Detailing cars?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 8:53 pm

Who on here details cars? I've been doing a couple lately and charging $75 for the full inside and out with a wax. I use only meguiars products. Do you all think thats charging to much? When I first started I had a few people give me $100 and I think they spoiled me. I'm thinking of taking it down to $60. $25 inside, $25 wash, and $10 wax?, sound good?

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 9:00 pm

The question is how long does it take to detail a vehicle? Determine your hourly cost.

Example: If it takes 3 hrs, you are only making $25/hr. You have equipment costs to think of, so you are making less than $25/hr.

Look into what your local competitors charge and how much competition you have in your area.

raceinfan · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 9:04 pm

I did it for 8yrs on the side & for dealers, $100 for cars & trucks were by size started around $120 it's mainly how bad they are & what your time is worth,look first & then decide what to charge

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 9:08 pm

I do it all by hand, I can do over 5 cars with one bottle of $6 wax.

I did a LTX trailblazer(short one) today and I would say it took me 2hours to do the outside and around 1hour on the inside. I only swept the carpet and cleaned the dash and windows, she didnt want much done to the inside and I didnt know that until I was already started. Im thinking of giving her $15 back b/c of that.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:11 am

$75 is as cheap as I've ever seen a detailing, most are around $100.

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:43 am

Wanna detail my KJ for 75 bones?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:47 am

uvalax236 wrote:

Wanna detail my KJ for 75 bones?

Lol idk, your jeep may be to bad for $75. Drive it to my house over here in ky and Ill take a look. :lol:

raceinfan · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:48 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

I do it all by hand, I can do over 5 cars with one bottle of $6 wax.

I did a LTX trailblazer(short one) today and I would say it took me 2hours to do the outside and around 1hour on the inside. I only swept the carpet and cleaned the dash and windows, she didnt want much done to the inside and I didnt know that until I was already started. Im thinking of giving her $15 back b/c of that.

DON'T give money back because they'll expect a cheaper price next time & for all you know it'll come back trashed for what ever reason & you'll spend more time on it, stick with one base price & go from there trust me you will benefit

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:28 pm

raceinfan wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

I do it all by hand, I can do over 5 cars with one bottle of $6 wax.

I did a LTX trailblazer(short one) today and I would say it took me 2hours to do the outside and around 1hour on the inside. I only swept the carpet and cleaned the dash and windows, she didnt want much done to the inside and I didnt know that until I was already started. Im thinking of giving her $15 back b/c of that.

DON'T give money back because they'll expect a cheaper price next time & for all you know it'll come back trashed for what ever reason & you'll spend more time on it, stick with one base price & go from there trust me you will benefit

Yea but its a friend that I go to church with I've known her since I was 5.

Taz · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:28 pm

In my neck of the woods. A good detailing Job is about $100 for a car and $125 for an SUV.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:43 am

Im going outside in a few to start on a toyota tundra! Shouldnt be to bad. After I get done today, Im going to post the pics of all the ones I did this week. Theres only 3, I wanted 4 though. :cry:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:54 pm

Heres pics of the ones Ive done.

How do they look? $225 total.

raceinfan · **Posted:** Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:25 pm

GOOD JOB, how bout some before pics :wink:

I'd hire you

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

Wow, great work. You don't need to worry about charging a premium for your service. Just keep doing what you are doing, and customers will pony up the funds for it. You'll get a regular customer base, word of mouth advertising, etc. Most people don't have the time or inclination to get their rides that spanking clean. What about advertising in wedding boutiques: people always want clean cars for weddings, etc.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 5:03 pm

raceinfan wrote:

GOOD JOB, how bout some before pics :wink:

I'd hire you

I didnt take any before pics.

I only do this on my free time, which is only in the summer and on spring break. During classes I dont allow myself to much free time.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Mar 19, 2006 3:50 pm

Ok, A guy at church ask me to detail his chevy 2500 dually, for.............$250!! I think Im going to take it!

2003KJ · **Posted:** Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:22 pm

are you hand waxing it? How about washing? I know you said hand wash, but I do my own washings about once a week on my KJ and I have a brush with a nice long handle.....makes it soooo much better. I can get her washed top to bottom completely in under 10 minutes now.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Mar 20, 2006 5:33 pm

I do everything by hand. I would love to get a brush to do these. I only hand wash my jeep though.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Mon Mar 20, 2006 6:58 pm

I totally respect that you wash yours and theirs the same.

longarm · **Posted:** Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:14 pm

For something the size of a Libby, then I would charge about $150.00 for inside and out. $175.00 if you want the engine done as well. When I'm done, it will look like it just rolled out of the showroom. It takes me a little while longer though. I want the vehicle overnight if I can. Reson for this is that I want my sealant to fully cure before I add the top coat of wax. I could just let them leave, but I would not be giving them the full service. NOW, if they don't care, then I won't add a top coat and only put on a sealant. It should still cure though. I don't usually use the crap from the local auto parts store like Maguires, Mothers, ect..... (My apologies to anyone who's offended by that.) I occasionally use them if someone doesn't want to pay for a premium detail. I mostly use premium quality products like Blackfire Polish, Klassie AIO, then Klassie SG, followed by one or two coats of Pinnacle Liqued Soverign. You will get a shine that will give a dealership and curious onlookers a case of whiplash. I am known at our dealership that if I bring my KJ in for service, I do NOT want it washed. I do all that myself. They thought I was nuts when I first bought it and told them NOT to prep the apperance, I would do it myself. Take care of your paint and it will take care of you. Heres a couple of pics for you. The first one is my cabinet of products.

Detailing cars?

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