Time it takes to polish/detail?

Im seeing a lot of people taking pictures of the cars all done with the sun still up/out. Which means they're done by 6-8pm. So im assuming its taking between 8 and 12 hrs to detail these cars. But does anyone try to set a time per panel or section, to stay on pace? Or how about a max correction time?

I know you should start with the least aggressive but do you try to correct the paint as quick as possible so you can move on, opposed to going less aggressive and making sure to just get the defects out and no more? thanks

Im bringing this topic up after a 24hr detail that I felt was just ridiculously long. I used a M84 & ultrafina mix with a white sonus pad and rotary.

would the lake country foamed wool help?

 

Polishing is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you got until... it's too late!! LOL I have found that for me personally, I like to charge by the hour for polishing. That allows me to take my time and make sure everything is the way I want it when I'm done. I'm a way harsher critic than most clients. Having said that, if a client has a budget, then I will let them know up front what to expect. Just because the sun was still shining on the cars you mentioned doesn't mean the detailers started on the car that day. It could have easily been day two or three. I did a RRover last summer that was 32 hours-18 of which was straight polishing time. Yes you do try to use the least aggressive method to remove the least amount of clear coat. Mask off a 2x2 section of the car and try it. If you get the results you want, move on. If not, try something a little more abrasive and so on until you get the desired results and then finish the car with that combo. As far as max time polishing, your clients budget will dictate that to some extent. I could go on and on about this. PM me if you want a little more explanation.

 

Depends on the customer. Most of the time I don't set a time limit but lately I have been for some of the panels. This helps especially if I"m pressed for time sometimes

 

I'm probably the worst person to give advise on this but here is what I do, when ever I get the opportunity to polish a vehicle I make sure I have at least two to three days. I love taking my time and hate rushing through the polishing process, after all it's 90% prep work and about 10% LSP. Having said that I personally go through all the motions when I'm polishing. Some vehicles are easy as a one step process takes care of imperfections, others take multiple passes. You don't really know till you get going with the vehicle, that's what I love about the paint correction process you just don't know.

As 911Fanatic said, you don't want to remove and waist the clear coat of a vehicle so it's important to start with the least abrasive and work your way up. Oh and yes, it comes down to the all mighty $.

Well just my opinion.

 

see i dont know how to explain to my customer that their budget reflects how much work i can do to make the car look good.

although i havent found a client who is looking for perfection... they just want it to look nice.

 

sounds like my market, I wish someone would say "I dont care how much it costs, make it perfect!"

 

I too agree with 911. Your assumption that the detail ends on the day it began is flawed. Mine always are spread out over 2 days. I'm averaging 12 hours anymore..it's funny, I seem to be getting slower as time goes on. In my case, I'm getting better at interiors and are spending a bit more time on them. I always quote a range to people. For the most part, they don't want perfection. That's why I don't try to remove the fine scratches that still may be there after doing a pass with something strong like P.G. You have to look carefully under very strong lights (not visible in sunshine) and to me, the danger of thinning the clear, especially on a car you may see again and again, is NOT worth it. The comparison to the cellophane on a cigarette pack really struck home with me. I want repeat business and to me offering a fantastic job, albeit not perfect to one of us, at a competitive price is what has people coming back to me. I know some will flame me for me thoughts, but you can get carried away with the level of correction given the finite thickness of the clear we're working with.

 

I'd say it really depends on what the customer wants and what he/she can afford. That is what dictates how long it takes to polish/detail.

 

Its pretty hard to explain to someone without showing them. Maybe do a test spot for a client and show them. Explain that it will take X number of hours to achieve this level of correction and it will cost X. If they want more, than that will add X number of hours and the price will be X. You didn't mention what polish you use so I will use Menz as an example. If I get a client on a budget, I wil use SIP on a green CCS pad. This will clean up quite a bit and leave the finish more than good enough for your LSP. Most people will be happy with the finish this provides. Some deeper RDS may remain but remember, its a Timex, not a Rolex . Going to an orange pad will remove a little more, but will mean having to finish with PO85RD as it is prone to leaving holograms. Don't give your time away. Sorry for being long winded, I hope this helps.

 

This is the problem I have. I tell them I can make it perfect and it will cost X amount of dollars and they say how much to make it look nice. Problem is for most people on the road with daily drivers, kids, going to the local Walmart and soccer practices their car doesn't need to be perfect because it will never ever in a million years stay that way so it would be a disservice in my opinion for me to "push" full paint correction on them. The other problem is I "can" make it look incredible without doing full correction and most clients do everything except triple gainer backflips when they see it so it actually hurts my chances of selling a full correction. And even though it won't stay that way they are usually bringing it back to me on a regular basis and I probably do too much when I do even just a maint. wash to make it look great, so I guess I'm my own worst enemy.

 

If people are happy with what you are doing, then so be it. Charge them for time you spend. You will attract the clients who will pay if you keep up the good work. Its a self fulfilling prophecy.
When I started detailing, I was the same. I would do way too much for what I was charging but I couldn't just leave something. But when you do that a funny thing happens. You get a name for doing awesome work. Then you start to attract better clients-clients who will pay more. Clients who will pay know that it takes time to do good work so if it takes two days instead of one, it is what it is. And their cars are typically cleaner. I can honestly say that over 90% of my clients are millionaires or multimillionaires. I haven't had business cards in 5 years because I can't. My waiting list is typically 30-40 cars and anywhere from 4 months to a year. I am not the best detailer in the world, have never claimed to be but I try damn hard. My point being that everyone starts somewhere. Keep up the good work, don't sacrifice your standards for anyone and you will be successful. It's inevitable. :thumb:

 

great info everyone!

 

That is exactly what I am hoping for! And I must admit that the paint corrections that I have gotten they have come because someone saw my work on someone else's car and wanted theirs to look better than that persons.

 

It takes multiple days for me for a full correction detail, for just an average detail (pretty much everything that I do on the full detail, with no engine and substituting the correction with an AIO) it takes me anywhere from 8 to 10 hours.

I have a few customers who really care about their cars and get the full correction, and either let me maintain it after the detail or do it properly themselves. They don't have a problem with me having the car for a few days, some let me do it while they go on vacation so it is no inconvenience to them at all and I can work at a comfortable pace.

When I talk to a potential customer, I try to "read" them, get an idea what would be best for them. I'll ask if they want the swirls buffed out, they will either say "swirls, what the hell are those?" or "nah, I don't think it really needs it".

 

People are funny that way, especially clients with money. I did a boat for a client once and his buddy had to have "one more layer of sealant than him" Cost him an extra $150 but he didn't care. He just wanted to be able to say I got more than you. Fill yer boots I say!!:applause2:

 

This thread is a credit to the detailng profession. Amazing how you pro guys deliver service. I wish other professions were as fastidious as you guys.

 

lol..yea that seems to be norm here in Canada, I've noticed the exact same thing. One person sees another persons vehicle at the golf course and says who detailed for you next thing you know that person is saying I want the same thin but only better lol. Heck some of my friends who's vehicles I detail don't even ask for price, they just say here is my car detail it and I want it loking better then so and so lol...I just smile and say you bet :thumb:

 

not to get off topic but what would be a good way to get in with the golfing crowd?