What does a professional detail cost

rmerikle · 12-07-01, 10:16

If one were to walk into a professional detail shop and asked for the following:

Wash
Clay
Some type of Polish to prep the paint
AIO
SG - two coats
Pretty up the interior
Any detaling details that I have left out

What would it cost?
Or better asked, "What am I saving doing it myself?"

DETAILKING · 12-07-01, 10:24

Most detailers would do a standard exterior detail for under 100 bucks. This is assuming they are using mostly one step products that are very inexpensive and bought in bulk. Even if you supplied the materials, they probably don't have much experience with those products, and as we all know, there are tricks and tips to use with just about every system. You are better off doing it yourself, or if you don't have time find someone on this forum or another forum that is a KLASSE user that could do your car or you for some cash......

where are you located?

RH · 12-07-01, 10:24

Just like getting your house painted, if you ask 5 different folks, you'll get 5 different quotes.

This link has some pricing...

http://www.detail-works.com/appearance.html

YoSteve · 12-07-01, 10:27

If you are located on the east coast (NYC), jason will do it for a good cost, and it'll look better or as good as any professional place

I think he charges under $100 for the perfect shine!

puterbum · 12-07-01, 10:59

Quote:

Originally posted by rmerikle
Or better asked, "What am I saving doing it myself?"

You only do this to save money? Wow, that's different motivation than most. I personally wouldn't let most "professional" detailers anywhere near my car. I do it myself because I know only I can produce the results that will satisfy me.

Okay, I won't get myself started here otherwise I might not stop

. But seriously there are other benefits from doing the job yourself besides a few bucks. Short term: professional detailer cheaper. Long term: better results than from most professional detailers, cheaper to do it yourself.

If you just want to make the car look pretty one time and don't care about it the rest of the time (GASP

) then you could go to a professional detailer, but I wouldn't recommend it too strongly. You will save money in the long term, even if you get addicted to trying new stuff like most of us are. Consider $100 every few months or $

.00 to do it yourself for a long time (high startup cost to detail).

Just my $0.005

carguy · 12-07-01, 11:05

I'm with Peterbum here.

I haven't taken my car to a detailer because I like doing the work myself. I've considered it on ocassion though when I'm feeling lazy or I want a good job on the interior or engine bay, since I am not as excited about doing those myself.

But I would expect 9 out of 10 detailers will return my black car with more swirls than it had when I gave it to them. I would be VERY, VERY choosy in picking any detailer that was going to work on my paint, and I would use the knowledge I've gained here and from my own experence to interview them very carefully beforehand. I would prefer to check references and even find one of their customers' black cars (no matter what color car you have, ask to see a nonmetallic BLACK car they maintain.)

puterbum · 12-07-01, 11:11

puterbum

BTW, great advice carguy gave with the asking to see a non-metallic black car they maintain regularly. You want to see a car they did not just do as they may have put a silicone spray on top which hides the swirls. If you don't see swirls, this stuff is probably there, unless the detailer is _really_ good.

Guess My Name · 12-07-01, 11:19

Doing it yourself saves your soul.

If you are trying to justify the expense of the products and time required I do not believe there is a price.

I think you would be hard pressed to find a detailer who would use KLASSE. They tend to buy products in large bulk form that are easy on easy off so they can do a lot of cars a day.

Some detailers may use some good products but they are more likely to be mobile ones and not the guy onthe corner with the dogs chained to the fence with 20 cars out front washing them from the same single bucket.

rmerikle · 12-07-01, 11:31

I would agree with all of you that by doing it yourself, you get much better results then you can find at almost any shop. Since I have never actually taken a car I own to a detail shop and it seems many of you are in the "Business," I just thought it would be interesting to know what it would cost for a complete detail rather then just your basic detail at the local car wash.

BTW I live here in the San Francisco area

Guess My Name · 12-07-01, 11:37

Phew I feel better now knowing you detail your car yourself.

rmerikle · 12-07-01, 12:05

I was testing out YoSteve's MF towel on my windows last night after applying some Rain-X. This was my first time using MF towels and I must say MF towels are amazing.

As I am doing this, a good friend of mine rolls up in is Infinity. When it comes to cars he is the exact opposite of me. The extent of his car detailing is he takes his car through those free car washes at the gas stations. If he really wants to impress the ladies, then he goes to a full service car wash.

It just amazes me how badly some people abuse there cars. You would think that with the amount of money and the amount of time we Americans spend in our cars that we would take better car of them.

Josiah · 12-07-01, 01:51

rmerikle, if you are too busy to do it yourself, or can find a detailer willing to work with you, you can talk to them and find one who is willing to give you the best shine possible. They are rare and inbetween, but if you can find a guy who is willing to put in extra work for a good shine (using Zaino or some other product), then you could always do that.

Just my 0.02 cents
Josiah