That's why I don't do "detailing"--I do "finishing".

Wash the car at least twice.
Claybar car.
polish/glaze.
wax coat.
Top coat.

 

+1 for what Scotty07 said.

There are different "levels" if you will.
From "Finishing" as mentioned earlier to defect removal by wetsanding and buffing.

 

but thats only if the paint looks great!

because first you have to either remove the swirls, scuffs, scratchs, and other crap that makes the paint look ****ay.

 

... just remember, a professional detail starts about $155 on up. the average time it takes is about 4-6 hours. although i know a guy that took 14 hours on a particular car. the best car detailer that i know of is based in the U.K. and he charges about $15k a car.

 

recon department at my shot gets $150 for a full wash, wax, buff, interior clean, carpet shampoo'd.. etc

 

"It's about the paint quality". Be careful,some knuckleheads will buff the contaminants further into the paint.
Get it smooth like glass first.

 

I charge friends 100 dollars for everything except the engine bay and shampooing the carpets. I charge 200 dollars for anyone else and also charge for the products I use and give it to them after for maintainence. I use that as a hint to take better care of there car. I don't care if they come back for repeat business as it is not my primary job and the income is just for extra cash in hand and for fun and to pass the time when not busy. My father and I used to buy into a franchise called "tidy car" now called Ziebart and do that out of our garage. I have been doing this in my leisure time for 15 years and try to stay abreast of technology and the advances in polishes and waxes. A porter cable D/A polisher will help speed things along and produces great results. I am very **** and tend to lose money in the sense that one car takes 6-8 hours andI am the only one doing the work. It works out to about 25 dollars an hour but I make 160,000/yr in the career I have now....so really it is like charity to me...LOL. I spend more time on this beast I have now and really just started to show the car and that is time comsuming. Hope it helps J I am in Michigan

 

I love the Cervini kit--it's my favorite--awesome. I'm like you, I charged $263 for the last car I did,
but probably lost money in the process, but it's a great way to unwind.

 

Thanks for the compliment and we would get along great ...I mean spending hours on others vehicles just to unwind- many might think we are a bit crazy. LOL J

 

you were up early too. I'll touch base with you, and we'll compare notes

Major Mike