30 minute detail
- Thread starter $1storedetailer
- Start date
holland_patrick
New member
not sure what ya did.. :inspector::inspector::inspector::inspector:
yep you can wash a car in 30 min.. cool:cheers:
yep you can wash a car in 30 min.. cool:cheers:
Beemerboy
Just One More Coat
Its a well washed SUV with shiny tires, I would hardly count that as detailed, and 30 minutes none the less, I can't bucket wash a car in that time much less call it detailing.
JaredPointer
COME AT ME BRO
I mean, what exactly did you do? Wash?
By using the term detailing here, it's implicitly thought that you did a lot more than a wash and tire shine.
By using the term detailing here, it's implicitly thought that you did a lot more than a wash and tire shine.
Hey $1dstore :howdy JP probably expresses the prevailing thought process here on the forum. There are wash-n-wax processes and then there are detail processes. We're funny that way.
Don't get us wrong, nothing wrong with a wash and wax when it comes as a follow up to a previous detail, or just as a quicky. We just don't view that as a "detail".Try explaining some of the steps (possibly products - but we believe in process over product here) you take to complete your work.
$1storedetailer
New member
Mr Clean, thanks for the explanation.
My post is a bit vague and I may not understand what is the general agreed definition of Detailing.
I like to call it "Speed Detailing".
I also do triathlons, races, etc. so it is kind of a workout for me.
Cardio and endurance, hit every crack and spot that I can as fast as I can.
I am not an artist like some of you but in general I still get "Wow" after doing my "Speed Detail".
Basicaly I get the same reaction from 1 to 2 hours as some detailers get from 6 to 8 hours.
I guess where I am lacking in self satisfaction I retain in appreciation.
Maybe we should blame the comsumer, since it seems we are accepting less and less these days.
My post is a bit vague and I may not understand what is the general agreed definition of Detailing.
I like to call it "Speed Detailing".
I also do triathlons, races, etc. so it is kind of a workout for me.
Cardio and endurance, hit every crack and spot that I can as fast as I can.
I am not an artist like some of you but in general I still get "Wow" after doing my "Speed Detail".
Basicaly I get the same reaction from 1 to 2 hours as some detailers get from 6 to 8 hours.
I guess where I am lacking in self satisfaction I retain in appreciation.
Maybe we should blame the comsumer, since it seems we are accepting less and less these days.
Beemerboy
Just One More Coat
It sounds to me that you are really washing and waxing for lack of better terms, than detailing. There is a huge market for it, just look at any tunnel car wash on a good day after the rains have gone, they are WAY busy!
To me the term detailing is not about speed in any form, its about cleaning, protecting and perfection of all parts of the car. Where some of us are faster than others, and can achieve their customer satisfaction, it really doesn't come down to speed, it comes back to accuracy and the details.
As mentioned in another of your threads, that is the important factor. Customer satisfaction.
LOL about the "artist" label. I've seen that thrown about here and there. Just isn't the case IMO. An artist starts with a blank canvas or a lump of clay or bronze, or... and creates something from nothing. We (detailers) are closer to janitors, we get paid to clean up other people's messes.
bigron62
New member
looks good for a 30 min job ... i wouldnt call you a pro detailer but theres a need for your service ...welcome and good luck with your biz
Point is, it doesn't matter what you call him as long as his customers do.
bigron62
New member
thats what im talkin about ...
JohnHenry
New member
Try some of this on the plastic cladding.
Poorboy's Trim Restorer: Touching up the trim with Poorboy’s Trim Restorer provides the final polishing step in your quest for the perfect finish.
Think you'll like it!
Poorboy's Trim Restorer: Touching up the trim with Poorboy’s Trim Restorer provides the final polishing step in your quest for the perfect finish.
Think you'll like it!
Bunky
Detailing Gnosis
I think the drive through car wash can do the same thing.
For $25, spray some unknown chemical on tires, they will machine wash, apply some unknown stuff on the paint to simulate wax, and wipe it down with some towels...plus they will swirl the paint, break mirrors (they did mine), and knock off your external antenna if you are lucky.
For $25, spray some unknown chemical on tires, they will machine wash, apply some unknown stuff on the paint to simulate wax, and wipe it down with some towels...plus they will swirl the paint, break mirrors (they did mine), and knock off your external antenna if you are lucky.
$1storedetailer
New member
Thanks for the suggestions JohnHenry, yea funny you mentioned the plastic trim. What I used here,(Black Magic) doesnt seem to be doing the job. Thought maybe it was being soaked up by the plastic? Not sure. Have used Armor All in the past with some success.
Not being familiar with what detailing products are available at the $1 store, I was surprised to see you buying Black Magic and Armor All there.
That might be where they belong, but I didn't realize they had fallen that far out of favor. I'm pretty sure they are still carried at Wal-Mart here, but we are usually about 2 to 6 months behind the rest of the country.
As far as a niche market, there's a lot of used car dealers that have some really cheap exterior details done in the summer. Some of the "detailers" wash, polish, wax for as little as $40 a car. Some have some kind of oil/dressing in pump-up garden sprayers that they spray on the tires and the engines for just a few bucks more.
The process consists of a quick pressure wash and a rotary with a one step product like Meguiar's M66. One "detailer" took the cars to a DIY spray wash. All he had was a rotary, a jug of M66 and some old bath towels.
Detailing? Not by my definition, but that's just my opinion. Some of the jobs don't turn out too bad. Others are terrible. Kind of the same way it is with $200 jobs.
That might be where they belong, but I didn't realize they had fallen that far out of favor. I'm pretty sure they are still carried at Wal-Mart here, but we are usually about 2 to 6 months behind the rest of the country.
As far as a niche market, there's a lot of used car dealers that have some really cheap exterior details done in the summer. Some of the "detailers" wash, polish, wax for as little as $40 a car. Some have some kind of oil/dressing in pump-up garden sprayers that they spray on the tires and the engines for just a few bucks more.
The process consists of a quick pressure wash and a rotary with a one step product like Meguiar's M66. One "detailer" took the cars to a DIY spray wash. All he had was a rotary, a jug of M66 and some old bath towels.
Detailing? Not by my definition, but that's just my opinion. Some of the jobs don't turn out too bad. Others are terrible. Kind of the same way it is with $200 jobs.
occupant
Occupant Ilied Industries
It doesn't take an automatic car wash to destroy an antenna. I took my then pride and joy, 1995 Buick Century with 260,000 miles, to a Mike's Express in north Dallas. They used a rusty pair of pliers to remove the antenna. Instead of turning it, he twisted it. Broke the stud clean off. I couldn't reattach the antenna. The owner claimed, "We are not responsible for damages to your car by our equipment." It wasn't the equipment. It was the $6/hour clerk at the wash entrance!
I had to replace the entire antenna, base, cable, and fender grommet. Junkyard cost $35. Four hours of my labor to take apart the lower dash and right front wheel well to access it. All for a $5 car wash.
But back to the topic at hand, 30-minute express details are a small but thriving industry. The el cheapo full service car washes offer hand washes and waxes anywhere from $25 and up. People who take pride in their car but can't afford $200 every couple of months will use $25-$50 services. They will use them repeatedly and vigorously. So if someone is out there providing quality service at a low price, using volume for profit instead of high service fees, then they will do well. And that's good.
I expect that when I get started with my car lot, that I am going to have messy cars come in all the time. I will likely spend hours and hours on them, trying to do the impossible. I might as well use this stuff:
But if I found someone in the area who was willing to do a decent job for $25-$50 per car, and could get a lot of cars done at once, it would be worth it to me to have someone else come in and do the cars while I catch up on titlework, advertising, putting the cars on the website, and all those other red tape/busywork tasks.
I do enjoy cleaning cars up and making them look light years ahead of where they were. En masse, it's worth finding a cheap detailer. For all the Tauruses and Explorers and Focuses. But put a '94 Mercedes-Benz C220 on my lot that I get for $1300 at an impound auction, and I'm going to tackle that one myself because I will want that car selling for top dollar. I might even take it to a really GOOD detailer. Or have them come to me. Because the right cars need the right touch, and I don't want to have to take $1800 for that Benz if a good quality $300-$400 detail can make it sell for $2800.
I had to replace the entire antenna, base, cable, and fender grommet. Junkyard cost $35. Four hours of my labor to take apart the lower dash and right front wheel well to access it. All for a $5 car wash.
But back to the topic at hand, 30-minute express details are a small but thriving industry. The el cheapo full service car washes offer hand washes and waxes anywhere from $25 and up. People who take pride in their car but can't afford $200 every couple of months will use $25-$50 services. They will use them repeatedly and vigorously. So if someone is out there providing quality service at a low price, using volume for profit instead of high service fees, then they will do well. And that's good.
I expect that when I get started with my car lot, that I am going to have messy cars come in all the time. I will likely spend hours and hours on them, trying to do the impossible. I might as well use this stuff:
But if I found someone in the area who was willing to do a decent job for $25-$50 per car, and could get a lot of cars done at once, it would be worth it to me to have someone else come in and do the cars while I catch up on titlework, advertising, putting the cars on the website, and all those other red tape/busywork tasks.
I do enjoy cleaning cars up and making them look light years ahead of where they were. En masse, it's worth finding a cheap detailer. For all the Tauruses and Explorers and Focuses. But put a '94 Mercedes-Benz C220 on my lot that I get for $1300 at an impound auction, and I'm going to tackle that one myself because I will want that car selling for top dollar. I might even take it to a really GOOD detailer. Or have them come to me. Because the right cars need the right touch, and I don't want to have to take $1800 for that Benz if a good quality $300-$400 detail can make it sell for $2800.
Bunky
Detailing Gnosis
I do not think it is a small industry. It is widespread around here. You see car wash places at many gas stations and they get regular use. The local "spa" has a line on weekends.
They have a good lobby in government. It seems like when we have water use restrictions most car washes get to stay in business. They like to spread misinformation on consumer water wasting.
We are kind of gertting away from the original subject, but rather than get back on track, I guess I'll continue on.
I have a lot of friends and acquaintances in the area and I don't think many of them wash their own vehicles let alone wax them.
I may be forgetting someone, but right now, I can only think of one that does. He does wash and wax his own, but uses a cleaner wax so he doesn't get quite as carried away as some of us. :notme:
I do know of two others that think washing their cars at the DIY wand wash and applying a cleaner wax a couple of times a year is all that is needed.
Hey, maybe they're right. :dunno:
I have a lot of friends and acquaintances in the area and I don't think many of them wash their own vehicles let alone wax them.
I may be forgetting someone, but right now, I can only think of one that does. He does wash and wax his own, but uses a cleaner wax so he doesn't get quite as carried away as some of us. :notme:
I do know of two others that think washing their cars at the DIY wand wash and applying a cleaner wax a couple of times a year is all that is needed.
Hey, maybe they're right. :dunno:
cartoysautospa
New member
how many people on here offer a express detail ? and what is your definition of a express detail. I see express details are popular on the west coast.
Beemerboy
Just One More Coat
I offer a wash-wax service ONLY for those customers that I have already done full details. Its not a huge money maker for me but it doesn't take a lot of my time, and helps to keep the customer coming back monthly rather than every 6 months.
IMO the words express and detailing used in the same sentence is a contradiction in terms.