Need help pricing a wax for this boat...

I was finishing up a truck detail and a guy from down the street stopped to ask me about waxing his boat. He only wants the boat waxed. No metal polish, no vinyl cleaning or anything else like that. I`ve only waxed one other boat, but didn`t charge because it was my friend`s boat.

I was thinking that I would need to wash the exterior and interior and then go over it with a PC using AIO and then a coat of EX-P or SG. Not sure how long it would take though. He said he used to get it waxed at someplace nearby for $125 but the place closed down.

I estimate that it should take 1 hour to wash it. Then another 2-3 hours for the AIO. Then maybe another 2 hours for EX-P or SG.

Anyone have suggestions?

http://home.comcast.net/~briangruver/other/boat1.jpg


http://home.comcast.net/~briangruver/other/boat2.jpg


http://home.comcast.net/~briangruver/other/boat3.jpg

$250-300 for me to touch it. I hate the akward angles that have to be used when detailing boats.

I would charge about $10-$12/per foot, for a complete wash, compound or surface cleaning and wax. If it just wax charge by the hour and you are looking at 3-5 hours depending on how fast you work.

You are looking at the pictures, this boat will need a through wash, a cleaner (a chemical cleaner), and wax to look good. Another option, you could Wash and use a strong Cleaner wax by pc or rotary.

Eric

:wait Whoa! That thing is huge. I suggest you definitely charge him more than $125. I forgot how much other people charge for each section. You should try FleetWax from Collinite or some other Collinite Waxes. Skip the AIO, way to much trouble. Just give it a harsh wash and a very durable wax. :cool

For boats, I charge in the $10-20/ft range which covers a bath using something like Ducky, a light polish, followed up with a good sealer/wax. As for the inside, it looks like it has a carpet kit that has been removed for storage. If they want it cleaned, add another $20-45 to the total ticket. If they want the vinyl treated and the brightwork done, add another $20-40 each. If all it needed was a wax, $125 would be apropos.

:yeah Nickc0844 could give you some suggestions,hes done some boats before!

I have always been told that you should charge by the foot when doing a boat. I would have no idea how to charge though. I`ve always based my prices by the hour. Boats would take a long time and they have different kinds of crud on them than cars have.

That boat looks pretty clean. I think I would start at $250 or $300 as well. It would take all day.

Thanks for all the input! I`m really not too keen on doing this job so I may just throw out a price of $300 and see what he says.

I say do it for $125. I`ve done many boats. They are fiberglass which cleans up super easy with a general degreaser and a wash broom. Fiberglass is very durable too so you won`t have to worry about scratching it.

If he just wants it waxed, and had it regularly waxed in the past like it sounds he has, a good wash and wax should take you 2 hours tops.

Boats do suck though because of the awkward angles, that one seems nice and flat on the sides though.

I did a 28` Bayliner a few months back. If he threw you out $125, chances are he doesn`t want to pay more than that. At that point, I would give him a $125 job.......that doesn`t include AIO AND EX-P. I would use a one step product, but that has some bite and good protection. I`ve been using Hi-Temps Paint Perfection Glaze for a couple months now. It has Light Cut as the base, but then has a polymer sealant in it also, so great protection. It really does polish too! Super easy with a PC and easier to wipe off with MF. To me, I would say, $150. Good luck with it!

Here is my Bayliner Detail Link