time issues

[Airborne Ranger]

Hey to all,

Been alittle while since I last posted on here. Hows everyone doing?

Anywho, I read some posts and get jealous and wonder how the hell you guys do several steps at a time and still have some day light left over?

Some of you can do for example #83 + #9 +NXT and top with whatever and still have some time left to chill out and watch TV or something.

Me, I can start on your average size car or small truck like mine is a Ford Ranger for instance and take up to 8 hours to do. Now I've been using a PC for the past couple years or so and I'm not getting any faster even with practice.

Even using the PC I still bust my *** and sweat like a pig. When I did my Mom's Grand Prix and my Ranger both Wash- clay- and NXT and it took me a good 6-8 hours to do just these 3 steps.

I'm asking do any of you have some pointers or tips about how to get faster at this but still maintain a flawless head turning finish?

Any advice or tips is greatly appreciated and I thank you for it,,,,,deadman98

[Mark McGuire]

Wow you must be doing something right. It only took you 8hrs.

[Airborne Ranger]

Originally posted by Mark McGuire
Wow you must be doing something right. It only took you 8hrs.

[Bri9801]

I can finish my truck in about 4 hours or so....A Expedition none the less....Wash polish wax....etc......BUT

That's only the outside...paint, windows, trim, tires...etc....

I usually don't do the interior and exterior on the same day, I just don't have enough time.

[4.6GT]

Detailing is fun, what else ya gotta do? Really - 8 hours isn't all that bad to do the job right.

[Airborne Ranger]

Thanks guys for words of encouragement

On that note, how many times can you use your average mild clay bay before tossing?

Recently I detailed a Chrysler Concorde LXi. The car wasn't washed since 1994 and the car is 93. On top of that it sat in a garage for nearly a year before it ever moved.

When I got done claying my Autopia clay bar was black nasty and I couldn't reform it another way so a clean surface was exposed. Lately for me a clay bar will clay 1 or 2 cars before I feel necessary to toss it.

Thanks again for kind words and good timing on my part,,,,,,deadman98

[the newbie]

time.....

just take the time you need,to achieve the results you want!

[Mark McGuire]

Hey deadman,
I have done 3 or 4 details, my truck a few times and the van once. None of them have been less than 10 hrs. It always takes two days because, like you said "I bust my **** and sweat like a pig", but I have never put myself on a time limit. Well I did once, went way over. If your like me, and you probably are, if I go over a spot and I don't like the way it looks I do it again, and again, until I do. That takes up time, I've been told you will get faster with practice, but it hasn't happen for me yet, but I enjoy detailing and am not in it for the speed just the enjoyment. So enjoy. When I do someones car for them I just let them know Perfection takes time. After they see the results, no one complains.
This is my sister's car, as small as it is, 14hrs, two days. Process was: wash
clay
wash
83
9
7
Nxt
that's why I thought only taking 10 hrs was pretty good.
So keep up the good work, let people know perfection takes time, and enjoy yourself. Life is short.

[Vandelete]

Well I guess if you invest just one full day to detail your car then the rest of the week on each day you only have to maintain (offcourse that depends on where you will drive the car to...)
And maybe you (just like me) you don't use a porter cable or other polish machine... and apply evrything by hand (so do I 4 now) maybe you could start using a rotary or something for faster applying the products you use...

well i hope you had something on this

[scrub]

I'm with you. I still don't understand how the pros can do 2-5 cars a day without major help or corners cut. I'm down to 7-8 hours for quad cab truck (wash, #82, #81, NXT plus inside) but I don't extract carpets or spray down engines... I did an accord full in about 6.5 hrs. Its getting better but no way to get 2-3 cars a day.

[Airborne Ranger]

Thanks again to everyone,

I feel better about timing on my part. In the world of detailing customers want there cars to look like a shining star and be quick about it so they can have it back for other tasks. I can understand perfection does take time but just as long as I can have my root beer I'll be ok, lol

Lately, I have been playing around with the idea of getting a rotary. The more I see what a rotary can do the more I want one simply put. Thanks,,,,,deadman98

[RDVT4ME]

It also takes me about 8 hours to do a detail. I'm doing my first paid detail later this month. Right now I mainly just detail for fun and experience. When I retire in a few years I plan to detail in order to bring in a little extra spending money. The beauty is I can do as much or as few details as I want.

As far as some of the pro's who do many cars in a day....I suspect they have some help and are not doing it alone. They may have some entry level workers to assist them . Also, they may be using a rotary which will take out problems quicker (if you know what you are doing).

-Bob

[2000]

Originally posted by scrub
I'm with you. I still don't understand how the pros can do 2-5 cars a day without major help or corners cut..

first most "pros" are using roterys, which cover more surface area fast because of bigger pads, and they do their job faster than a pc, due to a faster build up of heat. second most, well maybe I should say quit a few, "pros" have at least on assistant that has some skill. than theres always the "bragging pro" than can do your car (screw up your car) in a couple of hours. take your time and enjoy it and you will get faster. if you try to hurry yourself you'll probably slow down and not enjoy it at all. why put pressure on ourself.
I can wash, clay, #83,#82, #81, nxt in about ten hours, outside only.



I better enjoy it!





oh, I should ad, just because they're a pro or faster than you doesn't make the result any better necessarily. the pros that care, like the ones on these forums would probably like to slow down, but time is money. and they have ALOT (years) of practice on their side.

[scrub]

2000 Great post thanks for the info!! Very inspirational! RUDY!!! RUDY!!! I think you hit the nail on the head. Time is money to the pros as I'm just a weekend hobbist that's trying to uphold the legitimate detailers good name. I wouldn't want to drag down this profession with bad service. I'll still quote a bit lower price and longer delivery time. Thanks again!!

[2000]

I'm just a weekend hobbist that's trying to uphold the legitimate detailers good name.

funny you should say that. before I started to read these forums (here, show car garage, autopia) I use to tell people I do some detailing. now after hearing the knowledge, and seeing the work of people like Mike, 2hotford, superior shine and all the others I left off, I feel absolutely guilty to say I detail, I will never have their skill or knowledge. When I feel like that, I just go and do what makes me feel good......................I detail my truck.