Are we spending too much time, or...

[Jimmy Buffit]

ALSO POSTED ON Autopia

My 'not-so-lovely' assistant and I spent EIGHT hours (2x4) today on a Honda Accord. White, with tan leather. The paint was quite oxidised, but, otherwise in good shape. Here's what we did:

Degrease engine
Rinse engine
Spray tires and wheels
Spray doorjambs
Pressure wash above
Air (pressure) dry engine
Dress engine
Wash
Clay horizontal surfaces
Wash
Rinse
Dry
Dress tires
Move out of Wash Bay
Pull Mats
Pressurewash mats
Vacuum
Collect items, place in lage baggie.
Spray deoderizer in interior (don't forget headliner and visors)
Prespot carpet
Extract
Clean doorjambs, door panels
Clean leather
Condition leather

Buff exterior as appropriate, then,
Buff exterior again, as appropriate

Apply wax/sealant (2passes?)

Windows and Wheels.

Outside for final inspection.

Remove any remaining residue

Most people will say this is a 5 hour car..

.Are we 'doing too much'?

Jim

[Mike Phillips]

That's more than I've ever done to a car...

(I just like to polish paint )

It sounds like a lot of process and work to with them. I assume it paid well?

I'm sure it looked good!

Mike

[rusty bumper]

If I did all of that myself, it would take 2 days!

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
If I did all of that myself, it would take 2 days!

Me too. I don't usually do interiors. On the two occasion that I have for money, both times, the interior was a separate charge on a separate day other than the day I did the paint polishing.

Mike

[2000]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
That's more than I've ever done to a car...

(I just like to polish paint )



Mike

thats not true, I've seen you wash a car in the video.

.Are we 'doing too much'?

can you do "too much" from the customers eyes? I'll bet they're coming back for life with service like that. I say to detailers like you!

[DETLMAN]

As long as the price was right I dont see any problems with what you did or how long you spent. 4 hours ( 2 people ) is very acceptable for a recon detail.

[6318]

As long as the price was right I dont see any problems with what you did or how long you spent. 4 hours ( 2 people ) is very acceptable for a recon detail.

[Jimmy Buffit]

Hey thanks to all!

Pricing is the issue. We earned $22 per hour for this $175 job. I'd like to see at $35-$40 per hour. I can probably boost the pricing to $200 (in this affluent area), but that would still require that we get it done in less tan 6 hours.

I gotta get creative, or faster!

Thanks again!

[DETLMAN]

I think what you did was fine, the only problem is your pricing is too low. You should have gotten around $225 or so. I usually shoot for $50+ per hour.