Some thoughts on mobile detailing.... - Page 4

Scottwax · 09-03-09, 07:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowjeep

nice thread WS6, very true!! Do you full timers have higher quality products separate for higher end cars...

I don't, unless someone requests an expensive wax. Otherwise, I use the same polishes (believe me, Meguiars #105/205 and 3M Ultrafina aren't cheap), waxes and sealants. Even less expensive cars still get Leather Master's Leather Vital if they have leather.

slowjeep · 09-04-09, 07:41

thanks scott, I've been arguing against myself as to what products to stock on....

columbus6cyl · 09-04-09, 12:37

It's okay you can show us that big Hairball that came off the back of the seats

rightaway · 09-04-09, 04:05

i love detailing my car. i do my friends cars but the time i put in to a car, i dont know how a mobil detail guy can make money. what is an average charge for mobil detail theses days? about 4 years away i went to the back with a business plan and the average in NJ/PA was around $150. i chickened out and never tried. maybe one of these day i'll try.

toyotaguy · 09-04-09, 05:17

150/4 hrs work is not money???

some charge hourly, some by package based on an hourly rate!

efnfast · 09-04-09, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyotaguy

150/4 hrs work is not money???

some charge hourly, some by package based on an hourly rate!

I don't do anything labor intensive for less than $60/hr. if you want to though, that's your business.

toyotaguy · 09-05-09, 12:59

you would pass on $300 per day to do nothing because you werent getting $480 for it?? say someone wanted a two step on their car, and it would take you 7 hours or so, you mention $60/hr = 420 bucks, they said they only had $300....you would pass on it?

Wish I was in your shoes to just pass on money like that....

Scottwax · 09-05-09, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyotaguy

you would pass on $300 per day to do nothing because you werent getting $480 for it?? say someone wanted a two step on their car, and it would take you 7 hours or so, you mention $60/hr = 420 bucks, they said they only had $300....you would pass on it?

Wish I was in your shoes to just pass on money like that....

$300 is more than $0.

David Fermani · 09-05-09, 03:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

I don't, unless someone requests an expensive wax. Otherwise, I use the same polishes (believe me, Meguiars #105/205 and 3M Ultrafina aren't cheap), waxes and sealants. Even less expensive cars still get Leather Master's Leather Vital if they have leather.

No more Woolite Scott?

Scottwax · 09-06-09, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Fermani

No more Woolite Scott?

Leather Vital is a conditioner, not a cleaner. Using Woolite HE at 20:1 for leather cleaning.

efnfast · 09-06-09, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyotaguy

you would pass on $300 per day to do nothing because you werent getting $480 for it?? say someone wanted a two step on their car, and it would take you 7 hours or so, you mention $60/hr = 420 bucks, they said they only had $300....you would pass on it?

Wish I was in your shoes to just pass on money like that....

That's right - however let me preface that by saying detailing is not my main job, only something I do on the side. If I'm going to do it for somebody other than myself, I'm not breaking my back for a few hundred bucks; usually I charge 500-800 for full exterior, quick interior wipedown (i.e., just a wipedown, no vomit, dog hair, etc...). Around here there are very few quality detailers - e.g., you've got some who convince people they need to wetsand their entire car with 1500 every 3yrs or so!

Same with bodyshops - I just got my 65 cobra back last week from a top notch bodyshop. Excellent spray job, but here's the quality of the rotary work:

after - it took me 5-6 hits with a PFW+SIP before I was able to remove all the rotary induced RIDs (i was also going slower than normal because I wanted to minimize the amount of clear I chewed through)

Am I a detailing god like Scott - absolutely not. All I'm saying is that this isn't my main business, and I know my market can support the price point, especially with the "Quality" out there, so it isn't a problem for me. if things were different (tighter market, better quality, and this were my main job), my answer my change. It is what it is *shrug*

rightaway · 09-07-09, 05:42

for $150, what do you consider as detail?wash and just wax?do you clay,polsih,sealant and wax?