Detailing of 2003 MDX
- Thread starter lflorack
- Start date
imported_YouGottaBeLeaf
New member
If your client will be travelling through dusty areas I suggest that you top your sealant with a carnuba. Sealants attract small dust particles like a magnet! The client might not be too happy he gets to his destination and it has a coating of dust on it.
Follow-up:
I did the MDX (White diamond pearl) yesterday as planned. It turned out great! However, my estimate of 6 hours for an inside and out detail was, um, a 'bit' off. It ended up taking a total of 13 combined hours (my wife helped me with the inside). Again, this was my first 'professional' detail, so here's what I did and then a couple pics and a few questions.
Outside:
- Wash using Zaino Z-7 car wash. About an hour was consumed for bug and tar removal. The bugs were particularly bad and had been on the car for quite a while. There was also a fair amount of tar, etc. on the rocker panels, etc. Used Stoner's Tarminator.
- Clay Bar
- Wash using Zaino Z-7 car wash to remove Clay bar and QD residue
- #9. Since the MDX's paint was in pretty good shape, I probably could have left this step out and saved some time. Used PC on 4.5 with polishing pad
- AIO applied by hand, removed with MF towel. First time using this. Went on and off very easily. I liked the result.
- NXT applied by hand. First time using this as well. Went on and off very easily. I liked the result of this too. I didn't use SG because, as recommended, it was fairly humid and I thought NXT might be easier.
- Meguiars Endurance on tires
- Meguiar’s Shine on all exterior vinyl (splash guards, etc)
- Meguiars Plastic Detailer on all clear plastic lenses
- Elapsed time - 7 hours. Questions later about that.
Inside:
The inside was fairly dirty for a relatively new vehicle -- because of two kids, a dog and some recent use as a utility vehicle and also due (obviously) to a bit of neglect. Here’s what we did:
Vacuum; Meguiar’s carpet cleaner on minor spots, Lexol Vinylex on all vinyl, Lexol cleaner then Lexol conditioner on all leather; Meguiar’s Shine on all winter (rubber) mats; Meguiar’s Plastic Detailer on gauge faces; Stoner's Invisible Glass on windows; there was also a rubberized canvas cover for protection of the rear interior portion of the SUV. It had to be taken ‘apart’, removed from the vehicle, cleaned (washed), lightly wiped with Vinylex and reinstalled. The rest of the time was spent on standard efforts like salt removal from carpet, dust/dirt removal from all crevices, etc. Elapsed time (simultaneously with exterior effort) 6 hours
Total ‘man hours’ = 13 hours. I estimated 6 hours so I set the price at $150.
This is obviously way too long. I can chalk some of this up to inexperience – both in estimating and in the effort itself. Any suggestions are welcome.
(Oh! Pics in next messages.)
I did the MDX (White diamond pearl) yesterday as planned. It turned out great! However, my estimate of 6 hours for an inside and out detail was, um, a 'bit' off. It ended up taking a total of 13 combined hours (my wife helped me with the inside). Again, this was my first 'professional' detail, so here's what I did and then a couple pics and a few questions.
Outside:
- Wash using Zaino Z-7 car wash. About an hour was consumed for bug and tar removal. The bugs were particularly bad and had been on the car for quite a while. There was also a fair amount of tar, etc. on the rocker panels, etc. Used Stoner's Tarminator.
- Clay Bar
- Wash using Zaino Z-7 car wash to remove Clay bar and QD residue
- #9. Since the MDX's paint was in pretty good shape, I probably could have left this step out and saved some time. Used PC on 4.5 with polishing pad
- AIO applied by hand, removed with MF towel. First time using this. Went on and off very easily. I liked the result.
- NXT applied by hand. First time using this as well. Went on and off very easily. I liked the result of this too. I didn't use SG because, as recommended, it was fairly humid and I thought NXT might be easier.
- Meguiars Endurance on tires
- Meguiar’s Shine on all exterior vinyl (splash guards, etc)
- Meguiars Plastic Detailer on all clear plastic lenses
- Elapsed time - 7 hours. Questions later about that.
Inside:
The inside was fairly dirty for a relatively new vehicle -- because of two kids, a dog and some recent use as a utility vehicle and also due (obviously) to a bit of neglect. Here’s what we did:
Vacuum; Meguiar’s carpet cleaner on minor spots, Lexol Vinylex on all vinyl, Lexol cleaner then Lexol conditioner on all leather; Meguiar’s Shine on all winter (rubber) mats; Meguiar’s Plastic Detailer on gauge faces; Stoner's Invisible Glass on windows; there was also a rubberized canvas cover for protection of the rear interior portion of the SUV. It had to be taken ‘apart’, removed from the vehicle, cleaned (washed), lightly wiped with Vinylex and reinstalled. The rest of the time was spent on standard efforts like salt removal from carpet, dust/dirt removal from all crevices, etc. Elapsed time (simultaneously with exterior effort) 6 hours
Total ‘man hours’ = 13 hours. I estimated 6 hours so I set the price at $150.
This is obviously way too long. I can chalk some of this up to inexperience – both in estimating and in the effort itself. Any suggestions are welcome.
(Oh! Pics in next messages.)
SilverBelle04
New member
Looks nice inside. Nice job ! :xyxthumbs
Bob
Bob
imported_edschwab1
New member
Looks good, anymore pictures?
Always look at vehicle before quoting a price. At least the MDX was white so you did not have to use two steps to polsih the paint.
Eric
Always look at vehicle before quoting a price. At least the MDX was white so you did not have to use two steps to polsih the paint.
Eric
edschwab1 said:
Thanks! I'f I'd known about the bugs and the interior, I'd have upped the time estimate about 2 hours (up to 9) but that still would have been 4 hours short of what it took. Again, some of the difference could be inexperience, but 4 hours? Maybe I'm just too slow.
Another picture is attached. Remember that I had to take the pictures in the garage as it was getting dark when I finished. So the picture is a bit dark and doesn't show the shine very well.
Attachments
imported_edschwab1
New member
What did the client think?
Eric
Eric