Suggested Price?

[ViperCrazed]

Recently had a person in the community (old school teacher of mine) call me and ask if I would clean up her vehicle. She has a 98 dark red f-150.

She doesnt need the interior "spotless." She just wants a decent shine to her paint. Nothing to "over the top" she said. So figuring my time constraints, I plan on:

claying
ColorX
Wax
Dress Tires

Problem is, I have never detailed for money and I have no idea how much this job is worth? What's my range I should ask for?

[SMRcalidiv]

Re: Suggested Price?

depends on what kinda grades she gave you

[TrufflePig]

Re: Suggested Price?

call a local dealer and see what they would charge and from them.

i'm guessing about 100 bucks and plus some.

remember, she could be potential long term client and could refer you to teacher friends

[ViperCrazed]

Re: Suggested Price?

lol, It was an art class and I got an A

The "pro" (I use that term loosely) here charges around 100 maybe more to shampoo and vac the inside and wash/wax the outside. He has done some damage to paint jobs around here. He is part of the reason I started hanging around here so i could do things on my own.

[jarred767]

Re: Suggested Price?

Originally posted by ViperCrazed
She doesnt need the interior "spotless." She just wants a decent shine to her paint. Nothing to "over the top" she said. So figuring my time constraints, I plan on:

claying
ColorX
Wax
Dress Tires

it sounds as if your probably gonna be doing some work to the interior, like a vacuum and basic clean up, plus the steps you have there. For myself, with claying, colorX, and wax (plus you'll have to wash and dry first) I would probably charge at least $150 for all that on an f-150. Since its your first time though and just starting out I'd say probably charge somewhere between $100 and $120. Just make sure that you're making it worth your while. To do all that on a f-150 is gonna take a decent amount of time. Have fun though and maybe it'll make you wanna start doing it a little more often for $$$.

[ViperCrazed]

Re: Suggested Price?

Thanks for all the replies. I'm currently in college to become a Software Engineer. I have always wanted to do something like this on the side to help with all the expenses. One more quick question, I just used a fresh piece of clay this week on my truck. I didnt pull much dirt off but I did clay some chrome (bumpers, bed rails) Is this clay safe to use on the F-150? What is the life span of clay?

[BlueZero]

Re: Suggested Price?

Life span of clay is... Well, that depends. In general, you will be able to use it maybe between 4-9 times. Depends on how much it is taking off. Make sure to kneed that clay and fold it over a few times to sort of mix it. I have used my clay bar about 3 times and it still looks like new. It really comes down to your best judgment. And save your old clay for the dirty jobs.

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: Suggested Price?

Problem is, I have never detailed for money and I have no idea how much this job is worth? What's my range I should ask for?

The job is worth whatever your school teacher is willing to pay you for taking care of her truck. Be honest with her and ask her how much she wants to spend. Then use your own judgement and settle in on an agreeable price.

Also, about that used clay. If you have to ask the question, then you already know the answer. You would be smart to either use fresh clay or no clay at all. Definitely not a good idea to use contaminated clay on her F-150.

[ViperCrazed]

Re: Suggested Price?

Okedoke, thanks alot.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Suggested Price?

Also, about that used clay. If you have to ask the question, then you already know the answer. You would be smart to either use fresh clay or no clay at all.

Definitely not a good idea to use contaminated clay on her F-150.

Ditto on the clay answer.

Never use contaminated clay on paint, it won't save you time and money it will create a lot more work and risk.

[BlueZero]

Re: Suggested Price?

Not to steal the thread but, I have a question.

Do you pro's use a new bar of clay for each vehicle? If so what do you do with the old clay?

I just want to learn the right way. Now I do friends cars for free. But this summer I would like to do a few paying details. So if I plan on doing 10 cars and figure cutting the bars in half. That is still a little over $100 worth of clay.

Thanks!

[sixty7mustang22]

Re: Suggested Price?

depends on what kinda grades she gave you

[jarred767]

Re: Suggested Price?

Originally posted by Blue Zero
Do you pro's use a new bar of clay for each vehicle? If so what do you do with the old clay?

I just want to learn the right way. Now I do friends cars for free. But this summer I would like to do a few paying details. So if I plan on doing 10 cars and figure cutting the bars in half. That is still a little over $100 worth of clay.

Thanks!

Great Question. First off you have to change your thinking, I thought about clay the exact same way when I started off and thought that it wasn't worth it, it's too expensive.

It's not. As a business, claying might be the absolute best investment that you can make in your business. You can buff a car forever and for the average customer, it's gonna look shiny. (For example, for my wash and wax customers I use megs #66 and my customers think their cars look amazing) I hate it, now they're satisfied with that and don't want to move on to a better more expensive package.
Anyways, you can use a great system like 83, 80, and 26 and remove swirls and fine scratches and the car will look great, but most people out there won't really tell the difference between that and 66.
now if you clay they can definitely feel the difference and will be amazed by it. They'll go back and tell friends and refer them to you and you'll be amazed by how your business could take off. So it's worth the money in the long run.

Also, what I do is buy Meguiars Detailer Clay (mild) which is twice as big as the smooth surface clay system and costs $22 and ADS. Doesn't come with all the other stuff, but that's ok. I cut mine into five pieces and that's definitely big enough to do a job with. Each piece usually lasts three or four cars depending on how dirty they are. I also keep dirtier pieces to use on sideskirts and other "dirty" places so I don't quickly use up a good piece of clay.

So doing the math if I can get three cars out of a piece and five pieces out of a bar I'm really getting 15 cars out of one $22 clay bar. Just over $1 a car. Even at two cars per piece it's just over $2 per car. You should be charging more for this service, but like I started off the post. Definitely worth it in the long run.

Good luck with your business this summer.

[BlueZero]

Re: Suggested Price?

Thanks Jarred! Your answer makes perfect sense.