-sane price... Thank you VERY much for the confirmation and the information! :thumbsup:

 

[Trend Setta]

I'd recommend doing it yourself, learn how to do it...I've seen people have there cars "Professionally" detailed and my truck looks even better, I guess if you live in Cali/Florida or a big city I'm sure there someone around there that does a good job...if you want it done right and want to save some money just do it yourself...and as of time well to clay, polish, glaze, and wax...all depend on how bad your ride is and how big it is, b/c if you've got a bank load of swirls you may have to polish it more than once, so i'm assuming about 5-6 hours of work, but it's worth it IMO. There's nothing better than hitting the streets knowing that your swirl free and cleaner than almost every other ride on the road

 

[Trend Setta]

Yup -- exactly why I'm considering doing it myself unless I can find a shop that'll do work like this (daaayyyynnnnggggg!) for a semi-sane price... Thank you VERY much for the confirmation and the information! :thumbsup:

You can make your car look just like that...I did

 

[tast101]

I'd recommend doing it yourself, learn how to do it...I've seen people have there cars "Professionally" detailed and my truck looks even better, I guess if you live in Cali/Florida or a big city I'm sure there someone around there that does a good job...if you want it done right and want to save some money just do it yourself...and as of time well to clay, polish, glaze, and wax...all depend on how bad your ride is and how big it is, b/c if you've got a bank load of swirls you may have to polish it more than once, so i'm assuming about 5-6 hours of work, but it's worth it IMO. There's nothing better than hitting the streets knowing that your swirl free and cleaner than almost every other ride on the road

Yeah, I spent about $350 to buy everything with shipping, After that it'll just be the price of polishes and wax, and pads occasionally when they get old. And my time, which I don't mind giving up. So It'll save me money in the long run, and on top of that After I do my truck and get a feel for it my buddy said he'd pay me to do his car. So I'll get a lil money on the side.

 

[speedr1023]

Being here in CT with all the snow and rain it's tough to keep a clean truck. When you polish with the buffer though, if you don't know what your doing, can't you do some real damage to your car? The interior is spotless, so that's no problem, just concerned about leaving more swirl marks

 

[Rollin Thunder]

i get mine cleaned every three months, infact as we speak my detailer crew is here makeing her shine, its a full detail with leather cleaner, restored, protected, outside gets washed, waxed, polished, etc, glass gets, d-spotted, d- bugged- d- fogged, d- what ever else, and then treated with a rain-x type thing, tires get a full shine in thred and side walls, rims get cleaned, polished, waxed, and protected, truck gets lifted up and entire under carrage is rinsed (all with pure filtered water) shined and protected, engine is also washed, and they shampoo the carpet including the headliner. they also have a tech who will service the engine and powertrain (oil change, all the flushes, tune ups), its awsome, all for only 899. i love it, so worth it, she gets super clean and runs like new. will post pics when its done.

 

[Getwired]

Crap dude, do you get that same $899 service every 3 months? Thats nuts bro. But I guess if you're single and making $$$$$$, then hey why not!

 

[tast101]

Damn, I think id put $900 away and have a set of wheels for every season.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Crap dude, do you get that same $899 service every 3 months? Thats nuts bro. But I guess if you're single and making $$$$$$, then hey why not!

lol, i miss worded that i get the full 900 dollar service when it gets warm and when it gets cold (so 2-3 times a year), every other time is only about 250 just to wash, wax, polish, but again the 900 is not just cleaning, its super cleaning, with tune up, fluid flushes ( get them every 3k), belts, hoses, plugs, etc.

 

[Trend Setta]

Being here in CT with all the snow and rain it's tough to keep a clean truck. When you polish with the buffer though, if you don't know what your doing, can't you do some real damage to your car? The interior is spotless, so that's no problem, just concerned about leaving more swirl marks

maybe with a high powered rotary buffer, but not with a 7424 Porter Cable, I mean I guess you could if you got a really ruff cutting pad and turned it up as fast as possible and put 100 pounds of pressure on there and left it in one spot for 10 minutes, but no cannot put more swirls in your paint it's supposed to take them out...watch some of the vids on autogeek.net

 

[Rollin Thunder]

i would worry with a buffer , just because i remember one year i was crazy and tried to detail my boat and when i went to wax it, i tried the buffer. well the buffer pad wore out and i did not realise it until the black pad that holds the buffer had just put a nice black swirrly mark half way down the hull. now i dont use a buffer on any of my cars and have a pro detail the boat. JMO.

 

[road1will]

i would worry with a buffer , just because i remember one year i was crazy and tried to detail my boat and when i went to wax it, i tried the buffer. well the buffer pad wore out and i did not realise it until the black pad that holds the buffer had just put a nice black swirrly mark half way down the hull. now i dont use a buffer on any of my cars and have a pro detail the boat. JMO.

Well, that isn't the buffers fault.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Well, that isn't the buffers fault.

yea, but a buffer is a danger regardless, the stupid pad wore off only after 5 min of use. :mad2: stupid buffer.

 

[Nappers]

Damage from the PC can happen with the wrong combination of pads and products, but it is pretty much bubba proof.

I detail my own rides and I charged a family friend 200 bucks to do her Excursion.

It's funner to do your own ride as it relaxes me and gives something for the wife to mess up later. LOL