Timing when detailing

[gtp]

hi pros -

do you guys have a schedule for every step when detailing a car? For example, ifyou have a 4-dr sedan do you stay on track by trying to complete the wash step in 15 minutes, clay 15 minutes, poishing 1 hr, waxing 1 hr. I hope this makes sense.. Do you stay within a timeframe for each step?

thanks!

[Snowman]

^^ Good question but I would think that it greatly depends on the quality of the paint and the condition of it on how much time each individual vehicle will need. More along the lines of how much attention does each vehicle need when you examine it. I don't see being able to have a set time for each step on each vehicle.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by Snowman
^^ Good question but I would think that it greatly depends on the quality of the paint and the condition of it on how much time each individual vehicle will need. More along the lines of how much attention does each vehicle need when you examine it. I don't see being able to have a set time for each step on each vehicle.

Exactly. There's no such thing as "cookie cutter process" when it comes to truly DETAILING a vehicle. No two vehicles are going to be exactly alike (even if they are the same make, model, color, options, etc.) because their condition depends so much on their environment and how they've been used.

There are some vehicles for which the wash step will take 2 hours, and then only 15 minutes for polishing (like if there was tons of mud, but the paint underneath didn't have much marring at all). Others may be the exact opposite. If you try to plan ahead for how long each step will take, and not using the proper products to address the damage, you'll get yourself into trouble.

I think the key, if you're trying to work professionally/for customers, is to judge what you'll do, and how you'll do it, after inspecting the vehicle and talking through it with the customer. Much of this comes from experience, in knowing what processes/products will need to be used to fix a problem (or at least fairly educated guesses) and how long those jobs will take.

Before I start working on a customer's vehicle, I always do a walk-around and ask them what their biggest concerns are; that way if they're more focussed on a spotless interior, I'll spend the majority of my time nit-picking every little stain, whereas if they've got a few major scratches on the paint that are bothering them, I'll take the time for touch-up, wet sanding, or whatever it takes to address those. Remembering that I target for 8-10 hours (sometimes 12, or more if the customer is paying well enough) working on a vehicle to complete the entire detail, I can do a lot to help a vehicle out, but at the same time if it's a particularly nasty daily driver I can't achieve perfection in 100% of the areas of the vehicle (nor should I be expected to).

[mirrorfinishman]

You'll find that after you detail enough vehicles, you pretty much get a good idea of how much time each step of the process requires. For example, to clean and wash an average car it may take you about an hour, while a HUMMER will usually take about two hours.

Personally, I would not focus on too much on whether or not you're meeting a timeframe. It's more important to do whatever it takes with each and every vehicle to make certain that each step of the job is done correctly.

In other words, it's okay to have a good understanding of how much time it takes after the fact. However, it's not a good idea to focus too much attention on the time factor while you're doing the job.

As you detail more and more vehicles you will gradually learn how some vehicles just take longer because of the variables involved, such as size, age and general condition.

[Pete-FWA]

Mirrorfinishman says it very well. Nice to have some time frames so you don't get bogged down or overschedule yourself, but after that, gotta' get the work done right.

Well, unless it's one of those cheapo jobs

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by Pete-FWA
Mirrorfinishman says it very well. Nice to have some time frames so you don't get bogged down or overschedule yourself, but after that, gotta' get the work done right.

Well, unless it's one of those cheapo jobs

Please don't forget, some of us don't have the luxury of detailing vehicles which the owners can be without for the DAYS ON END that it would take to make them TRULY perfect. I have done some nicer vehicles in the past, garage queens and whatnot... and I've spent up to a full week doing things to them. However, if I've got a person whose vehicle I only have for one day, I have to make the most of that. I never schedule more than one vehicle per day, but I do have to set some limits. "Get the work done right" can mean several things, and if you're being realistic about what can and can't be done in the time frame you're given, you MUST set the limits somewhere.

[bewshay]

damn one vehilce per day!!
now thats quality!
btw are u a mobile detailer?

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by bewshay
damn one vehilce per day!!
now thats quality!
btw are u a mobile detailer?

If you were asking me, no I work out of a shop (well sort of.... my home garage). Most of the details I do, I pick up the vehicle from the client's home or office at ~8AM, and return it before 5PM so they can head home from work at their normal time.

[buda]

A very good question with regard to having some guidelines on what time it should take to detail a vehicle.

As others have said, it really depends on what type of detailing you want to do.

If you are doing concours type detailing for owners of luxury cars then you might take one to two days to detail the car. For example, taking off the wheels, taking out the seats, waxing the engine jambs and door jambs, etc.

Having said that I would think that most of you, as it was with my detail centres, when we operated them here in Portland, we focused on the normal customer.

Who is that? A person who sees the value of an occasional detail; does not want to do it themselves; and has the disposal income to have someone do it for them.

So, this is what we recommend for a detail and this is what we do:

1. An exterior prep - 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the vehicle.

This is a complete engine clean including firewalls; underside of hood; hinges, etc.

Removal of dirt on fender edges; insects on the front and license plate.

All jambs; including the gas cap area

Removal of asphalt on rocker panels, wheels, etc.

Hand wash of body and removal of water

2. Trunk clean and shampoo - 30 to 45 minutes

At worst this is taking everything out of the trunk, cleaning it and replacing. Then shampooing mat; hand cleaning of walls, etc.

3. Complete interior clean and shampoo - 90 minutes

Shampoo of floormats
Wipe down and clean of headliner
Clean of trim around front windows
Shampoo & clean of dash and panel
Shampoo & clean of steering column and interior of the glove box
Shampoo of carpets
Shampoo & clean of seats and console.
Shampoo & clean door panels
Chemical spray and wipe down of door jambs
You do this front to back.
Then, front to back application of dressing and/or leather conditioner
Then, front to back window clean
Spray deodorizer under seat
Placement of plastic seat cover and floormat

4. Complete exterior buff, polish and wax - 90 minutes

If the paint requires a full three step process you would do:

a. Compound
b. Swirl Removal & Polish
c. Protect with wax or sealant
d. Application of tire and exterior trim dressing
e. Removal of wax/sealant

5. Final Detail - maximum 30 minutes

Front to back towel and detail brush to remove wax/sealant residue including engine; door and trunk jambs by opening.

Cleaning of exterior windows.

Final interior and exterior inspection

We have these procedures on steps cards that the detailer can carry in their shirt pocket.

Hope that helps

Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS

[Scottwax]

I don't have a set time for each step because all vehicles are different but I can expect to spend 3.5 to 5 hours for the average car and 4-8+ hours on trucks, SUVs and minivans for a complete detail.

The key is to develop a routine so there is no wasted effort. For example, when I vacuum, I start in the front, then move the seats all the way up and vacuum the back. I then begin the interior deep cleaning in the back since the seats are already moved all the way up. Little stuff like that can add up over a whole detail.

[buda]

You are correct, routine is the key. But you need to study wated motion.

In my opinion it is wasted motion to move from front to back and then from front to back again.

When we detail an interior we start on the driver's side and completely clean and shampoo everything in the drivers cab area and then finish with the door panel and door jamb and then move to the back and complete.

When done with cleaning and shampooing we move back to front and begin dressing front to back, top to bottom.

Then we clean the windows front to back.

Three separate functions, three separate chemicals and three separate tool and supply requirements.

Regards
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS

[Scottwax]

Originally posted by buda
You are correct, routine is the key. But you need to study wated motion.

In my opinion it is wasted motion to move from front to back and then from front to back again.

When we detail an interior we start on the driver's side and completely clean and shampoo everything in the drivers cab area and then finish with the door panel and door jamb and then move to the back and complete.

When done with cleaning and shampooing we move back to front and begin dressing front to back, top to bottom.

Then we clean the windows front to back.

Interesting you should mention doing interiors that way, since when I started out, that is how I did it too. However, for me personally, it is faster for me to vacuum the whole car starting in the front and begin the deep cleaning from the back.

And no, I don't need to study 'wasted motion' Bud. I really don't appreciate the condescending tone. I have found a routine that works best for me and you have found one that works best for you. Different strokes, I guess. Do what works best for you.

[buda]

No condescending tone intended. Only suggesting what we do and how we do it.

We also have preliminary steps that we follow before the cleaning and shampooing starts:

1. Inspection of interior to determine what is needed.
2. Removal of and cleaning & shampooing of the floormats or give them to the person cleaning the trunk and let them clean and shampoo them.
3. Removal of all loose items in interior and placing them in a plastic bag.
4. Removal and cleaning and drying of ashtrays and replace
5. Using air blower blow all the dirt out of the cracks and crevices; map pockets; console; ac vents, etc.
6. Complete vacuum front and back of entire interior
7. Spotting of all stains that are peculiar such as grease; red dye, rust, coffee, etc.
8 Flip down sunvisors
9. Move front seat back

Then we get all our tools, towels and chemicals and set into the car to begin the cleaning and shampooing process.

As you say, everyone to their own procedure. WE developed this not for ourselves but for the workers to insure they would do things the same way on every car. One training session was all that was needed if we gave them procedures cards with these steps.

Again no intention to insult you at all.

Regards
BudAbraham