Full Detail = How Many Coats of Wax

[shuddleston]

Let me clarify I was just asking about the wax steps but my full detail includes - wash, clay, cleaner wax followed with NXT or DG 105 (now I am confused on the order I thought the cleaner wax -- Mothers with Carnauba was supposed to go on first and then the LSP went on last - isn`t NXT OR DG considered a LSP)? Sometimes after claying I`ll use Meg Color X or UC. I don`t have a machine so I do everything by hand which takes some time. I clean the fender wells, door jams, inside and outside windows, dress the outside rubber, polish rims and chrome. I also do a full interior detail, vacuum, shampoo, dash, door panels, cup holder’s console, etc. It has taken me 4 hours to do all this thoroughly with the help of my son on the last couple of details. Most of time I am spending the majority of my time cleaning excessively dirty interior, crazy tar, oxidation or extremely dirty rims. I haven`t been doing this for a long time, but I feel that I do a good thorough job and my customers have been happy and sending me referals. I need to eventually get a PC but for now I just do it by hand. Any suggestions on some other types of polish/wax I can use to get better results by hand please let me know. I appreciate the critics!

[JaredPointer]

Sounds like you do a lot more than you initially let on. NXT or DG 105 are both synthetic sealants, and per manufacturer recommendations should be applied to clean paint. By applying a "cleaner wax" (i.e. carnauba content) you are possibly interfering with the sealants ability to "cling" or bond to the paint by leaving behind a wax/oil residue from the Mother`s.

In layman`s terms - I`d find a polish that doesn`t contain any kind of wax or added protection or I would find a different LSP (last step product) such as a wax.

[shuddleston]

So a color X or UC would work? Soon I am going to invest in a PC accompanied with some PB products. I am really curious to see what the PB products can do for me especially the SSR products and not to mention the Natty. Thanks for the advice.

[JaredPointer]

Color X leaves behind some sort of protection as well. I think it is synthetic. In any case, it is probably a better base for a sealant than the Mother`s carnauba cleaner wax.

[shuddleston]

Any other recomendations that would work well before a DG or NXT or maybe a better combination and LSP all together.

[PerroneFord]

I don`t know how some of you guys make money. I really don`t. I did a "full detail" with some corrective paint work over the long weekend. It was a $200 job at LEAST. I have a Porsche coming up for exterior only with a minor correction of a light scratch on the fender. I quoted $200, but I am taking my time on this one. I want it perfect, or at least as close as I can get.

I`m doing a cheapo for a neighbor this weekend. Wash, dry, wheel cleanup (they`re bad), and maybe some clay and compound on the front bumper and hood. If I had a spray wax, that`s what I`d do.

Since I get to pick my clients, I get to charge what I want. If I was in business doing this, it would be quite different I think. But for those of you doing 8 hours of work for $150, how do you justify it? How can you pay your insurance, capital costs, consumables, etc., and have any profit at all?

[JaredPointer]

But for those of you doing 8 hours of work for $150, how do you justify it? How can you pay your insurance, capital costs, consumables, etc., and have any profit at all?

That`s $18.75 an hour. In this area, that`s a pretty decent paying job. Factor in some folks probably do this "under the table" and it looks pretty good.

[PerroneFord]

That`s $18.75 an hour. In this area, that`s a pretty decent paying job. Factor in some folks probably do this "under the table" and it looks pretty good.

I agree that on paper $18.75/hr looks pretty good. Until you start looking at medical insurance, dental, SS, detailing insurance, consumables (these wash, polish, and wax supplies aren`t cheap!), fuel costs, etc. I`d have to think that by the time all that is factored in, you`re looking at about $6-$8/hr.

Fortunately, this is just a hobby for me and won`t be profitable, but for those trying to earn a living at it, it`s got to be tough. You`d probably need to turn $200-$250/day for 5-6 days a week just to really make it worthwhile in most areas.

More power to you guys.

[CARTfan]

I sometimes do my buddy`s cars for well below what I should get paid. I guess I get paid the difference in ego stroking and word of mouth. From the last two buddy`s cars I`ve done for $150 for 7 hours of work, I`ve gotten 4 other jobs from it that paid much better. Sometimes you take a hit to get some back later on, especially if it`s a side gig.

[PerroneFord]

Sometimes you take a hit to get some back later on, especially if it`s a side gig.

Exactly. Or if I have a buddy who`s in a tight spot, I`ll hook them up. It always comes back to you in the long run.

I have a couple "clients" that let me test out new products and techniques on their cars. So I charge them enough to pay for my supplies and let it go at that. They usually get a wash/dry, and whatever it is I`m doing.

You`d be amazed how many willing folks there are to get a wash/dry and carpet shampoo, or trim restore, or fresh sealant for $25.

[RyansAutoDetail]

as it stands now im doing similar pricing ..

for me a whole interior shampoo detail, exterior wash, clay, polish, wax, windows full premium package im offering for $165.00 for roughly an up to 8-9 hour job. and with a polish i generally only apply one coat of wax. ***this most likely will be increased to $175.00 soon as i get a few more buff jobs under my belt*** and 175 is still cheaper than most shops in this area to my knowledge.

this to me is more than enough in my earnings as i base everthing on between $20-$25 hourly labour for my time.

and if i was only to do exterior with clay i charge around $90.00 without touching the inside.

i could charge more but i will wait until i get more skilled with my PC polisher.