38 foot RV..Questions

**Tex Star Detail** · 06-29-2006, 03:19 PM

First off, I bid a 38 foot beast this morning. White in color with minor tan/brown graphics. (minor compared to the luxury RV`s) Still has a nice shine, minor tar to none. Little bit of road grime. Rims still nice and chrome.

I went to look atit, and it wasn`t too bad. I told the guy he is looking at close to $400 (outside) depending on how bad it is when he comes back from his trip.
I was thinking of using Megs #66 for a quick 1 step.
What should I keep a look out for?
I need input from people who have experienced detailing these monsters.
I plan on just scrubbing the roof, no wax, as it will be slippery.
They are made to walk on up there, right?

I am charging right around $10 a foot.......should that include the top, or should it be more towards $15 with top?

Any help is appreciated......
TIA
Chris

**holland_patrick** · 06-29-2006, 03:23 PM

I think your good to go with this one spot on the money..

**Dans Detailing** · 06-29-2006, 03:26 PM

I always charged $6-$8 a foot.. $10+ seems kinda high..

**Tex Star Detail** · 06-29-2006, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by DKKNE

I always charged $6-$8 a foot.. $10+ seems kinda high..

$6-8 with roof?

**Dans Detailing** · 06-29-2006, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by TexasTB

$6-8 with roof?

Yes roof washing is super easy. Do you also protect the roof too?

**AL-53** · 06-29-2006, 03:32 PM

Chris....

See if you can get ahold of some stageing on wheels..it will save you alot of time...just 1 section will do it...that way you will not be buffing overhead....it raises H e l l on the shoulders..#66 would be a good choice also...a nice 1 step....

hope you get this one....also $10.00 a foot is a fair prce..they get 14-15 here....at the RV place...

good luck

Al

**Tex Star Detail** · 06-29-2006, 03:33 PM

Never done one...That is why I am asking.
Though, I thought you were not really suposed to wax the top, since it could be a saftey issue. Thought the tops were meant to be walked on, so I could see a problem there........

What do I know though........
thought I`d get an edge before the time comes

**Dans Detailing** · 06-29-2006, 03:35 PM

I`d just wash the roof with a soft horsehair brush on a pole with some car wash soap. then squegee it off dry when your done.

**TrueDetailer** · 06-29-2006, 03:36 PM

Thats not that bad of a price seeing how your just starting out and all.

Normally i`d charge no less then $15 a foot if i`m going to use a machine to polish. Depending on the paint, if they want a 3 step process, it could easily reach 20-25 a foot. That includes washing the roof.

Polishing wheels is an extra, as well as tar and water spot removel. You need to remember thats ALOT of vehicle your working with. I look at it as a boat on wheels. And look how much people charge to do boats.

**Dans Detailing** · 06-29-2006, 03:38 PM

I think the market is different in your areas. Boats are $6-$12 a foot tops here in WI.

RV`s are $10 a ft tops.

**Tex Star Detail** · 06-29-2006, 03:40 PM

No tar or water spots....
The guy said he used to polish and wax it every month. Looks like it too. but he said it has not been done in months due to health conditions.

**Dans Detailing** · 06-29-2006, 03:42 PM

I say if you can get more money, go for it!

**budman3** · 06-29-2006, 03:58 PM

Hey Chris what type of RV is it? Make/model do you know??? If it has a rubber roof, then you definitely can`t just wash it was soap and be done with it. Well you could but that would be a hack job IMO because of the black streaks that come from dirty rubber roofs. I have a stiff bristled brush on a broom stick, some rubber roof cleaner, water, elbow grease and the roof will come out fairly well. Now, if it is a fiberglass roof, you may be able to get away with just a wash. Be careful on the roof, it get`s slippery. Also try to stay away from the middle as well because there isn`t much support there. Now for the exterior- Staging of some type will help greatly. They really aren`t hard to do because it is one big panel other but it is tough going up and down ladders and such. If the paint (fiberglass/gel coat) is in good condition you may want to opt to a sealant/wax (collinite?) rather than 1 stepper for added durability. Or stick with the #66 and when your wiping try to remove it with some OCW for the added looks. What else.... There`s a good chance that the wheels are uncoated aluminum (alcoas) so you might want to check with the owner first because some new alcoas never need polishing and if you do I don`t think it is a good thing. Price whatever you think is fair and whatever you think you can get for it. Pictures pictures pictures!!!

I`ve had my share of experiences with RVs:

This is ours (also a 38 footer) in a temporary garage. Good to keep the sun off of it in the summer plus it stays out of the weather = keeps clean. Good luck!

**Beemerboy** · 06-29-2006, 04:39 PM

Chris

I think that you did fine on the price but I would have given him a range like 400 to 500 depending on the time that it takes...I did this with a boat that I just got done with its a safety net of sorts with jobs your just not sure of

**Beercan31** · 06-29-2006, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by AL-53

Chris....
See if you can get a hold of some stageing on wheels..
good luck
Al

Also known as Scaffolding and I agree if your going to use one of these, I might suggest hiring a local neighbor kid for the day because getting up and down from one of these all day your leg are going to feel like they just did a Rodeo championship.

If you do decide to use a Scaffolding by your self.... trust me on this.... place a long 2x4 on the ground between the RV and the Scaffolding...to prevent the scaffolding from running into the RV. pushing one of these by your self is like herding cats, they go where they want to go.. not necessarily where you want them to go.

Good luck

Ps
What is next a train or a plane? if you do were going to start to call you "Superior Shine"... not that, thats is a bad thing.... just no limit to your OCD.