Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Whats up guys.
I just got done with a 5th wheel...about 32'...and it was an a** buster lol.
First off it was my first time doing something of this size (only cars,trucks suvs before) So i seriously underbid it at $150 for a wash and wax only.

Thank God the owner was quite nice and tipped is $100, so that eased the pain some, but it did still take quite a few hours to complete the job over 2 days WITH my sisters help.
I used my PC with Megs softbuff 6.5" Polishing pad and Meguiars Flagship Premium Marine Wax.

Some problems I had were, the pad got pretty caked up after using (obviously) so much wax since this thing was a monster. Also using a step ladder to get up to the higer portions was quite a pain as well (any suggestions on easing the difficulty with this?) Also, the shade issue...im in arizona...and It seems the best way I can keep in the shade is to just work on whatever side is in the shade at that time (as the wax does NOT come off well with any sun hitting it)

The job turned out pretty well, the owner was very happy and said he'd have us back next year, but man its a lot of work! Now his neighboar wants his RV done (30' long). Its in better shape, but still a big baby. His neighbor told him about our $150 bid, but also told him that his was our first vehicle of that size, and that after working on it and seeing the time/work that went into it, that I would have bid it higher (at least $8 a foot is what I told him).

Now the owner seems to be stuck on the $8/foot...so about $240 for the job. I'd like to get a little more out of this one, and probably even more than that for anything here after.
So my other question...as the title stated is...what do you charge and HOW do you charge?

Also, with the 5th wheel it was fiberglass (my 1st fiberglass vehicle) and it seemed to really drink the wax (was pretty oxidized and needed love). The RV on the other hand doesnt seem to be fiberglass....so do i use the same Marine/RV wax on it as i did the 5th Wheel, or do I use a regular car wax?
Suggestions anyone?

Thank you,

Wills

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

I believe the going rate is around $10.00-15.00 dollars a foot.

[audionutmike]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

Wills,
What wax were you using, and how thick were you putting it on the pad?
Meg's line of waxes are made for thin coats and they spread a long way. NXT, 21 and 20 work best, in my experience, with 2 to 3 pea sized drops on the applicator and that gives you the ability to work a large area. A good way to test is you still have enough wax on the applicator is to touch up against a clean (very important, I'll state it again, CLEAN!) window and see the amount of wax that is left on the window. This will give you a good idea of how much is left on the applicator and if you should add another drop or two.
I'm assuming that with such a large vehicle you were adding a lot of wax to the applicator.
Also, what method were you using for application?

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

Wills,
What wax were you using, and how thick were you putting it on the pad?
Meg's line of waxes are made for thin coats and they spread a long way. NXT, 21 and 20 work best, in my experience, with 2 to 3 pea sized drops on the applicator and that gives you the ability to work a large area. A good way to test is you still have enough wax on the applicator is to touch up against a clean (very important, I'll state it again, CLEAN!) window and see the amount of wax that is left on the window. This will give you a good idea of how much is left on the applicator and if you should add another drop or two.
I'm assuming that with such a large vehicle you were adding a lot of wax to the applicator.
Also, what method were you using for application?

Hey Mike,

for the 5th wheel we used Megs Flagship Premium Marine wax (5th wheel was fiberglass and this wax was for fiberglass).

I heard that regular car wax/sealant could yellow a Gel Coat like what is usually on fiberglass...again thats what i've heard I dont know if this is true or not?

The surface of this 5th wheel was kinda odd...it wasnt smooth...it had a 'texture' to it so to speak. I can't really think of anything to compair it to other than maybe a canvas...it wasnt like a typical car where its just a smooth surface...the surface it self (NOT the paint) had a sort of really light texture...not sure if that caused it to be more difficult to wax?

As i stated in the 1st post...i used my PC with a 6.5" Megs Polishing pad as my method of application. And yes i was adding a lot of wax to the applicator...more than i ususally would have, simply because it seemed to take so much in order for me to get it on evenly. After i worked an area of say...2x2 ft...the pad would then only have enough to cover the main surface..but wouldnt get down into the 'texture' of the 5th wheel. I believe the sides and the back had the texture...but the front was a typical smooth finish sorta like a boat. It was just VERY oxidized and i was wondering if thats why i was having to use so much wax?

[gto_don]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

Wills,
Not sure if this will be of help, but "Rthario" (Bob) and I together detailed a boat for one of his customers early in June. Although boat finish is different than an RV, I am wondering if No. 49 Oxidation Remover or No. 67 One-Step Compound from the marine line might have been more help to you rather than going for the wax straight off? This was our first attempt at doing a boat, but the compound followed by the Marine line wax was the ticket for us.
I know others on this forum have done many RV/Boat details and maybe can "shine" some light on this issue too?

My 2 cents.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

Here are some pictures of it...

Before:



After (can't see a huge difference with it being white, but upclose and in person you could tell):



After Up Close:





Here's a 50/50 shot of the front...the right side had been waxed (decals were almost totally faded):




Wheel Before/Afters turned out great:

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

Wills,
Not sure if this will be of help, but "Rthario" (Bob) and I together detailed a boat for one of his customers early in June. Although boat finish is different than an RV, I am wondering if No. 49 Oxidation Remover or No. 67 One-Step Compound from the marine line might have been more help to you rather than going for the wax straight off? This was our first attempt at doing a boat, but the compound followed by the Marine line wax was the ticket for us.
I know others on this forum have done many RV/Boat details and maybe can "shine" some light on this issue too?

My 2 cents.

Yeah it may have, but this guy was only interested in a 'wash and wax' deal...said he didnt want a multistep process this year, but maybe next year so i'll keep those in mind for then .

I was hoping others would 'shine' in with some info for me...the replies so far have been good, but still hoping for more .

What are your rates as far as how you charge for boats?

Thanks!

[Poki]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

[Poki]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

I spend a lot of time keeping my motorhome looking good. It is non clear coated fiberglass upper and painted lower. The long handle brush for washing the this telescoping squeegee work well for washing and drying. I like using Meg's #50 Cleaner/Wax with a maroon cutting pad on the fiberglass. It has been my experience that it is almost impossible to get the finish to look even after just one application. That is due to the oxidation. I always top the cleaner/wax with another wax to even out the finish....so it does not look splotchy.

[Poki]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

Can someone help me get pics from my photos/gallery posted in a smaller size? I'm doing something wrong I think.....

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

Can someone help me get pics from my photos/gallery posted in a smaller size? I'm doing something wrong I think.....

*shrugs* I think the pic size is fine lol.

I have a brush pretty much like the one you showed...was thinking about getting a MF mitt connection also...to wash the high parts that arnt in really bad shape.

Just got a call this morning for a guy wanting just a wash, i was thinking around $4-$5 a foot? Any feedback on that?

BTW thats a big freakin squeegie lol...I'm sure it works good i just dont wanna use it on a customers paint...maybe the big windshield but no paint...rather just hand dry it just to be safe...even thou thats a lotta drying!

[Poki]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

The squeegie is VERY soft and will not mar even the new clear coated full body painted RVs....trust me on that one!! The foam blade is not the typical window rubber type blade.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

The squeegie is VERY soft and will not mar even the new clear coated full body painted RVs....trust me on that one!! The foam blade is not the typical window rubber type blade.

Oh ok, it looked like just a typical rubber one. Where did you pick that up at?

BTW...with your RV, you said it was clear coat. Are most RV's clear (like REAL RV's, not 5th wheels). I just want to make sure that I'm using the right wax's on the right surfaces...I dont want to put a clear coat wax on a gel coat surface ya know?

The last job i had was a RV...and I used NXT 2.0 on it and it seemed to work fine...and I was almost positive it was a clear so i didnt see any issue with using it. I know NXT will last longer than a standard wax...but I'm not sure how long it will hold up, especially in full Az sun...?

[Poki]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

My RV is NON clear coat finish. Many older ones are non clear coated. A lot also depends on the price range of the RV. More expensive ones are clear. Often, the front and rear caps are non clear and the sidewalls will be clear coated. As long as you stick with the products in the Meg's Marine/RV line up you'll be fine.

Something else to consider....the vinyl graphics on the RV. Some older ones are prone to cracking, crazing and peeling. Not all vinyl graphics are equal. Some vinyl graphic mfgrs. say NOT to wax theirs with the same product you use on the RV. Most newer vinyl can be waxed. I like using vinyl products like Ultimate Protectant on them. Helps protect and restores some color sometimes.

I found my squeegie at an RV show but you can get them here: http://www.bettymills.com/shop/produ.../UNGPM55A.html

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: Help With RV Wash n' Wax Prices and Method

My RV is NON clear coat finish. Many older ones are non clear coated. A lot also depends on the price range of the RV. More expensive ones are clear. Often, the front and rear caps are non clear and the sidewalls will be clear coated. As long as you stick with the products in the Meg's Marine/RV line up you'll be fine.

Something else to consider....the vinyl graphics on the RV. Some older ones are prone to cracking, crazing and peeling. Not all vinyl graphics are equal. Some vinyl graphic mfgrs. say NOT to wax theirs with the same product you use on the RV. Most newer vinyl can be waxed. I like using vinyl products like Ultimate Protectant on them. Helps protect and restores some color sometimes.

I found my squeegie at an RV show but you can get them here: http://www.bettymills.com/shop/produ.../UNGPM55A.html

Hey Poki thanks. So for the older RVs that arn't clear coated...do they just have the equivalent of a single stage paint on them?

I know what you mean about all graphics/decals NOT being the same. The 5th wheen I posted pics of had just been re decaled a couple years back and they were already peeling like you wouldnt believe. I didnt know if waxing would help them or not, but in the shape they were in it sure couldnt hurt, the guy had already cut the peeling pieces off many times before...so i went ahead and waxed em.

I'll keep that squeegie in mind, if these RV jobs start coming in heavy id almost have to get one lol. Theres a 'camping world' near me that has a lot of RV goodies in it, i wonder if they'd sell something like the one you have..i might have to go take a looksie .

BTW, for just a wash, do you think $4-5 is pretty fair? I think i'm pretty set on $10-15 for wash and wax, but tryin to work out my wash only price.