RV Paint Correction Pricing???

JoshVette · 05-05-08, 01:16

Need to know a realistic idea of pricing for an RV.

This is a 45 foot $850K dollar RV that has bad swirls and scratches, the owner is not needing perfection, but wants me to fully polish the damage out.

I have not looked at it yet, but I know I've got my work cut out for me.

I normally charge $75 per hour for paint correction on cars, but what do you think would be a good price for paint correction on this big momma?

I want to keep it around $60 per hour, is that reasonable you think for so much work, or am I selling myself short?

TIA
Josh

JonP · 05-05-08, 01:35

If they can afford a $850k RV, they should have no problem with $65-75 per hour.

David Fermani · 05-05-08, 02:35

I've always charged by the linear foot for boats & RVs. I use to love doing Prevost Motorcoaches. Josh, based on the level of work you normally do, plan on spending about of week just for the outside for mid-level quality. If you can, after doing a thorough decontamination of the exterior, try to find the best 1 step product for the application and then seal the heck out of it. A WOWA sealant would be ideal.

Scottwax · 05-05-08, 02:50

I agree with Dave, charge by the foot. Same with boats. I'd say at least $12-15 per foot with light polishing, closer to $20, maybe $25 per foot for heavy correction.

I used to do a 45' coach (their business has run into some hard times) about once a year. They had a rolling staircase for me to use that made it a lot easier.

JoshVette · 05-05-08, 02:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonP

If they can afford a $850k RV, they should have no problem with $65-75 per hour.

Yea, I don't think he'll have a problem paying, I just want to give him a good deal since he's not wanting 100% perfection and it's all just flat surfaces..... not that it will be an easy job cause it's all side panels.

JoshVette · 05-05-08, 02:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Fermani

I've always charged by the linear foot for boats & RVs. I use to love doing Prevost Motorcoaches. Josh, based on the level of work you normally do, plan on spending about of week just for the outside for mid-level quality. If you can, after doing a thorough decontamination of the exterior, try to find the best 1 step product for the application and then seal the heck out of it. A WOWA sealant would be ideal.

Yes, I figure at least a week as well....

If I were just washing and cleaning it that would be the way to charge, but with paint correction it's a whole different story.

Won't be doing any interior, only paint correction.

JoshVette · 05-05-08, 02:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

I agree with Dave, charge by the foot. Same with boats. I'd say at least $12-15 per foot with light polishing, closer to $20, maybe $25 per foot for heavy correction.

I used to do a 45' coach (their business has run into some hard times) about once a year. They had a rolling staircase for me to use that made it a lot easier.

But what happens if it takes a good 50 hours to polish out, then I'll be loosing a lot of money? or if it turns out to need a two step polishing process.

Scott, how many hours did it normally take you to wash, polish and seal the exterior on one of those things?

warlockid · 05-05-08, 05:05

Im with Scott and Dave. This is the kind of work I do every day. Its a crap shoot, as to the time it will take. Just like a car, its all about the condition its in. To clean, polish, and protect it, you could be into a 40 footer around 40-50+ hours. Those are the projects you'll wish you had employees for.

KAIO is a pretty good one-step for full paint coaches, I've found.

David Fermani · 05-05-08, 06:12

I'm sure this will job could take every bit of 40 hours for 1 person to complete. If that's the case, then charging someone $3000 (@ $75/hr) is excessive IMHO. Some jobs might be better suited for people focused on doing this type of work on a regular basis. A job that takes 1 person 40 hrs, could take a 2 person team 2 days. Most RVs aren't scratched up that bad (they never get washed) and correct really easy (soft paint). Most are grimey and faded.

Scottwax · 05-05-08, 07:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshVette

But what happens if it takes a good 50 hours to polish out, then I'll be loosing a lot of money? or if it turns out to need a two step polishing process.

Scott, how many hours did it normally take you to wash, polish and seal the exterior on one of those things?

I was able to do a one step polish (Meguiars #20) buffed off with OCW in about 8 hours by myself. It was already washed though. He had a DI/RO wash system and a pressure washer set up at his warehouse since either his one of his workers would wash it, or he'd have me do it. Washing took me about 3 hours (including dressing the tires/fenderwells/mudflaps) since it would air dry spot free. With my son helping me, we were able to do it in 5 hours (already washed that time too). The rolling staircase made a huge difference. You can see what I am talking about in this picture:

JoshVette · 05-05-08, 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Fermani

I'm sure this will job could take every bit of 40 hours for 1 person to complete. If that's the case, then charging someone $3000 (@ $75/hr) is excessive IMHO. Some jobs might be better suited for people focused on doing this type of work on a regular basis. A job that takes 1 person 40 hrs, could take a 2 person team 2 days. Most RVs aren't scratched up that bad (they never get washed) and correct really easy (soft paint). Most are grimey and faded.

I'll let you guys all know what I find after I inspect it. Supposed to get the call today but didn't. I'll probably get it while in Houston these next two days....

I agree about having a team to tackle this, but he specifically asked for quality paint correction and knew my name from some Fcar clients. He's also got two Fcars, a Lambo, Bentley, Porsche and BMW's, but lives in CA so I won't be detailing any of those.

Anyways, other then Scott, I don't know anyone around here I consider qualified to tackle paint correction on a quality level and I know how busy he is....

JoshVette · 05-05-08, 07:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

I was able to do a one step polish (Meguiars #20) buffed off with OCW in about 8 hours by myself. It was already washed though. He had a DI/RO wash system and a pressure washer set up at his warehouse since either his one of his workers would wash it, or he'd have me do it. Washing took me about 3 hours (including dressing the tires/fenderwells/mudflaps) since it would air dry spot free. With my son helping me, we were able to do it in 5 hours (already washed that time too). The rolling staircase made a huge difference. You can see what I am talking about in this picture:

Thanks for the info Scott.

I do believe the client has some sort of latter as well.

I will have to test out the surface to find the best combo, but thinking of trying out some M105 with a white pad and seeing how that finishes out. If the paint is too soft, I'll go with a lighter combo.

Josh