S55 AMG too sad

[DETLMAN]

Ok, I charged $175. right in the middle of your range

[Superior Shine]

Thats more than fair - not too many detailers can come anywhere close to that kind of work.

[DETLMAN]

Thanks for the compliments everyoe.

Joe, which way are you going when you go out to meguairs ?

[Mike Phillips]

Nice write-up and pictures Brian, $175 for 3 hours sounds good too!

Thanks for sharing with the forum...

Mike

[HEK]

1ST GREAT JOB!!...WOW....now as far as wet sanding, in CA I imagine that detailing shops are on each corner but here in the N.E. I have to rely on buying online since some places only sell to Body Shops and not to amateurs like myself,..anyway my question : 2000 wet paper?...is that found at your local hardware store and is it metal ot wood?...pardon my ignorance but...I can say I'm ..to your work...

Hector

[DETLMAN]

Hector, the paper is a meguiars poduct. Its a wet/dry sand paper made for sanding automotive finishes. You can buy it from a body shop supplier or direct from meguiars.

Thanks for the compliments!

[Superior Shine]

Originally posted by SqkyKln
Thanks for the compliments everyoe.

Joe, which way are you going when you go out to meguairs ?

I can only go one way and that is south!!

I will take 57 south to the 5.

[DETLMAN]

ok, I was going to say we could ride together but that is waaaayyy out of your way. No biggie.

[Tim Lingor]

Originally posted by HEK
1ST GREAT JOB!!...WOW....now as far as wet sanding, in CA I imagine that detailing shops are on each corner but here in the N.E. I have to rely on buying online since some places only sell to Body Shops and not to amateurs like myself,..anyway my question : 2000 wet paper?...is that found at your local hardware store and is it metal ot wood?...pardon my ignorance but...I can say I'm ..to your work...

Hector

Hey Hector,

As Brian pointed out, the BEST sanding papers are Meguiar's Unigrit Finishing Papers (Nikken).

Here is a link:

http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_list.cfm?store=pro&line=proauto&catagory=11&subcatagory=1

Tim

[Slats]

Ok, I'm trying hard not to say anything bad about your customers, but who in their right mind would "set things" on an S55 AMG!!?? I used to detail a S500 and let me say those cars are incredibly beautiful and powerful machines. It's really a shame that someone with that much money wastes it on such a nice car and treats it so poorly just because they can....

Anyway, sorry for venting. I gotta say you do very nice work. Incidently, how do you calculate how much to charge? Is there a general going rate per hour? I'm in college and when I used to detail cars on the side I only charged $15 an hour but I did more basic stuff like washing and using a one step wax, cleaning and conditioning leather, etc... I've only buffed and wet sanded my own car. Anyway, thanks for a great write up and the pics.

Slats

[DETLMAN]

Thank you.

I dont really have a set price structure, its based on time and level of what needs to be accomplished and the methods used to acomplish the given task.

I actually didnt charge them regular price because they are good people and great clients. That car would have been closer to $225. for a new customer or a customer I only see every now and then.

If I have to wet sand the price imediatly goes up to cover my risk of burning through or whatever might happen to cause the panel to need a re-paint.

[mmgrad]

SqkyKln, you did a fantastic job with that MB... I hope I can make my Benz look half that good.

The S-Class is most definitely a beautiful car... its a shame they don't take better care of their car... I know for sure I baby my CLK

But, its good that they trust you to take care of their car for them... and you obvious do a great job at that.

Keep up the good work!

-Danny

[benhui86]

S55 AMG AS A BEATER?!?!! IM GONNA GO SHOOT THAT GUY!!!

[tdekany]

Why is it so hard for everyone to see that not everyone is into cars. Someone from a very poor country might think the same about someone with a Honda Civic.

To some people a car is just a car (regardless of the cost)

Should they drive a Toyota as a beater?
jm2c

[Bill D]

Originally posted by DETLMAN
Yeah must be nice to have a car like that and it not mean anything.

Joe, took about 3 hours cant say what I charged though.

Yeah if not a car enthusiast buy a Honda or something and wisely invest the left over money.