Chuckmotor
New member
What products for paint (polish, wax, etc.) do you use for most cars when doing a mobile detail? Do you have different products for older cars, and do you charge them more for that? How much DO you charge?
waxing
- Thread starter Chuckmotor
- Start date
Jngrbrdman
New member
I don't know if I would consider myself totally mobile yet. I still need to take the car to water.
At a normal detail shop the first thing they do is take your car into a wash bay and spray it off. I've never seen one that fills up a bucket with water and hand washes it yet. I intend to offer that service when I open my shop, however. My dilema was that I needed to get the cars to water so I was basicly going door to door with my bucked and sponge to start. Now I scope out an area and take the car to the nearest carwash if I don't have a driveway handy. I'm sure a real detailing business wouldn't be able to do that for insurance reasons but I'm throwing caution to the wind on that.
I have a deal with a couple local car washes. Because I bring them so much business they allow me to keep my car in the bay while I wax or polish it. One of them even gives me access to a cord so I can use my own power tools. I've had to take seats out before in order to get the carpets properly cleaned and I'd rather use my drill than a ratchet. And it is nice because I can use my buffer too. I do most of my cars their just because of the deal I have. He doesn't mind if I do bucket washes there either. And he gives me a discounted rate on his tokens. I make more money when I use his wash so I go frequently.
I use Klasse all the time on cars. Most of them prefer it to wax. ( can't say that I blame them) If I have to use wax then I use Meguiar's Gold Class liquid wax. It really polishes up nicely.
The price is based on what I have to do to the car. It ranges from $35 for just a basic wash and vacuum to over a hundred depending on the condition of the finish and interior or size of the vehicle. I have a small table of measures for prices that I use when I examine the car before I quote a price. I tend to be on the cheap side because I just want to wash cars. I'd do it for free if I could afford it.
At a normal detail shop the first thing they do is take your car into a wash bay and spray it off. I've never seen one that fills up a bucket with water and hand washes it yet. I intend to offer that service when I open my shop, however. My dilema was that I needed to get the cars to water so I was basicly going door to door with my bucked and sponge to start. Now I scope out an area and take the car to the nearest carwash if I don't have a driveway handy. I'm sure a real detailing business wouldn't be able to do that for insurance reasons but I'm throwing caution to the wind on that.
I have a deal with a couple local car washes. Because I bring them so much business they allow me to keep my car in the bay while I wax or polish it. One of them even gives me access to a cord so I can use my own power tools. I've had to take seats out before in order to get the carpets properly cleaned and I'd rather use my drill than a ratchet. And it is nice because I can use my buffer too. I do most of my cars their just because of the deal I have. He doesn't mind if I do bucket washes there either. And he gives me a discounted rate on his tokens. I make more money when I use his wash so I go frequently.
I use Klasse all the time on cars. Most of them prefer it to wax. ( can't say that I blame them) If I have to use wax then I use Meguiar's Gold Class liquid wax. It really polishes up nicely.
The price is based on what I have to do to the car. It ranges from $35 for just a basic wash and vacuum to over a hundred depending on the condition of the finish and interior or size of the vehicle. I have a small table of measures for prices that I use when I examine the car before I quote a price. I tend to be on the cheap side because I just want to wash cars. I'd do it for free if I could afford it.
Blue_Ridge_Products
New member
Here's my list,
Cleaning:
Valueguards ABC System
Productions Red Power Degreaser/cleaner
Protection:
Valueguards OEM One Step Polymer
Productions Red Baron Carnuba Cleaner Wax
Polishing:
Valueguards Pre Conditoner Cleaner
Megquiars Dual Action Polish
Interior:
303 Aerospace Protectant
Production Prime Leather & Vinyl Cleaner & Protectant
Exterior Rubber & Vinyl:
Meqquiars #40
Productions Super Stuff
I will be switching over to the Valueguard line for all of my products once my supply has run out.
As far as price I charge $150Cdn for a Car, $200Cdn for Trucks and SUVs for a 5/7 hour complete interior/exterior and $25/hr for any additional work that I estimate the vehicle will require outside of the normal time alotment. Shampooing the carpets and detailing the engine are not included in the starting price.
Cleaning:
Valueguards ABC System
Productions Red Power Degreaser/cleaner
Protection:
Valueguards OEM One Step Polymer
Productions Red Baron Carnuba Cleaner Wax
Polishing:
Valueguards Pre Conditoner Cleaner
Megquiars Dual Action Polish
Interior:
303 Aerospace Protectant
Production Prime Leather & Vinyl Cleaner & Protectant
Exterior Rubber & Vinyl:
Meqquiars #40
Productions Super Stuff
I will be switching over to the Valueguard line for all of my products once my supply has run out.
As far as price I charge $150Cdn for a Car, $200Cdn for Trucks and SUVs for a 5/7 hour complete interior/exterior and $25/hr for any additional work that I estimate the vehicle will require outside of the normal time alotment. Shampooing the carpets and detailing the engine are not included in the starting price.
imported_Intel486
New member
At the car show here in New Orleans this past weekend I picked up a little pamphlet
I guess it's for Sonny Daze Mobile Auto Detailing. No address... Maybe because it Mobile
Ok, I'm looking like a bigger *** the more I type. Here is the price list that I is in the pamphlet.
Basic Package
Wash, Dray, Wheel/Tire dress up, Clean all windows in/out, Vacuum interior, and apply protectant to all interior panels
Sub-compact to mid-size $20
Large cars, vans, minivans, f/s trucks, suv's $25
Wax Package
Wash, Dray, Wheel/Tire dress up, Clean all windows in/out, Vacuum interior, and apply protectant to all interior panels, plus wax & buff exterior
Sub-compact to mid-size $50
Large cars, vans, minivans, f/s trucks, suv's $60
Polish Package
Wash, Dray, Wheel/Tire dress up, Clean all windows in/out, Vacuum interior, and apply protectant to all interior panels, plus compound, polish, wax & buff exterior
Sub-compact to mid-size $80
Large cars, vans, minivans, f/s trucks, suv's $100
Concours Package
Wash, Dray, Wheel/Tire dress up, Clean all windows in/out, Vacuum interior, and apply protectant to all interior panels, plus clay, paint cleansing, polish, wax & buff exterior. Also, included is leather treatment(if applicable), carpet spot cleaning, and engine cleaning for the ultimate finish and shine. (wax layering $30/layer extra)
Sub-compact to mid-size $150
Large cars, vans, minivans, f/s trucks, suv's $200
Extras
Leather Treatment $10, Engine Cleaning $10, Carpet Spot Cleaning $5/spot or $30 entire interior, Scotchgarding carpet $15 or upholstery $15, Excessive Tree Sap or Tar Removal $20, Paste Wax $10
Well, there is what this guy charges. I'll try to grab some more detailer price lists from around my area for you.
I guess it's for Sonny Daze Mobile Auto Detailing. No address... Maybe because it Mobile
Ok, I'm looking like a bigger *** the more I type. Here is the price list that I is in the pamphlet.Basic Package
Wash, Dray, Wheel/Tire dress up, Clean all windows in/out, Vacuum interior, and apply protectant to all interior panels
Sub-compact to mid-size $20
Large cars, vans, minivans, f/s trucks, suv's $25
Wax Package
Wash, Dray, Wheel/Tire dress up, Clean all windows in/out, Vacuum interior, and apply protectant to all interior panels, plus wax & buff exterior
Sub-compact to mid-size $50
Large cars, vans, minivans, f/s trucks, suv's $60
Polish Package
Wash, Dray, Wheel/Tire dress up, Clean all windows in/out, Vacuum interior, and apply protectant to all interior panels, plus compound, polish, wax & buff exterior
Sub-compact to mid-size $80
Large cars, vans, minivans, f/s trucks, suv's $100
Concours Package
Wash, Dray, Wheel/Tire dress up, Clean all windows in/out, Vacuum interior, and apply protectant to all interior panels, plus clay, paint cleansing, polish, wax & buff exterior. Also, included is leather treatment(if applicable), carpet spot cleaning, and engine cleaning for the ultimate finish and shine. (wax layering $30/layer extra)
Sub-compact to mid-size $150
Large cars, vans, minivans, f/s trucks, suv's $200
Extras
Leather Treatment $10, Engine Cleaning $10, Carpet Spot Cleaning $5/spot or $30 entire interior, Scotchgarding carpet $15 or upholstery $15, Excessive Tree Sap or Tar Removal $20, Paste Wax $10
Well, there is what this guy charges. I'll try to grab some more detailer price lists from around my area for you.
You can get an idea of my prices on my 'service' page of my website at www.scottwax.com
For surface prep, I use Meguiars Body Shop Professional products-Dual Action Cleaner/Polish, Swirl Free Polish and Hand Polish. They have a strong compound called Diamond Cut, but I've brought back some really oxidized paint the Dual Action, so Diamond Cut must be for nearly hopeless cases. I use a 50/50 mix of Meguiars BSP Overspray clay and Clay Magic Blue for detailing clay.
I use Meguiars High Tech Yellow #26 for wax.
Tires I use a 50/50 mix of Armor-All and Meguiars W-Dressing. I like the Meguiars W dressing a lot, but it is a thick liquid so by cutting it with Armor All, it sprays a lot easier and since both have a similar satin sheen, they work well together.
Vinyl-Meguiars #40
Leather cleaning-Woolite and water mixed 6:1 (the laundry Woolite).
Leather conditioning-Either Meguiars Gold Class for leather or Tanner's Preserves.
Carpet and Upholstry-Magnum upholstry shampoo-mixed anywhere from 6:1 to 4:1, depending on how dirty the interior is.
Glass-Eagle 20/20 Glass Cleaner
For surface prep, I use Meguiars Body Shop Professional products-Dual Action Cleaner/Polish, Swirl Free Polish and Hand Polish. They have a strong compound called Diamond Cut, but I've brought back some really oxidized paint the Dual Action, so Diamond Cut must be for nearly hopeless cases. I use a 50/50 mix of Meguiars BSP Overspray clay and Clay Magic Blue for detailing clay.
I use Meguiars High Tech Yellow #26 for wax.
Tires I use a 50/50 mix of Armor-All and Meguiars W-Dressing. I like the Meguiars W dressing a lot, but it is a thick liquid so by cutting it with Armor All, it sprays a lot easier and since both have a similar satin sheen, they work well together.
Vinyl-Meguiars #40
Leather cleaning-Woolite and water mixed 6:1 (the laundry Woolite).
Leather conditioning-Either Meguiars Gold Class for leather or Tanner's Preserves.
Carpet and Upholstry-Magnum upholstry shampoo-mixed anywhere from 6:1 to 4:1, depending on how dirty the interior is.
Glass-Eagle 20/20 Glass Cleaner
Detailing NY
New member
Here is the breakdown i give to my customer's
complete detail = $125.00
exterior
Hand wash
meguiar's body scrub
Hand glaze- (made specially for me by a company, silicone free)
meguiar's high grade #24 wax
tier cleaner & shin (made for me, silicon free)
Interior
meguiar's tough cleaner, needs to be diluted
" " vinyl cleaner
tough stuff for stains
this is what most of the customer choose. If i go to them, i really never change the price.
to get more customers, i offer all my customers refferal fees or discounts. I have one young kid who brought me 12 cars after i detailed his car. I detailed his car for free as a thank you, and till this day he brings me business.
complete detail = $125.00
exterior
Hand wash
meguiar's body scrub
Hand glaze- (made specially for me by a company, silicone free)
meguiar's high grade #24 wax
tier cleaner & shin (made for me, silicon free)
Interior
meguiar's tough cleaner, needs to be diluted
" " vinyl cleaner
tough stuff for stains
this is what most of the customer choose. If i go to them, i really never change the price.
to get more customers, i offer all my customers refferal fees or discounts. I have one young kid who brought me 12 cars after i detailed his car. I detailed his car for free as a thank you, and till this day he brings me business.
bmw5541
New member
I use sealant, so I do it every 3 months or so. A good spray wax after a washing never hurt though.
imported_trhland
New member
i go every 2 months at most. and i use spray waxes in between..
imported_akimel
New member
During the non-winter months, I usually wax my S2K every four to six weeks. I have all these darn carnauba waxes in my collection. I have no choice but to wax!!!
I keep my CR-V protected by Ultima Paint Guard Plus. I usually apply a fresh coat ever two months, whether it needs it or not. The stuff is too easy not to apply on a regular basis.
All bets are off during the winter months.
I should also add that I find myself using Megs' M20 Polymer Sealant increasingly frequently. My S2K is susceptible to water spotting. If I find that the spots will not wash away, or if the clarity of the paint significantly degrades, I will clean up the paint with M20 and then top it with my wax of choice.
I keep my CR-V protected by Ultima Paint Guard Plus. I usually apply a fresh coat ever two months, whether it needs it or not. The stuff is too easy not to apply on a regular basis.
All bets are off during the winter months.
I should also add that I find myself using Megs' M20 Polymer Sealant increasingly frequently. My S2K is susceptible to water spotting. If I find that the spots will not wash away, or if the clarity of the paint significantly degrades, I will clean up the paint with M20 and then top it with my wax of choice.
imported_detailchick
New member
You should probably be ok every 3 months as long as your using a good car wax and soap and not using automatic car washes , or living in extreemly hot temperatures.
I like to wax my own every month purely for looks .
imported_Dubbin1
New member
Whenever I get bored or get a new product to try out. Lets just say that I wax my cars a bunch.
imported_Bunky
New member
This is similar to me..wanting to wait for 5 to 6 months to prove something seems too long to neglect your ride.
mikeyg402
New member
I try to wax my exploder about once a month with good ol' BFWD. But this time around it needs to have a 4 step process done on it 
its in pretty bad shape
its in pretty bad shapePAR Detailing
New member
I try to wax it once a month during the nice weather and when its cold I prep it with a sealant and wax it any time I can, usually about once or twice.
Tuck91
New member
Once, maybe twice a year.