Help me price this job.

[buffs]

Hi Everyone,

I just got back from looking at a job that I have to quote.

Exotic car dealership that needs 11 cars polished.

8 of the cars have been repainted and have a rough finish to them.

I think whoever painted them did not wet sand them.

They have been kept indoors since there paint jobs, so I dont think it is enviromental damage.

He wants them all to shine like new. But they are all matt finish

I know I can make them look good, but I have no idea what to charge!

11 cars compounded, waxes and polished.
11 cars stainless and chrome cleaned and pollished.
No interior work, just paint and stainless.
No rims or wheels.

I would like your opinions on what to charge and how?
IE: hourly, per car, or a one price for all cars.

How long would it take you guys to do a job like that?

Would you tape the rubber and plastic off or do by hand around those areas?

Sorry I know I asked allot but I have never done a job this big and I want to get the job, and also I dont want to undercut the market price to much.

[Poorboy]

that`s a big job and the guy you could be working for might have a few screws loose ... (experienced with dealing with Fiat owners )
you need to find out more info ... when they were painted , what kind of paint was used .. ie bc /cc or enamel ...
Are you sure they are rough from sitting or has the paint be contaminated ...

These cars may need wet sanding and or compounding .... have you done a test area? with clay? with polish?

What kind of machine(s) do you own and use?

Ahhhh so many questions

[holland_patrick]

One Hundred Million Dollars

[black bart]

$ 1000:00 per car
The cost of making them look perfect would be more than what I would pay for one of those.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Well I see a newer Mercedes in there, but mostly vintage European cars.

One thing I`d say for sure is to charge by the hour.

[buffs]

Well I assume no one noticed the Ferraris?
And most of those are vintage Alfa Romeo!

yes there is a fiat!

[holland_patrick]

Well you need to answer Steve`s question also how much insurance do you carry?

[black bart]

I still think wet sand and polish then apply a LSP would be cheap at
$ 1000:00 per vehicle.
Done right block sanding is a time consuming job.

[Concours.John]

Tape off most definitely. Plastic off the roofs.
One word of advise be careful taping around jambs and areas where items might not have been removed. If there is poor adhesion the paint could lift.
What out for the plastic lenses if they are original Altissimo they are getting harder and harder to come by. And not cheap. Ferrari, Alfa, Fiat share some of these parts and people who have them know this if you have to replace one if it gets burned.

Like Steve said it would help knowing more of the type of paints involved.

It sounds like your dealing with solvent die back, it happens when extra layer of clear are put on, usually on show cars. The underlying solvents dry after the top when clear is layered on in multiple coats.

I would charge by the hour. However I don`t know what the owner has in mind. Come up with a plan and sit down before starting he`ll appreciate it. This type of work can take longer than expected. You might be willing to give a little on one, because you will make it up on the next one when dealing with collections.
Bulk work has a draw back they could also be looking for a little lower rate in exchange for giving you multiple cars.
Best of luck!

[GearHead_1]

If they deal exclusively in these type of cars, they know not only the value of the car but what it takes to spiff one up. That much work will keep you busy for a while. Make sure it doesn`t cut into your regular customers time. All this said, go for it. I would suspect that the dealer expects beyond premium work and will pay for it though as has been said, he`s giving you multiple cars and expects a fair shake.

[GothamAuto]

I would almost price it out per day rather than per hour.

[John@Autopia-Carcare.com]

Any update from the TS?