Your Definition of a Basic Exterior Detail

[The Critic]

Hey guys,

What do you consider to be a basic exterior detail?

Lately I have done a few of these for friends/family and I am starting to think that I can charge $75 for them and not feel bad about it.

But I am curious what you folks offer to your clients. Most of my friends/family are only interested in, as they should be, in getting their cars cleaned up and protected for 4-6 months.

Here's my process:

- Wash Vehicle
- Clean Wheels
- Apply Iron-X Paste
- Use Nanoskin med-grade mitt
- Apply Menzerna Power Lock
- Dress Tires with Opti-Bond

It usually takes me 3-4 hours to do the car.

Thoughts?

[dwlinc23]

I charge $90 for a basic, which is my Level I. So yours sounds about right.

[ken tuep]

Try to calculate your cost of materials, including water, and wear and tear on machines and pads, as well as your chemicals.

Then figure out the lowest $ amount you'll work for hourly. Then see how it adds up, don't sell yourself or products too cheap.

My basic, although not very basic, goes for $125. But that's including vacuuming and wiping down interior and windows.

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[GenesisCoupe]

My basic detail, which is $120 for most cars includes;

Wash with ONR
Clay/mitt
wheels/tire shine after
Sealant (BFWD) via PC

Interior-

Vacumm
wipe down dashboard/console
windows
leather spray (clean/condition aio)
Air freshener (CG sprays)

I may polish the exhaust tips if i like you or the tips really need it.

[VP Mark]

Basic exterior you say?

Onr wash
Optimum car wax
Opti bond tire gel
Hyper dressing on fender wells
Windows

$60 - $80 depending on vehicle size. Takes an hour +-

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[The Critic]

Thanks guys. I am not planning to officially go into business, but it's be nice if I could just charge a few bucks for my time (to buy lunch or more tools).


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[WRAPT C5Z06]

I wouldn't clay unless polishing.

[The Critic]

I wouldn't clay unless polishing.

I understand the issue with marring, but on most paints, they're not in perfect condition so any marring is a mute point. I am more concerned about getting the surface as clean as possible so that the sealant is given the best chance to bond.


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[WRAPT C5Z06]

I understand the issue with marring, but on most paints, they're not in perfect condition so any marring is a mute point. I am more concerned about getting the surface as clean as possible so that the sealant is given the best chance to bond.


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As long as you're aware of possible marring, you nailed it! :dblthumb2:

[Klasse Act]

Wash, dry, clean the tires and wheels, dress the tires, clay the paint and apply a good AIO.

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[Pureshine]

Here are my two basic exterior washes. and for marring I have not noticed any from nanoskin mitt when use with enough detail spray. For black cars I will clay after I explain to the customer it may cause marring but prefer not to clay black unless doing paint correction. I have them sign off when I'm doing a black car and claying.


HAND WASH

Time Required: 1-2 hour Depends on car size.

Details: Hand wash and blow dried
: Wash wheel
: Dress tires
: Wipe down door jams
: Clean windows
Car Suv Full Size
$35 $45 $55




PREMIUM HAND WASH AND WAX/SEALANT

Time Required: 2-3 hours depends on car size

Details: Hand wash and Blow dried
: Clay bar to remove contaminates from the paint
: Apply wax or sealant
: Clean door jams
: Clean windows and mirrors
: Wash wheels
: Dress tires

Car Suv Full Size
$80 $95 $105

[Coyote33]

My exterior only is listed on the website for $150 for cars and $175 for SUV/Vans and takes 2 to 3 hours per vehicle

Foam Cannon
Rinse
ONR
Clay/Nano
clean/dress wheel wells
wheels cleaned and dressed
tires cleaned/dressed
door jambs cleaned
windows cleaned
black plastic with poorboys
machine AIO

I only detail on weekends and hate doing just the basic so I price it where I can easily up-sell to a package deal.

[Harry Da Hamster]

The problem is using the word "basic" in your marketing. People would perceive "basic" as a $20 wash and wax or a drive thru car wash. If you're charging more than $50, you should never use the word "basic" even though it's your most basic. Using the word "basic" makes it an up-hill battle for you and selling your product. It's not what you perceive it to be, it's what the customer perceives it to be.

Sorry i can't help you with pricing since i'm not "professional", but i have a marketing degree.

[KillaCam]

The problem is using the word "basic" in your marketing. People would perceive "basic" as a $20 wash and wax or a drive thru car wash. If you're charging more than $50, you should never use the word "basic" even though it's your most basic. Using the word "basic" makes it an up-hill battle for you and selling your product. It's not what you perceive it to be, it's what the customer perceives it to be.

Sorry i can't help you with pricing since i'm not "professional", but i have a marketing degree.

I agree. IMO claying isn't basic. I would use the words like "express", possibly.

[statusdetailing]

I don't do basic exteriors alone very often, because I try to sell a interior/exterior package to make more money that day. If I do a basic exterior, I generally charge around $120 (For a small car). 3 hrs of work @ $40 per hour.

Wash
Clay
AIO (D151)
Tires and trim dressed
Windows.

Very basic but makes a pretty dramatic difference.