how long does it take?

[WordOfMouth]

Just wondering how long it takes you to wash, clay, polish, and wax a passenger car. Let`s assume the car has minimal to moderate swirls/scratches.



also, same car- how long to get a moderately dirty interior clean?



If there`s a thread on this, point me that way also.



:thx

[MaximusZTS]

For me a minimum of 6 hours. But I will spend 8+ easy. Oh and that is just the outside.

[WordOfMouth]

Can I ask what you charge then? I spend about the same amt of time.

[MaximusZTS]

Starting... $150. For a smaller car or a coupe. but for most cars $200, easy.

[WordOfMouth]

I`m not far off- just starting I`m at $125 for small cars, 165 for SUV-sized vehicles. More for tough detailing. My prices include interior.

[beemerboy1]

My prices are $200 and up, it takes me about 5 hours plus or minus 1 hour depending on the condition of the car



That`s on a full detail without the motor included, that adds in another 30 minutes but very few customers of mine care about the engine unless they are selling

[MaximusZTS]

My cost and time is basied on only the paint. No iterior or engine cleaning. Sometimes I will run a vacuum in the car but my client knows it is not part of the service I am just doing it for a freebee.

[3Dog]

250.00 for normally 4 hours.

If you are getting less than 50.00 hr I dont know how you can pay expenses and still make a profit. Our liability rate and worksman comp has gone up twice this year without any claims.

[imported_JoshVette]

Depending on your area prices will vary.



But I agree with the above at least 5-7 hours and a minimum of $150-$180 starting. Most are $200+.

[Envious Eric]

190 for two coats polish, one hour of clay time (charge for anymore if they are willing to pay for it, or adjust my speed and thoroughness to meet the one hour limit - time is money), full interior cleaning, extra for leather, two coats of wax - one sealant, one spray wax...black cars are more for obvious reasons if they want the extra polishing steps i feel necessary



oh and it usually takes anywhere from 4 hours to 8 hours...

[WordOfMouth]

Thanks folks. I`m doing this as a weekend gig for some extra cash (cameras and Porsches are expensive). My expense is just product and a few bucks for heating the garage and water for washing cars. No employees, and I`m debating the insurance aspect. My agent says $400 a yr for $100K of liability, $525 for $300k of liability- that`s for a detailing liability policy.



Hoping to learn lots, and get to a point that I can afford employees and liability.

[RAG]

Obviously, the answer to this question depends largely on how long you spend polishing. Presuming a 1-step polish job (clay, polish, and wax), I spend about 3.5 hours typically. Black cars always end up taking me closer to 4 :(

[2StepsAhead]

Wow, I`m not the only one...



Yeah for me its at minimum 6 hours...and I`m saying this for new (1-2-3 year old cars), doing wash, clay (if needed), compounding (if needed), polishing, waxing.

[WordOfMouth]

I don`t feel so bad then either; only thing I`m wondering about is my price. Mine include interior, but that may change as I get better/more clients.



Thanks all!