How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

[FinalTouchDetail]

So like the title says, how much do you think you spend per detail? Have you figured it out ever?

I just added everything up that I use and it looks like for an exterior detail I'm at about 10 bucks worth of product, and this is how I got to that number

Washing (I use about 2 oz of soap in my gun)
Claybar (I assumed 1 car per 10gram of claybar...on average)
Polish 1 (Usually use ~4 oz on a normal sized sportscar/small sedan)
Polish 2 (Again, 3-4 oz on a normal sized sportscar/small sedan)
Wax/Seal (Generally use about 1-1.5 oz when spread via PC)
Detail Spray (Figured about 2oz per car used)
Tire Shine/VRP Dressing (around 2-3 oz used)
Wheel Cleaner (2-3 oz used)

Those are the major things I use for an exterior detail...sometimes I'll hit something special, but that's what I typically use.

I'm not factoring in wear and tear on machines, cloths, pads, etc...

Edit- I'll add that my cost is basically halved (a little more actually) if I don't include machine polishing steps 1 and 2.

[boiler7904]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

I'd say you're probably about right. Using concentrate products like the Detailer line definitely helps keep the number lower without sacrificing quality.

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

Absolutely. Right now everything I have in conentrated formulas is from Chemical Guys...but I tell you now that I cannot wait until I run out to switch to the Meguiar's Detailer line. They have a lot of products I really want to get into.

I couldn't wait with D151 though and had to buy a gallon of that a few weeks back and it has quickly become one of my favorite products

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

Good poll. It will be interesting what the majority thinks they spend per detail.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

Well... being Canadian, I have to add about 50%.

By the time I add up Body Solvent, Wheel Brightener, ASD, Hyper Dressing, Super Degreaser, APC, Polishing Compounds, Glass Cleaner, Car Wash Soap, Clay, Detailing Spray, Wax, Scouring Pad, Steel Wool, Water, Electicity, Laundry Soap.

I'm thinking ~ $30. It depends on the condition and the size of the vehicle.

I'm curious if anyone charges a separate fee for products used. The garages have no issue with charging for shop supplies.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

Each car is different, so its hard to say. I also don't use the same LSP's all the time, as I have several I use.

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

Wow, $30 dollars is quite a bit.

I'd be curious to see what everyone who spends over $20 on a car uses.

I was figuring my prices around a typical large 2-door or small-medium 4-door car.

The only time my COST would really get much higher is if I use a boutique wax/sealant that is over $50 for 16 ounces.

[Zuke]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

D-Line products ftw!

[Andrew C.]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

D-Line products ftw!

[k3ith]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

How about how much time in labor? I know this can vary greatly by type of auto, but I am curious about how long it takes you peeps to go through all the exterior steps for an average, decent condition, auto (not counting curing time). Granted, I am novice (only done about 15 autos through the full primary process). Here is what I figure for me:

Average Car / Mid SUV
Exterior Wash & Dry - 45 min
Clay - 1.15 hour
Tape - 30 min
Cleaner / Swirl - 2.5 hours
Sealer 1st Pass - 1.15 hour
Sealer 2nd Pass - 45 min
Wax Topper - 45 min
Trim Detail - 45 min
Headlights / Taillights - 30 min
Wheel Detail and Tire Dressing - 40 min
Windows - 20 min
Last Touch - 20 min

This is about 10.5 hours and I am guessing I am slow?

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

Some of your times seem quite lengthy

It shouldn't take you that long to claybar a vehicle. Claying is a very quick process, typically. I can generally clay a vehicle in about 20 minutes. Much less if the only surfaces with much contaminant are the hood, roof and trunk areas.

Why does sealant take over an hour? I can apply it in about 10 minutes via PC.

What are you doing to the headlights/tail lights that wasn't covered in washing and claying? A separate polish?

20 minutes for windows seems quite excessive.

20 minutes for a quick detailer also seems excessive.

Time is money, but never sacrifice your quality. If you aren't comfortable moving quicker, then just do your thing and charge accordingly

For me, a car getting a single stage machine polish generally takes about 6.5 hours and a car getting a two step (machine compound + machine finishing polish) takes me about 8.5 hours.

[Tuck91]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

How about how much time in labor? I know this can vary greatly by type of auto, but I am curious about how long it takes you peeps to go through all the exterior steps for an average, decent condition, auto (not counting curing time). Granted, I am novice (only done about 15 autos through the full primary process). Here is what I figure for me:

Average Car / Mid SUV
Exterior Wash & Dry - 45 min
Clay - 1.15 hour
Tape - 30 min
Cleaner / Swirl - 2.5 hours
Sealer 1st Pass - 1.15 hour
Sealer 2nd Pass - 45 min
Wax Topper - 45 min
Trim Detail - 45 min
Headlights / Taillights - 30 min
Wheel Detail and Tire Dressing - 40 min
Windows - 20 min
Last Touch - 20 min

This is about 10.5 hours and I am guessing I am slow?

Some of your times seem quite lengthy

It shouldn't take you that long to claybar a vehicle. Claying is a very quick process, typically. I can generally clay a vehicle in about 20 minutes. Much less if the only surfaces with much contaminant are the hood, roof and trunk areas.

Why does sealant take over an hour? I can apply it in about 10 minutes via PC.

What are you doing to the headlights/tail lights that wasn't covered in washing and claying? A separate polish?

20 minutes for windows seems quite excessive.

20 minutes for a quick detailer also seems excessive.

Time is money, but never sacrifice your quality. If you aren't comfortable moving quicker, then just do your thing and charge accordingly

For me, a car getting a single stage machine polish generally takes about 6.5 hours and a car getting a two step (machine compound + machine finishing polish) takes me about 8.5 hours.

If the surface is heavily contaminated then it will take hours. I think you would agree that an overspray removal job takes at least a couple hours.

I sometimes spend about twenty minutes on the windows. Getting them 100% streak free and clean inside and out is not that easy. Especially on a truck.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

I sometimes spend about twenty minutes on the windows. Getting them 100% streak free and clean inside and out is not that easy. Especially on a truck.

Nice to hear. I don't think I have ever did a 100% perfect job on my own windows at least not all of them at one time. I try to do the windshield extremely well, but by the time I get around to all of them, good enough becomes good enough.

I can see how doing customers cares would be a different story. I've personally never did an interior for a customer, just exterior work (being it's a hobby for me).

[sleepy]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

For cars and Pickups, depending on how dirty the vehicle is, I have a built in $10. For SUVs, I again built in an, extra $10 for supplies.

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: How much money (in product) do you use per detail?

Yes, heavily contaminated/oversprayed vehicles could take well over an hour, but that certainly isn't the typical claybar job.