Advice needed on Xtra Large Van

[DLR Detailing]

I received a call today asking for an estimate for a complete detail on a 1994 - ¾ ton extended length and raised roof, Dodge van. hmy: It is the community service shuttle van for the area. The customer was really wanting a price over the phone due to the fact that all expenses for the van need to be approved in advance. I finally managed to set up an appointment for next week to actually see what I might be getting into before I give her a price.

Here is some more info that I was able to get about this job: Hasn’t been detailed for at least 2 years. Seats are vinyl (4 bench and 2 buckets) carpeting in the front only with the remainder being rubber mat. The fiberglass roof extension has staining on the inside as well as black streaking on the exterior. It was originally white. The condition of the paint sounds rough! She mentioned there was some peeling and that I probably wouldn’t be able to use a buffer - just wax it… her words.

Since I am only part – time, I have never worked with anything this large and unique before. I am looking for some advice on how to estimate my time for this job due to the differences with the x-large - all vinyl interior and 16� fiberglass roof extension. I"ll be able to adjust my base time depending on vehicle condition after I see it next week. When compared to the Excursions and Suburbans that I have done in the past, my un-educated guess as of right now would be around 2 hrs extra for this job.

Thanks to everyone in advance for your help!

Dave

[GregCavi]

HEre is how I do it:

Think of how many hours it will take so say i want to make 20 an hour

20 x 8 hours of work = 160 dollars. If you think of it that way you shoudl be good.

Greg

[Brenton]

Vinyl is easy to clean, but there is a lot of it. If it is really dirty, you can pressure wash it out with an APC.
I once heard of a product that will clean the black stains from Motorhomes (their roofs leak and streak). A dilluted aluminum acid will sometimes clean white paint, but you may have to compound it. I`d budget about $200 for the job at 10 x $20, though I normally charge $25-$30.

[CharlesW]

I once heard of a product that will clean the black stains from Motorhomes (their roofs leak and streak).

A product that is supposed to do just that is here.
It seems like I have seen this or a similar product at Wal*Mart.
I have no idea how or if, they work.
Sounds like you have a real challenge.

Charles

[Brenton]

Good find Charles.

[Shaun Carollo]

Mix some APC or a light degreaser in with the wash solution to get rid of the black staining, hopefully that will take care of them.

-Shaun

[budman3]

Nothing will get rid of the black streaks easier than the black streak remover, which as Charles said, can be found at Wal Mart or any camping supply store. I use it all of the time on our 38` Motorhome. I just wish there was a way to prevent it all together.