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Professional detailers chime in! Paint correction time frame
I have tried searching for past threads on this topic I have read a long time ago but cant find them! I would like to know how long it is taking professional detailers (or even those who detail for a hobby) to perform a proper quality paint correction. I have been detailing professionally for sometime now. A 2 stage correction (compounding & polishing + coating) is taking me anywhere from 10-16 + hrs depending on some variables. How big the vehicle is, different sizes of panels, condition & how much correction is needed, time decontaminating, etc..
I get quality results if given that time frame but apparently I take too long. I thought it was a reasonable time frame. Curious how long it takes others?
Thanks for the input
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Super Member
Re: Professional detailers chime in! Paint correction time frame
8-14 hours accounting for car size and how bad the paint is. I used to be in the 10-16 range but the better I got with my products (polish and compounds). Add in other products like clay substitutes and IronX as well as other things to speed up the process and you can get it even lower.
Former professional detailer. Current medical student (class of 2023)
2017 Infiniti Q60 3.0t AWD
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Re: Professional detailers chime in! Paint correction time frame
It all depends on the % correction you are trying to achieve
Basic compounding and polishing COULD be accomplished in 5-6 hours, if the goal is 75-85% correction
RIDS slow me way down during the compounding stage, as I am always shooting for 95% correction
Allow at least an extra hour and a half for prep and application, if you are using a "coating"
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Re: Professional detailers chime in! Paint correction time frame
I agree with conman. 8-14hrs depending on the condition and expectations.
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Re: Professional detailers chime in! Paint correction time frame
Originally Posted by allenk4
It all depends on the % correction you are trying to achieve
Basic compounding and polishing COULD be accomplished in 5-6 hours, if the goal is 75-85% correction
RIDS slow me way down during the compounding stage, as I am always shooting for 95% correction
Allow at least an extra hour and a half for prep and application, if you are using a "coating"
The goal is close to 95%-100% correction as possible because we are coating.
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Super Member
Re: Professional detailers chime in! Paint correction time frame
On a standard sized car such as a 4 door Toyota Camry, my experience is about 6-8 hours for the correction (compounding) step alone. The correction (compounding) step normally takes the longest since your sections tend to be around 16" or 18" square and you use slow arm speed with an average of 6 passes per section...of course paint condition and hardness will determine number of passes, arm speed, etc, but this is generally speaking.
The polishing step will go a little faster since you maybe be able to do less passes, a larger area and faster arm speed.
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Super Member
Re: Professional detailers chime in! Paint correction time frame
Who is saying that you are taking too long? You might be on the long end of what is typical, but if you are using a DA for compounding and polishing and having to prep for a coating, then you aren't far off.
If you are using rotary and wool for your compounding step then, yes, you are moving way too slow elsewhere and should cut a few hours out. If someone is trying to compare you to a production detailer then they need an education. 95% correction is not drive-thru detailing; it's sitting down to a nice dinner knowing someone started prepping that morning or the night before.
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Super Member
Re: Professional detailers chime in! Paint correction time frame
Originally Posted by 04Golf
I have been detailing professionally for sometime now.
A 2 stage correction (compounding & polishing + coating) is taking me anywhere from 10-16 + hrs depending on some variables.
I get quality results if given that time frame but apparently I take too long. I thought it was a reasonable time frame.
You state you are a professional detailer getting quality results within what you consider to be a reasonable time frame. I have no reason to believe otherwise.
And:
Unless it's your Customer(s) saying that you take too long; or that you feel that your profit margin is suffering from time-underestimations for too many job-quotes:
Is it really anyone else's personal business?
Reminds me of the times I've had to tell someone
that they had a nose that could open envelopes.
Bob
"Be wary of the man who urges an action in which he himself incurs no risk."
~Joaquin de Setanti
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Super Member
Re: Professional detailers chime in! Paint correction time frame
Originally Posted by 04Golf
The goal is close to 95%-100% correction as possible because we are coating.
If the car is relatively new and in decent shape, 90% is being reasonable. However, on an older DD, 95-100% is not achievable, IMO.
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Re: Professional detailers chime in! Paint correction time frame
Originally Posted by 04Golf
The goal is close to 95%-100% correction as possible because we are coating.
IMO, on most cars...100% correction is not possible
Unless you are wet sanding some areas and doing touch-up paint....95% is the max
This may be what is slowing you down
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